Expert recommendations of the top attractions—with advice on how to get the most out of your visit.

The Peak
1,800-foot-high (548 meters) Victoria Peak offers great views of Hong Kong's well-developed skyline. Climb beyond the point where the tram drops passengers off via Mount Austin Road to glimpse outlying islands, or stroll on other paths to enjoy views.

Horse Races
"This local passion takes place from September to June in the suburban town of Shatin on Saturdays and at the 55,000-capacity Happy Valley track on Hong Kong Island on Wednesday nights, the more exciting choice. The enthusiasm among the big-betting, chain-smoking punters is infectious."—Top 10 Hong Kong (Eyewitness Travel). Reservations can be made for buffet meals and viewing from the upper boxes.

Central-Mid-levels Escalator
Longest outdoor covered escalator in the world, stretching from downtown Central business district up to the Mid-Levels residential area. "It kickstarted the gallery and dining area known as Soho."—John Batten, art gallery director. Begins at Queen's Rd., Central; numerous entry points along the way; art galleries and antique shops cluster around the Hollywood and Staunton Street exits.

Street Markets
Chaotic places where much of Hong Kong shops for everything from daily provisions to designer knockoffs; often surrounded by good, cheap eats. Markets around Fa Yuen Street near Prince Edward MTR station, in Stanley and, at night, Temple Street in Kowloon, have many clothes and souvenir vendors. Others at Graham and Gage Streets and the one at Cross Street in Wan Chai are lively food markets. "The real street life of Hong Kong, where everything on sale can be bargained for."—Pete Spurrier, author of The Leisurely Hiker's Guide to Hong Kong.

Yum Cha
In Hong Kong, yum cha (or dim sum) is a social event and spectacle and not just a food dish. Watch the ritual unfold Sunday mornings at teahouses and restaurants across the city, as families settle in for long, boisterous gatherings.

Hong Kong Tramways
A great way to sightsee on Hong Kong Island, little changed since 1904. Several lines traverse the western end of the island to the east, with one line going to Happy Valley.

The Great Outdoors
Outlying islands like Lamma and Cheung Chau, half an hour by ferry from Central, are great places to hike, swim, and sample seafood. Reach the town of Stanley on the south side of Hong Kong Island via a stunning coastline-hugging bus ride (number 6) from Exchange Square in Central. "It's like crossing into a different country and quite strange how suddenly you're in parkland."—Peter Moss, author of Hong Kong, What's In, What's Out. The Hong Kong Outdoors website offers maps and tips. www.hkoutdoors.com

Traditional Villages
Many area villages have been inhabited for centuries. Tai O, for example, is noted for its unusual stilt houses. Local operators there offer inexpensive cruises in glass-bottomed boats.

Star Ferry
At about 25 cents (U.S.) this is still the cheapest way to cross Hong Kong Harbor with the bonus of seeing dramatic walls of skyscrapers lining both sides. Time your crossing around 8 p.m., when the famous skyscrapers become part of a coordinated light show.

Hong Kong Disney Land
Hong Kong Disneyland, the fifth and most recent Magic Kingdom style park in the world, is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. After years of negotiations and construction, the park finally opened to visitors on September 12, 2005, which is considered to be an auspicious date for the opening of a new business, according to a Chinese almanac. Disney paid close attention to Chinese culture, customs, and traditions when building Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. The resort was built with many interesting settings according to the rules of Feng Shui.

Officially, the park is able to handle a maximum of 34,000 visitors daily.

The park consists of four themed lands similar to those found in the other Disneyland parks around the world. They are Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland.

Although the park is the smallest Disneyland in the world, the park has announced the planned opening of two new attractions in the summer of 2007. In addition, the classic Disney attraction, "It's A Small World," will open in early 2008. The park will continue to expand by adding more new attractions in the future. Over a 15 year expansion period, the park will gradually be able to handle up to 10 million visitors annually. The resort currently has 310 acres (1.3 km²), with the actual park taking approximately 100 acres (0.4 km²).