Ports of the China Sea

Who it is for

For anyone who already knows the basics of Asia and wants three port cities with market food.

Not for anyone looking for beaches, since this is a city trip.

The strategy

Hong Kong comes first, followed by Taipei, with Manila’s historic centre at the end. Compare flights for both legs before fixing the nights; with three bases in a week, airport journeys and arrivals at your accommodation take up part of the sightseeing days.

What you will see

• Victoria Peak, Hong Kong. The funicular has run since 1888 and got sixth-generation cars in August 2022, carrying up to 210 passengers per trip on the 1.4-km climb to the top of Victoria Peak.
• National Palace Museum, Taipei. Opened in 1965 in Waishuangxi, it holds about 700,000 pieces from the Chinese imperial collection, taken out of Beijing between 1948 and 1949.
• Fort Santiago, Manila. A Spanish fortress at the tip of Intramuros, over the mouth of the Pasig, begun in 1593 and rebuilt after 1945.

Day by day

Hong Kong

1. 1
   Day 1: Hong Kong Island: harbor, hillside, and tram

   1. 2Star FerryUp to half an hourEssential
   2. 6Man Mo TempleUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 5Tai KwunUp to half an hourWorth a visit
2. 2
   Day 2: Kowloon: museums, markets, and neon

   1. 7Wong Tai Sin TempleWorth a visit
   2. Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian GardenUp to half an hourIf there is time
3. 3
   Day 3: Lantau: cable car, Buddha, and stilt village

   
4. 4
   Day 4: Macau (day trip) · if you have more time

   

Taipei

1. 5
   Day 5: The old west: Bangka, Dadaocheng, and the river

   1. 2Longshan TempleEssential
   2. Ximending and the Red HouseUp to half an hourIf there is time
   3. 3Dihua Street and DadaochengEssential
2. 6
   Day 6: Museum, memorial, and hilltop views

   1. 1National Palace MuseumEssential
   2. 5Chiang Kai-shek Memorial HallUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   3. 4Elephant Mountain Trail (Xiangshan)Up to half an hourEssential
   4. 9Taipei 101If there is time
3. 7
   Day 7: Volcanoes, hot springs, and tea · if you have more time

   1. 7YangmingshanWorth a visit

Manila

1. 8
   Day 8: Intramuros, Rizal, and the bay

   1. 1Fort SantiagoEssential
   2. 2San Agustín ChurchUp to half an hourEssential
   3. 8Manila CathedralUp to half an hourIf there is time
   4. 4Casa ManilaUp to half an hourWorth a visit
   5. 5Rizal Park (Luneta)One to two hoursWorth a visit
   6. 3National Museum of Fine ArtsOne to two hoursEssential
2. 9
   Day 9: The river, Binondo, and Quiapo · if you have more time

   1. 9Escolta and the Central Post OfficeUp to half an hourIf there is time
   2. 6Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo)Up to half an hourWorth a visit