Seven million people on a strip of land between mountains and the sea, with more skyscrapers than anywhere on earth and country parks fifteen minutes from the towers.
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon face each other across the water, and the Star Ferry has been crossing it since 1888.
It costs about thirty pence, takes eight minutes, and gives you the best skyline view in the world from water level. Kowloon side is denser, cheaper and where the markets are; Island side has the business district, the Peak and the bars. Stay on either — but cross by ferry rather than the harbour tunnel, at least once by day and once after dark when the buildings light up. Most visitors take the MTR under the harbour and miss the entire point.
A mountain, a harbour, an island and a great deal of dim sum.
The tram up is steep and historic; the view over the harbour is the postcard. Go late afternoon and stay for the lights.
Eight minutes across the harbour for about thirty pence. Do it after dark. The best-value experience in Asia.
Lin Heung or Lung King Heen depending on budget. Trolleys, shared tables, and pointing is an acceptable ordering system.
Kowloon's night market, plus the flower, bird and jade markets nearby. Evening, and haggling is expected.
A ridge walk with sea views, 45 minutes from Central by bus, ending at a beach. Hong Kong's best-kept secret.
Cable car over the hills to Ngong Ping and the 34-metre bronze Buddha. Half a day; go on a clear morning.
Island or Kowloon. Both are well connected — the choice changes the character of your evenings.
Island side. The escalator, the bar districts, and the Peak tram from the door. Priciest.
Island side, east. Dense, local, excellent food and better value than Central.
Kowloon waterfront, looking at the skyline rather than standing in it. Star Ferry pier and museums.
Deep Kowloon. The most crowded district on earth, superb street food, and the lowest prices.
October to December is the best window — dry, clear and comfortable. March is the other good month.
Autumn gives you low humidity and the clearest views from the Peak, which matters. Winter is cool and dry, occasionally down to 10°C. Spring is humid and often misty, which can obscure the skyline entirely. Summer is hot, extremely humid and inside typhoon season. Chinese New Year in late January or February brings parades and closures in equal measure.
12 hours direct to Hong Kong International (HKG).
The Airport Express reaches Central in 24 minutes. Fast, frequent and simple.
Hong Kong dollar. Cards widely accepted; markets and older restaurants want cash.
No visa required for UK passports for short tourist stays. We'll confirm current rules before travel.
We'll come back with hotels on the right side of the harbour, and price a second destination alongside if you want one.
Three or four. It's compact and intense, and it works well as a stopover on the way to Japan, Vietnam or Australia.
Hotels are, and space is tight. Food ranges from a few pounds for street noodles to some of the priciest restaurants in Asia.
In the tourist and business districts, yes. Less so in deep Kowloon, but signage is bilingual throughout.
Shenzhen is 40 minutes away but needs a separate visa arranged in advance. Ask us and we'll explain the current requirements.
Flights, a central hotel and transfers as one package. We book the museum and gallery slots that sell out, and tell you which ones to book yourself.
Guide prices, per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, central accommodation and airport transfers. They indicate what a break of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, departure airport and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.
Ready-built itineraries with flights, transfers and internal hops booked as one package, ATOL protected. Every one can be reshaped around your dates.
12 nights · Apr–Oct · from £1,749pp
13 nights · Nov–Mar · from £1,649pp
13 nights · Nov–Mar · from £2,099pp
13 nights · Dec–Mar · from £1,599pp
14 nights · Apr–Oct · from £1,849pp
15 nights · Apr–Oct · from £2,199pp
14 nights · Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov · from £2,999pp
12 nights · Nov–Mar · from £1,849pp
