Million Air Winter 2023/24

Aqua Luna vessels that sail along Victoria Harbour are modeled on old junk boats

Abouttown

CULTURAL PURSUITS For all its attributes, the caliber of Hong Kong’s cultural attractions never quite matched other major global cities — at least for non-Cantonese speakers. The pandemic era opening of two phenomenal museums in the nascent West Kowloon Cultural District is changing that. The Hong Kong Palace Museum displays hundreds of treasures from the Palace Museum at Beijing’s Forbidden City, all of them exceptional articulations of ancient Chinese craftsmanship — the fact that artisans created such incredible and beautiful goods by hand really is awe-inspiring. Moments away, M+ is one of the world’s largest centers for modern visual culture; its vast exhibition halls display striking art that focus particularly on 20th- and 21st-century Hong Kong, while a rolling catalog of temporary shows celebrate big-name artists such as Yayoi Kusama. Admiring the interiors — austere and immense in places — and enjoying the grounds, with trans fi xingviews of countless cargo ships chugging across the South China Sea, are just as much parts of the experience as taking in the art is. hkpm.org.hk; mplus.org.hk

HONG KONG BY HELICOPTER Hong Kong’s crush of urbanity and surrounding natural beauty are brought into focus during fast-paced helicopter tours over the city. Departing from the two helipads that cap the Peninsula, tailored private trips might dart over tower blocks and landmarks before gliding over emerald forests and humble fi shing villages, and then onwards, perhaps, to the wilds of Hong Kong Geopark and the border with mainland China at Shenzhen. The diversity revealed is truly remarkable. Tour prices vary; from $2,000 for a private 18-minute fl ight over central Hong Kong, Enigmatic links to a lost Hong Kong, the two traditionally crafted Aqua Luna vessels that sail along Victoria Harbour are modeled on old junk boats. Much-loved emblems of the city, they can be chartered privately for anything from a private dinner for two at sea to an unforgettable birthday party. Full-day hires provide ample opportunity to explore the likes of Lamma Island or Disneyland, but it’s just as special to simply spend an evening sailing around Victoria Harbour, enjoying cocktails with friends before the nightly Symphony of Lights show begins. That ambitious show uses Hong Kong’s famous skyline as a canvas and sees rainbows of color dance across shoreside skyscrapers in time to music. With gentle waves re fl ecting ripples of neon, it looks especially magical from the water. From $2,000 for a one-hour charter, aqualuna.com.hk GETTING THERE You’ll fi nd up-to-date information about visiting the city at discoverhongkong.com . The Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Paci fi c ( cathaypaci fi c.com ) has also ramped up its network considerably since the pandemic, and recently reopened The Pier — it’s widely recognized as one of the world’s best fi rst-class lounges. heliservices.com.hk PRIVATE CRUISE

Long Ke Wan bay seen from above via helicopter ride

Hong Kong’s crushof urbanity is

brought into focus during helicopter tours over the city

Photos Marcel Lam Photography, GagliardiPhotography/Shutterstock.com