48 Hours in Hong Kong

Get a taste of the vibrant essence of Hong Kong with a two-day trip that is bound to

leave visitors wanting more.

To the untrained eye, Hong Kong may seem to be all about skyscrapers, business and

finance. However, on the ground the face-paced city is home to an abundance of

unique activities, sights, tastes and sounds waiting to be discovered.

Day One: Morning

Start the day at bustling Tai Ping Shan Street. Meaning. Once lined with gambling

and opium dens, this was the area hardest hit by Hong Kong’s 1894 bubonic plague

epidemic. Today, it’s a laid-back, bohemian hub with a collection of boutique fashion,

ceramics and homeware stores, art galleries and craft cafés.

A must-see site is nearby Man Mo Temple, one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most

famous complexes, where parents gather to ask the god of literature to help children

with their education. 

You can sample an array of the dim sum as well as a selection of sweet and savoury Chinese dishes.

No trip to Hong Kong is complete without trying dim sum and there is no shortage of

eateries serving the bite-sized dish. A top place to sample the traditional dish is Dim

Sum Square, where diners can sample an array of the dish as well as a selection of

sweet and savoury Chinese dishes.

Day One: Afternoon

Shopaholics can head to SoHo, a trendy neighbourhood in the Central district that

houses more than 300 hip boutiques, diners, upscale bars and art galleries.

Next, jump aboard a traditional double-decker tram and explore Hong Kong Island.

A great option is TramOrganic Tour, a 1920s-style, open top tram that takes

passengers on a one-hour audio-guided ride around the island. It starts at Western

Market Terminus in Sheung Wan and ends at Causeway Bay.

Jump aboard a traditional double-decker tram and explore Hong Kong Island.

Day One: Evening

Iconic Causeway Bay is the perfect spot to indulge in a delicious dinner. The lively

neighbourhood is packed with restaurants, bars, shops and the island’s largest public

park. We then recommend heading to Lan Kwai Fong, a lively nightlife district where

the party continues until the early hours.

Day Two: Morning

Start the day like a local and tuck into a traditional breakfast at a cha chaan teng, or

tea restaurant. These casual eateries dot the streets and serve a range of classic

westernised Hong Kong dishes, including tasty pork chop buns.

Next, pull on your hiking boots and spend the morning exploring some of the

spectacular trails Hong Kong is home to. Head to Bowen Road to embark on the 30-

minute Peak Circle Walk to the Peak. Teetering at 1,300 feet above sea level, this is

Hong Kong’s highest point and boasts splendid views of the sprawling metropolis

below.

Spend the morning exploring some of the spectacular trails Hong Kong is home to.

Day Two: Afternoon

Take a step back in time and spend the afternoon exploring Kowloon Walled City.

The former military stronghold’s notorious collection of buildings was torn down in

the late-1900s. In its place, a Jiangnan garden-style park was built, boasting

impressive water features and traditional gardens.

Get on the ultimate high in the afternoon and charter a helicopter to take you above

Hong Kong’s speckling on islands as the sun sinks into the sky. Alternatively, there

are plentiful operators offering various helicopter tours that offer spectacular bird’s

eye views of Hong Kong.

Day Two: Evening

Another unmissable attraction is A Symphony of Lights. Every night at 8pm, the 10-

minute multimedia laser show lights up the skyscrapers around Victoria Harbour on

Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. An incredible way to experience the show is on

board the Aqualuna. The traditional junk puts on a delicious dinner during the

spectacular.

The perfect way to round out two days in Hong Kong is a trip to its largest night

market at Temple Street in Kowloon. Stalls line the web of streets selling everything

from clothes and accessories, through to household items, jewellery and snacks.

48 Hours in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s cosmopolitan capital is where new and old collide. The melting pot of cultures is home to a wealth of attractions that are waiting to be explored. The best way to cap 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur? Hiring a helicopter and viewing the sprawling city from above.

Day 1: Morning

The only way to start the day is with nasi goreng (fried rice with meat and vegetables) and an iced coffee at one of the many street-side eateries that dot the capital. After fuelling for the day, soak up the country’s rich history at the National Museum. Take a step back in time to the Orang Asli – Malaysia’s aboriginals – the origins of the Malay state and how centuries of colonialism have shaped the country to what it is today.

Day 1: Afternoon

Excite the senses with a trip to colourful Little India Brickfields. Spend the afternoon strolling through the vibrant streets peppered with Indian restaurants and stores spilling over with everything from flower garlands, aromatic spices, Bollywood music, and a range of delicious local delicacies. The main street, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, is packed full of shops flogging jewellery, traditional clothes, banana leaf restaurants and henna tattoo spots. A large fountain sits at its centre, with the near-by three-storey Indian Bazaar a great spot to snap up souvenirs.

Day 1: Evening

Get on a high and head to the capital’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers. The twin skyscrapers stood as the world’s tallest buildings between 1998 and 2004, teetering 452 metres. Snap a selfie with the towers looming in the background, or purchase a ticket and climb to the viewing deck for vistas of the capital sprawling below.

Start the second day tucking into a tasty dish of nasi lemak

Day 2: Morning

Start the second day tucking into a tasty dish of nasi lemak, a fragrant dish infused with coconut milk, served with fried anchovies, a boiled or fried egg, cucumber, sambal (spicy shrimp paste) and peanuts. Next, we recommend heading to vast Lake Gardens for some respite from the capital’s chaos. The gardens are home to Perdana Botanical Garden, which boasts an expansive park, tree-lined trails, orchid and hibiscus displays, and a planetarium.

Day 2: Afternoon

After re-fuelling at one of the many eateries that dot the area, head to nearby . Standing proud as Southeast Asia’s largest museum of Islamic art it houses an extensive collection of Islamic arts from across the globe. After browsing the museum, head over to Masjid Negara, Malaysia’s national mosque with a capacity of up to 15,000 people.

Admiring Kuala Lumpur from above

Day 2: Evening

What better way to round out 48 hours in Malaysia’s vibrant capital than admiring the city from above? Ahead of dusk, jump aboard the helicopter and hover in the skies above the city as the sun sinks into the horizon. There are plenty of options to choose from, including aerial views of downtown’s collection of skyscrapers, majestic KL Tower, historic Merdeka Square and the treasured Batu Caves.

48 Hours in Siem Reap

Home to glorious Angkor Wat Archaeological Park, Siem Reap features at the top of most travellers’ lists when visiting Cambodia.

It's not a large city but it is key to the Kingdom's tourism sector and is home to its cultural and historical roots.

However, there is much more than temple trekking to squeeze into a 48-hour stay in the city. With a huge variety of excellent dining options, luxurious hotels and spa retreats, Temple City is a beacon for relaxation and exploration.

Taking visitors to Artisan Angkor’s silk farm on the outskirts of the city

Day One: Morning

No trip to Siem Reap is complete without a trip to Angkor Wat, and what better way to start your day than a spectacular 6 am sunrise at the iconic archaeological masterpiece?

With Angkor Archaeological Park being the main draw, you’ll be hard pushed to find a hotel or guesthouse that doesn’t cater for temple tourists wanting to watch the sun peek from behind Angkor’s iconic spires, with tuk-tuks on stand-by and breakfast available to take with you.

Don’t expect to have the temple to yourself though, because dawn is Angkor’s busiest time, with thousands flocking around the lotus lake to the front of the 12th-century temple to capture the perfect photo.

After a quick exploration of the sprawling grounds, head to the neighbouring Angkor Thom. The ancient city is home to Bayon Temple and its 216 gigantic faces. We recommend finishing off the morning with a trip to root-riddled Ta Prohm, which had a starring role in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. There is no shortage of makeshift restaurants throughout Angkor serving Khmer dishes to help you to refuel from the morning’s temple trekking.

If you want to have a pampered and exclusive temple experience, consider heading skyward in a hot air balloon, or charter a private helicopter for a romantic and intimate aerial tour of the Angkor temples.

Day One: Afternoon

Make the most of your Angkor day pass and head to Banteay Srei, a rural district that sits about 30km from Angkor Wat. Here, you may well stumble upon peace and quiet, with the 10th Century red sandstone temple remaining relatively off the tourist trail.

While the temple is tiny in comparison to its big sister, the intricate carvings remain intact and the crumbling ruins can be explored. If you’re all templed out, then fear not because Banteay Srei has plenty more up its sleeve.

Home to the pristine countryside and rural life, the Banteay Srei site showcases a series of community-driven activities in the area, authentic homestays and the chance to see local life up close.

Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre ($4/$2) is well worth a visit. Home to more than 30 species of Cambodian butterflies and moths, Southeast Asia’s largest fully-enclosed butterfly centre offers a colourful educational experience.

Day One: Evening

Start the evening with a leisurely stroll along Siem Reap River’s tree-lined promenade to sit down at one of the many fine-dining restaurants. Many will specialising in Pan Asian cuisine, and have contemporary choices, especially in the leafy French quarter.

Cocktails are a must to wind down the evening. There are charming spots set out in traditional Khmer wooden houses, serving a delicious array of cocktails. Get lost in the winding alleys near the Siem Reap market and in the famous Pub Street and discover a collection of quirky bars along the way.

Angkor Wat from above

Day Two: Morning

Start the day delving into Cambodia’s rich artisanal heritage at Artisans Angkor. Launched in 1998, the organisation strives to train Cambodians in the ancient arts, which were almost wiped out during the Khmer Rouge reign, and provide local artisans with employment.

Visitors can take a free tour of their workshops in Siem Reap centre, where traditional Khmer handicraft is being undertaken in the form of stone and wood carving, lacquering, silver plating and silk painting.

Two free daily shuttle buses also take visitors to Artisan Angkor’s silk farm on the outskirts of the city. Here, you can see how Cambodia’s famous golden silk is created, from silkworm to cocoon to finished product.

Day Two: Afternoon

Get on the ultimate high and enjoy alternative views of the temples. Helicopters are available to charter above the iconic temple complex. While they are not allowed to fly directly over Angkor Wat, we can catch views of it in the distance as we hover above the vast complex’s other temples.

After getting back on firm ground, head to one of Siem Reap’s hippest attractions, Kandal Village. Once a gritty grid of backstreets, the area has undergone a makeover and had some style injected into it in the form of cool boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants.

The Little Red Fox Espresso is a great spot for a snack and caffeine hit (excellent coffee!) before browsing the stores that dot the area. Kandal Village is also home to TRIBE Urban Art Gallery, which celebrates local and international artists.

Another must-not-miss spot with art lovers is Theam’s House, the home and workspace of artist and designer Lim Muy Theam. He has opened up his exquisite traditional wooden house to visitors, who can meet him and his family and view his works in the making.

Evening tour at Angkor Wat

Day Two: Evening

Grab an early dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak, where award-winning chef Joannès Rivière delightfully fuses authentic Cambodian flavours with superb French flair. (They have also opened up a restaurant in the capital of Phnom Penh in 2021 called Cuisine Wat Damnak Phnom Penh).

Next up is a trip to the circus. Phare, the Cambodian Circus Phare, the Cambodian Circus is by far one of Siem Reap’s top attractions, with ancient folktales retold on the stage through jaw-dropping Cirque du Soliel-esque performances.

Also worth visiting is Angkor Night Market, which stays open until the early hours and is full of bargains waiting to be bagged. Selling everything from souvenirs and clothes to art and electronics, finding space in your suitcase will be your only problem.

Love it or hate it, Siem Reap’s Pub Street has to be seen to be believed. Here, a deafening mix of music offends the ears and bucket-swigging backpackers bounce around until the sun comes up.

You can find out more Yugo Experiences in Siem Reap with an excellent range of hotels that provide spa services, gourmet dining, and more.