> > by Tamara Jenkins
In a population of over 7 million, Hong Kong is a chaotic blend of east meets west. It’s a city where small wooden junks bob along the harbour beside sleek, overbearing ferries. Colonial style teahouses sit next door to ultra-modern highrises, and the aroma of dim sum from local street vendors mingles with fragrant incense left as shrine-like offerings for the gods.
It’s a city that pulsates with an energy all of its own. A city that never sleeps, where everything happens at an accelerated pace, from the highspeed underground subway to the wheeling and dealing that goes on behind the neon-clad skyscrapers. However, that doesn’t mean that couples can’t set their own pace, and find pockets of old-world colonial calm amid the chaos.The clink of china in the grand lobby of the famous Peninsula Hotel, or the soft whirl of a teak ceiling fan in a traditional teahouse. The soothing sounds of rainwater across the skin in a world-class spa, or the gentle movements of early morning Tai Chi practised daily in a city park.
The rickety creak of an open-air tram as it winds its way through a Hong Kong street, or the tranquillity of Lantau Peak at morning sunrise. It’s these moments of calm against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s modern day mayhem that reveals the true heart of Hong Kong.
City’s sexiest bar: Take the elevator to the 25th floor where decadence and sex appeal collide at Sevva. This sky-high, outdoor terrace serves signature cocktails like Honeydew Royale, Ginger and Cherry Mojito against a backdrop of seductive sounds. www.sevvahk.com
Best Romantic Dining: Request a window seat beneath crystal chandeliers for views of Victoria Harbour at French restaurant, Caprice. Desserts like wild strawberries with lavender blossom will set hearts aflutter as much as the view. (www.fourseasons.com/hongkong)
Sensational Shopping: Join the throng in Hong Kong’s busiest shopping district, Tsim Sha Tsui, where must-visits include Louis Vuitton’s flagship store (Canton Rd), and Mariane Jewellery (Hankow Rd) for cut-price diamonds.
Don’t Miss: Take to the high seas aboard Aqua Luna, a traditional Chinese junk, and watch the dazzling light show that Hong Kong puts on every evening at 8pm. (www.aqua.com.hk)
Couples will love: Whether you’re looking for a luxury escape, Michelin-star dining, or cultural adventure (fortune telling at Wong Tai Sin temple anyone?), Hong Kong’s own unique energy is sure to find its way into anyone’s heart.