The ‘stopover’ city break destination with amazing food, Hawaii-like beaches and world’s tallest rooftop bar

IT’S day two of my trip and I’m on my sixth course of dim sum.

You’d think I’d be sick of it by now, but where better to sample the traditional Chinese dish than Hong Kong?

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After all, it is home to some of the best dim sum restaurants in the world.

It also makes the perfect stopover destination between trips to Australia and New Zealand.

It’s easy to get around — the Metro is simpler than the London Underground and you can even hop on a “ding ding,” one of the many double-decker trams.

But I decided to stay on my own two feet with my stomach calling for a foodie tour of the city.

Following my daily shrimp dumplings and BBQ pork bun breakfast, I was told that sweets were a big part of Hong Kong culture.

I was won over by a mango tofu pudding from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, eagerly slurping up the sweet and silky dish.

Hong Kong is also home to the famous egg waffle, also known as the bubble waffle in the UK, which is cooked in a griddle with spherical cells.

I knew the fluffy, Earl Grey Tea-infused batter recipe from Mammy Pancake would not disappoint.

And to wash it down, I had to try the famous milk tea, made from Ceylon black tea and condensed milk.

Blink and you’ll miss Lan Fong Yuen, a tiny metal box which is the oldest existing milk tea shop in the city, dating back to 1952.

Just don’t linger — even a small queue made it too crowded to stay on the busy street.

Sipping my drink, I annoyed locals further by walking along with my head constantly looking up at the towering skyscrapers as I bumped into people.

But even people who dislike city life will be won over by Hong Kong, where 75 per cent of the territory consists of greenery and forest.

Framing the city skyline are the mountains, home to the famous Victoria Peak, which you can access by tram for the best views.

If you fancy a quieter hike, less than an hour from the city centre is Sai Kung, known as the “back garden of Hong Kong”.

The region’s bright-blue waters and hiking trails, as well as the golden sandy beaches surrounded by huge green slopes, made me feel like I was in Hawaii.

I could have easily spent hours dipping my toes into the warm waters, with no one else on the beach apart from some large butterflies fluttering around, but I was soon dragged back to the city by my bubbly guide Virginia for a night out on the town.

And I was spoilt for choice.

Flavoured foam

One of the most famous spots is Ozone, the highest rooftop bar in the world.

On the 118th floor of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, 480metres above ground, it serves inventive cocktails with views over the city.

Or there is the Quinary, named one of the best bars in Asia with cheeky bartenders and its famous Earl Grey Caviar Martini topped with towering, flavoured foam.

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But my favourite was The Majestic Garden, discreetly tucked behind a restaurant in a shopping mall.

The outdoor bar, surrounded by modern office blocks, serves cocktails with a Sichuan twist such as the Five-Five Sour, a mix of five spice seasoning, berries, egg white and pisco.

After one cocktail too many, I stumbled on to the late-night Metro back to the hotel.

You can stay in Hong Kong on a budget with rooms at the nearby Hilton less than £100 a night.

However, if your funds allow, a stay in the country’s oldest hotel, The Peninsula, dating back to 1928, is a must.

Dubbed the Grand Dame of the East, it certainly has all the glamour — think Rolls-Royce airport collections and amazing views over Victoria Harbour.

The five-star brand recently opened a hotel in London, but a stay at the Hong Kong resort is a fraction of the price and it even has its own Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant, Spring Moon.

The hotel is popular with day visitors for its afternoon tea, accompanied by a live band.

I’ll have sum more of that!

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