I spent three days in one of the world's best ‘stopover' cities and found beautiful hiking islands and rooftop pools
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HEADING on a long-haul getaway this summer? Asia's most cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong, is a great stopover destination for anyone looking to break up the journey.
But don't just take my word for it. Last year alone saw Hong Kong International Airport serve more than 53 million passengers. And tourists are flocking to the city.
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Asia's most cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong, is a great stopover destination
Credit: CP Collective imagery
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Take the funicular tram to Victoria Peak
Credit: CP Collective imagery
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Hannah enjoys a cocktail with her husband Gil
Credit: supplied
I was visiting for a three-day adventure, en route to see family in New Zealand — and it was an absolute delight.
Getting into the city from the airport was easy on the Airport Express train, which took 24 minutes and cost just HK$ 115, about £11.
My home for the duration was the Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour hotel, which has 665 rooms, with panoramic views of the waterside.
The kingsize bed surrounded by windows was not only a welcome comfort after a long flight, but the views made it easy to map out activities for our short visit.
If you'd rather take in the fresh air after being stuck on a plane, there's also a photogenic rooftop pool, equipped with a sauna and steam room, and a slick 24-hour gym — great for jetlag.
We quickly learned that exploring the city by public transport is cheap and stress-free using a rechargeable Octopus smart card, which covers the trains, buses, ferries, coaches and trams.
But we were keen to use our feet — and luckily found just the place to do that.
Lantau is the largest of the Hong Kong archipelago's 260 islands and easy to reach via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car over tree-covered mountain tops.
The journey to the top is an experience in itself, offering a breathtaking view of the city as well as the astonishing Macau bridge, the world's longest sea crossing.
Once at the peak you'll be in a hiker's paradise. Make sure you're wearing comfy footwear, as it's certainly worth making the 268-step climb to see the 112ft-high Big Buddha up close.
I visited the pretty city that straddles both Asia and Europe
The impressive bronze statue overlooking the South China Sea looked even more magnificent in real life than it does in pictures.
Make sure, too, to pay a visit to the nearby Po Lin Monastry while you're here. The building dates to 1902 and monks still live here.
Back on Hong Kong Island, if giant pandas are a must, head over to Ocean Park in the Southern District to see Ying Ying, who gave birth to twins last summer. You won't be disappointed.
If it's good food you're after, you won't be short of options in Hong Kong.
The restaurant scene in the city is buzzing, ranging from luxury options with jaw-dropping views of the skyline to lively night markets dishing up sizzling satay skewers for just a few pounds.
Given our penchant for cocktails, we started our evening with Dirty Martinis at Felix on the 28th floor of The Peninsula, the city's oldest hotel which opened in 1928.
Overlooking Victoria Harbour, where the lights shimmer in the evenings, this bar certainly has the wow factor — and not just because of its punchy tipples.
Dining spectacular
The views are equally impressive from Hutong restaurant, next door, which specialises in northern Chinese dishes.
The dark, dramatic decor adds to the sultry atmosphere, taking inspiration from the ancient Chinese alleyways, or hutongs, and is punctuated with dozens of red paper lanterns.
It attracts a lively international crowd and for good reason as its traditional tasting menus, designed around seasonal ingredients, are out of this world.
The six-course dinner spectacular will set you back around £90 a head but you won't regret it — especially if you've never visited China before.
We were served elegant plates of delicate dim sum crammed with meats, vegetables and pickles, indulgent Wagyu beef puffs, that were as moreish as they sound, and spicy prawns drenched in a fiery Sichuan dressing.
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Head over to Ocean Park in the Southern District to see giant pandas
Credit: CP Collective imagery
The piece de resistance, however, was the flaming Peking duck, which is blazed under a flame to give it a crispy coating and carved table-side by a skilled chef.
If you're after something a little more low-key yet still authentic, head to CView, perched on the 16th floor of the M+ cultural building in West Kowloon.
The zen space has won awards for its knockout Shanghainese cuisine — think aromatic soups and freshly caught seafood like whole crab served with crispy rice.
Bellies full, we meandered down the Avenue of Stars on the waterfront to see the Symphony of Lights — a nightly show that runs all throughout the year.
Gazing out across the city, we marvelled as the buildings lit up in a kaleidoscope of colours. It sure made for a magical ending.
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