Hong Kong Island

From a humble fishing village to a modern metropolis, HK Island is a pulsating utopia of soaring skyscrapers, glitzy malls, luxury boutiques and high-end restaurants serving every cuisine imaginable.

Take a trip on the Ding Dings: the iconic double-decker HK Trams have been traversing the island for over 100 years, offering tourists and locals alike an affordable and convenient way to explore the city.

Hike the Dragon's Back: brave the heat and stroll along this picturesque mountain ridge. You'll be rewarded with impressive coastal views of the sea and outlying islands.

Admire the view from the Peak: this popular beauty spot is taller than Hong Kong's highest skyscraper and boasts jaw-dropping panoramas of the city and the South China Sea.

Dine on Asian delicacies: slurp snake soup at Se Wong Yee (one of the island's tiniest eateries!), feast on fish balls from street food stalls and queue for budget-friendly Michelin star roast goose.

Snap a pic of the Monster Building: one of the most Instagrammable places in Hong Kong, this cluster of 5 tightly-packed apartment buildings comprises 18 floors and 2243 colourful units. It's definitely worthy of its local name!

Kowloon

Located across the harbour from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon is considered the city's more authentic (and affordable!) side. It's known for its twisting side streets, sprawling markets and thriving Chinese culture. While busy during the day, this area truly comes alive at night.

Grab a bargain at Temple Street: the largest night market in the city, here, you can haggle for all sorts of souvenirs, including clothes, bags, watches and home furnishings.

Sail across Victoria Harbour: hop on the historic Star Ferry between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island for a ten-minute, unrivalled view of the city's iconic harbour.

Witness a dazzling light show:  every night, HK's skyline is illuminated by vibrant lasers synchronised to music, providing an audio-visual feast for the senses. According to the Guinness World Records, it's the largest permanent light show on the planet!

Enjoy a night at the opera: the city's only surviving pre-war cinema, Yau Ma Tei Theatre's shows are instantly recognisable thanks to their ornate costumes and dazzling theatricals.

Get zen at HK's busiest temple: shrowded in a fog of incense and muttered prayers, the gorgeously ornamented Wong Tai Sin Temple is home to three religions, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

The New Territories

Head off the beaten track with a visit to this downtown area of Hong Kong. A must for nature lovers, here you'll discover a variety of lush country parks, mountainous landscapes and sweeping ocean views just a stone's throw from the bustling city centre.

Meet Ten Thousand Buddhas: although it's a steep climb to the summit, this nine-story pagoda is surrounded by more Buddha statues than you could shake a lotus leaf at!

Explore the city's wild side: spanning 600,000 square meters, Hong Kong Wetland Park is a beautiful conservation area home to an array of wildlife, including Pui Pui, an enormous saltwater crocodile.

Visit Hong Kong's best sunset spot: this stretch of coastline is dotted with mangroves, mudflats and fishing shacks. The beach's calm waters make it the perfect place to watch the sun descend.

Learn about Cantonese culture: the Hong Kong Heritage Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the territory's history, with exhibitions on calligraphy, Bruce Lee and much more.

Make your wishes come true: pray for good luck at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees, one of HK's most famous shrines. During the first few days of the Lunar New Year, people write their wishes on paper tied around oranges and throw them into the trees' branches.

Outlying Islands

Hong Kong comprises more than 250 islands, so there's plenty to keep you from revisiting the same old spots.

Whether you're looking for stunning beaches or picturesque hikes, these peaceful hideaways have it all and then some.

Hang out with Mickey Mouse: a tourist's paradise, it takes more than a day trip to see all that Lantau Island has to offer, including Hong Kong Disneyland and Tian Tan, one of the world's largest seated Buddhas.

Clamber over volcanic rocks: Tung Ping Chau is the easternmost outlying island and a UNESCO Global Geopark. It's famous for unusual rock formations, spectacular cliffs and magical sea life.

Relish the peace and quiet: escape urban life with a visit to Lamma Island, where you can only travel by foot or bicycle. Sunbathing on Hung Shing Yeh Beach and dining on freshly caught seafood are just two things to tick off your itinerary.

Sleep under the stars: perfect for picnics, kite flying and camping, Tap Mun (or Grass Island) is an idyllic haven for those wanting to reconnect with nature.

Be brave and go ghost hunting: there's only one path around Po Toi, and it takes you through eerie abandoned villages, past a haunted coffin-shaped rock and down a cliff covered in ancient carvings.