The best things to do in Hong Kong

1.Victoria Peak and the Peak Tram

The steep funicular up to the city's highest viewpoint, looking down over the skyscrapers and the harbour.

Tip: The tram queue is long in the evening. Go up before sunset, or take bus 15 from Central for a slower, scenic ride.

2.Central–Mid-Levels EscalatorFree

The world's longest outdoor covered escalator, climbing 800 metres up the hillside through SoHo.

Tip: It runs downhill in the early morning rush and uphill for the rest of the day.

3.Tai KwunFree

The old Central Police Station and Victoria Prison, restored as an arts centre with galleries, bars and courtyards.

4.Man Mo Temple and Hollywood RoadFree

A smoky 19th-century temple hung with giant incense coils, on a street of antique and art shops.

5.Dried seafood streetFree

Shops on Des Voeux Road West and Wing Lok Street piled with dried abalone, scallops, mushrooms and herbs.

6.Dim sum for breakfast

Steamed dumplings, buns and rice rolls with tea, eaten in loud, crowded tea houses from early morning.

Tip: Go before 9am for the old-style places, and expect to share a table.

7.Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo

Central's nightlife streets, packed with bars and restaurants that spill out onto the steep lanes.

8.A ride on the 'Ding Ding' tram

Narrow double-decker trams that have run along the north shore of the island since 1904.

Tip: Sit upstairs at the front. Ride from Causeway Bay through Wan Chai to Sheung Wan; you pay as you get off.

9.Wednesday night races at Happy Valley

Horse racing under floodlights in a track surrounded by skyscrapers, with a lively, mixed crowd of locals and expats.

Tip: Races run on Wednesday evenings in the season, from September to July.

10.Golden Bauhinia SquareFree

The harbourfront square by the Convention Centre, with the gold statue marking the 1997 handover.

Tip: The flag-raising ceremony takes place every morning at 8am.

11.The Star Ferry

Green-and-white ferries crossing Victoria Harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central since 1888.

Tip: Take the upper deck, and cross at night for the lit-up skyline.

12.Avenue of Stars and the Symphony of LightsFree

The harbourfront promenade facing the island's skyline, with a light and laser show every night at 8pm.

13.M+

A large museum of modern visual culture in the West Kowloon Cultural District, with design, architecture and film.

Tip: The roof garden has one of the best free views of the harbour. M+ is closed on Mondays.

14.Hong Kong Palace Museum

Treasures from Beijing's Forbidden City on long-term loan, in a new museum next to M+.

Tip: Book a timed ticket online; it's closed on Tuesdays.

15.Temple Street Night MarketFree

Stalls of cheap goods, fortune tellers and open-air seafood and claypot rice restaurants in Yau Ma Tei.

Tip: It gets going after dark; go hungry.

16.The street markets of Mong KokFree

The Ladies' Market for clothes and souvenirs, plus the goldfish market, the flower market and the bird garden.

17.Wong Tai Sin TempleFree

A busy Taoist temple where worshippers shake sticks out of bamboo cups to have their fortunes told.

Tip: It's right above Wong Tai Sin MTR station, 15 minutes from Mong Kok.

18.The Big Buddha and Ngong Ping 360

A 34-metre bronze Buddha on Lantau Island, reached by a long cable car ride over the hills from Tung Chung.

Tip: Check the cable car isn't closed for maintenance before you go; bus 23 from Tung Chung is the backup.

19.Dragon's Back hikeFree

A ridge trail with sea views down the island's east side, ending at the beach at Big Wave Bay.

Tip: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan and bus 9 to the trailhead. Go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

20.Lamma Island

A car-free island of villages and beaches, with a walking path between its two ferry piers and seafood restaurants on the water.

Tip: Ferries leave from Central Pier 4. Walk from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan and take the ferry back from there.