Hong Kong

Few cities on earth pack such dramatic vertical relief into so compact a footprint as Hong Kong. Green volcanic peaks rise straight behind a wall of steel-and-glass towers on Hong Kong Island, separated from the dense neon-lit streets of the Kowloon Peninsula by the deep shipping channel of Victoria Harbour. Within half an hour, you can ride a century-old wooden double-decker tram through Wan Chai, glide up the steep hillside on the Peak Tram to walk the shaded cliff path of Lugard Road, and cross the water on the green-and-white Star Ferry.

Beyond the financial towers, over seventy percent of the territory remains country parkland, fishing villages and granitic islands: a morning ride on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car leads to the bronze Tian Tan Buddha and the stilt houses of Tai O, while Kowloon's Mong Kok markets and traditional Cantonese teahouses keep centuries-old culinary craft alive. Start with what to know before you go and top experiences.

International flights land on reclaimed Chek Lap Kok island at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), connected to Kowloon and Central in 24 minutes by the Airport Express train and across the city by double-decker Cityflyer buses. High-speed trains from mainland China pull directly into Hong Kong West Kowloon Station beside Victoria Harbour. See how to get to Hong Kong.

First-time visitors split evenly between the two sides of the harbour: Tsim Sha Tsui on the tip of Kowloon looks straight across the water at the Hong Kong Island skyline, while Central, Soho, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai on the island place you along the historic tram line and hillside escalator. Compare six bases in where to stay in Hong Kong.

Walk the Lugard Road loop on Victoria Peak, cross the harbour on the Star Ferry and ride the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator past Tai Kwun; browse Temple Street, Ladies' Market and West Kowloon Cultural District; and escape to Lantau Island's Big Buddha, Tai O fishing village or the Dragon's Back ridge trail. Browse the full list in things to do in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is the world capital of Cantonese dining: linger over morning yum cha with bamboo steamers of shrimp har gow and pork siu mai, order glistening roast goose over rice, slurp springy bamboo-pressed wonton noodles, and try pineapple buns with cold butter and silky milk tea at a classic cha chaan teng cafe. Read what to eat in Hong Kong.

Beneath its sleek financial facade, everyday Hong Kong life runs on traditional Cantonese rhythm: coiled tower incense burns inside Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road, bamboo scaffolding rises around modern high-rises, and families gather at noisy circular tables to pour jasmine and pu-erh tea for elders first.