A Day Outdoors in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's “winter” offers glorious respite from the city’s sweltering humidity, making it the best time to get out n’ about. Here’s how to spend a perfectly breezy day outdoors in the Fragrant Harbour.

Up with the early birds to make the leisurely glute-busting hike up to Hong Kong’s iconic Victoria Peak. The world and his wife will be vying for spots on the tram, so if you’re feeling fit, consider the lesser-mobbed Morning Trail instead. Starting on the corner of Conduit and Hatton Roads in the Mid-Levels, the paved, albeit steepish trail winds up past waterfalls, thick foliage and historic military ruins until it reaches a small park on Lugard Road, where it joins the Peak’s flat, circular track, which offers unfettered views across the Territory.

Now, hop on a descending Peak Tram to find yourself at the top of Hong Kong Park, whose not insubstantial charms include the old-school LockCha Teahouse for veggie dim sum and a terrific menu of cha and the Edward Youde Aviary, a large walk-through bird sanctuary housing some 600 indigenous birds. Although the aviary is closed until the end of Feb 2019, it’s still worth a wander around the park’s manicured gardens.

But a five-minute cab-hop away is Tai Kwun, Hong Kong’s primo heritage and arts compound on  Central’s Hollywood Road. The former Central Police Station is an architectural feast with its mix of painfully restored heritage buildings and striking modern edifices; venture inside the complex for a historic amble or check out the eclectic offering of exhibitions, cultural tours, music and theatre performances, film screenings and educational programs. It being Hong Kong, there's also plenty of retail and dining: browse homegrown stars Vivienne Tam and Loveramics, take hip sips at quirksome Behind Bars and finish your day at ‘grand cafe Chinois’ Madame Fu. Kick back on the colonnaded balcony verandah, complete with intimate two-seater purple velvet sofas and views of the Tai Kwun courtyard, for contempo Chinese fare and cocktails. Cin cin!

The Peak / 33 Garden Rd / Central / thepeak.com.hk

Hong Kong Park / Cotton Tree Dr / Central / 6am-11pm daily / lcsd.gov.hk

Tai Kwun / 10 Hollywood Rd / Central / 10am-11pm daily / taikwun.hk

Behind Bars / G/F / E Hall / Tai Kwun / 10 Hollywood Rd / Central / 4pm-midnight Sun, Tue-Thu, until 2am Fri-Sat / @behindbars.hk

Madame Fu / 3/F / Barrack Block / Tai Kwun / 10 Hollywood Rd / Central / 11am-midnight daily / +852 2114 2118 / madamefu.com.hk