Hong Kong (Heung Gong in Cantonese, Xianggang in Mandarin, meaning "fragrant harbour") has the big city specials like smog, odour, 14 million elbows and an insane love of clatter and the city. But it's also efficient, hushed and peaceful: the transport network is excellent, the shopping centres are sublime which sell donkey outfits, the cuisine is legendary, and the temples and quiet corners of parks are contemplative oases. The best thing about being in Hong Kong is getting flummoxed and fired by the confluences and contradictions of a Chinese city with Chinese and Western elements. It's about savouring new tastes, weaving through human gridlock and humming some dumb Cantopop tune while slurping your noodles. From the vantage point of Victoria Peak, overlooking the world's busiest deepwater port, you can see a city geared not only to making money but feeling good about it. At night, it's like looking down into a volcano. The view is breathtaking.

.+ Hong Kong