Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Situated in the beautiful Hong Kong Park and overlooking the ultramodern mania of Central, Flagstaff House, dating from 1846, is the former residence of the colonial Commander-in-Chief and the oldest surviving colonial building in Hong Kong. It now houses a fine museum of tea ware, seals and other ceramics.

10 Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong Park, Central
Hong Kong
Tel: 2869 0690.
Web: www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Arts/english/tea/tea.html
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 1000-1700.
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


Happy Valley Races
Wednesday night is horse racing night in Happy Valley where the floodlit racecourse, hemmed in by towering apartment buildings and steep hills, attracts hardcore Chinese gamblers (it's the only legal form of gambling in Hong Kong) and boozing expats alike. Hong Kongers pack the Happy Valley tram after work for this social event and tourists tag along for the buzz. Order a beverage from the beer marquee and stand along the barrier as the horses come up the home straight or take in the view from the amphitheatre-esque grandstand.

2 Sports Road, Happy Valley
Hong Kong
Tel: 2895 1523.
Web: www.happyvalleyracecourse.com
Opening hours: Wed and Sat-Sun from 1930 (Sep-June).
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes


Hong Kong Museum of History
It is somehow fitting that this go-ahead territory has its history commemorated in a dazzling new building. Opened in late 2001, the museum building, situated next to the Hong Kong Science Museum in Kowloon, houses 'The Hong Kong Story' permanent exhibition covering the region's history from prehistoric times, including some spectacular period sets. There are traditional costumes, a huge collection of period photographs, replicas of old village houses and an entire street, circa 1881, with its own Chinese medicine store. There are also numerous temporary exhibitions.

100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 2724 9042.
Web: hk.history.museum
Opening hours: Mon and Wed-Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1000-1900.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes


Ngong Ping 360
The 5.7km (3.5 miles) Ngong Ping 360 cable car is one of Hong Kong's top sightseeing attractions, travelling between Tung Chung Town Centre and Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, offers stunning views across North Lantau Country Park, Tung Ching Bay and the giant Tian Tan Bhudda statue. Part of the development is Ngong Ping Village, a small theme park incorporating family-friendly attractions such as Walking with Buddha, the Monkey's Tale Theatre, the Ngong Ping Tea House and several dining, retail and entertainment outlets.

11 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island
Hong Kong
Tel: 3666 0606.
Web: www.np360.com.hk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 0900-1830.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes


Star Ferry
The green and white tub-shaped ferries have been a familiar sight around Hong Kong since the 1920s and are a much-cherished symbol of the city. Far more important, however, is the fact that their decks give one of the best available views, day or night, of the waterfronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon - not to mention the plethora of ocean traffic surging through the shipping lanes.

Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Hung Hom Star Ferry terminals
Hong Kong
Tel: 2367 7065.
Web: www.starferry.com.hk
Opening hours: Daily 0630-2330 depending on service.
Admission Fee: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes


Statue Square
Statue Square is a must-see Hong Kong attraction, with its dazzling ensemble of modernist buildings. The HSBC headquarters building - featuring on most Hong Kong dollar notes and designed by Norman Foster - forms the south side of the square, and just to the east of it is I M Pei's Bank of China Tower, where visitors can ascend to the 43rd of the building's 72 floors for a particularly stunning view of Central. Less distinguished but equally prominent buildings jostle around them, towering over the colonial remnant of St John's Cathedral. In more antiquated contrast, the Legislative Council Building, formerly the Supreme Court, on the east side of the square, houses Hong Kong's partly elected assembly. Standing beside the Star Ferry terminal is the soaring 88-storey International Finance Centre (known as 'Two IFC' - One IFC building is older and much smaller), home to a Four Seasons hotel and the city's showpiece shopping mall, as well as a cinema and a fine portfolio of cafés, restaurants and bars.

Statue Square, Central
Hong Kong
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes


Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Offering another great view of the spectacular Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island waterfront, this esplanade is where Hong Kong couples go in the evenings for a romantic stroll. However, day or night, the view is superb. The colonial-era Clock Tower at the western end of the promenade, by the Star Ferry piers, makes an attractive historic terminus. Shoppers should head to Harbour City shopping mall, plus watch out for the huge visiting cruise liners which moor up in front of Ocean Terminal next door. Stretching along the promenade, the Avenue of Stars features hand prints and commemorative plaques honouring the greatest stars of Hong Kong's celebrated film industry.

Star Ferry Terminal to Hung Hom
Hong Kong
Admission Fee: No
Disabled Access: Yes