Top hotels, a mind-boggling range of shopping and dining options, and a throbbing nightlife: the list of things to eat, see, do and buy in Hong Kong never ends, and even if you zip around the various precincts on the efficient public transport network, fitting it all in is no mean feat.

Few experiences are more exciting and eye-opening than a trip to the Fragrant Harbour; put on those walking shoes, get ready your credit card, and get your senses prepared for stylish eateries, hip hotels, sprawling malls, specialty shops, street markets and much more.

Rest

Before you set off, surf on to www. wotif.com and take your pick from an impressive list of accommodations worldwide. Bookings at serviced apartments, resorts and hotels such as the swanky Langham Place Hotel are only a few clicks away. Or check into Metropark Hotel Mongkok, which places you within a stone's throw of cosy local restaurants and bustling night markets.

Ingest

It may be a small city, but it is definitely not short on places to eat. Foodies will find their cravings satisfied at top tables in fine dining establishments, cheap and cheerful cafes and bistros, and everything in between.

Sit down to a hearty charcoal broiled steak at Craftsteak in Central or catch a glimpse of that dazzling skyline from R66, the only revolving restaurant in the city, perched on the 62nd level of the Hopewell Centre.

Or splash out at any of the exquisite eateries at the grande dame herself, The Peninsula Hong Kong. Something else to look forward to: culinary treasures from the world over. Take a gastronomic journey through just about every continent as chefs lovingly reproduce authentic delicacies at Indonesian Restaurant 1968, Sorabol Korean Restaurant, Golden Elephant Thai Restaurant, Bombay Dreams and Eastern Palace Chiu Chow Restaurant. Tuck into the best of Greece and the Middle East at Olive, sniff out modern Spanish bites at Tapaz, or finish off an Eastern European meal with some 25 varieties of vodka at Ivan The Kozak.

Then before you jet out of Hong Kong, pick up some delicate Bamboo Garden Icy-crispy Dragon Beard Candy as gifts for family and friends back home.

Invest

Other destinations may boast of ashopping street or a mall or two, but Hong Kong has a variety of thriving shopping districts - choose from trendy Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, or exclusive Admiralty and Central. So whether you are after a rare antique or the latest electronic gizmo, a fresh-off-the-runway piece or a whole new wardrobe, get ready for some serious credit card-swiping action.

Sift through the cluttered contents of the Friendship Trading Company in Hollywood Road for the best of Chinese fine arts and antiques, or trawl the street markets for anything from clothing to unique keepsakes.

Then hit the specialty boutiques and department stores at the malls. Check out the bookshelves at Kelly & Walsh for a little culture, and Aerosoles, Nine West or Timberland for new shoes, so that you can continue trawling all over the city.

Take a peek at OshKosh B'Gosh for the kids; outdoorsy types ought to check out the offerings at Columbia and Golf House.

Beauty junkies, do not miss Sasa and The Face Shop, where you can stock up on face, hair and body essentials.

Had enough of walking? Retreat to Clarins for a recharging treatment or Broadway Cinema for the latest movie before you continue your journey.