The best way to explore this historic area in Hong Kong's Central District is undoubtedly on foot.

At the western end of the road is Hollywood Road Park, where a photo display shows the original old settlement close to this area, which was constantly swept by outbreaks of bubonic plague.

Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Row, also known as "Cat Street", are must-see stops on every visitor's itinerary. Crammed with antique shops and an open-air curio market, these quaint locales are ideal places for picking up eclectic souvenirs and gifts. Everything from Ming Dynasty furniture and lotus lamps to Mao badges and ancient snuff bottles is on sale here. Bargain hunters will also enjoy the stalls on Ladder Street, just a few metres downhill - and haggling is all part of the game.

For a change from shopping, several blocks uphill is the old red-brick Pathological Institute (now the Museum of Medical Science) where a Japanese scientist isolated the cause of bubonic plague. More history is evident back downhill at the original red-brick YMCA building, which contains a surprise in the basement - the territory's first indoor swimming pool. For a change from shopping, several blocks uphill is the old red-brick Pathological Institute (now the Museum of Medical Science) where a Japanese scientist isolated the cause of bubonic plague. More history is evident back downhill at the original red-brick YMCA building, which contains a surprise in the basement - the territory's first indoor swimming pool.

Hollywood Road is perhaps as famous for the much-photographed Man Mo Temple, dedicated to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo), as it is for its antique shops. The temple is located about halfway along the road and a stop in its quiet, incense-shrouded interior makes a pleasant break.

Hong Kong is rightly famed all over the world for the stunning views from Victoria Peak - a sight that never fails to make visitors catch their breath as they behold the almost unbelievable panorama virtually stretching as far as their eyes can see. Neatly bisecting the near and far land masses is Victoria Harbour, its waters constantly being traversed by all manner of craft ranging from stately passenger liners and plodding freighters to sprightly Star Ferries and darting jetfoils.

And now this fabulous sight has been even further enhanced by one of Hong Kong's most imaginative and futuristic buildings, the seven-storey Peak Tower, an all-in-one viewing, dining and entertainment centre.

Designed by British architect Terry Farrell to take the fullest advantage of the sights, it devotes 20 per cent of its total space to viewing terraces that seem to be suspended in space above the stupendous visual feast dramatically occupying almost the whole skyline.

When finally sated by the view, visitors can now enjoy the many superb attractions offered by the Peak Tower, which was opened in 1997. Among the entertainments is the 'Peak Explorer' with moveable seats in a spaceship setting that creates hair-raising virtual adventures, plus Ripley's amazing 'Believe It Or Not Odditorium', displaying more than 500 weird and wonderful exhibits. Still another attraction is Madame Tussaud's Hong Kong, displaying more than 100 highly life-like figures of the famous and infamous, including muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger, pop icon Michael Jackson, and movie superstars Jackie Chan and Michelle Yeoh.

The Peak Tower also has a wide range of restaurants and food outlets plus novelty shops where visitors can get a souvenir to remind them of their exciting experience.

As befits such a world-class tourist attraction, The Peak is served by a modern funicular railway (called, incidentally, the Peak Tram) whose sturdy carriages seem to assume near-perpendicular angles as they giddily whisk passengers up to the top. The less adventurous might prefer to take a taxi up the twisting road through the Mid-Levels or a No 15 bus from Central.

Lan Kwai Fong & SoHo

A cheerful warren of Western-style restaurants, nightclubs, delicatessens and bars, Lan Kwai Fong is an L-shaped, cobble-stoned lane just a stone's throw above Central's cluster of skyscrapers. Nearby lanes are also buzzing with bistros and pubs in what is Hong Kong's trendiest nightlife area.

Stroll along Hollywood Road and you'll soon discover Hong Kong's "SoHo", the area "South of Hollywood Road". The neighbourhood offers a wide range of upmarket eateries and watering holes congregated mainly on Staunton, Shelley and Elgin streets. Here, you'll enjoy international fare from New Orleans to Nepal, Mexico to Malaysia, Provence to Portugal. Above SoHo is the Mid-Levels, an exclusive residential area built on the lower slopes of Victoria Peak. The Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, the longest covered outdoor escalator system in the world, provides easy access to and from downtown, as well as fascinating insights into the diverse street life.

For an intriguing glimpse of old and new Hong Kong, ride the world's longest covered outdoor escalator system which snakes through the back streets of Central. Come equipped with comfortable walking shoes and reward yourself with a unique Hong Kong experience.

On your walk, you'll see the Li Yuen Street East & West markets packed with stalls and shops selling casual clothes, leather goods and knick-knacks to local housewives and visitors.

Then along the Mid-Levels Escalator, discover Central's most fascinating nooks and crannies. Twenty escalators and three "travelators" comprise this 800-metre-long outdoor "people mover" which links Central and the Mid-Levels, one of Hong Kong's most expensive residential districts. With 29 entry and exit points, it takes about 20 minutes to travel from one end to the other. But with the variety of city life to be seen along the way, it is 20 minutes well spent!

If you want to experience a photographer's paradise, just stroll along Stanley Street, where you'll find stores selling all kinds of photography accessories and film at very reasonable prices. Right nearby is one of Hong Kong's oldest dim sum restaurants.

Upon reaching Lyndhurst Terrace, Cochrane Street and Gage Streets, the smells of fragrant wonton noodles and fresh-from-the-oven buttery egg tarts will signal that it's time for a break. For the health conscious, opt instead for a cup of herbal tea or "tortoise jelly" which are both renowned for their medicinal benefits.

After satisfying your appetite, quench your thirst for history with a stop at the Central District Police Station, a huge grey building with doric-style columns and facade, reminiscent of Hong Kong's colonial past.

Experience the nights of Hong Kong's past as the new Sheung Wan Gala Point resurrects the popular Dai-tat-dei, the "poor man's nightclub" of the 1960s and 1970s. Back then, people would gather by the harbour in Sheung Wan to browse through a night market and to enjoy free local entertainment. Land redevelopment shut down the market, but with the opening of the Gala Point beside the Hong Kong - Macau Ferry Terminal in October 2002, the Dai-tat-dei has returned.

The night market features more than 200 booths selling a variety of knick-knacks and useful items, about 30 food stalls and street theatre entertainment during weekends.