Winning tip: Trek to the infinity pool near Tai O

For a beautiful day, start in the little fishing village of Tai O, trek around the lake and up towards a manmade pool nicknamed “infinity pool”. It’s not too long (around an hour) and has many beautiful views of the hills and sea – you can even spot the new rail track being built from China. Take bus 11 from Tung Chung to Tai O. On weekends and holidays, when there might be a lot of people, take the ferry to Mui Wo and take bus 1 to Tai O … and back.
emily milward

Long Ke Wan beach

Long Ke Wan is an unpolluted beach, with silky sand, crystal blue water and a spectacular view of the South China Sea. Drive there via the shorter East Dam route if you’re with kids but it’s worth walking from Sai Wan Pavilion to enjoy the majestic views of High Island Reservoir and some beautiful coastline. There’s no food or water at the beach, so stock up in Sai Kung town. A hiking stick may come in handy to fend off hungry feral cows!
Kitty Lam

Stay at a training hotel

The T hotel (doubles from £73 room-only) in Pokfulam has fabulous views over the islands. It is a training concept hotel, so you will be helping hospitality students with their course. You get reasonable rates for the five-star-standard rooms and food, and charming service, watched over by the teachers. We had a choice of five pillows, new bath toys every night, turndown service … luxury we never have been able to afford anywhere else.
Veronica P

Take the bus to Stanley

With my Octopus travel card, I took the number 6 bus across Hong Kong island to Stanley (45-60 mins). Great views … I got off at Stanley Plaza, walked down past Murray House, visited the Old Tin Hau Temple with its tortoise, then onto Stanley market, where you can buy replica shirts and bags (open every day, but worth getting there early). Look out for the antiques section along the beach, and haggle for old Chinese teapots. Lucy’s on the front, by the small, picturesque beach, does great salads for around £6.50.
adamlang78

Po Toi island

Exposed to the open Pacific, Po Toi island has a windswept, elemental quality, which is missing in other parts of Hong Kong. Dramatic cliffs plunge into a churning sea at Nam Kok, the territory’s southernmost point. A few hours’ bracing hike will take in an (allegedly) haunted house, bronze-age rock carvings and some spectacular rock formations. Birdwatchers take note: it’s a key stopover for rare migratory birds. The small population lives without mains water or electricity, fishing and gathering the island’s famous seaweed. Though geographically close, it’s a million miles from central Hong Kong.
Jimmy Hedges

Glide the city escalators

This unique (and free) half-mile, hop on/off journey took us from Queen’s Road to Conduit Road on a series of 20 escalators and moving walkways. In morning rush hour, commuters travel from the upper residential districts down into the commercial centre of Hong Kong Island. Around 10.30am, journey direction is reversed until midnight. We viewed colourful alleyways, markets and cafes but couldn’t resist sneakier peeks into people’s homes. There are around 12 exit points should you be tempted to explore the levels.
robynregis

Bonus after an already stunning hike

Everyone knows about the Dragon’s Back: it’s regularly voted one of the most iconic urban hikes. However, what not everyone knows is that it is worth leaving the trail a little early to finish at the village of Shek O. Once there you can paddle at a beautiful sandy beach and eat cheap and delicious Thai food at a place informatively known as “Shek O Chinese and Thai Restaurant”, have a beer and catch the bus back. Do it during the week if possible, while everyone else is at work.
chloden

Jardine’s Lookout

If have already conquered the more popular walk up to the Peak, the Jardine’s Lookout walk offers a great alternative. This easily accessible route is made up of sections 4 and 5 of the Hong Kong Trail. Starting out on Black’s Link on tarmac, you pass a couple of high-rises, the Tai Tam reservoirs before hitting the trail up towards Jardine’s lookout, where you will have a good view of Mount Nicholson and the southern district. At the lookout, you feel close but yet far from the noisy city while surrounded in the tranquil nature. It offers a great panorama from Central to North Point, and further north, Kowloon. After descending along a gentle trail and passing an old quarry, you head up to the top of Mount Butler, which offers great views of the Tai Tam Reservoir.
• hiking.gov.hk
Kfnwong

Wooloomooloo rooftop bar

If you’ve had your fill of dim sum and mooncake, the steak at Wooloomooloo is well worth your time; but the 31-floor lift to the bar is worth it just for a nightcap. This is easily the best rooftop bar in Hong Kong – the service is prompt, the atmosphere relaxed and the views stunning from a terrace unobstructed on three sides.
Dolly Sully

Top-class dim sum

Tim Ho Wan was until recently the cheapest one-Michelin star restaurant in the world (it has since been overtaken by a hawker stall in Singapore) and my word, it’s a religious experience. There’s often a long wait to get in, but you can take a ticket and browse a nearby market. Once inside, you’ll be sharing the space with around 30 other people, and soon the dim sum you ordered while you waited outside will begin arriving at your table. Two people can gorge themselves for approximately £10. And if you do nothing else, at least get yourself the pork bun. I’d go back to Hong Kong just for this restaurant!
sashaoelsner

Lantau villages

Get your Octopus card and take the metro and bus to the island of Lantau. It is such a massive contrast to HK, with several villages, and the little houses and walkways built on stilts with old traditional goods and Chinese way of life to see. Some small restaurants offer good food and tea. If you are just in HK for a few days it is worth the effort to visit this place. You can also get to the Big Buddha on a bus from Tung Chung. The two together make for a great day out.
Alan King

• This article was amended on 16 February 2018 to clarify that Lantau is an island east of central Hong Kong, with several villages.