If looking for the best first-time experience in Asia, go to the island of Hong Kong , which just celebrated its 10-year-anniversary under Chinese rule.  Here is a 4-day itinerary that will help you get the most out of your Hong Kong experience in a short amount of time.

Day 1:  Start the day by shopping at Harbour City in Kowloon . This is the largest shopping and entertainment center in the city, and it offers about 700 shops.  They feature the best of shopping such as Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, MaxMara, Vivienne Westwood, and YSl.  Then stop by BO Innovation (www.boinnovation.com) to eat, where the Chef Alvin Leung serves up “extreme Chinese,” such as foie gras wrapped in rice paper with miso sauce and lamb shank lasagna.  And for the nightlife on your first day go to Temple Street Night Market, a nighttime marked that is filled with fortune-tellers and impromptu Chinese opera performers.  Though it opens at 4 p.m, it doesn’t really come alive till after sunset.

Day 2:  On your second day, take a side trip to Lantau Island .  This will be a temporary escape from the fast paced city.  It is home to the world’s larges outdoor seated bronze Buddha, which sits on the Ngong Ping Plateau .  Also found there is the Po Lin Monastery, a sacred spot for devout Buddhists.  Then go back to Hong Kong island to the Star Street precinct and eat at Caffe Habitu (www.starstreet.com.hk), an Italian eatery where the pizza chef is from Italy .  When it gets later, go to the Captains Bar, which offers one of Asia ’s most comprehensive selection of single malt whiskey (www.madarinoriental.com).

Day 3:  The third day of your trip should be filled with shopping – again – at the Stanley Market, a never-ending line of tiny shops.  Then hop over to Hollywood Road , which is lined with shops selling antiques, knick-knacks and handicrafts.  For dining, go to Yung Kee Restaurant and enjoy in their world-renowned roast goose dish.  And you need not travel far for the nightlife of the city today, just go a couple stories up in the Yung Kee building and go to the members-only Kee Club.  For more information visit www.yungkee.com.hk.

Day 4:  And on your last day, get away from it all in one of Hong Kong ’s many parks.  One of which is the Kowloon Park in the Tsim Sha Tsui area.  There you can pleasure in its aviary, sculpture walk and garden, bird lake, conservation corner, and the children’s playground and maze garden.  To get the last of the cultural culinary delights, go to the Peking Garden restaurant which specializes in Pekingese and northern Chinese dishes.  And go out with a bang at The Symphony of Lights, the world’s largest light and sound show, which covers more than 30 buildings (which are covered in lights which at the flick of a switch glow in myriad colors).  The best views are along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and the shows are presented nightly at 8 p.m

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