Holidays to Hong Kong – £49pp deposits^

Hong Kong travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Hong Kong?

  The best time to visit Hong Kong is October to December when the weather is mild and pleasant. Temperatures range from 19°C to 26°C (66°F to 79°F), and the humidity is lower, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Spring (March to May) is also a good option, with comfortable temperatures, though there may be occasional rain. Avoid the summer months (June to August), as they can be hot, humid, and prone to heavy rain and typhoons.

• Hong Kong attractions

  Aside from Lantau Island’s Disneyland Resort park and gorgeous Kowloon Harbour, most of your time in Hong Kong will be spent in the entrancing open-air theme park that is Hong Kong Island. Part economic powerhouse, part thrilling pleasure-zone, Hong Kong crams more fun into its 50 square miles than any other city of comparable size.

  Aberdeen Harbour

  A suburb of Hong Kong city, Aberdeen still feels like a film-set with its junks and fishing boats plying the waters, and sampans offering ferry rides out in the evening. The view back to the island is breath taking, as the lights illuminate the skyscrapers rising above the tiny, huddled fishing village below.

  Victoria Harbour

  The show-stopping spectacle of them all, Victoria Harbour is the third largest harbour in the world, lined with Hong Kong’s vertiginous skyscrapers. The Symphony of the Lights choreographs the illumination from 40 of Hong Kong's skyscrapers in a gloriously over-the-top multimedia experience. Your best view is the 554 metre pinnacle of the Victoria Peak. Alternatively the Avenue of Stars, along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, is another great harbour view.

  But for a panorama with great photo-opportunities, a ferry cruise is your best bet. Ferries between Hong Kong and Kowloon are fine for viewing the sights, but a ferry cruise with a commentary, and perhaps dinner, is by far the best experience of all. If you’d like to watch the Symphony of Lights, this is your only option. Try the famous Star Ferry for a voyage to remember located at piers 4 or 9.

  Ocean Park

  Tourist central, Ocean Park is a 170 acre maritime attraction, featuring plenty of on-land thrills too. A tour through Hong Kong’s history, The Middle Kingdom’s temples, pagodas, street markets and giant panda enclosures lead on to the Dinosaur Park, and in turn to the dolphin breeding centre.

  There’s a huge shark aquarium, a four-storey-tall atoll reef, rays and tropical fish tanks, recreating the South China Seas, and for humans, plenty of watery fun to be had in the Water Paradise aquatic entertainment centre and the white-knuckle rides of Headland Park. You’ll need a full day to do Ocean Park any justice.

  Repulse Bay

  Away from the glaring neon of downtown, Repulse Bay is a welcome blast of relaxation with its fabulous beach, warm clear waters and swish beachfront hotels, bars and restaurants. Water sports offer slightly more thrills, with a range of operators offering water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and the like.

  Wong Tai Sin Temple

  It’s good to see, amid the commerciality of downtown Hong Kong, a serene spot or two. This Taoist temple is one of the city’s most popular. Perhaps that’s got something to do with the temple’s Hong Kong Sticks, shaken out at random, foretell tourists’ fortunes. In theory, at least!
  
  But take time to look at the temple’s graceful architecture, too. Sturdy ochre pillars, pagoda-style roof, yellow latticework, and carvings, and the three memorial archways within its grounds are typical of Hong Kong temples, many of which have been sacrificed to the ever-increasing commercial quarters.

  Disneyland Resort and Lantau Island

  Situated on Lantau Island, this multi-million dollar attraction is every bit as good as its Stateside counterparts, but with enough winsome, Oriental touches to give it a distinctive appeal all its own.

  Expect all the usual suspects - from the Mainstreet USA nightly procession, to the thrill rides of Adventureland, Disney’s not messed around too much with a winning formula.

  Nice touches include the Festival of the Lion King based on ‘The Lion King', Tarzan Island’s jungle capers, Fantasyland’s carnival of our best loved Disney characters, and Tomorrowland’s screaming rides, such as the evergreen Space Mountain. Dining options and evening entertainment ensure that this is one theme park with all bases covered.

  While in Lantau Island, take a look at the Giant Buddha Sculpture - and climb to its 34 metre summit. The island’s beautiful scenery is another highlight, culminating in a lofty chain of mountains. Phoenix Mountain, at 935 meters, is the second highest peak in all of Hong Kong, and often climbed just before dawn, for a glimpse of sunrise. The island’s south-east is home to a string of stunning beaches.

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• Hong Kong food and drink

  From gourmet Michelin dining (the city has more Michelin-starred restaurants than New York) to authentic and delicious dim sum, Hong Kong is a diners’ paradise. Head to Wing Wah Lane to sample fabulous Japanese food. Indian and South-east Asian cuisine are on offer here in a string of highly-respected restaurants.

  The floating seafood restaurants of Aberdeen Harbour are sensational, and are worth the short trip from town, and, on the mainland, Kowloon City offers a smorgasbord of international treats but is especially strong on Cantonese and Chiu Chow dishes.

  Hong Kong’s favourite spot for fast food, delicious and healthy street food and snacks is Causeway Bay, with thrilling street food markets operating every night.

  Downtown’s mix of Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan restaurants are world-class, but the prices are a notch or two steeper here, so check the menu before entering. But, if you can afford a night here, try roast suckling pig, a Cantonese specialty that is elevated to high gastronomic art in Hong Kong.

  More casual in feel and full of exciting dining opportunities, with young chefs fusing traditional styles with international influences, Lan Kwai Fong mixes Japanese, Indian, French and American flavours, and throws in a few curve balls along the way. Keep walking to SoHo ('South of Hollywood Road') for Hong Kong’s most fashionable and stylish bars and restaurants.

  Outlying islands, such as Lamma Island and Sai Kung offer more authentic, and cheaper, food options. If unsure, look for Hong Kong soup, or Tingzai porridge (a soupy stew with pork, peanuts, seafood and rice, and mouth-wateringly good!).

  In the afternoon, tea and dim sum is the order of the day. A welcome respite from the frenzy of shopping and sightseeing, a good Tea Shop is a thing of wonder. Look for them around the authentic township of Stanley, Downtown and Aberdeen.

  For international dining, the restaurants of Causeway are hard to beat, while Starstreet Precinct’s small, family-run establishments serving wonderful sushi and gooey desserts are wonderful.

• Hong Kong nightlife

  Lan Kwai Fong is the buzzing heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife. With 80 restaurants, scores of bars, revue shows and karaoke joints, the energy of ‘Bar Street’ (as it’s known) is hard to resist. The variety and sheer number of enterprises also helps keep prices down, ensuring this is one of the best-value nights out you can have in Hong Kong.

  You’ll notice signs for ‘Happy Hour’ offers and ‘Spree Hour’. Happy Hour is usually for after-work drinks, and runs up to around 10pm when the younger night owls hit the streets, ahead of dancing all night in the city’s clubs. Spree Hour drinks promotions lure tourists into the city’s clubs but take your time and don’t feel pressurised to take their advice. The bars around the Hong Kong Convention Centre in Wanchai, and Bauhinia Square are popular places for ex-pats and holidaying Brits.

  Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui area is fast becoming a strong competitor to downtown Hong Kong. The area is a bewildering night-time fun zone, with neon-bathed bars, clubs, discos and karaoke venues. The Avenue of Stars, just like its Hollywood counterpart, is a glittering procession of glitzy bars and handprints of famous Hong Kong stars. The area’s perfect for nighttime views over to Victoria Harbour too.

  Alternatively, you could head to Happy Valley for a night at the races. The season runs from September to June when two weekly meetings are held. The spectacle is hard to describe, but, whether you win, lose or simply watch, you won’t be disappointed - this is one Hong Kong institution that you can definitely trace back to its British colonial past.

• Hong Kong shopping

  Hong Kong’s freeport status ensures this island has more malls, shopping streets and buzzing gadget superstores than anywhere else in China.

  Fast becoming the place to pick up a bargain, Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui area and the bustling street markets of Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are alive with opportunities. The sportswear hypermarkets of Fa Yuen Street, the factory outlets of Granville Road and Nathan Road’s bargain-rich electronics, jewellery and clothing stalls are all a must-see.

  Electronics shopping in Hong Kong is fabulously exciting. Head to Apliu Street Market, with its array of watches, gadgets, elctronics and computer games.

  Harbour City is Kowloon’s Bluewater Shopping Mall - housing over 700 stores, big and small, and over 50 restaurants. Elements is the designer shopping mall currently exciting Hong Kong shoppers, with its mix of premium-brand fashions, jewellery, and homewares. Alternatively, Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong is home to a bewildering array of shopping and entertainment options, including an ice-skating rink and a multiplex cinema.

  In Hong Kong Island, the places to head include Central, North Point, Admiralty and the Japanese department stores of Times Square in Causeway Bay. Head to IFC Mall in Central for international chains, cosmetics stores, fashion and electronics, and to Causeway Bay for traditional crafts and local, colourful street stalls plus gold and silverware. While malls are smart and air-conditioned, it’s the side streets and stalls that really give Hong Kong shopping its edge. So, browse the street markets of Central, Stanley Market, Temple Street, Times Square and Yau Ma Tei for a slice of authentic shopping.

• Hong Kong events - what's on when?

  January - Hong Kong Fashion Week

  The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases the latest clothing and accessories in the biggest fashion event in Asia.
  
  

  February - Hong Kong Marathon

  The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases the latest clothing and accessories in the biggest fashion event in Asia.
  
  

  March - Hong Kong International Film Festival

  The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases the latest clothing and accessories in the biggest fashion event in Asia.
  
  

  April - Ching Ming Festival

  This festival marks the beginning of Spring and is a time for getting out and about to enjoy the renewed greenery and the new life in nature.
  
  

  May - Hong Kong International Art Fair

  This fair brings together collectors, artists, curators and galleries from across Asia to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
  
  

  June - Hong Kong Cultural Celebrations

  Four major festivals occur in this one month period, including Buddha Day, Cheung Chau Bun, Birthday of Tin Hau and Birthday of Tam Kung.
  
  

  July - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

  Public holiday with fireworks celebrations to celebrate the transfer of Hong Kong from Britain to China.
  
  

  August - Hungry Ghost Festival

  The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases the latest clothing and accessories in the biggest fashion event in Asia.
  
  

  September - Mid-Autumn Festival

  An ancient festival across all of Hong Kong and devoted to the large full moon, with carnivals, fire dragons, harbour cruises and moon cakes.
  
  

  October - Hong Kong Cricket Sixes

  Cricket's world powers battle for victory during three days of action at the Kowloon Cricket Club.
  
  

  November - Hong Kong Open

  A Super Series event in the Badminton World Federation's calendar, with a top prize of $250,000+ at the Hong Kong Coliseum.
  
  

  December - Hong Kong Open Championship

  This leading pro golf tournament is the country's oldest pro sports event and attracts both famous names and rising stars.