A lot of people in the Asia Rising community spend a good part of their time traveling through Asia on business, so we are launching a new series designed to showcase the best of many Asian hot spots. No matter how busy you are, there has to be a little downtime.

Its streets are full of men and women in business attire, power walking to and from their meetings. It’s clean, modern, and full of life. But there’s more to Hong Kong than big buildings and business meetings. Indeed, there is a thriving culture and tourist scene that is one of the best-promoted in Southeast Asia. There is so much to do, in fact, that you may find yourself overwhelmed by the selection of activities. So we’ve put together an itinerary for you from morning to night of best of Hong Kong. Here we go…

• Morning
  

Start your day off with the ancient art of Tai Chi, which is known as an excellent way to find balance and stay healthy. There is a free class for beginners on the rooftop of the Peak Tower. Classes run Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 8am, and last for an hour.

• Mid-Morning

Grab one of Hong Kong’s most favorite, strangest, and tastiest morning drinks, a yuanyang, which is coffee steeped with tea. Soak it up with a delicious pastry at any one of Hong Kong’s busy pastry restaurants.

Proceed to take the longest covered escalator system in the world, covering 800m in distance and elevating to 135m from bottom to top. The system runs the entire length of Cochrane Street, between Queen’s Road and Hollywood Road, and will provide you with a unique and interesting way to explore the city.

Next, take an old Chinese junk across the harbor. This type of boat has been being sailed since the 2nd century AD. Try the Duk Ling, which was built in Macau 50 years ago. On Saturdays, it departs the Central Pier 9 at 11am and 1pm. If you don’t happen to be doing our itinerary on a Saturday, you can try to arrange a private ride on another boat, or just take the Star Ferry across, which is just as neat.

• Lunch

They say that you haven’t eaten dim sum until you’ve eaten it in Hong Kong. Head to Tim Ho Wan in Mong Kok, which is at 2-20 Kwong Wa street, just near the intersection of Waterloo and Yim Po Fong street. This place has become something of a Hong Kong institution, known as one of the tastiest dim sum venues in town. For this reason, there will likely be a long wait for a table, but we can assure you that it will be well worth it.

• Afternoon

Walk along the famous Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, and see if you can recognize any famous Chinese actors and performers, other than Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. If your feet are tired, grab a cocktail during happy hour at any one of the bars and restaurants lining the boardwalk.

• Mid-Evening

It’s time for some shopping! Head to Granville Road, where you’ll see some of the funkiest, trendiest shops in Hong Kong. Get there by heading to Tsim Sha Tsui station and taking the exit at Nathan Road. Walk north for a few blocks, and you’ll see it on your right. There’s also a ladies’ market open daily from noon to midnight,. at Tung Choi Street on the east of Nathan Road, which features fantastic knock-off bags and jewelry.

When it hits 7:45, make your way to the Tsim Sha Tsui boardwalk to get a good seat for the Symphony of Lights, which begins at 8pm. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, there is English narration to go along with the 15 minute show. Here, the dazzling Hong Kong skyline seems to dance in time to music for you, as the buildings have coordinated to put on an amazing light spectacle.

• Night

Go back across the river (you can just take the MTR this time, to Central Station – take Exit J3, and then walk crossing Connaught Road Central direction, from there, take bus no. 15C just outside of Hong Kong City Hall, which will take you right to the Peak Tran Station lower terminal) and take the tram up Victoria Peak, where you’ll be amazed with some dazzling views. You can even have dinner up there, and if you have a date, you’ll both be sure to find it quite enchanting.