3 Hours in ...Hong Kong - 1

3 Hours in ... is written by readers of The Asian Wall Street Journal to share their advice on how to spend a few hours of spare time in major cities in Asia.

This Week: Making the most of your spare time in Hong Kong.

Your Guide: Allan Matheson, executive director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

Where He'd Go: For a hike on the Dragon's Back trail.

What He'd Do There? The hike stretches out over a ridge on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, offering fantastic views of Big Wave Bay and Shek-O beach. Though the trail is high above the water, the walk itself has only a few steep parts.

Finish the day by relaxing on the beach at Shek-O or by ordering a cool drink and a snack at the local Thai restaurant. Though it's in a remote corner of the island, getting there and back is a snap. Stepping out from the Shau Kei Wan MTR station, take the bus bound for Shek-O and get off when you see the Correctional Institute on your left-hand side. Begin the hike by climbing the concrete stairs.

Why You Should Go: Dragon's Back helps dispel the urban myth held by many visitors that Hong Kong is little more than a concrete jungle. In three hours, you can get there, hike and return.


3 Hours in ...Hong Kong - 2

Your Guide: Gilbert Holland, regional tax manager for the DuPont company.

Where He'd Go: To the flower, bird and goldfish markets, all of which are located nearby one another on the city's Kowloon peninsula. From the Prince Edward stop on the metro, head west on Prince Edward Road before turning left on Sai Yee Street. That leads to Flower Market Road, where the tour begins.

What He'd Do There: Flower Market Road is lined with dozens of wholesale flower shops. You can buy an armload for just a few dollars. But be careful if you stop to smell the roses -- the stall owners regularly toss buckets of water into the street, sometimes drenching the unsuspecting passer-by. At the end of the road, follow the men carrying ornate wooden birdcages covered in white cloth to the adjacent Bird Garden, on Yuen Po Street. Here, all kinds of birds and supplies, even grasshoppers, are for sale. The birds' owners pass the time admiring their colorful pets and listening to their singing. Heading back toward the metro station, turn left onto Tung Choi Street, where one shop after another sells turtles and pet fish of all kinds, from exotic tropical species in aquariums to ordinary goldfish in tiny sacks stapled to the walls. If you want a selection of live seahorses or an aquarium the size of an apartment, then this is the place.

Why You Should Go: These three markets, tucked into one of the most densely inhabited sections of the city, exude the exotic sights, sounds and smells of Hong Kong.

3 Hours in ...Hong Kong - 3

Your Guide: Bill Edward, managing director, consultants CORE Hospitality Service Ltd.

Where He'd Go? Lantau Island, a 45-minute ferry ride from Hong Kong's Kowloon or Central. Lantau is the biggest of the outlying islands and is home to not only the new international airport, but also the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery -- and the future home of Disneyland.

What He'd Do There: Catch the ferry over to Lantua's Discovery Bay. From the wharf, take a local bus up to Lantau Peak (you can also take a taxi or minivan). That's the easy part. Now climb the 268 steps up to the Buddha: This is the world's largest, seated, outdoor, bronze Buddha statue, set amid spectacular mountain scenery. Look closely at each of the "lotus leaves' the Buddha sits on -- each one cost about $128,000 and was donated by a famous person or charity. Inside the base of the Buddha is a museum and gallery of Buddhism. Afterwards, stroll down to the nearby Po Lin Monastery and treat yourself to a delightful vegetarian meal prepared by the monks. It's great value for a Sunday brunch!

Why You Should Go There: It's an opportunity for an exhilarating experience of nature, spirituality and a spectacular man-made attraction and work of art.

3 Hours in ... Hong Kong - 4

Your Guide: Joseph Chan, CEO of AsiaPay, an electronic-payment-serv ice company in Hong Kong.

Where He'd Go: To Tai Long Wan (also known as Sai Wan) near Sai Kung, in the New Territories.

What He'd Do There: From the seaside town of Sai Kung, take Sai Wan minibus to the last stop, which is the starting point of a picturesque hike. This 45-minute walk offers excellent views of headlands and the seashore and passes through a variety of terrain, including hilltops, woods and tiny villages decorated with small stones. You can even make it to the natural waterfall at the end of the Sai Wan beach.

Why You Should Go: After a hectic day downtown, this tranquil scenery and the sound of birds singing open up another facet of Hong Kong's personality.

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Ken in Sacramento