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. 

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.

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.

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.