Hong Kong is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China and was handed back to the Asian superpower by the British in 1997. Today the city is one of the most recognisable destinations in the world, famed for its towering skyscrapers as well as its charming back street alleyways which exude ancient Chinese charm. Explore the city where east meets west on a flight from Cork to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's large international airport is located on the reclaimed island of Chek Lap Kok. The airport is connected to the city centre by an express public train making the onward journey upon your arrival quick and easy. If you are travelling on a UK passport then you don't need a visa for a weekend in Hong Kong, you will be permitted entry upon arrival and given a small card rather then a stamp in your passport. The local currency is the HK Dollar and the time is 8 hours ahead of the UK (GMT+8).
Its subtropical location, just south of China, make package holidays in Hong Kong viable all year round. Hong Kong experiences long hot summers with little rainfall, while winters are cool and dry with temperatures rarely falling below 18 degrees Celcius during the day – perfectly suitable for seeing the sights of Hong Kong when you travel on a flight from Dublin to Hong Kong.
A visit to Victoria Peak is the highlight of city breaks in Hong Kong. You can either ride the funicular railway to the summit or take the challenging trek reaching 1,805 feet above sea level. Dusk is a wonderful time to make the journey as you can admire the panoramic views by both sunlight and starlight. The Star Ferry is an icon of Hong Kong and you can ride this famed vessel from Kowloon to HK Island for a nominal fee when you book a flight to Hong Kong. There are shopping opportunities aplenty when you book a flight and hotel in Hong Kong. Temple Street Night Market sells everything from food to jewellery and Fa Yuen Street, also known as sneaker street, is the place to go to purchase yourself a new pair of trainers.
Lantau Island and its mountainous terrain is home to the magnificent Tian Tan Buddha. You can reach the statue by taking the Ngong Ping 360 gondola and you will also get to enjoy impressive views of the airport and the South China Sea. It also pays to get out of the city and explore some of the spectacular countryside landscape on a weekend in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Trail is a 31-mile trek which traverses several national parks – you don't have to do the whole walk, the shortest section can be completed in just a couple of hours.
The city also boasts a thriving art scene and some of the premier galleries include the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Despite the city's modern facets, the city also retains many elements of its Chinese past. Some of the beautiful temples and spiritual sites to visit on package holidays in Hong Kong include:
Exploring the diverse culinary landscape is one of the pleasures of city breaks in Hong Kong and the stuffed roasted suckling pig is an excellent place to start. Stuffed with sticky rice and roasted over an open flame, this is a hearty dish that is best shared with family and friends. Beef brisket noodles are a popular street food in Hong Kong and one of the best places to get them is Kau Kee restaurant in Central. For pudding, tuck into a delicious egg tart from Hoover Cake Shop who make their tarts with duck eggs rather than chicken eggs for that extra special touch
Pick up an iconic 'I love Hong Kong' or 'Lost in Hong Kong' t-shirt for the perfect novelty memento of your trip to this fabulous city. For something a little more formal you get excellently tailored clothes for a fraction of the price it would cost back home or why not opt for some Chinese knickknacks from one of the many markets for a fun reminder of your flight and hotel in Hong Kong.