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The south side of the island is Hong Kong’s Riviera. Mere minutes from the hustle and bustle of Central, Wanchai and Causeway Bay, local sun worshipers, windsurfers and waterskies dot the bays, forming a sporting seascape. Palms, pines and flame trees accent the hills, and a drive through some of the residential streets will confirm Hong Kong as home to more than a few millionaires. Known locally as Little Hong Kong, some historians believe that Aberdeen is the original fragrant harbour. Today it’s famous for its fishing fleet and floating village of sampan dwellers. A sampan tour affords a peek into the colourful life of this water-borne community.

In Aberdeen you can dine aboard one of the famous floating restaurants, ( see picture above ) or hire a sampan to take you to nearby Lamma Island, where you can watch your dinner caught and cooked before your very eyes.

Close to Aberdeen is Ocean Park, South East Asia’s largest leisure complex. There you’ll find the world’s longest and most scenic outdoor escalator. It’s easy to spend an entire day touring the Oceanarium, riding the cable cars, daring the high slides of Water World, or the Dragon, a terrifying roller coaster, worthy of its name. I just did the very scenic cable car… Nestled in a quiet fishing village is Stanley market. The narrow Mediterranean-style lanes are lined with stores selling everything from pottery to factory over-runs of designer clothes. Stanley is as rewarding for its charm as for the bargains which inevitably await. The country parks in Aberdeen, Tai Tam, and Shek O all offer spectacular sea views from peaceful, wooded hiking trails. These parks are perfect retreats for jogging, biking bird-watching or just enjoying nature. All the while, just over the hills, the energy and action of the other Hong Kong is only a taxi or bus ride away.