Hong Kong: Day Trips

Cheung Chau Home to the famous weeklong Bun Festival in May, this tiny outlying island is packed with temples – including Pak Tai, one of the oldest in Hong Kong – as well as a sandy beachfront, trinket stores, and charming narrow lanes worth exploring. 6.2 miles southwest of Hong Kong Island; www.cheungchau.org
beach | family | culture | history

Hong Kong Disneyland Mickey makes it to Southeast Asia! A smaller version of its US- and European-based counterparts, this theme park on Lantau’s Penny Bay boasts familiar attractions like Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Main Street USA. 15 miles west of Hong Kong Island, Penny Bay; 011-852-1830-8301; www.park.hongkongdisneyland.com
family | drive

Lantau Just a ferry ride away, the city’s biggest outlying island is twice the size of Hong Kong Island with less than half the population. Head here for quiet beaches, hilly hikes, and views of Tian Tan, the world’s largest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. 15 miles west of Hong Kong Island; 011-852-2109-9898; www.np360.com.hk
beach | family | culture | hiking | outdoors

Macau China’s other SAR, this former Portuguese colony maintains much of its original style and architecture. It’s also fast becoming the Las Vegas of Asia, with its own Venetian and MGM Grand casinos. The juxtaposition of the historical and hi-tech is worth the hour-long ferry crossing. 37 miles southwest of Hong Kong Island; www.macau.com
culture | history

Shenzhen Across the border into China proper, this shopper’s paradise promises a veritable mecca of designer purses, watches, shoes, and clothing at deeply discounted prices (both knock-offs and the real thing.) The massive LuoHu Commercial City mall is the most popular stop. 18 miles north of Hong Kong Island (40 minutes by train on the KCR Kowloon-Canton Railway); www.visitshenzhen.com
shop

The New Territories From Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s tallest mountain, to Mai Po Marsh, a protected wetland home to hundreds of birds, to the famous racecourse in Sha Tin, the vast greenness of the New Territories is highly refreshing. Join a tour for an overview. Gray Line Tours of Hong Kong, Ltd., Starts 7 miles north of Hong Kong Island; 011-852-2368-7111; www.grayline.com.hk
outdoors | history | nature