Spectacular shopping and food make Hong Kong a must-see desination, says Megan Singleton.
1. SHOP TILL YOU DROP
When I think of Hong Kong I think about shopping at Ladies Market and Temple Street Night Market. These places are as busy and bustling as they've ever been and haggling is expected, but there are some cool places where local designers and young entrepreneurs have set up shop, as well as a 28-floor outlet mall on Hong Kong Island that requires a good couple of hours. Then you've got the high-end and high street malls of IFC and Harbour City to satisfy every shopping urge.
2. GET A FOOT MASSAGE
One of the absolute highlights at the end of a long day is disappearing down the stairs at Top Comfort, off Nathan Rd, for an hour-long foot massage for about $40. You'll start with a soak and scrub then be taken into a dark, zen-like room where all your aches and pains will be kneaded out.
3. TAKE THE FERRY TO LAMMA ISLAND
For a slice of a different pie take the ferry from Central about 30 minutes to Lamma Island for brunch/lunch and a beer in the sun. This Chinese fishing village is where the locals descend on weekends and public holidays to eat fresh dim sum, browse the small shops and walk about 30 minutes to sandy Hung Shing Yeh beach. Or stop at Andy's Seafood for lunch or Just Green for an organic beer.
4. TAKE A WALKING FOOD TOUR
I had a great time following our guide Fiona around the northern Kowloon neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po for a morning meeting chefs and owners and tasting things I never thought I'd put in my mouth. They were all little family-run businesses surrounded by markets that the locals shop at and included such delicacies as warm pineapple buns, crispy-skin goose, tofu dessert soup and plenty of noodles.
