Tours to Hong Kong

Hong Kong sits on China's southern coast at the mouth of the Pearl River, a Special Administrative Region spread across Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and more than 200 outlying islands. It works well as a stand-alone city break or as a gateway paired with Macau, a short ferry or bridge crossing away, or with mainland cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Most travellers spend three to five days here, enough to cover both sides of Victoria Harbour and add a day trip to the islands or the hiking trails that cover much of the territory's protected country parks.

On Hong Kong Island, the Peak Tram climbs to Victoria Peak for the classic view over the skyscrapers of Central and across the water to Kowloon. Below, the incense-filled Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan sits among antique shops and dried seafood stores, while the Star Ferry links Central with Tsim Sha Tsui, where the Avenue of Stars faces the harbour lights. In Kowloon, Mong Kok's street markets and the Temple Street Night Market in Yau Ma Tei show the dense, neon-lit side of the city. Lantau Island holds the Tian Tan Buddha, known as the Big Buddha, beside Po Lin Monastery, reached by the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, as well as the stilt-house fishing village of Tai O.

The most comfortable months are October to December, when skies are clear and humidity drops; spring is mild but often misty, and summer from June to September is hot, wet and subject to typhoons. Food is a major reason to visit. Dim sum such as har gow and siu mai is eaten at morning yum cha, and roast goose, char siu and wonton noodles fill the menus of Cantonese canteens. Look out too for egg tarts, pineapple buns and milk tea at cha chaan teng cafés, and fresh seafood in Sai Kung or on Lamma Island.