Experience the Most Vibrant Christmas Ever

As 2009 starts to wind down, people are planning where to go and what to do during the most festive time of the year. For those seeking adventure, fun, entertainment, shopping and unsurpassed wining and dining, all set in a comfortable climate, there is only one place to go head for truly memorable and unique Christmas celebrations - Hong Kong!

So, here we are in Hong Kong, gazing across magnificent Victoria Harbour and about to embark on our journey of discovery. Hong Kong, at this time of the year, magically transforms into a riot of colour, celebrations and festive fun. The city has long been famous for its thematic Christmas lighting, with very detailed and colourful lighting displays covering entire buildings, conveying the spirit of the season that permeates every corner of this architectural wonderland.

Wanting to get the best views possible of the city's Christmas lighting extravaganza, we jumped on board one of the city's wonderful old "double-decker" trams and headed for a seat upstairs. Not only do Hong Kong's trams provide the best and cheapest tour of Hong Kong Island from one end to the other, they also, provide an up-close view of all the decorations and lighting displays as they travel through each district - perfect for photographers like us wishing to document this annual festive display.

The next day, we headed across the harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui to explore its maze of streets and sample another side of this dynamic city. Heading to some of the big shopping malls decked out in their festive finery, we enjoyed the live Christmas-themed performances and gigantic decorations that had attracted many children who were squealing with delight and laughter, while their parents took time to relax and plan the next stage of their annual shopping extravaganza. We then took a leisurely après-dinner stroll along the waterside promenade to the Avenue of Stars, stopping occasionally to take another panoramic photo of the blaze of colourful lights we were viewing - truly a breathtaking sight!

Exploring Hong Kong can certainly build up an appetite too, but with the myriad restaurants featuring cuisines from the four corners of the world, the hardest decision is what to eat and where. Many restaurants across the city currently feature Christmas menus and festive season signature dishes, along with their long-time favourites, so this is also the ideal time of year to be in Hong Kong and savour the delectable dishes that have made this city a food destination in its own right.

We're so excited about being in Hong Kong over the holidays that we've already started our own countdown to New Year's Eve, when we will be at ifc for the countdown celebrations, enjoying the stunning pyrotechnic displays over Hong Kong’s dazzling Victoria Harbour before heading off to sample some of the city’s renowned nightlife with friends. It's sure to be our most memorable New Year's Eve ever.

Written by: Juliet Law

The diner's guide to culinary excellence

Visitors wishing to savour winter culinary delights can now obtain a copy of the Hong Kong Winter Delicacies Guide, featuring dining tips, the history of various dishes, and information about restaurants and dining destinations.

Highlighting 40 Hong Kong restaurants, ranging from local cafes and fast food outlets to hotel and other high-end restaurants, the 76-page guidebook also features recommendations and reviews by local food critics, including William Mark and Ricky Cheung, about hot pot and clay pot dishes, BBQ and grilled foods, special nourishing foods and dessert treats.

The Hong Kong Winter Delicacies Guide, available in both English and simplified Chinese, will be distributed to visitors at ports of entry and is available at HKTB Visitor Centres from early December while stocks last.

Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus - Where tradition and modernity meet

The classic Chinese "rickshaw" was formerly a major means of transport around Hong Kong. Now, you can explore Hong Kong in an air-conditioned double-decker "Rickshaw" Sightseeing Bus and view many of the city's hotspots, in Wanchai, Causeway Bay and Central. Commence your own festive celebrations and get into the true spirit of the season whilst viewing the Christmas lights and decorations all over town, and stop to shop at your convenience. Journey time - approx. 50 minutes

Service Hours: Daily 10:00-18:00 (Heritage tour) / 10:15-21:45 (Metropolis tour)

www.rickshawbus.com

Wooloomooloo - Enjoy views that will take your breath away!

Located on the 31st floor rooftop of The Hennessy, in Wanchai, the Wooloomooloo Steakhouse offers a 270-degree panoramic view of the harbour, Happy Valley racecourse and Hong Kong's magical Christmas lights. Treat yourself to a sumptuous festive meal at Christmas or on New Year's Eve and take home memories that will last a lifetime!

Address: 31/F The Hennessy, 256 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2893 6960

www.wooloo-mooloo.com

Alfresco Dining in Tsim Sha Tsui East - Where diners are spoilt for choice

Discover wining and dining in Tsim Sha Tsui East, where myriad restaurants leave you spoilt for choice before enjoying a leisurely après dinner stroll along the waterfront promenade to Centenary Garden to bask in the atmosphere of the festive Christmas lights and decorations.

Special spa treatment and helicopter package - Pamper yourself this festive season

Pamper yourself this festive season and revitalise your body, mind and spirit with a luxurious facial or body treatment at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA before climbing aboard The Peninsula helicopter and soaring above the city to get a bird's eye view of Hong Kong dressed in all its magnificent Christmas lighting finery.

Address: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: (852) 2366 4251

www.peninsula.com

Hullett House - Heritage meets luxury

Rediscover old Hong Kong this Christmas at the luxurious, newly opened Hullett House. Situated in the colonial white-stucco former Marine Police Headquarters, the 10-room Hullett House is heritage listed and the city's first authentic boutique hotel. Five restaurants and bars, luxury retail outlets and a performance area for traditional and modern celebrations guarantee a memorable stay.

Address: 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3988 0000

www.hulletthouse.com

Star Ferry cruise - Immerse yourself in Hong Kong's festive atmosphere

Iconic, economical and enjoyable, a cruise on the Star Ferry will reveal Hong Kong is all its Christmas lighting finery. Enjoy the wind in your hair as you view the lights from both the Kowloon and Island sides of spectacular Victoria Harbour, before venturing to the city's big shopping malls to enjoy the giant decorations, shopping and dining.

www.starferry.com.hk

Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge - View Hong Kong as the angels do!

Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides offer a 188-degree harbour view from the top of the Harbour Grand Hong Kong. Savour modern European and seafood delights in a romantic, intimate setting. Enjoy high tea while viewing sunset over Hong Kong's stunning skyline. Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge is also the ideal location to view Hong Kong's dazzling Christmas lights and New Year's Eve pyrotechnic displays.

Address: 23 Oil Street, North Point, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2121 2688

www.harbour-grand.com/en/hong-kong/fine-dining/le188.html

Watermark - Hong Kong's premier waterfront dining location

Located at Central's Star Ferry Pier and providing a 270-degree view of Hong Kong's leading attraction, Victoria Harbour, the Watermark offers an international menu, including dry-aged beef and seafood selections, set amidst an elegant indoor setting comprised of teak, marble and glass, plus a spacious outdoor deck, for your dining and viewing pleasure.

Address: Central Pier 7, Top Level, Star Ferry, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2167 7251

www.igors.com

Fish pedicure - Let Doctor Fish revitalise those aching feet

Experience a relaxing Doctor Fish exfoliation treatment for your feet. Originating in the Middle East, the Doctor Fish treatments are renowned for their ability to find and feed on dead or damaged areas of the skin surface, leaving the skin of your feet feeling softer and smoother after the treatment.

Address: 6/F, On Lee Commercial Building, 37 Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel: (852) 2316 7999

www.kisskissfishspa.com.hk

The Upper House - Your inner city retreat

The Upper House is a small, intimate, highly personalised hotel, conveniently located above Pacific Place in Admiralty. The name is derived from the design philosophy of an upward journey from Queensway towards Admiralty, rising up above the bustling city, yet conveniently close to the major shopping malls and attractions of Hong Kong Island.

Address: Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 2918 1838

www.upperhouse.com