Times Square

One of the largest malls in Causeway Bay, Times Square has more than 230 shops offering an exciting range of products. It also offers a four-screen cinema, two basement levels and four floors of restaurants with a variety of international cuisines.

Located on the Wan Chai waterfront is one of Hong Kong 's most impressive and stunning pieces of architecture. The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with its sweeping sails and vast glass windows, is a striking visual testament to Hong Kong 's ongoing development. Thanks to its wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, the HKCEC is also an ideal venue for exhibitions, trade shows and international conventions. The HKCEC was the site of the handover when Hong Kong was returned to the motherland in 1997; an event commemorated by the adjacent Bauhinia Square that is a huge attraction for mainland visitors.

Wan Chai Shopping District

Wan Chai's streets are steeped in history and offer an amazing range of shopping. Along Queen's Road East you can find a number of excellent rattan and Chinese furniture shops which will happily arrange to have your purchases sent home.

Spring Garden Lane is a great place to pick up clothes at very competitive prices. The market stalls exclusively sell products originally meant for export, meaning quality and price are very competitive. It also connects to local wet and dry markets, and so offers a multicultural experience in the heart of Wan Chai. Spring Garden Lane is in between Queen's Road East and Johnston Road.

Shops specialising in shoes, electrical appliances and fashion for young people are found in abundance. Taking a stroll through the many shopping malls, including Times Square, Caroline Centre, World Trade Centre, The Lee Gardens, Lee Theatre Plaza , Fashion Island and Island Beverley, reveals a strong focus on fashion and food. In Square, in Windsor House, is known for a wide range of computer products.

Causeway Bay is full of surprises, with a mini shopper's paradise in its heart, sure to astonish. Jardine's Crescent is great for inexpensive clothing, accessories and domestic goods - and all at great value. Nearby, Jardine's Bazaar stocks traditional dried foods and bean curd (tofu).

The Expo Promenade (also known as Golden Bauhinia Square ) outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre by the waterfront marks the most significant occasion in Hong Kong's history - the return of the former British colony to the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the establishment of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.

The handover took place in the convention centre with President Jiang Zemin and other PRC dignitaries representing China , and Prince Charles present to witness the relinquishment of what had often been described as "the richest jewel in the British Crown".

The main ceremonies took place on the night of 30 June 1997. The Hong Kong SAR came into being on 1 July under its Chief Executive, Shanghai-born former shipping magnate, Tung Chee-Hwa.

The "Forever Blooming Bauhinia" Sculpture (Golden Bauhinia) is a gift from the people of the PRC to mark the widespread joy of the Chinese at the return of the territory to the Motherland after more than 100 years. Other gifts to commemorate the historic occasion were sent by each of China 's provinces, autonomous regions and other territories.

Near the Golden Bauhinia stands the Reunification Monument bearing inscriptions of President Jiang Zemin's calligraphy.

Attending a race meeting under the dazzling lights of the Happy Valley Racecourse is an opportunity to capture the essence and the vitality of Hong Kong Chinese culture. This magnificent course has been the home of Hong Kong racing since the first meeting was held on a strip of reclaimed marshland in 1846.

Night racing was introduced in 1973 and was an immediate success. For sheer excitement and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals, nothing beats a night at the races in Happy Valley . The nearby Hong Kong Racing Museum offers a fascinating glimpse of the sport's exciting history.

Sitting on the waterfront on Gloucester Road in Causeway Bay , is the Noon Day Gun made famous by the Noel Coward song Mad Dogs and Englishmen. The gun is fired once every day at noon. The tradition is said to date back to the time when a Jardine employee fired a one-gun salute when the head of the company sailed into port. A senior royal Navy officer took offence at this practice and as a penalty, the company was ordered to fire the gun at noon every day as a time signal.

Located in Mid-Levels on Upper Albert Road , this colonial gem was the former official residence of 25 British governors of Hong Kong prior to the handover in 1997. Built between 1851 - 1855 and extensively redesigned by the Japanese during their occupation of Hong Kong during WWII, the building has become a key heritage site. Today it is used for fund-raising events, concerts and to entertain foreign dignitaries. The splendid gardens filled with lovely rhododendrons and azaleas are opened for public viewing on special occasions.

There's a reason why The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong : It is absolutely incredible! Looking down from The Peak you'll be amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon , towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides.

Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There's nothing in the world like the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 metres (about 1,200 feet). It's so steep that the buildings you pass look like they're leaning at a 45°angle! Whether you're going up or coming down, you'll love this trip.

Once on The Peak, there are a number of locations providing magnificent views of the city below. For great continuous unfolding vistas, take the Peak Circle Walk or go directly to the Lugard Road Lookout for fabulous views over the harbour. There are more great vistas from the Lions View Point Pavilion and the viewing terrace at the Peak Galleria, as well as the Peak Tower Sky Terrace.

Hong Kong 's ever-popular homegrown theme park is now home to two cuddly new residents! Giant panda cubs Le Le and Ying Ying are gifts from the Chinese government to celebrate the 10 th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.

The lively pair from Sichuan will be introduced to the public on 1 July, HKSAR Establishment Day, joining long-time residents An An and Jia Jia that were presented to Hong Kong back in 1999.

Set up in 1977 to create one of Asia 's most popular theme parks mixing entertainment, education and conservation in an exciting package. The 80-hectare (200-acre) park, situated on the southern side of Hong Kong Island , features thrill rides as well as amazing aquarium exhibits and performances by various sea creatures. A cable car system links the lowland and headland sections, offering spectacular views en route.

About 20 years ago, Lan Kwai Fong was known as "fringe Central" as business was mainly focused on the waterfront. Today, it's the most popular loose-tie, hair-down dining and entertainment area on Hong Kong Island . The young and stylish flock to Lan Kwai Fong to sample specialties from around the globe - Middle Eastern, Italian, Mexican, French and American to name but a few. Many restaurants open onto the cobblestone streets, providing the luxury of alfresco dining.

Further west, around Staunton , Shelley Street and Elgin streets, SoHo (named after its location "South of Hollywood Road") joins in offering a compact, fashionable area of bars and restaurants specialising in different cuisines including French, Nepalese, Italian, Mexican and Indian.

Hong Kong 's Central district houses many shimmering skyscrapers and marbled shopping atriums and malls.

The contrast between the old world markets and designer boutiques provides variety and excitement to any shopping day. Scattered among the government headquarters and financial and banking houses are a wealth of opportunities for any shopper. The Landmark, The Galleria, Prince's Building, Alexandra House and the ifc mall are the main shopping centres, with designer shops and exclusive brand names in abundance.

Two parallel streets in Central known as "The Lanes", Li Yuen Street East and Li Yuen Street West are a riot of stalls hawking everything from inexpensive clothing, watches and costume jewellery to luggage and shoes. Situated between Queen's Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central, the market is open daily from 10am to 7pm.

Stanley Street is known for its range and reasonably priced photographic equipment. Hollywood Road winds above the Central business district and is Hong Kong 's antiques row. Farther west towards Sheung Wan is a bustle of sidewalk hawkers on Central's stepped "ladder" streets.

Since May 2001, Hong Kong Central Library is the biggest library facility in Hong Kong . Located in Causeway Bay , with an arch-shaped entrance standing for the Gate to Knowledge, it is a 12-storey high building with full range of library facilities and services. It is also a famous site seeing point for the tourists.

Christianity has always played an important role in the lives of Hong Kong people. St. John's Cathedral is the oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in Hong Kong and is believed to be the oldest Anglican place of worship in the Far East . Built in a style adopted from both the 13th-Century "Early English" and "Decorated Gothic", construction was completed in 1849.

Opened in 1912, The Legislative Council Building in Central was declared a historical monument in 1984 and was home to the Supreme Court until 1985 when it was converted for its present use. The most outstanding feature of the building is the pediment in the center of the building that contains the statue of the Greek Goddess of Justice, Themis who is blindfolded and holds a scale.

HSBC Main Building is the first building of its size in Hong Kong constructed entirely of structural steel without any reinforced concrete in the inner core. Designed by acclaimed British architect Lord Norman Foster, the super hi-tech HSBC Main Building in Central is a marvel of modern architectural design. It is one of the most expensive buildings in the world, costing nearly US$1 billion to build. On a more traditional note, it is believed that rubbing the paws of the two bronze lions that have guarded the portals of the bank since 1935 brings good luck.

Flagstaff House, itself a historical treasure, houses some of Hong Kong 's most prized collection pieces of ceramics.

Completed in 1846, Flagstaff House was originally the home of the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces, and today is Hong Kong 's oldest surviving colonial building. This whitewashed gem is a protected historical monument. The core collection of the museum, teaware donated by a local collector, the late Dr K. S. Lo, focuses on ornate oriental teaware.

Adjoining the museum is the K. S. Lo Gallery with its rare collection of ceramics and Chinese seals.

The temple was built by the Tai family probably in the early 18th Century. They often went to Causeway Bay to gather grass and some family members found a statue of Tin Hau near the shore. They erected a shelter for the statue and, as it became more popular, a proper temple building was built with donations from local boat people.

For a truly unique Hong Kong experience, there is no better place to visit than Dried Seafood Street (Des Voeux Road West) and Herbal Medicine Street (Ko Shing Street) in Sheung Wan.

Here, in Western district, unique aromas and fragrances will assail your senses as you walk from shop to shop gazing at a stunning array of dried seafood products and Chinese medicinal herbs.

Dried seafood, traditional medicinal herbs and tonics are extremely important to the people of southern China . This is where health-conscious Chinese shop for local fish delicacies and ingredients for rejuvenating tonics. The range of dried fish and herbs is truly astounding and the streets are a marvel to explore.

Dried seafood has been an important local product for centuries. Wholesalers, located along Des Voeux Road West , offer many varieties of dried and salted fish, but also other dried goods like fish maw, shellfish, squid and abalone.

Feel like dinner amidst the sumptuous surroundings of a Chinese palace? Welcome to the Jumbo Kingdom , one of Hong Kong 's truly unique attractions. Since its opening in 1976 as the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, it has excelled in the preparation of seafood for discerning diners. The restaurant, designed like a classic Chinese palace, can accommodate up to 2,300 people. Situated in Aberdeen harbour, the Jumbo is one of the world's largest floating restaurants and a tourist icon.

The Jumbo underwent renovation in early 2003 and transformed itself into what is now called Jumbo Kingdom - a modern complex of fine dining, shopping, sightseeing and cultural attractions. The multifaceted Jumbo Kingdom has a "six-star" gourmet restaurant, which provides excellent quality food featuring traditional Chinese and modern fusion dishes, an open-deck cafe and restaurant, a wine garden and a tea garden.

Primarily an upmarket residential area, sun-drenched Repulse Bay has a relaxed resort-like atmosphere. The wide, wave-lapped beach is popular with locals and visitors alike and great for sandy strolls in the early morning when the sun is up and the sunbathers are out in force, or at sunset when all is at peace.This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong .

A popular market town on the sunny south side of Hong Kong Island, Stanley's relaxed ambience, crisp sea environs and bargain buys have made it world famous.

Seven days a week the open market around Stanley New Street and Stanley Market Road throbs with the passing parade of life as bargain-hunters from all over the world join in the fun of haggling with shopkeepers and stallholders after swooping on brand-name clothing and accessories, or simply irresistible souvenirs, ornaments and other Oriental knick-knacks. The market is open from 10:30am to 6:30pm.

Stanley is a great place to get a drink or a bite to eat. It features a wide variety of funky bars and great restaurants to enjoy.

Stanley also has great beaches and is very popular with windsurfers. Murray House situated at the Stanley seaside is a restored three-storey colonial building that was dismantled in 1982 from its original site in Central and then rebuilt in Stanley . It re-opened in 1999 and now house the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and a number of restaurants.