Hong Kong

One of the best ways to see Hong Kong is to get out of the city altogether—although you won’t even have to leave Hong Kong Island. The Dragon’s Back Trail, less than an hour from Kowloon, offers fresh air, dazzling vistas and a unique perspective on this celebrated Chinese city. The five-mile trail, said by locals to resemble the spine of a dragon, meanders along a spectacular undulating ridge punctuated by bamboo groves and wildflower-swathed hills. Admire the views across to the Clear Water Bay Peninsula, the islands of Hong Kong and the South China Sea, and watch as locals fly kites and model airplanes and even paraglide off the cliffs. Then amble your way to the sweet seaside town of Shek O, with its (for Hong Kong) sparsely touristed beaches and open-air restaurants.