Getting out and about in Hong Kong

Busy, bustling and bursting with things to do, Hong Kong is divided into four sections: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, New Territories, and the outlying islands.

Outside of the central hub of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula has numerous hotels, restaurants, museums and shops. The New Territories comprise the largest area, stretching north of Kowloon all the way to the Chinese border. The 260 outlying islands are home to Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau, where visitors can find the world’s largest bronze Buddha, beautiful beaches and hiking trails.

You can explore almost the entire city on foot, walking from the Central District all the way through Wan Chai to Causeway Bay in about an hour. In the Central District, elevated walkways connect office buildings, shopping complexes and hotels, keeping pedestrians safe from traffic. Signs direct pedestrians to major buildings, but the maze of walkways can be a bit confusing. First-time visitors may want to keep a map handy and stick to the streets.

Hong Kong’s number one tourist destination features the Peak Tower and the Peak Tram, the city’s oldest mode of public transport. It’s pretty commercial, but the views of the lush green mountains and skyscrapers lining the coast are gorgeous and the old tram is one of the few remnants of Old Hong Kong so it’s definitely worth a visit.

Taking the Star Ferry across the harbour is another must-do while in Hong Kong. It offers great views of the city and is very cheap. Ride on the top level for the best views – and to escape the exhaust smell of the ferry!

Although the former British territory has distinct wet and dry seasons, the weather can be as unpredictable as in the UK. Therefore, when travelling, it’s often best to pack clothes for layering, especially since in the hottest times of the year you will often find air conditioning indoors (and on many of the newer ferries) to be cranked up towards freezing. During the wettest times of the year, it can rain almost non-stop for days, so carry an umbrella!

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