8am – eat like a local
Given that Hong Kong has an overload of tasty, cheap places to eat, start the day off eating like a local in a trendy cafe, a local teahouse (cha chaan teng in Cantonese) or an open-air cafe (dai pai dong). One of the many dai pai dongs in the city is Sing Heung Yuen in Sheung Wan, a favourite of chefs Anthony Bourdain and Ching-He Huang – try the milk tea, crispy pork bun and tomato broth with noodles for a tasty and filling start to the day. Or take in a cha chaan teng, which often specialise in Yuanyang (half tea, half coffee), pineapple buns and egg tarts. Yum.
10am – get outdoors
After a filling breakfast, how about working it off with a hike? Hong Kong is surrounded by greenery, and 70% of the territory is actually rural countryside. Try the Dragon’s Back hike on Hong Kong Island, or Lamma Island for breathtaking scenic views. Or, charter a boat to one of Hong Kong’s many islands. A trip from Causeway Bay to Sai Kung will take you past the city’s beautiful bays, and give you a chance to explore the geoparks from Sai Kung.
12pm – get cultured
Hong Kong is a melting pot of East and West, where skyscrapers sit next to ancient temples. Visit Wong Tai Sin Temple, one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s home to three religions – Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism – and is set in a typically ornate building. Then head to Nan Lian Garden, a tranquil public park built in the style of the Tang Dynasty. The small landscaped garden also has a vegetarian restaurant and a teahouse, if you need a mid-morning pick me up.
2pm – learn kung fu
Quick on your feet? Maybe not – but you can learn to be. Take a ‘Wing Chun’ tour – the kung fu technique adapted by Bruce Lee – including a class, a visit to the Avenue of the Stars to see a statue of Bruce Lee, and a trip to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for an exhibition dedicated to the martial artist.
4pm – visit PMQ
Spend the afternoon wandering around PMQ, a hub for the city’s creative and design industries. PMQ stands for Police Married Quarters (it is the former home to the families of the Hong Kong police force) and once housed a school. Now, it’s home to an eclectic mix of boutique shops, exhibitions and artists’ residences, as well as restaurants including Jason Atherton’s Aberdeen Street Social. Alternatively, check out one of Hong Kong’s events throughout the year, such as the Chinese New Year (in February 2015), the Dragon Boat Carnival in June or the Wine & Dine Festival in October.
6pm – go to the races
Even if you’re not a hippophile (that’s somebody who loves horses, FYI), head to the races in the early evening. The two major racecourses – Happy Valley and Sha Tin – host events between September and June, so check the calendar for race meets.
8pm – eat well
There are over 11,000 restaurants in the city, meaning you could eat out three times a day for ten years and never eat at the same restaurant twice. Hong Kong’s specialty is Cantonese cuisine such as dim sum, wonton noodles and congee, but it’s also a great place to try other cuisines. Michelin-starred Pierre has great views of the Hong Kong skyline.
10pm – on the roof
After a busy day exploring the city, wind down with a cold drink overlooking the world-famous skyline. On Hong Kong Island, head to Sevva, Sugar or Armani Prive, or in Kowloon head to Wooloomooloo and Ozone (the highest bar in the world) to watch night fall over Hong Kong’s many high-rise buildings.
“Hong Kong encompasses the true vibrant spirit of modern Asia. My perfect day would include a trip up to the Peak to take in the breathtaking views, followed by sampling many of Hong Kong’s unique delicacies from traditional Cantonese to modern fusion. A journey on the Aqua Luna is a must, particularly in the early evening to watch the Symphony of Lights from the water.” – Ching-He Huang, international TV chef, food writer and regular Hong Kong visitor
Need to know
Cathay Pacific flies from London to Hong Kong from £579pp cathaypacific.co.uk. To be in with the chance of winning a trip to Hong Kong and creating your own perfect day, visit hkperfectday.co.uk.
