Hong Kong

With its towering skyline, fantastic shopping and dining and imposing waterfront, Hong Kong certainly lives up to its reputation as the New York of the East.

But travel beyond the skyscrapers and world class shopping, and the tourist laden areas like Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui lies a world of traditional fishing villages, lush countryside and an accessible introduction to Chinese culture. Although many Western tourists visit Hong Kong while en route to Australia or New Zealand, or as part of a multi-centre holiday in the far East, there is more than enough happening in Hong Kong to occupy a fortnight's vacation.

Here are some of my recommendations for things to see and do while on holiday in Hong Kong:

Cheung Chau Island	Ocean Park - zoological and theme park
Along the Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR): East Tsim Sha Tsui - Kowloon Tong Tai Wai - University Tai Po Market - Lo Wu	The 10,000 Buddha Monastery
Tai O - a traditional fishing village	Goldfish Market (Tung Choi Street)

In 2007 I returned to Asia by visiting Tokyo in Japan. In 2009 I visited Hubei Province, China. I've also been to New York.