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[Umi Ice Cream]

Will be in HK for a few days this week and plan to have a whale of a time.

Sightseeing - Recommendations? Victoria Peak & Po Lin Monastery?

Nightlife - Any good affordable house/trance clubs?

Health & Safety - Is there a high number of thefts? Do you guard your bag with your life? (I'm coming from Japan - this type of theft is rare). In terms of health, how bad is the pollution? Should I only drink tap water? Is fruit & veg fresh enough?

Thanks!!

[Joachim]

Sightseeing: Your suggestions are good ones....also consider maybe doing some trekking or going to the beach.....Shek O is easy to get to and kind of nice (but crowded at the weekend).

Clubbing: Not so sure re. trance - check out www.hkclubbing.com for more details, but clubbing isn't really HK's main draw...

Health & Safety: Just keep an eye on your stuff.....in 3 years I have never been mugged or pickpocketed or felt threatened at all in HK. Certainly less than in Europe or America.

[Steppenwolf]

Pick-pocketing is not as big a problem here as it is in the Mainland, but being on your guard is a commonsensical behaviour!

Sightseeing:
A bit too general, right? We don't know how much time you have, nor where you will be housed...

I suggest:

KOWLOON:
The Kowloon Park (inside which you will find the Historical Museum), a march around the Marine Police HQs between Canton Rd., SALISBURY RD. and the road parallel to Canton Rd. The STAR FERRY is another must-see stop; take a stroll along the PRomenade that takes you along Victoria Harbour.

HK ISLAND:
Take a leisurely hike up along the Old Peak Path to the top of that hill; very scenic in the forest; fantastic vgiews from there provided the pollution is low fat chances!); follow the circular road around the Peak (Harlech Rd.) and go down to the University.

Visit HOLLYWOOD RD. and its various "galleries"; descend on Old Bailey Street and admire the PRison and Police Station; go to SoHo.

A visit to VICTORIA PARK in CAUSEWAY BAY is recommended too. In neighbourhood excellent shopping malls and dining options.

STANLEY and its notorious market.

A day trip to an outlying island: CHENG CHAU or PENG CHAU. Wonderful islands with no motor traffic. COmbine with excursion to LANTAU and POLIN Monastery. Peng CHau and Lantau can be done in a single day (if you get up early and return late).

Far more interesting sites in the hinterland called New Territories...but you would need a week or so to cover them!

[ChrisRose]

The History of Hong Kong Musuem was relocated from Kowloon Park to TST East.

[briandwest]

HK Museum of History moved to TST East in 1998 and Kowloon Park may seem a bit of a concrete park to visitors, but is a nice place to sit and rest away from the hubbub of HK life. The Star Ferries are a must; don't pay for a Star Ferry Tour or similar as you can see better sites by simply using the normally ferry trips between TST, Wanchai and Hung Hom. The waterfron promenade is by TST star ferry and is a must bothin the day and at night (there's a daily 'light show' at 8pm).
I think the "walk up the Old Peak Path" refers to the trek up the Old Peak Road from Central to Victoria Peak; it is uphill all the way and can hardly be viewed as leisurely especially at this time of year. Number 15 bus or Peak Tram is a good way to scale the Peak followed by the circular walk around Lugard Road back to your starting point.
Holywood Road will probably only be of interest to those wishing to purchase antiques as it's a pretty soulless street. Better attractions in the area are Gage Street markets, Man Mo Temple and HK Zoological + Botanical Gardens.
Victoria Park is primarily a sports facility and is only worth visiting if there is an event on such as the HK flower show. Nearby Causeway Bay is shoppers paradise.