I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are hiking possiblities in an urban city like Hong Kong. This is a great way to see the Hong Kong landscape and get some exercise at the same time. Execellent places for hiking include the MacLehose Trail, Lantau Island and Country Parks in the New Territories.

 

...is not just limited to the pools in your hotels. Except Kowloon and the north side of Hong Kong Island, there are good beaches everywhere. But stay safe and swim only on the patrolled beaches.

 

Cycling is another great way to sightsee, exercise and go green. I hear the cycling trails in the New Territories are good, and it's to rent a bike. Once again, you want to avoid the weekend crowds.

 

If you want to take things a little slower, why not try their Tai Chi classes? The fluid graceful movements is believed to balance your yin and yang. And their location at Sculpture Court in front of the Hong Kong Museum that is a big plus. What a great way to start the morning.

 

Like my home Singapore, another great way to see the cityscape is to take a boat ride. But do it with some flair by hopping aboard the Duk Ling. Orginally a fishing vessel, this massive Chinese sailing junk was restored in the 1980s for tourists. History bits aside, I'm trying this if I'm ever near Kowloon Public Pier.

 

From the seas to the skies, yet another thing you can do is to get on the Ngnon Ping 360. This cable car travels between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, a route that is about 6km long. (Hmm ...360? Does any know if this cable car ride includes a 360 degrees turn? Why the name? Email me at joy@takemetoasia.com)

 

You don't need to bet on the races to enjoy this national pastime. Imagine watching the speed and grace of the horses running down floodlit tracks, while jostling elbow to elbow with the locals as they wave their tickets. Electryfying. Make use of this concession for overseas visitors and get into the thick of the action. Happy Valley Racecourse and Sha Tin Racecourse are opening up their track to tourists, till the 2nd July 2008, when present race season ends.

 

Who says men doesn't need some pampering? Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong presents The Mandarin Barber, with a menu of traditional shaving and hair services. With treatment names like "Deep Tissue Massage", "Shanghainese Pedicure" (as opposed to French?), "Ultimate Grooming", this is definitely a place I'm bringing my husband if we ever stay at The Mandarin.

 

From The Mandarin Barber to the InterContinental Spa, I too deserve some pampering after all that sightseeing. I hear Hotel InterContinental in Kowloon offers an extensive range of treatments. They have the usual aromatherapy and mud wraps, but what caught my eye was the reiki treatment. Now that is something not many spas I  know offer?

 

I am not a billiards fan but I hear this club in Central is ultra hip, ultra cool. This upmarket pool hall attracts only the well-heeled executives and the trend-setters, where they lounge on leather sofas and sip cocktails. It's members only but guests are admitted.