A Perfect Day In Hong Kong

9.30am

Markets

From Queen’s Road, walk through Central’s Gage Street and Graham Street outdoor food markets to see the freshest selection of fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and seafood in town. If food isn’t your thing, but shopping is, Central’s shops start opening from 10am.

10.45am

Dim sum

Head to City Hall to join the locals for dim sum in Maxim’s restaurant, which has harbour views. Stop any trolley and choose from the bamboo steamers. Favourites include the white ha gow (shrimp) or yellow siu mai (pork and shrimp).

11.30am

To Kowloon

Catch an MTR to TST East to visit the Museum of History in Chatham Road or head to Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei street markets.

2.00pm

Relaxing gardens

Go to Diamond Hill to visit one of the best Chinese-style gardens in Hong Kong at Nian Lin, before exploring the wooden Tang-style buildings at nearby Chi Lin nunnery. Lunch or afternoon tea is available at the delightful Chi Lin Vegetarian restaurant.

5.00pm

Pampering

Relax and enjoy the views of Kowloon from Langham Place, Mong Kok’s 41st floor Chuan Spa, which specialises in treatments based on traditional Chinese medicine. Everyone can attempt to realign their meridians and balance their ying and yang here, with the help of a massage.

7.00pm

The harbour

The harbour must be seen by night, so it’s back down to the TST waterfront, where you can either hop on the Star Ferry for a trip across the harbour or take the red-sailed Aqua Luna junk to the Clock Tower for a 45-minute cruise to Central.

8.00pm

City lights

Stop at the Central Ferry Pier for al fresco drinks at the eponymous Pier 7. Walk along the Central waterfront to Pier 3 and take in the lights of Two IFC and other Central buildings before taking a taxi or Central-Mid-Levels escalator up to SoHo.

8.30pm

Dinner options

Dinner in the SoHo area means dozens of restaurants and cuisines to choose from. There’s something for everyone at the Peak Café (9–13 Shelley Street), which serves an eclectic international menu; La Pampa (32 Staunton Street) has some of the best steaks in town; and Enoteca (47 Elgin Street) has great Mediterranean-style platters.

10.00pm

Big night out

It’s easy to wander around SoHo, or along Wyndham Street and down through Lan Kwai Fong to find an open-fronted bar and join the crowds. The bar on the Fringe Club rooftop has plenty of space, or for live music, try the Peel Fresco Music Lounge (49 Peel Street).