City Life Meets Island Life
With an ever-changing skyline, many of Asia's finest hotels and restaurants, and all the cutting-edge technology you'd expect in a major modern metropolis, Hong Kong is a fast-paced, world-class city that can make New York seem slow. And while the island of Hong Kong (as well as peninsular Kowloon and more than 200 outlying islands) is again part of China, British traditions have not disappeared in what was a Crown colony for 156 years.

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To experience both the urban and natural side of Hong Kong, especially on Hong Kong Island itself, ISLANDS contributing editor Tony Perrottet recently traveled there for the feature article, "Neon - Forest - Wave," in the September/October 2009 issue. Follow his journey and see Matthieu Paley's amazing photos.

Hong Kong Airport
Fly Cathay Pacific for direct flights from major U.S. cities such as New York (JFK) to Hong Kong (HKG).

Hong Kong Hotels
Stay in some of Hong Kong's famous hotels, now offering great deals. Even if you don't stay, they're well worth an afternoon visit. High tea at the Peninsula dates back to the heyday of British rule in the 1920s, and the 28th-floor bar, restaurant and, yes, the bathrooms all have stellar views. The once-staid Mandarin Oriental just reopened after a $140 million renovation; rooms feature design so cutting edge it can take half an hour to figure out the light switches. And the sumptuous Island Shangri-La is perhaps Hong Kong's most distinctively luxurious hotel, with generously sized rooms, an over-the-top spa and a truly spectacular outdoor swimming pool, encircled by skyscrapers.

Hong Kong Restaurants
Eat dim sum, the dumpling heart of Hong Kong cuisine, which is usually served from early morning till about 5 p.m. The Island Shangri-La's Summer Palace offers perhaps the most exquisite dim sum in the city. For more economical bites garnished with local color, try the Tao Heung dining halls. With multiple locations around Hong Kong, the restaurants specialize in healthy, creative foods.

Hong Kong Tours
Hike with Hong Kong's two best freelance hiking companies: Hansen's Hikes, run by Michael Hansen, and Walk Hong Kong, run by Swiss Marco Foehn and New Zealander Jackie Peers. Both companies offer a wide range of hiking, cycling, bird-watching and photography tours relying on public transport. Hansen's Hikes is more economical. Remote Lands arranges tours for travelers to meet artists and gallery owners of Hong Kong, as well as visits to the China Club.