Built around one of the most dramatic harbors in the world, Hong Kong is an exciting metropolis. There’s so much going here, day and night, that a family trip is almost like a holiday in a fun park.

Hong Kong is truly one of the world’s most exciting cities. It’s always on the go — taxis, trams and private cars cram the narrow, busy streets, while stately old ferries transport workers and tourists back and forth between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon on the mainland. Visitors have long enjoyed the colorful shopping and dining experiences here. More recently, modern entertainment and amusement spectacles have taken center stage. Families in particular will be spoiled for choice. You’ll be amazed to see how quickly the enormous range of sightseeing and activities will consume the hours in a busy day.

The 150-acre Hong Kong Wetland Park (http://www.wetlandpark.com/en) features themed exhibition galleries, a theater, a souvenir shop, an indoor play area (Swamp Adventure) and a resource center. The huge galleries showcase the importance of wetlands to biodiversity, civilization and conservation.

Sail Hong Kong’s scenic harbor onboard an authentic Chinese junk and enjoy superb views of the city’s impressive skyline. Originally owned and manned by Chinese fishermen, the Duk Ling (http://www.dukling.com.hk) is typical of the junks that once crisscrossed Hong Kong’s waterways. The painstakingly restored Duk Ling offers scheduled harbor tours and is available for private charters.

Children will love Ocean Park (http://www.oceanpark.com.hk), a mecca of family fun comprising Southeast Asia’s largest aquariums and theme parks. Ride the world’s second longest escalator uphill to Pacific Pier and Ocean Theatre to watch the antics of seals, sea lions and dolphins.

High above Hong Kong Island on the “back of the Dragon,” Victoria Peak (http://www.thepeak.com.hk) is Hong Kong’s premier visitor attraction, providing magnificent harbor and city views. Arrive late afternoon to experience the dazzling panorama of Hong Kong Island, the harbor, Kowloon and the hills beyond. As afternoon turns into evening, Hong Kong’s signature neon light show illuminates the night sky.

The best way to get to the top is via the Peak Tram, a funicular railway that travels a steep 1,223 feet up the lush mountainside. The tram first operated in 1888, and once competed with sedan chairs as the most popular way to the summit. Try to get seats at the front of the tram on the right-hand side for the best views on the journey skyward.

LODGING

LANGHAM HOTEL HONG KONG

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Langham offers an outstanding luxury hotel experience in a city where perfection is the hospitality standard. It has 469 guest-rooms and 26 suites. Children will be occupied with broadband Internet and satellite TV. A special chocolate selection of candy and cake is available on request. Right in the heart of shopping and entertainment, the Langham is perfectly placed for business and pleasure. $$$$
LANGHAM HOTEL HONG KONG
8 Peking Road
Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
tel 852 2375 1133, fax 852 2375 6611
http://www.langhamhotels.com

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL HONG KONG
The Four Seasons challenges even the luxury standards of Hong Kong. It’s all you expect from a Four Seasons property wrapped up in masterful and visually exciting architecture. Dining is exceptional and there is a spa complex to rival any metropolitan facility. Children under 18 share their parents’ room at no extra charge. Children are made welcome with a special amenity kit and even child-size bathrobes. Kids’ menus are available in the hotel restaurants. $$$$
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL HONG KONG
8 Finance St.
Central
tel 852 3196 8888, fax 852 3196 8899
http://www.fourseasons.com/hongkong

INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG
Sunday brunch is a local institution at InterContinental Hong Kong.You’ll mix and mingle with generations of local families enjoying time together in a harbor setting that can’t be beat. Located on the Kowloon waterfront, the InterContinental offers wideopen views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. The hotel’s 495 guest-rooms, including 92 harborview suites, offer high-speed Internet access. The rooftop swimming pool is just steps from the hotel’s signature I-Spa — perfect for sharing custody of the kids while adults take turns enjoying luxury treatments in a Feng-Shui-balanced environment. $$$$
INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG
18 Salisbury Road
Kowloon
tel 852 2721 1211, fax 852 2739 4546
http://www.ichotels.com

DINING

FOOK YUEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

This Cantonese restaurant is a little pricey but offers a wonderfully authentic and visually exciting menu. Boasting alluringly named dishes — almond cream sweet soup, snake soup and bamboo fungus with double boiled essence of toad — it lets you know you’re in for a treat.The signature dish, translated as “drunken shrimp on fire,” is served with a marvelous tableside show. $$$
FOOK YUEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Houston Center
Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
tel 852 2117 2333

SUPER STAR SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

This much-talked-about restaurant is a dim sum place with a twist. Hugely popular, it’s always lively and full of action. Dishes like shrimp dumplings, deep-fried stuffed crab claws and poisonous (if not cooked correctly) stone fish are popular with locals, but the dim sum (served until 5 p.m.) are the drawing card. $-$$$
SUPER STAR SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Wilson House
9-27 Wyndham St.
Central
tel 852 2628 0339

CAFÉ DECO

A great al fresco dining experience, Café Deco is the pick of The Peak. There are large tables for families, and the comprehensive menu is sure to please everyone. If you get tired of the expansive view of Victoria Harbour, check out Hong Kong’s largest collection of art deco artifacts hanging from the walls. Book well in advance for the best tables. $$-$$$
CAFÉ DECO
Peak Galleria
The Peak
tel 852 2849 5111
http://www.cafedeco.com

MANDARIN GRILL + BAR
Sunday brunch is family time at Mandarin Grill, where kids under one meter tall (about 3-1/4 feet) eat free. The rest of the week, it’s adults only with children under 12 prohibited. Beef, veal,Australian lamb and lobster are specialties. $$$$
MANDARIN GRILL + BAR
Mandarian Oriental Hong Kong
5 Connaught Road
Central
tel 852 2522 0111

Day Trips

Hong Kong Disneyland Mickey Mouse, Pluto and all their friends gathered in Hong Kong for the great opening party in September 2005. Hong Kong Disneyland (http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com), he world’s newest Disney theme park, was built over the messy old shipyard at Penny’s Bay in Lan Tau at a cost of $1.8 billion. The 300-plus-acre complex includes the theme park and two hotels plus shopping, dining and entertainment facilities. Two quality hotels are on site for committed Mickey Mouse fans, so you can even base your entire Hong Kong experience from Disneyland. The four-star Disney’s Hollywood Hotel best accommodates children with themed rooms, dining areas and plenty of activities within the hotel itself, although the five-star Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is also a wonderful choice.

Lantau The island of Lantau is a distinct contrast to the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong and Kowloon. Densely wooded with scenic valleys, pleasant beaches and delightful bays, Lantau is dominated by the 85-foot-tall bronze Tian Tan Buddha. The Buddha is part of the adjacent Po Lin Monastery, and both are open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. The island’s brand-new Ngong Ping Skyrail opened late last year as part of the Ngong Ping 360 (http://www.np360.com.hk) tourism project. The 25-minute, 3.5-mile cable car journey has to be one of the most spectacular in the world and is definitely the preferred method for reaching the new complex.

INFO TO GO

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located about 21 miles northwest of Hong Kong Island. A free internal shuttle train connects the east and west halls of the terminal building from the central concourse basement. SkyPier (http://www.hongkongairport.com)provides high-speed ferry service between the airport and five points in the Pearl River Delta — Shenzhen Shekou, Shenzhen Fuyong, Macau, Zhongshan, and Dongguan Humen. Tickets are available from booths before immigration. The Mass Transit Railway Airport Express Line (http://www.mtr.com.hk) operates trains connecting the airport to Hong Kong and Kowloon stations. Taxis are readily available from the ground transportation center next to the passenger terminal.

Despite Hong Kong’s high density and traffic chaos, people manage to get around with a minimum of fuss. Taxis, buses and trams all ply the busy roadways and can be useful for short trips around town, but Hong Kong’s greatest peoplemover is definitely the MTR. Connecting Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Lantau and the airport, the MTR network is fast, comprehensive and reasonably priced. Fares start at about 50 cents Looking something like two-headed beluga whales, the ungainly but quaint Star Ferries have been running across Victoria Harbour for over a century and are another fondly maintained part of Hong Kong’s colonial heritage. The short ride is a bargain at about 25 cents. Hong Kong’s charming doubledecker electric trams, an important part of Hong Kong Island’s history, can be experienced at less than 25 cents per person. The service is more than 100 years old and is still widely patronized by nearly a quarter of a million of the island’s commuters every day, so don’t ride in peak hours.