The Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail on HK Island is one of HK's historic walks that chronicle the events during WWII. It was here on 19 December 1941 that one of the bloodiest days of fighting took place.

The easiest way to access the trail is from the car park opposite the HK Parkview building in Tai Tam Country Park. It winds its way around several pillboxes and lookout points before ending at the petrol station along Wong Nai Chung Gap Road. You'll be walking downhill, and it's easy to catch a bus back to town from the petrol station.

The paved trails comprised primarily of forested stretches, and periodically break out of the woods and into the open air as it winds its way along the hillsides. It offers unbroken views across northeast HK Island and down to Aberdeen and Ocean Park.

Most of what remains of the trail's war relics, including pillboxes and machine-gun nests, require a little imagination to be fully appreciated, as they were damaged in the war. At the start point, is the anti-aircraft platform that shot down a Japanese aircraft. The final station was where over 1,000 men were killed on 19 December 1941, and HK fell 7 days later.

In most cases what remains now are overgrown masonry; the exception here is pill box #5, which is almost completely intact. Things are greatly helped by the informative interpretive signage along the trail. The 3km trail takes about 1 hour to complete.

The most prestigious residential address in Hong Kong, The Peak' overlooks the entire city from its 550m perch over Victoria Harbour. The Peak is accessible via buses that ply the narrow winding road, or via the 120 year old Peak Tram (HK$20/one-way). The cog-driven tram runs 373m at a 45° angle from Central to the Peak Tower.

The Peak's popular for jogging, with several trails wrapping around it. The best of these are Lugard Road that wraps around the Peak (with great views onto Victoria Harbour) and Harlech Road (with views to the south and outlying islands). The roads form a flat 3.5km circuit around the entire summit.

Lantau Island is the largest of Hong Kong's 260 islands, and home to a number of unique sites. Probably the most unique is the fishing village of Tai-O. This village is essentially a huge stilted settlement, is popular for its shrimp paste and salted fish. From the main bus stop, cross the main footbridge and you'll see stilted houses that hang over the creek. Along the way, folks will be selling their fresh catch. The narrow pedestrian-only streets take you past many traditional houses and a few temples, connected by a network of rickety bridges.

A major fire swept through the settlement 8 years ago (away from the main drag), but it's since been rebuilt. The effect of this is that every single new stilted house (pang uk), lamp post, or free-standing thing in the settlement is now painted silver. You have to walk past the main thoroughfare and cross a long wooden bridge to get to this area. Seemingly basic to the extreme, the tiny stilted shacks have flushing toilets, showers and satellite dishes. Elderly men still mend fishing nets in their porches, and dried fish can be seen hung everywhere.

Situated on the coast at the end of a single road, Tai-O's accessible by ferries (from Tung Chung or Tsim Sha Tsui), buses and taxis (from Tung Chung MTR or Mui Wo Ferry Pier), as well as the 70km Lantau Trail.

If you're going to Lantau Island by ferry from Central, you can explore Mui Wo, an ancient rural community near Silver Mine Bay ferry pier. On the hillside just above it, there's a waterfall and a cave that used to be a silver mine. This area is dotted with remnants of Ming era watchtowers, erected by locals as lookouts for pirate boats. Long since abandoned, these towers take on an eerie life as darkness falls and make for interesting excursions.

Central & Western District

This district is where age-old customs and trades still thrive amidst this modern city. From Chinese herbal shops to wet markets and traditional barber shops, these streets are always full of colour and life. While it's a city walk, this district has many hills and steep steps, providing for a hearty walk.

From Western Market, the surrounding area (Wing Lok Street, Ko Shing Street, etc) specialises in traditional Chinese medicine and rare delicacies, like live snake.

Running from Central through to Mid-Levels, Hollywood Road is Hong Kong's best-known walking street, thanks to its famous Man Mo Temple and the designated Sun Yat Sen

Trail, dotted with boisterous wet markets and a slew of antique shops. A little further from Man Mo temple along Shing Wong Street is a traditional barber shop that's been there since the 70s. Tucked in a corner, this tiny 'shop' is a fun place to cut your hair.

Heading towards the Central Escalator, you'll hit a slew of small pedestrian-only alleys that are basically markets on steps. Depending on the streets, they sell anything from photo equipment to crafts and linens. Head to Gage Street for some HK-style noodles and other local staples after a long walk. Nearby is Lin Heung, one of HK's oldest tea house, where you can enjoy dim sum and tea, served by its elderly waiters.

Lan Kwai Fong has been the mainstay of HK's nightlife for its bars, clubs and restaurants. The Cavern is its premier `live band' venue, where you can catch up-and-coming local bands perform original music (instead of the usual renditions of pop). Nearby is the Flying Pan, a post-party joint that serves fry-ups and mountainous all-day breakfasts, plus free-flow coffee and they're open round the clock.

Kowloon

Nathan Road is Hong Kong's most famous road. Head towards Jordan and Mong Kok and you'll find literally any worldly possession you could want, from luxury watches to souvenirs to camera/electronics and (many many) tailor shops.

Worth a look, whether or not you like Wang Kar Wai movies, Chung King Mansion is THE landmark along Nathan Road. Divided into 4 towers, the formerly ancient, fire-trap lifts have been replaced and some of the sleazier businesses have been kicked out, but Chung King remains the place to obtain anything, from a authentic curry, to hotel rooms, a tour, a money transfer or a beer, all on a budget. It's got an undeservedly rough reputation where almost every nationality of the world congregates, but these days it focuses on fulfilling any and every worldly desire on the cheap. Rumours persist that authorities want to redevelop it, but nothing's confirmed yet, so get it while you can, since you've not really seen Hong Kong until you've ridden the Chung King Express'.