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WITH only 48 hours to explore Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, Kowloon Peninsular and everything else that makes up the special administrative zone, we tell you how to make the most of your time.
Hong Kong by day
The Peak Tramway that trundles almost 90 degrees straight up the mountain is a blast back to the Victorian age, and the height of the British empire. The lower tramway station is about a 10 minute walk from Central MTR station.
Sitting peacefully on Lantau Island is one of largest Buddha statues in all of China, the Tian Tan Buddha. Serenely contemplating existence on his lotus flower, the enlightened one appears to wave at visitors as they ascend the 240 steps up his gigantic frame. Not far from him presides the fragrant Po Lin Monastery with yet more Buddhist finery and a marvelous vegetarian restaurant.
Lantau Peak. Pic: leo.wan/flickr
Keep on trekking to the top of Lantau Peak and you could find yourself amongst the clouds some 900 meters above the island. It’s possible to hike all the way up here, though it’s far more interesting to take the cable car up from Tung Chung MTR station.
Over on Lamma Island (take ferry from central pier 4 on Hong Kong Island) –where there are no cars and only three villages – the pace of life is far slower. A favorite break for locals, the island can get pretty busy on the weekends; however, if you make for the dirt paths and back roads, you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature and all her beauty.
A walk from one side of the island to the other is blisteringly hot, but well worth it for the views, the beaches (Lo So beach is almost always empty), the village seafood restaurants, and the Kamikaze Caves carved out under Japanese occupation in World War II.
Hong Kong by night
The Avenue of Stars on the harbor front of Kowloon is where you’ll find the iconic Bruce Lee statue, as well as hundreds of placards celebrating the luminaries of Hong Kong cinema.
The Aqua Luna, a traditional Chinese junk, docks along the bustling avenue in the evening offering Hong Kong’s swankiest cruise. Come 8pm, the towering buildings of Central across the bay conduct A Symphony of Lights, perhaps the world’s most decadent laser show.
Temple Street Night Market. Pic: foomtsuruhashi/flickr
The bustling Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon is a hum of market stalls selling all manner of clothes, bags, teas, books, street food, and antiques; a great place to grab some dinner and chow down some street food.
For night time shenanigans, you really can’t go wrong in Soho. Take the Central to Mid-levels Escalator (the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world!) from its start on Des Voeux Road straight up to Soho, where all manner of restaurants, pubs and clubs are huddled together awaiting the weekend warrior.
A similar area brimming with bars and clubs is the L shaped street Lan Kwai Fong.
The post A weekend in… Hong Kong appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com