Singapore To Hong Kong

Singapore is small in size but big on excitement. Discover the multicultural medley of this city-state through its neighbourhoods: Check out the statue-adorned temples of Little India and the colourful pagodas of Chinatown. Cruise to Singapore and explore the city’s Malay section on the Kampong Glam Heritage Trail, which will take you past Arabic-influenced mansions and the gold-dome-topped Masjid Sultan mosque. Experience the contrast between the lush rainforest flora of the Singapore Botanic Garden and the high-tech ‘supertrees’ and biodomes of Gardens by the Bay. Complete your Singapore adventure with a panorama from the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands or a Singapore Sling cocktail at the historical Raffles Hotel.

The easy-going city of Nha Trang is known for its six-mile palm-lined sandy beach with clear turquoise water. Spend some time relaxing by the bay at Nha Trang Beach or the more secluded but arguably even more beautiful Bai Duong Beach, shaded by lushly forested mountains. See the picturesque boulders overlooking the waters at Hon Chong. Then, check out the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers, with its sand-coloured temples that date back to the 700s. Head to the Hon Mun Marine Protected Area for scuba diving and snorkelling, or take the 45-minute drive past rice paddies and coastline and hike to the contemplative Ba Ho Waterfall and its three swimmable pools.

When you arrive at Chan May Port, you’ll have Vietnam’s imperial history and natural splendor at your fingertips. As you travel through the countryside near the port, you’ll see fields of grazing water buffalo and lagoons overlooked by misty mountains. But you’ll want to spend your day exploring one of the two nearby cities: Hue and Danang. About 80 minutes north of the port, Hue was Vietnam’s capital city until 1945: Experience the country’s imperial past at the moat-surrounded citadel of Hue Imperial City, or see the Khai Dinh Tomb, an emperor’s resting place high up in the mountains. Cruise to Chan May, Vietnam and head one hour south to Danag: Relax on white-sand My Khe Beach, or hike up the Marble Mountains dotted with Buddhist temples.

After you arrive at Hong Kong’s airport on Lantau Island, see the enormous Tian Tan Buddha, measuring 112 feet tall and weighing over 200 tons. Then, take a harbor cruise to get your bearings and see Hong Kong’s modern architecture. Later, slurp noodles at the Temple Street Night Market. If you have an extra day, head out to Dragon’s Back portion of the Hong Kong Trail for some scenic hiking among mist-covered peaks.
The Peak Tram takes you up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong’s 1,800-foot-high mountain. Less expensive buses will get you there, too. Once you’re up top, admire the views over the city from the hiking trails. The Peak also offers an escape from the subtropical climate below — the air here is cooler and less humid.

Stanley Harbour, on the other side of Hong Kong Island, will give you a taste of a different Hong Kong. It’s a fishing village on Repulse Bay with a lovely seaside walk (snap some photos of the fishing boats) as well as a famous street market. There’s lots of British history, a boardwalk and even a few beaches. You can take the bus from Central for a scenic trip, though the express bus is faster.