Top Reasons to Go

Top Reasons to Go

Harbor Views. The skyline that launched a thousand postcards…see it from Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island, from the Star Ferry in the harbor, or from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade in Kowloon.

Cultural Immersion. Start at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which chronicles the city's history, from village life to booming new towns. A Chinese art collection and an interactive Cantonese opera exhibit are two more reasons to come here before experiencing the many other cultural sights.

Shopping Immersion. Shopping is a religion here. Antiques fill windows along Hollywood Road, from Central to Sheung Wan, where herbalists peddle exotic remedies. Designers monopolize Central's malls. At Kowloon's street markets, clothes, electronics, and ticky-tack compete for space with food carts.

Horsing Around. Hong Kongers gamble over US$10 billion annually, and the Happy Valley Racetrack is one of their favorite places to do it. The thousands of screaming punters are as much of a spectacle as the races.

Dim Sum. As you bite into a moist siu mai, it dawns on you why everyone says you haven't done dim sum until you've done it in Hong Kong. Fresh, innovative ingredients and devout diners make dim sum places here very different from those in Chinatowns worldwide.

The Trails. Well-maintained trails crisscross Hong Kong's greenery. You can visit the best wilderness areas simply by tackling part of the MacLehose Trail in Sai Kung Country Park. Crossing the Dragon's Back -- a Hong Kong Island ridge -- leads to unrivaled Southside sea views.