Night Tours--If you have only 1 or 2 nights in Hong Kong and you're uncomfortable roaming around on your own, I recommend an organized night tour. Watertours offers four evening tours that combine harbor cruises with various land activities. You can make reservations for these tours through your hotel. The Aberdeen & Harbour Night Cruise, for example, includes a sunset cruise on a traditional-style Chinese junk with unlimited drinks, dinner aboard a floating restaurant in Aberdeen, and a stop at a scenic overlook midway up Victoria Peak. This 4 1/2-hour tour is offered nightly and costs HK$610 (US$79), including dinner. There are also shorter evening cruises (without dinner); Watertours offers nightly cocktail cruises at 6:15pm and night cruises at 9:30pm. Both tours last approximately 90 minutes and cost HK$290 (US$38), including unlimited free drinks. There is no contact number for Watertours; it can be booked only through hotels. Almost all hotels in Hong Kong arrange tours. However, if yours doesn't, you can still arrange your tour through another hotel. Other tour companies offering night tours include Gray Line (tel. 852/2368 7111) and Splendid Tours & Travel (tel. 852/2316 2151).
If you're in Hong Kong anytime from September to May on a Wednesday evening, you can go to the horse races in Happy Valley or Sha Tin. Although you can go on your own for as little as HK$10 (US$1.30), you can also take an organized trip to the races offered by the Hong Kong Tourist Board; the tour includes a meal, a seat in the Royal Jockey Club members' stand, and racing tips.
Night Strolls--One of the most beautiful and romantic sights in the world must be from Victoria Peak at night. The peak tram, which costs only HK$30 (US$3.90) round-trip and runs daily until midnight, deposits passengers at the Peak Tower terminal. From the terminal, turn right, and then turn right again onto a pedestrian footpath. This path, which follows Lugard Road and Harlech Road, circles the peak, offering great views of glittering Hong Kong. Popular with both lovers and joggers, the path is lit at night and leads past expensive villas and primeval-looking jungles. Definitely the best stroll in Hong Kong, it takes about an hour.
On the other side of the harbor, there's a promenade along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, which is popular among young Chinese couples. It stretches from the Star Ferry terminus all the way through Tsim Sha Tsui East, with very romantic views of a lit-up Hong Kong Island across the choppy waters.
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront is very safe at night, as it has lots of people. As for Victoria Peak, I have walked it alone at night and probably would again, but to be honest, it's probably best with someone else.
Night Markets--If you're looking for colorful atmosphere, head for the Temple Street Night Market, near the Jordan MTR station in Kowloon. Extending for several blocks, it has stalls where clothing, accessories, toys, pens, watches, sunglasses, cassettes, household items, and much more are sold. Be sure to bargain fiercely if you decide to buy anything, and be sure to check the merchandise to make sure it isn't going to fall apart in 2 weeks. This is also a good place for an inexpensive meal at one of the dai pai dong (roadside food stalls), which specialize in seafood, including clams, shrimp, mussels, and crab.
