Forget The Peak ... Hong Kong’s natural charm makes it one of Asia’s best destinations, Lonely Planet reveals
Other top travel spots in region include Hokkaido and Shanghai
Hong Kong is one of this year’s top Asian destinations, says the king of global travel guides.
The Lonely Planet’s 2016 Best in Asia index eschews familiar tourist sights like The Peak and the Big Buddha statue on Lantau in favour of the city’s “natural heritage”, which earned it a fifth-place ranking.
“This skyward-bound metropolis always beguiles with a blend of culture, cuisine and consumerism, but now Hong Kong is focusing on its natural heritage – specifically, the Unesco-designated geopark,” the Lonely Planet said.
Also recognised was the semi-deserted 400-year old Lai Chi Wo village, which has received renewed interest thanks to a government plan last year to conserve the traditional values of rural areas. The move attracted hikers and a resumed ferry service to the remote enclave deep within Plover Cove Country Park.