Hong Kong is home to one of the biggest light and laser shows in the world, has one of the most famous skylines and has miles and miles of shopping malls full of high end fashion labels.
That's perfect if you like that kind of thing, but there is something deeper than that in Asia's world city. Head to the coastlines and outer islands and you will be greeted by spectacular beaches, mountainous landscapes and traditional villages.
Cheung Chau is one of the most popular outer islands for visitors. It lies 10km south east of Hong Kong Island and is served by First Ferry services with sailings to the island every half hour. There are no cars on the island and the only way to get around the island is either by bicycle or on foot. It couldn't seem further away from the hustle and bustle of central Hong Kong.
There are many opportunities for hiking around the island and the Hong Kong outdoors website has some great walking tours for tourists. Cheung Chau is also home to four temples, one of which is the oldest in Hong Kong.
As you walk around the island the opportunities to sample traditional Cantonese Dim Sum along with some fresh seafood dishes are endless. The best place to sample these are at the little restaurants by the waterfront. The prices are competitive so it's a good idea to have a walk around before you make any decisions.
Most people just head for Tung Wan beach, less than a ten minute walk from the ferry port with the largest amount of beachside holiday homes on the island. However, the hidden gem on Cheung Chau is what the westerners call Afternoon Beach. Home to a windsurfing hire company and a little bar which could easily be mistaken for a wooden shack, this place is paradise.
In fact there is nothing better than sitting yourself down on the sand, staring out to sea and listening to the waves crash against the rocks. If you are into water sports then you can hire a canoe or take a windsurfing trip from the beach.
In the evenings, the bar which is owned by Westerners who live on the island, comes to life and is a great meeting place for people who want to socialise and watch the sun set amongst a beer or two.
Cheung Chau is such a lively little island that you can visit at any time of year and experience something completely different. A good time to go is during the annual bun festival where everyone flocks to see some traditional festivities take place. However the best time to go is in the Summer when the weather is at its best.
After discovering the beauty of Cheung Chau, there are many other opportunities to explore some of the other islands from the third biggest island Lamma to the deserted beaches of Peng Chau.
While Hong Kong is known for being one of the best cities in the world, there is another peaceful and beautiful side that is little known by the plane loads of tourists that make their way to Hong Kong. The outer islands are excellent examples of traditional China that should not be overlooked in this concrete jungle.