Victoria Peak remains one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable and popular sites. This historic spot overlooks the modern city, giving you magnificent views and a sense of timelessness. The journey to this peak is an adventure itself aboard the funicular tram. The 120-year-old tram has climbed the 1,800-foot mountain for millions of visitors, and it continues to be an exciting way to reach the mountaintop. At the apex, visit Peak Tower’s Sky Terrace 428 where you can look down into the harbor and over to the city’s skyscrapers. There’s also a fair amount of shopping and dining on Victoria Peak, as well as some walking trails that are not to be missed. If you’ve been lucky enough to score first class deals to Hong Kong, make sure to plan a few hours to visit Victoria Peak.
If you didn’t get enough aerial views of Hong Kong from your business class seat, you’re in luck. Ngong Ping 360 is a stunning scenic gondola ride that gives you seemingly impossible views. You’ll pass by the 112-foot bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni and fly over some of the area’s most beautiful scenery. The gondola puts you within walking distance of Lantau Island’s most celebrated sites, including the “Big Buddha.” The walk along “Wisdom Path” is picturesque, leading to the Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. If you want a little perspective, you can also visit the multi-media presentation, “Walking with Buddha.” The gondola center is an entertaining little shopping center, with restaurants to fuel your scenic journey. To get to the island, you can take direct bus service or the MTR railway. For an extraordinary experience, choose the “crystal cabin” gondolas with glass bottoms.
Spanning an incredible 400 million years of history, the Hong Kong Museum of History is a wonderland. Whether you’re fascinated by 19th-century Chinese medicine or traditional clothing, the museum is a delight. The immense museum complex features a stellar two-level, multi-media exhibit on local life and nature. The Hong Kong Story holds a collection of 4,000 artifacts, including compelling exhibits from prehistoric Hong Kong to various dynasties and the Opium Wars. It also details the cession of Hong Kong and Japanese occupation to its modern-day return to China. The museum pairs its 90,000 historical objects with powerful virtual and audio-video technologies to create a stunning walk through Hong Kongese and Chinese history. After you’ve snagged your first class deals to Hong Kong, be sure to set aside at least a full afternoon for a tour of the museum. It’s closed on Tuesdays. The museum is next to Hong Kong Science Museum, so you may want to plan a full day in the area.
Hong Kong is a thrilling, modern city with endless entertainment and dining options. With all of the cleverly lit skyscrapers and hustle of the city streets, though, it’s tough to get a sense of the city’s surroundings. A trip to nearly Lamma Island offers a glimpse into a more rural, natural local lifestyle, a retreat from the city’s eternal buzz. Charming fishing villages populate the island, leading to enticing beaches. You’ll walk everywhere here since cars aren’t allowed on the island, but those strolls just give you more time to take in the beautiful scenery. There are a few World War II relics on the island, making for interesting vignettes to explore as you wander the island. If you’re planning your business class flight now, you should plan to stay a day on the island. The gorgeous walking path connects the island’s two main villages, running along the island’s coastline for spectacular views. Ferries from Hong Kong to Lamma Island take about two-and-a-half hours and are offered throughout the day.
