islands

Peng Chau is a small island lying off the east coast of Lantau, with echoes of old south China, and paths along coastlines, through farmland, and up the highest hill.

Especially in summer, many Hong Kong residents enjoy taking junk rides through inshore waters, to visit one or more islands, maybe swim at beaches, and stop off at seafood restaurants. Mostly, the junks aren't the traditional type with sails - there are only one or two of these iconic craft left here; but are motor boats, each holding maybe 20 or more people. There's a range of "junks" - from basic wooden ones, to more glamorous pleasure cruisers. Some corporate folk book their company junks; there are also junks for hire. As well as seats and a table, even a basic junk will typically have a fridge, plus shower and toilet, making it a good base for an outing.

Aberdeen, on the west coast of Hong Kong Island, is the main base for corporate and hire junks; though it's also possible to board junks on the north coast of HK Island.

Many junk trips involve little more than bobbing across the sea to a seafood restaurant - often one of the pricey places at Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island; then bobbing back again. Though there's beer n wine n camaraderie, I'm not fond of such trips: partly as I live on Cheung Chau, with abundant waterfront restaurants with good food at low prices; also as there's far more to do around coastal Hong Kong than just sit, eat and drink.

Instead, I find junk trips  a great way of exploring Hong Kong's inshore waters, visiting places that might be very difficult to reach another way, as well as chilling out with friends old and new.

Though you can hike here, Sharp Island and its neighbours are most popular for activities focused on the shore and marine environment – especially swimming at two of the best beaches near Sai Kung, as well as snorkelling over coral.

The rapid recovery of the Hong Kong tourism industry from the effects of SARS has been one of the major stories of the past ten months. Arrivals from long-haul destinations are back to pre-SARS levels, while the success of the Individual Visit Scheme under CEPA has resulted in mainland visitors now accounting for more than half the sectors revenue.

Prospects for 2004 are bright; The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reports that we can expect more than 20 million visitors this year, a 30% increase on 2003. The forthcoming expansion of the Individual Visit Scheme to all of Guangdong province will bring yet more mainland arrivals, with three-day shopping trips for designer brands proving to be especially popular.

Despite this undoubtedly positive news, many observers feel that potentially very lucrative forms of tourism continue to be ignored and underdeveloped in the territory. Hong Kong is still marketed primarily as a short-stay city destination, with the average length of stay being roughly three days.