How to go between hotel and airport.
Easiest and most expensive: Taxi
Less expensive and fastest: Express train.
Less expensive and fast: MTR.
Least expensive: MTR plus bus. Around HK21/pp.

Private tour: A private car and a guide serve you from your arrival at airport to seeing-off at airport including fixed sightseeing.

Hire a driver and guide and go for flexible trips at your own pick. As the guide also drives, you can make easy change of trips on mutual agreement.

Hire a guide and go by public transportation (trams, buses, MTR, ferries¡­) to visit sights and sounds of HK.

Benefits: Local experience, lots of shopping opportunities.

Cost: Lowest. Guide hire fee at around USD55/per day.

Aberdeen-the Largest Satellite Town

On one of the southern tips of Hong Kong Island, Aberdeen is the largest satellite town with a population of about sixty thousand. It was a piratesden two centuries ago and later turned into a simple fishing village. In recent years, with local high-rise building developments, Aberdeen has modernized, and now it becomes a vibrant waterfront resort for people from metropolitan Hong Kong.

Despite modernization, traditional fishing life still prevails. Hundreds of junks and sampans, old-fashioned boats serve as floating homes for thousands of people. They crowd in the narrow harbor, dramatically juxtaposed against a modern high-rise building that spreads up the nearby hillsides. If you were lucky, warm-hearted fishers would invite you onto their dwellings, from where you can glimpse the life of the boat-people. If no invitation forthcoming, you can always take a sampan ride yourself. Butdo place caution and safety first. You should take rides only with licensed operators.

Besides experiencing the traditional life of boat-dwellers, you may also enjoy tasty seafood here. Two magnificent floating restaurants, namely ¡Jumbo Floating Restaurant¡ and the ¡Tai Bak Seafood Boat¡ are available. They are anchored in the Aberdeen Harbor, where guests can take a free ferryboat shuttle to reach them for a feast of delicious seafood.

Admiralty - The Beaming and The Beautiful World

Admiralty, located between Central and Wan Chai, is only one MTR stop east of Central. A former British naval station, the site is now a mix of beaming office towers and shopping malls. In Admiralty, visitors will find the Pacific Place, one of Hong Kong's ritziest shopping malls, showcasing top names in fashion, such as Lane Crawford and Marks & Spencer. The town also houses three of the region's five-star hotels: Conrad, Marriott, and Island Shangri-La.

A few minutes from Admiralty is Wan Chai, the legendary nightlife center of Hong Kong that was featured in the film The World of Suzie Wong, which was about the life of a benevolent Chinese prostitute. By day, Wan Chai is a bustling commercial center as the rents are quite expensive in neighboring Central. Near the waterfront are the Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Arts Centre, two of the most popular venues for theatrical and cultural performances in Hong Kong. The Art Centre also houses a few galleries, rehearsal rooms, and restaurants that promote the views of the harbor. On the right of the harbor is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Hopewell Centre

Ocean Park

Situated on the southern side of Hong Kong island, it is one of the world's acclaimed educational theme parks covering more than 870,000 square metres of land. Over three million people visit Ocean Park each year. Residents of Hong Kong as well as tourists from all over the world enjoy the facilities and services provided by Ocean Park. With 24 years of history, Ocean Park has established itself as one of the major tourist attractions in Hong Kong and Asia. Aside from entertainment through thrill rides and a wide variety of shows, the Park prides itself on its education and conservation programmes. Around 50,000 school children in Hong Kong visit the Park each year to learn about animals.

Ocean Park comprises two sections, the Headland and lowland, connected by a 1.5 km long cable car system which offers spectacular, panoramic views of the southern side of Hong Kong and the South China Sea.

At the Headland, the Park boasts of its many rides including the Dragon, Eagle, Crazy Galleon, Ferris Wheel, Ocean Park Wheel, Mine Train and The Abyss Turbo Drop. Complementing the rides is Ocean Theatre where dolphins and sea lions entertain and educate visitors on the lives of these marine mammals each day through their lively performances. Providing more enjoyment is the world class Atoll Reef, Shark Aquarium and Pacific Pier. At the Park's Tai Shue Wan Site, there is the entrance to a bird aviary, Middle Kingdom and a 225 metres outdoor escalator leading to the Headland.

At Lowland, visitors can meet with the delightful "An An"; and "Jia Jia";, a pair of giant pandas bestowed on Hong Kong by the Central Government of China at the Hong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat. Adjacent to the Giant Panda Habitat is the Goldfish Pagoda, featuring more than 100 goldfish of 42 species. Other attractions include Discovery of the Ancient World, Butterfly House, Dinosaur Discovery Trail, Film Fantasia and Kid's world. Besides Kid's World is Dolphin University where visitors are able to have a closer encounter with dolphins and learn more about these fabulous marine mammals.

This expansive parkland in the heart of Causeway Bay contains many facilities such as swimming pools, jogging tracks and tennis courts. Early risers gather here to practice tai chi. And tens of thousands of people gather on special occasions such as Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. During weekends, the park is full of people exercising, relaxing and simply enjoying the sunshine.

The Peak has long been the most expensive and exclusive area of Hong Kong. Before the arrival of the Peak tram in 1888, the wealthy were carried up the mountain in sedan chairs. In colonial times too, this was the most prestigious district and many governors and business men bought extortionately priced houses up here, away from the smog and heat below. Today, nothing much has changed and this remains the place where the fashionable and rich make their homes-snapping up houses at prices which are among the most expensive for real estate anywhere in the world.

It is not hard to see why this area is so popular when you reach the top. The views from the Peak Tower are truly spectacular and this is also a great place to get your bearings of Hong Kong and Kowloon. The Peak Tower stands at 400 m above sea level and was built to withstand all typhoons. This is where the Peak Tram terminates and the Tower contains various entertainment facilities (most are great fun for kids), shops and a few cafes.

Po Lin Monastery is found in the beautiful plateau of Ngong Ping on Lantau Island. Nestled between the hills, this grand monastery was founded in 1927 and is a major center of Buddhism in the region. The main temple houses 3 bronze statues of the Buddha representing his past, present and future lives as well as many Buddhist scriptures.

 The highlight of Po Lin Monastery however, is the Tian Tan Buddha, otherwise known as the Giant Buddha, who is seated on the hilltop, up a flight of 268 steps. The 34 meter (112ft), 250 ton sculpture is the world's largest seated outdoor bronze statue of the Buddha. The statue was opened to the public in December 1993 after 10 years of construction. The views of the surrounding countryside from the base of the statue are simply stunning and there are also small exhibition galleries for view inside the statue. Po Lin Monastery is situated in Ngong Ping Plateau, Lantau Island, and Hong Kong. It is the most famous monastery in Hong Kong where monks from all quarters are welcomed to stay and practice.

Probably the most well-known and busiest temple in the city, Wong Tai Sin Temple was built in 1973 on the site of a previous temple. At this impressive temple, all Taoism and Confucianism are practiced.  Decorated in a riot of colours, Wong Tai Sin is an excellent example of a traditional Chinese temple. Unique details of the temple include red pillars, a golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework and multicolored carvings. A traditionally carved granite archway separates the temple's two terraces, while the main hall is surrounded by doors and windows. Worshippers gather in the front courtyard. Other temples in the grounds are dedicated to Buddha and Confucius. Wong Tai Sin himself was a shepherd boy from Zhejiang province in China, who was thought to have mystical healing powers. Most people visiting the temple come to assess their fortune by using fortune sticks, and there are even some of English speaking soothsayers who can help visitors interpret the fortune sticks.

Kowloon Park is an oasis of greenery among the expanse of concrete and steel, which can be regarded as a welcome respite from the crowds of Tsim Sha Tsui. It was once the site of the Whitfield barracks - home to British and Indian troops, but is now a pleasant city park. Located above street level, Kowloon Park has Chinese style gardens, an aviary, an outdoor sculpture exhibit, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The bird lake which is crowded with beautiful pink lesser flamingo and ducks is particularly striking.

Kowloon Park is also home to the Urban Council Health Education Exhibition and Resource Center, where you can see interactive exhibits on health and Hygiene.

Song Dynasty City

Song Dynasty City is situated in Kowloon and is an imitation of the Song capital depicted in the famous scroll "Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival". As you stroll on cobblestone streets along the small river that winds its way through town, you may visit the temples, stores, and residences that line its banks. It is almost a living museum as all the buildings have been built in the Song Dynasty style and the shop assistants and residents are all clad in Song costumes.

You are able to observe aspects of Song life such as Song "officials" on inspection tours, "wealthy" people "going about their business" and returning to their homes, and a typical Song style wedding ceremony, as well as enjoy delicious foods prepared according to Song recipes.

This fascinating place will enchant you as you almost become a part of the remote past while still enjoying the advantages of the present. Your visit to Kowloon will certainly be enhanced by the very pleasant and interesting time you spend here becoming acquainted with China's Song Dynasty.