International Finance Centre

The Four Seasons Hong Kong is on the island side of Hong Kong, with views of Kowloon, exceptional service, and eight Michelin stars under one roof, including three-star French restaurant Caprice. The rooms here are subtle (except for the bathrooms, which are totally encased in mirrors) and well-appointed. This hotel especially convenient for business travel, and you'll notice most guests seem to be here for work. If you're in town with intentions to shop, the Four Seasons is right next the International Finance Center mall and a quick walk from all the shops in Central and Sheung Wan.

This ultra-contemporary, boutique-like addition to the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong family offers only 100-odd rooms, making it a bit less bustling than its flagship counterpart. Though it occupies a smaller footprint, they most definitely have not scrimped on amenities: There’s an amazing two-story spa, the rooms are huge, and lavish touches abound, which is pretty much what you’d expect from a Mandarin Oriental hotel.

Service is the name of the game at so many of Hong Kong’s hotels and the Langham is no different. Plus, each of the 498 rooms are light-filled and modern with copper-trimmed furnishings and tufted headboards. Much like its glossy sister property in London, afternoon tea in the Palm Court is not to be missed and includes an almost-too-pretty-to-eat pastry selection.

The suites here have an elegant and modern look to them, with huge windows that open up onto a balcony that wraps around the entire space. The views from all the way up there are incredible. Non-suite guestrooms are all similarly decorated with Chinese antiques and modern furniture. And while you may not want to leave the confines of your room, there are ten restaurants and bars in the Mandarin Hotel to work your way through.

Perched on the harbor in Kowloon near the famed Star Ferry Terminal, this Deco-era hotel (not only is it Hong Kong’s oldest, but the location gives the entire hotel group its name) got a tech-y upgrade with state-of-the-art TVs and touch-screen in-room lighting systems. Ask for a harbor suite for prime views of brightly lit Hong Kong Island. Bonus: you can book your airport transfer via helicopter or on one of their fourteen Rolls Royce Phantoms. While they whisk you into the city, you can pre-order your room service upon arrival—no guarantees it will stave off jet lag, but the lobster bisque soothes after a long flight.

The Pottinger, a 68-room boutique hotel tucked into the Central neighborhood, aims to infuse a bit of modernity into a storied part of town. Guest rooms are on the smaller side (you are in a densely packed metropolis, after all) but the tasteful touches make you feel like you’re in a private residence. Don’t miss the gallery walls of black-and-white photographs by filmmaker Fan Ho, whose imagery tells a deeply personal story of the history of Hong Kong and Central.

The Regent sits right on Avenue of Stars on the west side of K11 Musea with gorgeous views of the harbor and Kowloon. Service is outstanding, and the rooms are pared-back and glowy, in warm tones of blush and light wood. It’s a smaller and less showy operation than, say, the Rosewood, the Peninsula, or the Four Seasons, but there are still a set of world-class restaurants (a Nobu, celebrated Cantonese restaurant Lai Ching Heen, and a steakhouse) and an intimate bar and cigar lounge.

This is the chicest hotel in Hong Kong, and it draws a stylish clientele to match. Rooms are well-balanced and design-forward, with a carefully considered mix of color, pattern, and texture that is almost—almost—enough to draw your eye away from views of Victoria Harbor and Kowloon Peak. The suites have butler service. The hotel has a formidable kids’ club, if you’re traveling with family. And there’s an impressive crop of restaurants on site: Michelin-starred Legacy House for Cantonese dim sum, tea service at the Butterfly Room, classic Italian at BluHouse, and an upscale take on a cha chaan teng at Holt’s Café, among several others.

This minimalist boutique hotel, with its elevated, Scandinavian vibe, was created by Hong Kong interior team, Design Systems. Outfitted from stem to stern in grey monochrome marble, concrete, and natural timber, it’s got an immaculately clean, refined appearance throughout, making it the sort of place you'll be pretty happy to call home. The bathrooms, decked with oxidized brass fixtures, are stocked with luxury products; the lighting is perfectly ambient at all times; and it’s well-located, too, with the MTR, Causeway Bay, Victoria Park, and Tai Hang all close-by. In fact, it’s so well-integrated into a happening (but not-too-happening) part of town that, along with its inviting yet no-frills atmosphere, it is the perfect place to stay for an authentic experience of the city without skimping on luxury.

This sleek, boutique-like hotel—it's actually part of the same group that runs Conservatorium in Amsterdam and Hotel Café Royal in London—is inarguably one of the Hong Kong's best. Streamlined, but supremely luxurious rooms are just the first step: Each room includes a free mini-bar, replete with snacks and drinks, Salisterra offers Mediterranean food up on a sky-scraping floor, and there's a great gym with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Bambino, tucked just off Hollywood Road, is where to cozy up on a mellow night: It’s warmly lit and intimate with a friendly atmosphere and good music. (Notice the record collection on the wall, with everything from the BeeGees to Daft Punk and Cigarettes After Sex). They serve a full dinner menu—Italian classics, like pesto gnocchi and beef tartare—but you’ll notice plenty of guests come to pluck a bottle of wine off the wall to split with a friend. The house cocktails are impressive, too.

Chachawan serves up Thai food in a modern-yet-rustic, super-cool space, with colorful wallpaper that gives it an elevated atmosphere, and an open kitchen behind the bar. Yenn Wong runs this hotspot for northeastern-Thailand-inspired Isaan cuisine—a rarity compared to the usual/ubiquitous Thai fare in HK. Their dishes are vetted to be authentic, meaning they do not hold back on spice.

Polymath owner Danny Yip and head chef Kwok Keung Tung spend months developing new cooking methods for The Chairman. Which means two things: Only a few new dishes make it to the menu every year, and they’re good good. The food is rooted in traditional Cantonese ingredients and flavors, but the team sources inspiration from everywhere. The sun-cured pigeon and Sichuan peppercorn-stewed oxtail are highlights.

If you happen to know a member of this club, hit them up for an invite. (A good hotel concierge should probably be able to get you in, too.) Their dim sum is top-notch, and they have a vast collection of contemporary Chinese art.

China Tang is one of our favorite restaurants in London—in fact, it’s one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in the world. Sir David Tang introduced the enterprise to Hong Kong, and even in a sea of delectable Asian fare, it still stands out.

When you've maxed out on dim sum and just want a simple café where you can tuck into the paper, and maybe a bagel and lox or some avocado toast, Classified is a welcome choice. So welcome, in fact, that there are five outposts scattered across the region. They do a reliably great Irish breakfast and the coffee is better than what you'll find in most joints.

Michelin-starred Duddell’s is an arts-devoted restaurant stylishly merging Hong Kong’s British and Chinese heritage to great success. The restaurant serves contemporary spins on traditional Cantonese cuisine—especially dim sum—in a cool setting reminiscent of a country estate. On any given day they also host lectures, talks, screenings, and guest curated exhibitions of international modern and contemporary art, including some local to Hong Kong, and some on loan from private collectors. While the food is exceptional, the art in and of itself makes Duddell's a must. As an added bonus, their garden terrace is a welcome escape from the city streets.

The Felix, located on the 28th floor of The Peninsula hotel, is the work of iconic French designer Philippe Starck. His touch can be felt throughout the space, from the dramatic dual-spiral staircase to the sleek white chairs that carry black prints of the faces of long-serving Peninsula employees. The views are probably more famous, though, as you get a panorama of Victoria Harbour.

While this Chinese/fusion restaurant found its inspiration in the 1960's Chinatown joints of NYC, the kitchen isn't afraid to try new things. Helmed by Chef ArChan Chan, Ho Lee Fook's popularity is due in part to its exciting menu. The first floor of the restaurant houses its open kitchen, and downstairs, below ground level, is a dimly-lit, club-y dining room.

This street food spot always draws a line for its Hong Kong–style snacks—you’ll find pig skin and radish, fish sui mai, and congee here. Order the cheung fun (rice noodle rolls), which swim in a sweet sesame and soy sauce. If you’d like to sit, prepare to share a table with other diners. Otherwise, buy a bowl and stand among the shopping and food stalls on the street.

There used to be around a thousand dai pai dongs—street restaurants known for quick, inexpensive food—in Hong Kong. Due to tightening regulations around street vendors, there are now fewer than 20 remaining, but a few restaurants hope to keep this culinary heritage alive. Ladies Street Sik Fan Co. is in a commercial building, but it captures the spirit of traditional dai pai dongs, serving shrimp toast, clay pot rice, sweet and sour pork, and beer in bowls—all in a big hall filled with golden dragons and neon signs as if it were on a city street in the 1950s. Make a reservation; this place is popular among both locals and tourists (and wait times get prohibitively long).

Michelin-starred Legacy House serves dim sum and modern Cantonese food with views of Victoria Harbor. Meat and seafood dishes dominate the menu—people like the spicy beef, fish noodles, and deep-fried duck. The vegetarian accommodations are equally impressive: If we could order baskets and baskets of the mushroom dumplings, we would. Dessert is spectacular, and you wouldn’t be wrong to get one of everything, like cream-filled mango mochi, black sesame jellies, and deep-fried milk.

You won’t find traditional pho here, but what you will find are unexpected flavor pairings—green papaya salad with crispy shallots, octopus and tamarind glaze, fresh veggies and red prawn carpaccio—all served up in a brightly lit, Parisian brasserie-like setting. Vegetarians will be pleasantly sated with the soy-braised tofu and hedgehog mushrooms. If it’s not too hot out, opt for one of the tables outside, settle into one of the roomy wicker chairs, and take in the bustle of the surrounding Star Street neighborhood. Don’t glaze over the wine list—it features an impressive roster of biodynamic French wines rarely seen elsewhere in Hong Kong.

As the name suggests, the focus here is on baos, i.e., Vietnamese buns filled with pork and fish, though the sides are equally compelling: There are Brussels sprouts (topped with peanuts and lime) and truffle fries, along with slabs of green tea ice cream sandwiched between deep-fried buns.

When you’ve had too much pork, turn to this sweet, traditional Chinese tea house, which serves vegetarian dim sum. Beyond dumplings, they offer more than 100 varieties of tea (which are also for sale in the shop).

Luk Yu serves a solid dim sum lunch, but Hong Kongers really come for the impressive menu of teas, including rare varieties of pu-erh.

While this noodle shop offers little in the way of atmosphere (expect glass-topped tables, flimsy paper napkins, and soda out of the can), the won ton noodles are served quick and delicious, making this the perfect pit-stop for a fast and cheap lunch.

If you’re in the mood for Cantonese cuisine, look no further than Man Wah, which is perched on top of the flagship Mandarin Oriental. The setting is impeccable, and the culinary experience is exactly what you want after a long flight to Hong Kong.

Named after the site of New York City Chinatown’s first convenience store, this Chinese fine dining spot celebrates the global influence of Cantonese cooking. There’s a traditional dim sum menu, along with a more rarified dinner offering, which includes dishes like roasted whole pigeon, crispy abalone, and sweet and sour pork.

A gin bar in a former ping pong hall might sound a bit random—and its location in Sai Ying Pun is slightly out-of-the-way—but this spot is cool, from the original architectural flourishes and subterranean location to the Spanish tapas and the gin-based cocktail menu.

This izakaya-style dining bar comes from the owners of wildly successful Japanese chicken-centric restaurant Yardbird, Matt Abergel and Lindsay Jang. Specialized in seafood and Japanese spirits, Ronin has a more intimate, sophisticated attitude than your average izakaya. The daily changing menu responds to what’s freshest and best at the market.

If you can’t make it up to The Peak, breakfast at Salisterra, the restaurant on top of the Upper House (one of our favorite Hong Kong hotels), is a good stand-in. You’ll get a sweeping view of the harbor from the 49th floor while you munch on shitake and watercress omelettes or steamed pork buns and abalone congee.

Tokio Joe, located in Lan Kwai Fong, the popular nightlife section of Central, is a relatively casual restaurant where you'll get some of the best sushi in the city. The restaurant is run by Chef Wah and has been a Hong Kong institution since the mid-1990's. The menu is a contemporary take on Japanese favorites, and changes a couple times a year, although some dishes, like their house salad with marinated tuna, never do.

Yardbird allows reservations but holds 50% of the restaurant for walk-ins, meaning crowds line up every night. The menu is all about chicken, served yakitori style, and it doesn’t disappoint. While the focus seems specific, they’re unsparing in skewering and barbecuing every part of the bird, from the neck to the heart, to the liver (you can get basic breasts, too). For vegetarians, there are plenty of delectable options, including sweet corn tempura and eggplant salad.

Established in 1942, this dim sum institution is on the touristy side, but it’s an experience you’d be remiss to skip. Go for the roast goose—it’s world-famous for a reason. Other signature dishes include sautéed frog legs with bamboo shoots, steamed fish in soya sauce, and charcoal-grilled barbecue meats prepared with longstanding family recipes.

Zuma is one of our favorite restaurants in London, and its Hong Kong branch does not disappoint. While the multi-level setting is dramatic, the casual Izakaya-style menu of Japanese delicacies (and extensive drink menu) is totally approachable.

Argo, on the ground floor of the Four Seasons, is regularly named one of Asia’s best bars. The bar itself is inspired by conservatories and terrariums, and it's very cool—but it’s the cocktail menu that really shines. The bartenders’ narrative focus changes regularly: They’ve centered Asian botanicals threatened by climate change (like honey, cacao, and coffee), classic Hong Kong flavors (XO sauce and pu-erh), and ingredients that work symbiotically in circular agriculture (ginger lily, granite, sweet potato, and bamboo). The menu is so intentional it reads like poetry, and the drinks are well-balanced. The bar snacks are great, too: spicy olives, ruffle chips, and egg waffles with dipping chocolate.

You might not expect Hong Kong’s thrice-crowned best bar to focus on artisanal tequila and mezcal, but here it is. COA’s signature menu fuses flavors from Mexico (mole, ancho chile) with those of Hong Kong (bitter melon, Sichuan pepper, Chinese pickled cabbage), and every drink is fantastic. A line starts forming here about half an hour before opening, so if you don’t plan to arrive early, come prepared for a wait. Which, all things considered, is not that bad: You scan a QR code, and your phone shows where you are in the queue in real time, so you can explore Sheung Wan or drink elsewhere until it’s your turn.

Designed to evoke American speakeasies, the Diplomat feels cozy and warm, serving vintage whiskeys and vodka cold brews in a dimly-lit space. There are only a few tables in the main bar, but if you press a button on the back wall, a door opens, revealing a secret room with banquette seating and a DJ booth. The Diplomat is more bar than restaurant, but they’re known for hearty pub food, including an especially good bacon cheeseburger.

Opened in 1967, Dragon-i is somewhat of a Hong Kong institution at this point—since it's a favorite for expats and tourists, it's an easy place to ease into Hong Kong's club scene. The interior (designed by India Mahdavi, who was also behind the stunning pink gallery at Sketch in London) has red lanterns hanging above the always-packed dance floor.

Feather Boa is the kind of "secret bar" that you're likely to hear about: Their specialty is fresh strawberry daiquiris made to order, and they have become somewhat legendary for it. Like a classic speakeasy, the exterior is unremarkable, but the décor inside is fitting of this former antiques shop.

This Hong Kong take on the speakeasy is on the fourth floor of the Kiu Yin Commercial Building. Designed to be reminiscent of a library, the vibe here is upscale gentleman's club, sans the buzz that pervades much of Hong Kong's club scene. It's the kind of place you go for a serious cocktail (the whiskey selection is legit) and quiet conversation.

The cocktail program here is focused on fruit spirits, and the signature cocktails make good use of strawberry eau de vie, plum brandy, and coconut pisco. Drinks are balanced and refreshing (and creatively presented), service is warm, and the bar itself is warm and modern—all herringbone floors, contemporary seating, and geometric architecture.

The Ritz here is located on the Kowloon side (which is across the way from Hong Kong Island), and its claim to fame is that it houses the world's highest rooftop bar. On a clear night, here, on the 118th floor of the International Commerce Center, you can see all of Hong Kong. If you're visiting for the first time—unless you're heights-adverse—you have to go for the experience.

If you aren’t looking for Penicillin, you’ll miss it, but this teensy cocktail bar is one of Hong Kong’s best. The bartenders focus on innovation (which they’ve translated into the space; notice the scientific, lab-like surroundings), and they’ve designed a closed-loop model that eliminates food waste and minimizes their carbon footprint. People love the pisco sour, which tastes like White Rabbit candy. Ask the bartenders about their fermentation masterclass, which runs most weekdays.

This vibrant cocktail bar uses ingredients from Hong Kong’s neighbors across southeast Asia and the Pacific. You might get a cumin-cucumber drink inspired by India, for example, or try Australian whiskey and wattleseed. Or, of course, ask for something distinctly Hong Kong, with black sesame, salted plum, and jasmine tea.

Innovative cocktails like Prince Jellyfish (Chamomile, Champagne, Absinthe) and Mad Society (Abelha Cachaca, Montelobos Mezcal, St. Germain) are just a few of the offerings at this Victorian-inflected spot. The bar is tucked-away (down a dark alley, behind an unmarked door), and the vibe is curio-closet-meets-speakeasy, which makes it fun all around.

In a landmark Bauhaus structure originally home to Hong Kong’s first wet market, Central Market reopened in 2021 and is now full of restaurants, coffee and snack vendors, and small shops, like a bulk candy stand, several toy stores, and a spot for vegan and plastic-free home goods. Visit the open-air courtyard on the lowest floor, where you can lounge with your egg waffles and listen to live music.

Flat Whites are the specialty here, and they’re excellent.

Halfway Coffee feels distinctly cool. That’s a product of industrial interiors, vintage wooden furniture, handwritten (and hand-illustrated) menus, velvety cappucinos, friendly staff, and neon signage. The coffee here is really good, as are the teas and black sugar lattes. Order for here, and you’ll get your drink in a vintage porcelain cup or a colorful painted glass—part of a vast collection that the brand shows off next door at Halfway Museum.

If you’re in Central on a hot and humid day, stop here for a bottle of fresh-pressed sugarcane juice; it’s light and sweet. The shop is family-owned and in its fourth generation, still making sugarcane juice the traditional way on an antique machine.

In a city known for its dime-a-dozen custom tailors, the Armoury quickly made a name for itself when it started offering bespoke men’s clothing by top craftsman from Spain, Italy, and the UK. The high-ceilinged, dark wood-paneled space serves as a backdrop for an assortment of colorful Drake’s ties and suede Aldens for the modern gentleman. It’s the kind of place you can walk into and leave with a whole new wardrobe that’s tailor-made just for you. Bonus: the concierge-like shop staff is happy to tell you if your sportcoat is too big in the shoulders, or if you can really pull off that double-breasted jacket.

While its name might evoke the concept of basic little black dresses, everything in boutique is more exuberant garden party than formal affair.

Abbreviated to G.O.D., Goods of Desire began as a small retail space in Ap Lei Chau in 1996. Since then it's grown into a larger Hong Kong lifestyle brand with multiple locations. They sell women's, men's, and kid's clothing but we go for their fun home accessories.

This luxury consignment shop on Hollywood Road stocks vintage items from legacy designers—Gucci crossbodies, Bottega Veneta mules, etc.—as well as more recent finds, like almost-new Ulla Johnson knits and barely-worn Zimmermann party dresses. If you’re looking for something in particular or shopping for an event, the sales associates are eager to help and know the collection well.

When a popular boutique springs up, it seems to be the way that many are soon to follow: One such success story is Initial, a burgeoning empire of other-worldly spaces that feel like 19th-century ateliers.

Since 1971, Joyce has been sourcing the most interesting and forward-thinking labels in the world, and bringing them to Hong Kong. While the pricetags match the pieces, we’ve heard that there are incredible deals to be found at the Joyce Warehouse in Horizon Plaza in Aberdeen.

When K11 Musea opened in 2019, it firmly established itself as the glittering gem of Tsim Sha Tsui’s already impressive shopping scene. It’s architecturally marvelous, full of art, and stuffed with major luxury brands, from Chloé and Maison Margiela to local boutique Kapok. Plus: a Fortnum & Mason tea room, a jewelry workshop by Van Cleef & Arpels, Kube coffee shop (which sells % Arabica brews), and a rooftop farm and aquarium.

This much-loved Hong Kong staple has plenty to appeal to everyone, from Maison Kitsuné tops to the Astier de Villatte candles.

Hong Kong has to have more malls per capita than any other city in the world, which is probably one of the reasons they’re so good at them: Truly, you can’t walk a block without running into a superlative shopping center. When it comes to Landmark, think of every global label you’d ever want to shop under one roof, and you’ll find it here, including Isabel Marant, Balenciaga, Dries van Noten, and Valentino.

Lane Crawford is a beautifully decorated, incredibly well-selected specialty store. It’s the only place in HK where you’ll find varied brands like Alaia, The Row, Thom Browne, Sacai, and more. You can't miss it at the IFC with its beautiful displays of contemporary art and huge and equally well-edited homeware department. (P.S. Stop by the Ultimate Travel pop-up for an exclusive goop in-flight beauty kit.)

Occupying a sun-drenched corner in one of the sweetest little shopping squares in Hong Kong (Star, Sun, and St. Francis Yard sit just above one of the city’s busiest drags), this sliver of a space offers everything you’d expect from the magazine-turned-lifestyle-brand.

This is one of those kids-focused shops that has huge appeal, even if you don’t have little ones back at home: Primarily because it’s more lifestyle boutique than toy store, and many of the design-centric picks would look right at home on someone’s coffee table, rather than in the playroom. (Meanwhile, you’ll want all the clothing in adult sizes.)

If there’s one thing we—and the rest of the world—can’t get enough of, it’s tailored shirting. And in a city known for its renowned tailors, no one was up to the task of creating a store devoted entirely to the perfect button down more than up-and-coming entrepreneur Dee Poon. Located in Pacific Place mall in Hong Kong, this minimalist, wood-accented space features a dozen ready-made, predominantly white shirts in everything from classic poplin to twill.

The front of Select 18 is packed to overflowing with an array of antiques, jewelry from local artists, and vintage pieces. Americana, typewriters, handbags, 1970's designer clothing...you could stumble upon pretty much anything and everything in the small space. There's also a trove of vintage sunglasses—it's hard to leave with just one pair.

Kids go absolutely nuts in this place. And even if you're traveling sans kids, check out this toy stores for a little memento to bring back. The Toys Club is the local mega-store in Hong Kong—absolutely everything a child would ever wish for. It also has a huge book department.

This workwear tailor has been around for more than 50 years, making and copying bespoke suits for clients all over the world. If you'd like to commission a suit while visiting, know that they do a great job, and very quickly. William Cheng & Son have an international following and make yearly trips to London and Australia for their customers.

The Hong Kong location in Tsim Sha Tsui is actually the Peninsula's original location (the building was built back in 1828), and considering the highly British-influenced history of Hong Kong, it's no surprise that high tea here is a big deal. To complete the full-on fancy experience, the hotel brings in a string quartet—lovingly called the Lobby Strings—for daily performances, and serves finger sandwiches, pastries, and champagne alongside its Earl Grey.

Sure, there's something inherently cheesy about a harbor cruise but this one offers incredible views of Hong Kong's skyline (cocktails in hand) and is surprisingly worth it. You can reserve online; the boat is also available for special event private charters.

Take a day trip to Lantau Island to visit the huge bronze Buddha statue (it’s a local landmark) and Po Lin Monastery at the summit, Ngong Ping. There’s an altar outside the monastery where people light incense and offer prayers—you’re welcome to join—before walking the 268 steps up to the Buddha. We suggest buying a ticket for the cable car to get up to Ngong Ping village, where the views are unreal. But on the way down, consider hiking: It’s a pleasant walk on a nice day.

This Buddhist temple, built in the style of the Tang dynasty, is a peaceful spot in the middle of Hong Kong’s otherwise hectic (and, at times, overwhelming) energy. Spend an hour here winding through the temple, visiting altars with massive golden statues of the Buddha and Buddhist deities, and then through the Nan Lian Garden next door, where there are exhibits dedicated to bonsai trees and traditional Chinese joinery. (If you look closely, you’ll notice the 360,000-square-foot temple is built without a single nail or screw.) The place is especially striking from the middle of the courtyard, where you see the super-traditional temple architecture with the backdrop of Hong Kong’s distinctive skyscrapers.

A hike along Dragon’s Back takes you across a mountain ridge on the southeast side of Hong Kong Island, and it’s one of the most iconic routes in the area for its views of Tai Tam Bay. There are a few ways to do it, but it’s easiest to take the subway to Chai Wan, walk 10 minutes to the trailhead, and follow the trail all the way down to Shek O Beach. There, grab lunch and watch surfers before taking the bus back into town from Shek O (or hiking back the way you came).

Hollywood Road has long had a history rooted in the buying and selling of antiques. One of the city’s greatest resident collectors, Peter Fung, opened a 20,000-sqaure foot private museum devoted to showcasing his own personal collection, which includes 300-plus pieces from Ming and Quing dynasties and an assortment of jeweled powder boxes from the likes of Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier. Exhibitions rotate, and unlike its traditional counterparts, visitors are encouraged to sit on and touch the items on display.

M+ is Hong Kong’s equivalent to NYC’s MoMA or London’s Tate Modern. The collection is global, but you’ll notice a focus on Hong Kong’s unique cultural heritage. That’s especially true in the Sigg gallery, which is focused entirely on contemporary Chinese art; it chronicles the last few decades of cultural and economic change in Hong Kong, exploring identity shifts through paintings, photography, sculpture, and installation art. The museum has also started conserving Hong Kong’s iconic neon signs, which are steadily disappearing from the city streets as the government flags them for removal; you can see a few of them in the galleries. We also loved the exhibitions on modern design and architecture, including an entire sushi bar that was dismantled in Tokyo and reconstructed in the galleries here.

Though it’s not gilded and grand on the outside, when you step inside this temple—built in 1847—and look up, you’re met by a seemingly endless span of incense coils, all suspended from the ceiling. Each is about two to three feet long, and combined with the smell, makes for a powerful experience.

Hong Kong ranges along the water for many reasons: For one, it’s been a bustling harbor for centuries; for two, the center of the island is dominated by a giant mountain, which you can ascend, by funicular tram, for unparalleled views. It’s absolutely worth it on a clear day—and actually doesn’t take much time.

Despite its name, Repulse Bay is actually one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong (which at least partially explains the explosion in residential real estate prices here). The development of the suburb is relatively controlled to the area directly surrounding the beach, so views of the lush hills—and the ocean—make it a great spot for escaping the hustle-and-bustle of the city center. A few tips for newcomers: The beach is most busy in the summers, when weather is warm enough for sunbathing, and the neighborhood is actually not accessible by MTR, so you'll want to book a taxi or take one of the city's express public buses (which only take about 15 minutes from Central).

For less than one dollar, grab a Star Ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon, a service that’s been in operation since the 19th century. It’s essential to get out on the water (you’ll see myriad fisherman motoring home with their daily catch), as there’s nothing quite like the view of Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui—particularly at night.

This gallery on Hollywood Road, right in Central’s main drag, hosts masterfully curated exhibitions featuring a global roster of artists. While their exhibitions often highlight pan-Asian artists, the curation often has a French lens. (For example, an exhibition of Myonghi Kang’s paintings in dialogue with Gustave Courbet and Paul Cézanne, all in a gallery inspired by the Musée de l‘Orangerie.) The owners are a father-son duo of former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin and art collector Arthur de Villepin.

Asaya is a sanctuary above the bustling streets below. From their sixth-floor courtyard—so serene you can’t hear the city—you’d barely know you were in Hong Kong at all. Order services à la carte or have the wellness experts here put together a bespoke program for you; they’ll analyze 12 dimensions of well-being (from genetics to emotional wellness to skin health) and target treatments according to their findings. That might include pulsed-light facials, massages with oil blends made just for you, or one-on-one guided meditation. Between treatments, drop into the steam room or swim in the stunning infinity pool, which looks over Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbor.

Lindsay Jang (also the founder of Yardbird and Ronin Snack Bar) started this workout studio, which runs classes out of the heated studio at the Upper House. Using small weights and dance-inspired movements, you’ll develop endurance, flexibility, and strength. It’s intense, but also totally cathartic. And because they limit class to about six people—the studio is tiny—you get the full force of the friendly instructors’ energy and attention.

Getting to and from Hong Kong—however long your flight is—is more pleasant on Cathay Pacific. The service stands up to its famously good reputation, and we were surprised by just how good the food was. If you’re considering balling out for business class (or first), this is the airline to do it on—if not for lie-flats, 400-thread count linens, and Bamford bath amenities, then for the Cathay lounges at Hong Kong International Airport: One, The Wing, is an oasis in the main terminal; another, the Pier, is a trek from most gates but is one of the most iconic lounges in the world.

Hong Kong’s metro system is fast, easy to navigate, and safe. The trains come every few minutes, and they’re only a couple of Hong Kong dollars per ride. And while you can’t expect a subway station on every couple of blocks here, the system hits nearly every neighborhood, and the city is navigable by bus, tram, and foot from there.