10 Coolest Hong Kong Sights

by Graham Bond

Hong Kong's famous East-West brew is no longer a straight two-parts China, one-part United Kingdom mix. Japan may have been a distinctly unwelcome interloper during WWII, but its recent invasion in the fields of fashion and design has brought a new hipness to Hong Kong. This tour introduces you to the city's landmarks of cool. Start late morning and plan to stay up well past midnight.

Photo Caption: International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong.

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International Commerce Centre

Rising through 118 floors to a height of 484m (1,588 ft.), Hong Kong's tallest building is offers sci-fi views of the city's gravity-defying sprawl from its 100th-floor observation outpost. High-tech telescopes and "MP5" audiovisual guided tours will point out local landmarks from the 360-degree viewing platform.

Details: 100/F, ICC, 1 Austin Rd. W., Daily 10am-10pm. MTR: Kowloon, exit D2.

Photo Caption: The International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong.

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Armani/Bar

Armani's largest retail space outside Milan is located in the heart of Central's gilded shopping district. Apart from the expected chic apparel and cosmetics, the complex contains a 40-seat restaurant with separate lounge and coffee bar, where you can sip espresso while enjoying a giant video projection of catwalk models on parade. With a clever change of lighting and furniture arrangements, the venue is reborn as a nightclub after 10pm.

Details: 2/F, Chater House, 11 Chater Rd.; tel. 852/2805-0028. MTR: Central, exit E.

Photo Caption: The Giorgio Armani store in Hong Kong also houses a full bar and restaurant.

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South Bay Beach Club

Just south of Repulse Bay lies a secluded sandy strip which develops elite appeal during warmer months. The South Bay Beach Club has the feel of a Mediterranean hipster hangout -- all insistent club beats, skimpy bikinis, and wraparound shades. The champagne stocks are well drained most weekends. Come late afternoon and stick around for sunset.

Details: South Bay Rd., Repulse Bay.; tel. 852/2812-6015. Taxi.

Photo Caption: The South Bay Beach Club in Hong Kong.

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Jardine's Bazaar

This grungy restaurant strip is popular with younger hipsters on account of its cheap hand-folded wanton and noodle shops. The Loon Wai diner specializes in mixed-grill hot plates which include more meat than seems economically possible for less than $HK40. After the beach posing, you'll appreciate the more down-to-earth scene.

Details: 54-58 Jardine's Bazaar.; tel. 852/2576-6609.

Photo Caption: Jardine's Bazaar in Hong Kong.

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Causeway Bay Shopping

Formerly the commercial base of colonial traders the Jardines, Causeway Bay now has the feel of downtown Tokyo. Endless waves of consumers pulse down narrow roads and beneath the towering billboards and neon signs. Once the traffic stops, punk teens and platinum card-toters roam between famed department stores like Sogo, Times Square, and Island Beverley, while Kai Chiu Road is a rabbit's warren of smaller shops where youth culture breeds. Come after dark.

Details: Causeway Bay. MTR: Causeway Bay.

Photo Caption: The Causeway Bay shopping district in Hong Kong.

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CEO Karaoke

Karaoke may be a Japanese invention, but Hong Kongers have made it the bosom of local culture. My favorite spot to let loose is the Causeway Bay CEO by Neway, where you can choose from a huge selection of English songs. Shy types fear not: Hong Kong karaoke is conducted in private rooms rather than public arenas. Most have their own bathrooms, and to forestall the threat of microphone-hogs, some even come with PlayStations.

Details: Lok Sing Centre, 2-8 Sugar St., Causeway Bay.; tel. 852/2137-9777; www.ceokb.com. MTR: Causeway Bay, exit E.

Photo Caption: Having drinks at CEO Karaoke in Hong Kong.

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Aqua Luna

This wooden junk may look like the antithesis of hip, but trust the Aqua Group, one of Hong Kong's most successful purveyors of cool, to turn an old-fashioned tourist favorite into a "boutique" experience. The 45-minute cruise can be enjoyed from a top-deck lounge bed, with freshly made cocktail in hand. The glittering nighttime view of Central contrasts deliciously with the rough-hewn onboard furniture. The last sailing departs Central at 10:45pm. Book ahead.

Details: Pier 9, Central.; tel. 852/2116-8821. MTR: Central, exit A.

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Fringe Club

The Fringe Club is one of the best venues in Hong Kong for seeing contemporary theater, live music, and poetry readings. Some acts are international, but most are local performers and writers. There's also a rooftop bar. It's closed every Sunday.

Details: 2 Lower Albert Rd.; tel. 852/2521-7251; www.hkfringeclub.com. Bus: 13, 23A, or 26.

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MO Bar

This superchic hotel bar is all things to all people -- coffee shop, cocktail lounge, performance venue, restaurant. It's played host to microgigs from the likes of Annie Lennox and Harry Connick, Jr., but the highlight for me is the slinky design, the centerpiece of which is a hypnotic red circle that glows mysteriously on the far wall. Be sure to sample a few of MO's expensive but delicious cocktails.

Details: MTR: Central, exit D2.

Photo Caption: Cocktails at the MO Bar in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong.

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