If you’re not really up to China, then Hong Kong is the next best way to imbibe some authentic Chinese flavor. The city welcomes 14 million visitors every year –that’s twice the size of its population. Travelers drink in the heart stopping views from Victoria’s Peak, gaze up at the serene Big Buddha on Lantau Island and ride the Star Ferry across the famous Harbor at night. The wining and dining options are, locals and visitors agree, the most diverse in Asia – from noodle stands and sushi bars, to English pubs and Indian curry joints, to the worlds largest floating gourmet restaurant. The city is a shopaholics dream - miles upon miles of decadent splurging pleasure. Take a Tai Chi class or book an evening at a Chinese opera theater – whatever you choose to do, Hong Kong will assault your senses like few world cities can. Plus, if you do decide to visit the mainland, many of the most happening cities are just a short ferry ride away.

	Top rated hotels
	1. JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong Pacific Place, 88 Queensway 4. The Kowloon Hotel 19-21 Nathan Rd 2. Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers 20 Nathan Road Kowloon 5. Royal Plaza Hotel 193 Prince Edward Rd 3. Regal Kowloon Hotel 71 Mody Road, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon 6. Lucky Hotel Flat C5, Floor 12, Block C, Chung King Mansion, Nathan Road 36-44, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon View more Hong Kong hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In Hong Kong 1. Star Ferry Deceptively humble in appearance, the Star Ferry has been ferrying passengers between Hong Kong and Kowloon for well over a hundred years. A scenic trip across the much photographed harbor with its famous skyline lasts just over 10 minutes and is the most value you’ll ever get for under 50 cents. Locals, who use the ferry daily to commute to work, are bemused by the tourist attention, but you’d be mad to miss the uplifting views and the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle on land. Tourists generally prefer the customized 1920s style ferry with its sunbathing deck and coffee bar. If you have the time, make two trips, in the day and the night time, for different, equally impressive, perspectives of Hong Kongs skyline.  « hide 2. Ocean Park Located in Aberdeen, Ocean Park is one of the biggest draws for kids and adults alike. Hop on one of the hair raising thrill rides, catch a dolphin show or stroll around the shark aquarium. The park is sprawled out across two sides of a mountain, with two separate entrances. There is a giant panda habitat on the side of the main entrance and this section is connected to the other, where most of the rides are, by a cable car. The Tae Shae Wan entrance is where the Middle Kingdom is –a Chinese village replica complete with pagodas and street scenes. You can enter through either gateway.  « hide 3. Lantau Island Dating back thousands of years, Lantau Island is bigger than Hong Kong Island, but sparsely populated. Much of this mountainous region is reserved for hiking trails and verdant tea plantations. The main attraction here is the 26 meter tall seated, meditating Tian Tan Buddha, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, and the nearby Po Lin monastery. The monastery itself is an austere affair, lacking in many of the embellishments of traditional Buddhist places of worship. The lip smacking vegetarian fare served up daily, however, is to die for. Other more modern attractions are Hong Kong Disneyland, Waterworld, and Science City. A 50 minute ferry ride will take you from Central ferry pier no.7 in Central to Lantau and there are ferries leaving every couple of hours.  « hide 4. Victorias Peak At a dizzying 552 meters above sea level, Victorias Peak offers panoramic views of Hong Kong, especially Victoria Harbor and Central District. Wealthy gentlemen in the early 1800s traveled up and down the steep paths on comfy chairs, carried by uniformed bearers; you, on the other hand, can choose between spectacular day time vistas and magical night time splendor in the Peak Tram that runs daily from morning through midnight. For the best views, choose a clear day for the trip and try to find a spot near the tram entrances. The viewing deck at the top of the Peak is on (where else?) the roof of a shopping mall. Enjoy local art at the Sky Gallery, rub shoulders with wax celebrities at Madame Tussauds or just join the touristy throngs of shutterbugs.  « hide 5. Jervois Street For a look into a fascinating, if stomach churning, side to Hong Kongs culinary habits, head to Jervois Street, a small block that’s dotted with snake shops and snake restaurants. Spotting one is easy – look for the snake drawing on the door. These establishments stock kraits, cobras and pythons and business is especially brisk during the winter when thousands of the slithery creatures are sold, to be made into soups and broths to ward away cold related illnesses. An off beat outing, if you have the time, and certainly not for the faint hearted, but perfect for those who want to come as close as is possible to the islands snake consuming culture, without actually eating one.  « hide 6. Jade Market West of Nathan Road is the Jade Market, littered with hundreds of vendors selling different varieties of jade; a green, emerald like stone that the Chinese believe has extraordinary spiritual powers. There are amulets, carvings of Buddhas and lions and gorgeous jewelry. If you don’t know much about jade, it might not be such a great idea to splurge on the pricier, intricate pieces. However, there are smaller trinkets and souvenirs on sale that are affordable.  « hide 7. University Museum and Art Gallery This museum, located within the University of Hong Kong, specializes in collections of rare Chinese ceramics and bronzes. There are ritual bronze vessels, embellished mirrors, the famous blue and white patterned Ming porcelain, paintings from the Ming and Ching dynasties and the largest collection of Nestorian crosses in the world. Sip a cup of tea at the Tea Gallery, freshly brewed from a selection of tea varieties, and served in a traditional teapot and tea utensils.  « hide 8. Hong Kong Museum of Art Just 2 minutes from the Star Ferry terminus, is the Hong Kong Museum of Art, with its expansive collection of Chinese art and antiquities. Art buffs can feast their eyes on drool worthy collections of ceramics, bronzes, sculptures, paintings, lithographs and textiles dating back to the 16th century. The Historical Pictures Gallery with oil and water color depictions of Hong Kong life in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is worth a special mention. Seasonal exhibits are a regular feature of the museums calendar. You might want to give the contemporary art section a miss though – the collection is not as up to date as other galleries in Hong Kong.  « hide View more Hong Kong attractions » « View less Hong Kong attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Fook Lam Moon For inspired, exotic concoctions like sharks fin and birds nest soup, as well as less adventurous fare, Fook Lam Moon, Hong Kong is the choice of locals and visitors. Order with care; prices for specialties cost more. Another plus: you can choose a cozy table for two unlike other Chinese restaurants.  « hide 6. Bebek Bengil 3 Bebek Bengil 3, Hong Kong, is popular with local celebs and political bigwigs, all of who visit for the sublime Balinese food, and imaginative cocktails. The soothing mood décor doesn’t hurt either.  « hide 2. Hutong Head off to Hutong, Hong Kong, for northern Chinese cuisine with a light and unique twist. No latherings of corn flour or liberal sprinklings of MSG. The imaginative décor, with red lanterns, Chinese silk curtains, and huge bird cages, provides a dramatic backdrop.  « hide 7. Sorabol Sorabol, Hong Kong, conjures up a more fun indoor eating experience – diners barbeque pre marinated strips of meat on smokeless grills at their own table. The helpful waiters at this Korean joint are more than happy to guide first time barbecuers.  « hide 3. Baci Italian cuisine in a foreign country doesn’t come more authentic than at Baci, Hong Kong, or so regulars claim. The smooth pasta is home made and the select ingredients are flown in from Italy. The ristorante also has a small bar and an attached pizzeria on the ground floor.  « hide 8. Kublai’s Kublai’s, Hong Kong, is a great stop for those looking for a quick bite on a budget. Select your fresh veggies, meats and sauces and enjoy the Wan Chai views, while a cook stir fries and sautés them up for your meal. Soups, salads and a soda are included in these all-you-can-eat spreads.  « hide 4. Gaia If European style al fresco dining is what you’re looking for, Gaia, Hong Kong is the place to head. Gaia is perfect for lunch times- a daily three course anti pasta buffet lunch includes the finest selection of starters in Hong Kong.  « hide 9. Delaney's This popular Irish pub offers a great selection of whiskies and drafts in a charming old world setting that includes Victorian style furniture, old photographs and a fireplace. Tuesday quiz nights with prizes and a DJ spinning tunes on Friday evenings add to the atmosphere. You can order from an a la carte menu featuring hearty Irish fare or try the Carvery roast with all trimmings, while watching soccer and rugby games on the gigantic screen.  « hide 5. Grappa’s Grappa’s, Hong Kong dishes up sumptuous standard Italian fare-home made breads and pastas and affordable wines. Plonked as it is in the middle of a mall, the ambience is far from sleepy Italian, but the food more than makes up for the din.  « hide 10. Ned Kelly’s Last Stand This raucous Aussie-style bar features, oddly-enough, live Dixieland jazz by an impressive house band and traditional Down Under food- beef stews, sirloin steaks and sausages. Named after a famed outlaw, Ned Kelly’s Last Stand caters to a middle aged clientele in a warm and cozy setting. Come before 10 pm for the best seating in the house.  « hide

	Hong Kong Insider tips
	1. Shopping Scams Although Hong Kong is renowned for the array of electronic goods on sale, be aware that many shop owners resort to unsavory scamming, especially in the smaller shops along the busy commercial areas. Visitors have been known to return home with cameras or cell phones that were missing a few essential parts or were inferior models to the ones they had selected. Ask to see the contents of the box before leaving the store. Better still, shop only at HKTB member stores –the rates might be slightly higher, but then, you’re paying for peace of mind and quality.  « hide 2. Limited English Despite a long and fruitful association with the British, many of the locals in Hong Kong, most importantly the cab drivers, speak sporadic English. Getting a driver to understand the name of the place you’re headed to can be a challenge, although the same directions in a Cantonese accent are understood perfectly. If all else fails, writing a message down on a piece of paper or gesturing might be the only ways out.  « hide 3. Hiking Tips If you are planning a hiking trip, especially on one of the more deserted trails, it would be advisable to go in a group. Instances have been reported where hikers, especially those in pairs, have been way laid and robbed or held captive by criminal elements. If you plan to hit the trails as a twosome, choose one of the more popular trails on Lantau Island or in Hong Kong.  « hide

	Hong Kong nightlife
	In Hong Kong 1. C Club With its plush interiors, all velvet and striking red lighting, this hip Hong Kong nightspot is the place to see and be seen in the city. The USP at this Lan Kwai Fong basement club is the great dance music, ranging from R&B and soul to funk and Latino. You don’t have to be a member to watch all the beautiful people inside, but if you come on a weekend, prepare to join the waiting hordes behind the ropes.  « hide 2. Lux This sophisticated and intimate Lan Kwai Fong hotspot is a bar and restaurant during the week, metamorphosing into a hip and happening nightclub on weekends. You can enjoy divine Mediterranean cuisine, an extensive selection of fine wines and champagnes, and the house signature cocktails. Plus, you can groove until the wee hours of morning to the resident DJ. In fact, it’s probably the perfect choice in Hong Kong for a romantic night out on the town.  « hide 3. Bahama Mama’s Far less pretentious than some of its more over priced competition, this fun, beach bar (in the middle of the commercial district) offers a great opportunity to let you hair down and unwind. Caribbean themed décor, a small, but packed dance floor and a live DJ all combined contribute to great spirits and the atmosphere can get progressively boisterous late into the night.  « hide