Take the tram to Hang Seng Bank HQ Station and walk to 100 Queens Road Central, where the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator begins. It’s 800m long with 20 escalators and 3 inclined travelators; reaching an elevation of over 135 meters. The whole journey takes about 20 minutes to complete, enough for plenty of cool photos. But feel free to drop off and venture into the side streets filled with vendor stalls and outdoor eateries.

Explore the Graham Street Market, the oldest nonstop markets that run from Queen’s Road Central to Hollywood Road, Lan Kwai Fong. See the cool antique shops, and visit the two-centuries-old Man Mo Temple with an extravagant traditional interior and overhead incense spirals.

For a panoramic city view, enter Tower 2 of the International Financial Centre Mall, and up to the free observation deck at the 55th floor. All you need is your passport!

Once you’re done with food and photos, hop on the MTR at Central Station.

Ride to Tai Koo Station, and head over to the Yick Fat Building – a dense, towering cluster of old apartment buildings that embodies life in the urban jungle. The set of many Hong Kong and Hollywood movies including the most recent Transformers 4.

Drop off at Shau Kei Wan Station or Chai Wan Station (end of the MTR line in the southwest), and take a double-decker bus to Shek O. A quiet sandy beach sheltered by rocky headland away from the crowds. Perfect to round up your day with a sunset view.

Swing back on the MTR all the way northeast to the Kennedy Town Station, then take the Green Minibus 58 to the Sai Wan Swimming Shed. A public facility for you to change and take a dip in the ocean. The best sunset view is at the end of a wooden jetty bridge overlooking an islet.

Take the Star Ferry at Victoria Harbour to Star Ferry Pier, then a short walk past the Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower to the Avenue of Stars. Akin to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, this promenade is filled with plaques and handprints honouring Hong Kong most famous movie stars, with a Bruce Lee statue you won’t see anywhere else in the world.

Hop on the MTR at East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and drop off at the next stop. A stone’s throw away to the south is the famed Chungking Mansions; an old, dense and crowded building of budget hotels and a melting pot of cultures. Don’t believe the rumours of vice and shadiness, this is the ultimate spot for the best Indian food in Hong Kong, and a diverse urban experience different from the rest of the city.

Ride to Diamond Hill Station, then take a 6-mins walk to the scenic Nan Lian Garden. Meticulously designed in classical Tang Dynasty aesthetics; with stone arrangements, tree-filled pavements, elegant wooden bridges, and a beautiful lake.

Beside the garden, pass a lotus pond up Chi Lin Drive stands the Chi Lin Nunnery. A gorgeous temple compound with bonsai plants and halls of treasured Buddhist relics. An oasis of tranquillity from the city’s hubbub.

The walk to Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is an adventure in itself: at the Diamond Hill Station, switch to the MTR East Rail Line and ride to Sha Tin Station. Then follow the signs to the Sha Tin Government Building, turn into Sheung Wo Che Road and seek the unmarked path behind the building flanked by fences and trees. Follow it for about a minute and you’ll reach the uphill stairway to the Monastery - the incredibly crafted statues, pagoda and temple grounds will blow your mind.

But if you’re not up for a hike, ride to Che Kung Temple Station instead. Exit and walk the Lion Rock Tunnel Road to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for your cultural fix. There’s a massive collection of exhibits here, divided into 12 galleries for you to explore.

Take the MTR southward and debark at Jordan Station to the Temple Street Night Market, for an evening of authentic street food and every bargain fashion item and trinket to shop. A buzzing and sensational contrast to the opulent cityscapes.

Let a fortune teller or Fengshui experts divine your luck, and catch the impromptu opera performances along the crowded street.

Head back to East Tsim Sha Tsui station and end your night on a Star Ferry ride back to Hong Kong Island, for a spectacular night view of the city skyline.

If you happen to make the 8 pm ferry, you’ll get to see the Symphony of Lights – a daily light and projection musical show on the skyscrapers that ends with fireworks!

If you want more epic nature views, a magnificent temple and scenic villages, go to Lantau Island. Want to visit a historical city with gorgeous colonial buildings? Ferry over to Macau. Want your last vacation day to please the kids? Head to Ocean Park or Disneyland. Any of these may take a full day to enjoy, so plan ahead!

For a challenging but rewarding trip, take the mountainous hike up the Lantau Trail that begins from the Mui Wo Pier to Tian Tan Buddha. You’ll need to ferry over to Mui Wo from Central or Kowloon to start.

For an easier tour, take the MTR from Kowloon Station to Tung Chung Station, Lantau; then a 5-min walk east along Tat Tung Road to the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Station. Hop on a Standard, Crystal or Private Cabin, and enjoy a 20-minutes ride over the scenic terrain. See the verdant mountains of the North Lantau Country Park, the distant South China Sea, as well as a panoramic view of the Hong Kong International Airport.

The cable car takes you to Ngong Ping, a picturesque village by the mountainside with traditional shops, restaurants and tea houses. Enjoy a Dim Sum meal, then head over to the Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery nearby.

The majestic Tian Tan Buddha is a 38m tall bronze sculpture atop a podium at the peak of a hill. Climb the 268 steps to stand in awe of this iconic landmark. Across it is the Po Lin Monastery, a 100-year old compound of regal prayer halls, shrines, courtyards and gardens.

Complete your Lantau tour with a bus ride from Ngong Ping to Tai O village. The old fishing port is like a portal to pre-colonial times. Wooden stilt houses propped on the water along the estuary. You can also take a boat tour to see the enchanting village up close and savour some fresh, authentic Cantonese seafood.

Bring your passport, and ferry over to this historic island city. Macau has a lot more to offer than casinos. The Macau Historic Centre alone takes hours to explore. A fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site that encapsulates the city’s former Portuguese rule. Highlights include the ancient A-Ma Temple, lively Senado Square, the spectacular ruins of St. Paul church, and the gorgeous Monte Forte with an overview of Macau city.

Macau street food is vastly different from Hong Kong, with a flavourful mix of Portuguese and Chinese cuisines. Even the egg tarts and seafood dishes here are wholly distinctive. Head over to the colourful Rua Do Cunha street in Taipa Village for a wide selection of yummy snacks you can sample for free.

The easiest way to experience Macau is the Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus from the ferry terminal; which covers all the best tourist attractions.

Opened since 1977, Ocean Park is a fun-filled, family-friendly theme park with over 80 attractions, including rides, roller coasters, animal and marine life exhibits, as well as theatre shows. Enough to keep your little ones or your inner child happy for the whole day. Easily accessible from the Ocean Park Station.

Located at the north-eastern region of Lantau, next to the Disneyland Resort Station. This cheery world-famous theme park needs no introduction. Hong Kong Disneyland has 7 themed areas, including the exclusive Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point.

Hong Kong is filled with hidden alleys, sidewalks and unique architectures, so use public transport and walk as much as you can to experience it all.

Accommodations range from high-end premium hotels to budget stays in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Lantau, so research thoroughly and book according to your preference and budget.

If there’s a choice between familiar fast food and local street food, always go for the latter! For a clearer guide, check out our list of Top 10 Hong Kong Street Food, or discover more about the Cantonese food culture here.

Finally, don’t be deterred by the recent civil unrest. Hong Kong is a big city, and tourism is business as usual. If your travel date is near, avoid the weekend protest areas and you’ll be fine.