2) Covering Hong Kong's "must-sees" in a day

This article will explain how to cover some of Hong Kong's must-see attractions in a day, while my next articles will focus on different "niche day tours".
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One important thing before we proceed: For convenience sake, I wrote the article for passengers who are landing at an early hour of the morning... Obviously, if your flight lands later in the day, you might have to skip some of the sites...
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From the airport

My first blog post, Getting from and to Hong Kong Airport, covers all the aspects of Hong Kong Airport's luggage storage facilities, as well as transport to the city, so there is no point to repeat all that...
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Victoria Peak (or simply "The Peak") is one of Hong Kong's most popular tourist attractions and probably the best place to start with. Having your breakfast or morning coffee while enjoying some spectacular views is definitely a nice way to start your Hong Kong day-tour.
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The Peak Tram is the most popular way to get to The Peak... Riding the internationally-famous tram is not only one of Hong Kong's "must dos", but also provides the most direct route and offers good views over the city's harbour and skyscrapers.
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The tram operates daily, from 7 am to 12 midnight. It departs every 10 - 15 minutes and covers the full distance in approximately 7 minutes.
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Tickets can be purchased at either of the terminuses. They cost HK$ 22 / HK$ 33 (one way/ return) for an adult, and HK$ 8 / 15 (one way / return) for a child of 3 - 11 years or for a senior citizen (above 65). You can also buy a "combo" ticket combining the tram and the Sky Terrace at a somewhat discounted rate.
You can pay the fare with an "Octopus card" (provided you bought one) and skip the queue (which shouldn't be too long at an early morning hour).
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Located at the Peak Tower's ground floor (Level G - which is where you enter the building from, when coming with the tram), Pacific Coffee is open daily, from as early as 7:30 am, and boasts both an "alfresco" veranda, as well as large windows (for those of you who prefer to seat inside), through which you can enjoy the marvelous scenery...
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Unfortunately, clear days with good visibility become more and more scarce nowadays... Especially due to air pollution from the industrialized towns on the Chinese side of the border. Nevertheless, you should still make a point to go up to "The Peak" and hope that visibility will be good enough...
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For a fully detailed guide about "The Peak" and its attractions (including recommended nature-walks and details of the various attractions) click on this Victoria Peak Guide

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Down from "The Peak" walk out of the lower terminus and descent along Garden Road to Queen's Road Central, where you turn left, cross the street to the other side and pass through HSBC Tower to Des Voeux Road Central. Turn left and cross to the other side of the street, and walk to "the elevated walkway" through either Prince's Building or Alexandra House. The elevated walkway takes you directly to the pier from which the Star Ferry departs to Tsim sha Tsui.
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The historic ferry route between Central (on Hong Kong Island) and Tsim sha Tsui (in Kowloon) is very popular with tourists and has become one of Hong Kong's most prominent icons. From the ferry, one can take in the famous view of the harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.
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Ferries on the Central-Tsim sha Tsui route operate daily, from 6:30am to 11:30pm. Single trip fares range from HK$ 1.70 for the lower deck to HK$ 2.20 for the upper deck, and Octopus cards are accepted.
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The short cruise across the Victoria Harbour will bring you the Sky Ferry Pier in Tsim sha Tsui. From the ferry building, turn right and walk along the waterfront (behind the Cultural Centre and the museums) to the Avenue of Stars: Modeled after Hollywood's Walk of Fame, The Avenue of Stars honors celebrities of Hong Kong's film industry, with floor plaques of all the industry's who's who. It is also the best place to take photos of Hong Kong's spectacular skyline.
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At the far end of the "avenue" (passing New World Centre and Renaissance Kowloon Hotel), you will see a footbridge with which you can cross Salisbury Road to the other side. It brings you to a rooftop garden (more like a "piazza") at the end of which you walk down and turn left to Mody Road, and immediately right to Chatham Road South. After walking along Chatham for a few minutes, you will reach the Hong Kong Museum of History, where eight tastefully set galleries tell "the story of Hong Kong"... From the geological changes that took place hundreds of millions of years ago, through prehistoric eras, notable historical events and until present day.
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The museum is fairly rich, with plenty of archaeological exhibits, old paraphernalia and costumes, as well as interactive exhibits, touch screens, interesting documentaries and so on... Try to allow at least 2 hours for the visit.
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The Museum of History is open daily (except Sundays and public holidays): from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:30 - 5 pm (on Saturdays, 9:30 am - 12 noon only).
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Tickets cost HK$ 10 for an adult and HK$ 5 for a senior (on Wednesdays entrance is free)
For more information, you can call them on 2724 9042 or visit their website
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If you wish to skip the museum and go directly to the markets, turn left to Salisbury Road (at the end of the "avenue of stars") and use the pedestrian-subway to cross under the road and go to MTR - Tsim sha Tsui, from where you can travel to Yau ma Tei (Yung Shue Tau Square, Old Tin Hau Temple and Jade Market) or to Mong Kok (Ladies' Market and other markets) - see details below.
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From the museum, use the footbridge to cross Chatham Road South to the other side, enter Granville Road (on the right side of the footbridge - off Chatham) and walk along it all the way to Nathan Road. Those of you who wish to see the Jade Market and the Old Tin Hau Temple in "Jordan" should turn right to Nathan Road, while those who want to go directly to Mong Kok and its markets should turn left, enter Tsim sha Tsui MTR station via entry B-1 (just a few steps from the corner) and take a train to Mong Kok Station (see details about Mong Kok below the following paragraph).
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If you turned right, towards Jordan and the Jade Market: Walk along Nathan Road pass the historic buildings of St. Andrew's Church and The Former Kowloon British School (on 136 and 138 Nathan Road). Built in the early 1900s, those impressive structures are built of red bricks and feature fine Victorian and Gothic architectural styles.
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Onwards along Nathan Road, cross Hillwood Road and Austin Road and reach the corner of Jordan Road. Turn left to Jordan Road, cross it to the other side and turn right to Canton Road (the section of which that is popularly known as Jade Street) which is the sixth street on your right side (from the corner of Nathan).
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Jade and its products are the specialty of most of the shops along this section of the road, and there is certainly a lot to see (and to buy...). From Jade St. you can turn right to Ning Po Street where many traditional Chinese shops and businesses can be found. Onward along Canton Road, turn right to Kansu Street and after a few steps you will see the Jade Market on your right hand side (on the corner of Kansu and Battery , just a stonethrow from Canton Road ). The market boasts hundreds of specialty shops and you can easily spend a few hours here, admiring the perfectionism that some of these artists demonstrate. But be careful not to invest a substantial amount of money unless you are familiar with gemstones or if you are accompanied by an expert.
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The market is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Try to come early if you want to put your hands on the best stuff before it disappears (this advice is relevant to both the market Jade Street ).
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Keep on walking along Kansu Street for a couple of minutes and turn left to Temple Street (on the right side of the massive carpark building) which will bring you to Yung Shue Tau Square and the old Tin Hau Temple .
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Built in the 1880s, this is one of Kowloon's oldest temples, and it's dedicated to Tin Hau (Matsu), Goddess of the sea, protector of seafarers and one of Hong Kong's most beloved deities.
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The temple is open daily, from early morning till around 5:30 pm and although it is not one of Hong Kong's most impressive temples, it's certainly worth a visit.
Yung Shue Tau Square , just outside the Temple, is a good place to rest and enjoy the cool shade of the Banyan trees. The square comes alive in the late afternoon, when hawkers, Chinese chess players, Cantonese opera singers and Fortune tellers are setting up their small stalls...
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Mido Café, on the other side of the temple (corner of Public Square Street and Temple Street) is where you can feel a bit of the atmosphere of "old Hong Kong". This culinary institution has changed very little (if at all) since it first opened its doors, almost sixty years ago...
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From the square, turn right to Public Square Street, walk along it till you reach Nathan Road (a minute or two), turn left and walk a couple of minutes to exit-C of Yau ma Tei MTR Station, from which you can take the train to Mong Kok (one station away).
Alternatively, you can keep on walking along Nathan Road to Mong Kok: Cross Waterloo Road and continue until the corner of Dundas Street (third street after Waterloo), where you turn right, cross Nathan Road and enter the second street on your left (Tung Choi Street - also known as "The Ladies Market") - All in all, it's something like a 15 minutes walk from the Old Tin Hau Temple.
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If you took the MTR - From Mong Kok MTR Station - take exit D-3 and you are exactly a step away from the market.
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Ladies' Market stretches along Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok and is one of Hong Kong's most popular open-air markets. As its name denotes, this market specializes in women's clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and the like, although you can find here more than a few stalls that sell men's and children's products... Soft toys, clothes, bags, jeans and watches... just to name a few.
The market is open daily from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm.
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Sai Yeung Choi Street South (parallel to Ladies' Market - between the market and Nathan Road) is a hot spot for Hongkongers. The section south of Argyle Street concentrates shops of consumer electronic products at street level and upstairs bookstores above. Some good cosmetics shops can also be found here.
To get here: take exit D-3 of MTR-Mong Kok and you are there...
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Fa Yuen Street (also known as Sportswear Street) is a small street that runs parallel to Ladies' Market, with many small retailers which sell sports equipment and clothing. It has a wide diversity of sports shoes. Many shoes of rare or special editions from different places are available here.
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Goldfish Market - is located along the north part of Tung Choi Street (the street of Ladies' Market). There are dozens of shops here that sell various tropical freshwater or marine fish, as well as different types of aquarium equipment.
Open daily from 10 am to 9 pm.
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Fa Yuen Street Market is situated along the north part of Fa Yuen Street . It is full of shops selling bargain-priced trendy fashion and casual wear for men, women and children and they usually open between 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. daily (the market also stretches along Nullah Road , all the way to Prince Edward Road West).
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Flower Market is a street market in the northern part of Mong Kok, where many flower shops can be found. It opens daily from 7 am to 7:30 pm, and there are two ways to get there: A) If coming from Ladies' Market: continue northward with Tung Choi Street (Goldfish Market) till you get to the corner of Prince Edward Rd., cross it to the other side and turn right, then enter the second street on your left (Sai Yee Street) and the first street on your right is the market. B) Take exit A of MTR-Prince Edward to Playing Field Rd. and walk along it to its end. Turn right to Sai Yee St. and left to Flower Market Road and you are there...
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At the far end of Flower Market Rd., turn left and enter Yuen Po Street Bird Garden (or, simply, the Bird Garden ), where dozens of bird shops are located and hundreds of colorful songbirds in exquisitely crafted cages can be seen... The market also makes a popular meeting point for elderly bird owners... Open daily from 7 am to 8 pm.
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From here, you can walk back to the other end of Yuen Po Street, from where you can turn right to Prince Edward Road and walk along it, back to Nathan Road and Prince Edward MTR station (exit B-1 is right next to the corner of Nathan and Prince Edward).
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It will probably be early afternoon by the time you reach Mong Kok... Luckily enough, you are at the right place at the right time... surrounded by many authentic eateries and restaurants where you can enjoy some delicious local food at reasonable prices.
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Curry A La King on 88 Soy Street, a couple of minutes walk from Ladies' Market, is a paradise for curry lovers, serving a wide selection of scrumptious curries from different Asian cuisines. Satay King can be found on Ladies' Market itself (24 Tung Choi St.) and as its name suggests, Southeast Asian 'satays' are the main fare here... MongKok Fung Shing Restaurant, on 749 Nathan Road, Just before the corner of Prince Edward Road West, is another Hong Kong culinary institution, very much known for its superb dim-sum and delicious crispy chicken. Fu Kei Restaurant on the 5th floor of King Wah Centre (on the corner of Nathan Road and Shantung Street) is serving fabulous food from different Chinese cuisines. Chung Nan Hoi Harbor Restaurant, in Dynasty Plaza on 4 Mong Kok Road (five minutes walk from Nathan Road) serves excellent Cantonese food, with emphasize on seafood. Lucky Corner Restaurant - 好旺角粥麵專家 on 146 Sai Yeung Choi Street South (near exit B-2 of MTR-Mong Kok) is a rather humble eatery which has been serving some of the best Wonton Noodles in Hong Kong for God knows how many years. Tanyoto Hotpot Restaurant on Grand Tower's 5th floor (639 Nathan Road - near the corner of Shantung Street) is serving a good selection of authentic, spicy Szechwan dishes, as well as some excellent hotpot dishes. Still within Grand Tower: M garden, on the 6th floor, is one of Hong Kong's most popular vegetarian restaurants, serving a wide variety of vegetarian Chinese dishes. Last but not least, Little Sheep (4th floor, 16 Argyle Street) is one of Hong Kong's most favorite hotpot restaurants, serving Mongolian style hotpot.
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If you actually visited all those places I wrote about, it will probably be early evening by the time you finish...
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If you need to get back to the airport already, look at the closing paragraph of my article "One Night in Hong Kong" for public-transport directions.
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Otherwise, if you still have time on your hands and you want to stay in town for dinner, take a look at the same article for some wine & dine recommendations.
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If some of the places I wrote above are not exactly your cup of tea, here is an alternative you might be happy to look at :
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Located one next to the other, in one of Lantau Island's most beautiful areas, Ngong Ping Village, The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are forming one of Hong Kong's most spectacular tourist attractions.
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To get there, you first need to travel with the MTR's orange marked Tung Chung Line till the last station. The train departs from Hong Kong Station (the same station where the Airport Express leaves from - do not confuse with neighboring MTR Central, although the two stations are linked to each other). It will bring you to Tung Chung, a fairly modern town on Lantau Island's northern shore, right in front of the airport.
If you start you're journey from Kowloon (Tsim sha Tsui / Jordan / Yau ma Tei / Mong Kok or Prince Edward), you'll better take the red marked Tsuen Wan Line to Lai King Station and continue from there with the orange marked Tung Chung Line , all the way to Tung Chung.
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The lower cable-car terminal is right outside Tung Chung's MTR Station, and the Tung Chung Bus Terminus is just next to it : You can either ride the 5.7 km long cableway (25 minutes journey), across the bay and up the mountain, hovering above Lantau North Country Park (which is really something you should try... at least one direction...), or you can take bus No. 23
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Ngong Ping Village , next to the cableway's top terminus, is a 1.5 hectare culturally themed village that has been architecturally designed and landscaped to reflect the cultural and spiritual integrity of the Ngong Ping area. It is full of restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops but, nevertheless, it fits in quite nicely with the scenery and doesn't really spoil it... (Try to pay a short visit to the Ngong Ping Teahouse while you are there: It is quite interesting, although somewhat expensive...)
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Po Lin Monastery , just next to the "village" was originally built in the early 1900s by three Zen masters who arrived here from the Jin Shan Monastery of Zhe Jiang looking for a peaceful and secluded place where they can put up a Buddhist monastery. Originally called "the big hut", the small monastery developed a lot in the 1920s and the 1930s and thereafter, and plenty of structures were added...
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The monastery's most prominent attraction is the world famous Tian Tan Buddha, a colossal bronze statue of the seated Buddha, built between 1990 and 1993. Also known as the Big Buddha, it is the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha, soaring to a height of 34 meters above its base and weighing 250 tons... Thanks to its location, on top of one of Lantau's high hills, it can be seen from quite far on a clear day (some say from as far as Macau...).
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The statue sits on a lotus throne, on top of a three-platform altar that resembles the Altar of Heaven of Tian Tan (that is the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, after which the statue was named). 268 steps lead from the monastery to the statue's base, but there is also a small road that goes there, for vehicles to accommodate the handicapped.
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The cable car, the "themed village" and the monastery are open daily until 6 pm, which means you have to get to the lower cable-car terminal before 3:30 pm if you want to have enough time to enjoy the visit.
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You should also bear in mind that traveling time from Hong Kong Station to Tung Chung is 30 minutes (From Tsim sha Tsui or Mong Kok it can even take 40 - 50 minutes cause you need to change trains enroute).
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From the "Ngong Ping Village" / Po Lin Monastery :
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Option 1: You can travel back to Tung Chung Town (using the cable car or bus No. 23), from where you can proceed to the airport, as follows: From The bus terminus inside the colossal Citygate shopping mall (adjacent to MTR Tung Chung Station) you can take route Nos. S-64, S-56 or S-1.
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Option 2: If you still have plenty of time on your hands, you can take bus No. 21 (The bus stop is near the Big Buddha stairway) and travel to Tai O - Popularly known as "the Venice of Hong Kong", this is a quiet fishermen village where little has changed through the years...
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Hidden in a small bay on Lantau's west side, Tai O was originally built by the Tanka boat people, who were one of the earliest clans to migrate and settle in Hong Kong. The village is one of the last places in this region where you can still see plenty of traditional Pang uk houses, built on stilts over the water. It is divided to three parts: Two parts are located on Lantau Island itself (on the banks of the river), while the third part is located on Tai O Island (the river splits to the north and west, and at this fork lies the island) and this unique geographical feature is what gave the village its special "Venice" look...
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Take a stroll through the village's pedestrian only alleys and browse through the small stalls where dried foods and other souvenirs are sold... The smells of dried-salted foods blend with those of fresh seafood, creating an aroma that is unique to Tai O... Wing on Street, not far from the bus terminus, is packed with exotic shops, stalls and some good seafood restaurants where you can have your dinner, before traveling back to Tung Chung Town, from where you can proceed to the airport (see instructions above).
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For your information: The last bus departs from "the Big Buddha" to Tai O at 5:15pm (weekdays) or 6:30pm (weekends).
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Bus No. 11 runs from Tai O to Tung Chung until slightly after midnight.
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For a fully detailed guide about Lantau Island and its attractions (including recommended nature trails, seaside villages, beaches and more...) click on this Lantau Travel Guide

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