Bustling and lively, Hong Kong is a shopper's delight with the pound strong against the Hong Kong dollar. Regardless of your budget, you'll find plenty to do here, whether you're stopping over if it's your final destination

If it's shopping you're after, head to Kowloon. Tsim Sha Tsui at the tip of the peninsular hosts many malls and designer shops where you'll find every trinket, gadget, or designer outfit your heart could wish for. It's also home to many hotels and restaurants and is a good place to base yourself for a visit.

Trawling the Golden Mile
Nathan Road is the main thoroughfare and is lined with shops and malls offering goods of varying quality. Nicknamed the 'Golden Mile', it's a treasure trove for magpies like me who are drawn to shiny things and gadgets of all kinds, but it's mind-blowingly busy.

Oceans of people surge past and share the same irritation of tourists as locals trying to navigate Oxford Street during school holidays. Close by you'll find the Ladies Market where you can buy clothes (for men as well as women), handbags, luggage and accessories. Temple Street Night Market is another must-see destination with its trinket stalls, fortune tellers and local street-side restaurants selling good seafood.

Another unusual market is the Goldfish Market with its rows of different size and colour koi carp. Believed to bring good luck, goldfish are favoured by Feng Shui followers who place their aquaria in specific spots in their homes to ward off evil energy and encourage wealth to their doors.

Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island is a different type of shopping destination. This touristy market offers plentiful baubles, as well as clothes and arts and crafts, but is located right by the sea. There's even a sandy beach with good swimming within easy walking distance. Repulse Bay, just down the road, also has a great beach for swimming.

Climbing the Peak
When you're shopped out, take the Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak, the location of some of Hong Kong's most expensive homes. The Tram is really a funicular railway that inches its way up the incredibly steep slopes. There are ridges in the floor to help standing passengers keep on their feet. If possible, time your visit for a clear day and you'll be rewarded with great views over the harbour and Central area of Hong Kong.

The buildings themselves are stunning. Huge skyscrapers dominate the skyline, dwarfing the older colonial-style buildings, and jagged corners jut out at threatening angles, which Feng Shui practitioners believe jeopardise the good energy of other buildings. Careful measures are taken to protect the buildings from the bad energy, with rounded edges and mirrored glass to bounce it away, but rival firms can add a whole new dimension to town planning!

Eating and Drinking
There are over 9,000 restaurants to choose from in Hong Kong and almost every international cuisine and budget is catered for. Many Hong Kong flats are small by Western standards, and families tend to meet in restaurants for sociable, noisy meals. The Cantonese food is superb.

But be warned, locals are a lot less squeamish about their food than Westerners and eat just about every part of every animal. Don't be surprised if your chicken dish is served complete with head and feet, and pork skin may be served as a delicacy.

Dim sum is another institution. These steamed savoury dumplings are traditionally served at breakfast or lunch and are well worth seeking out. Served in the little bamboo steamer baskets, these almost translucent parcels are packed with delicious fillings, but vegetarians should be aware that pork fat is added in many cases, including to the prawns for additional flavour.

If you're tired of the bustle and need a quieter night, head to Kuntsford Terrace, which is a quieter strip of trendy restaurants and bars favoured by ex-pats. Many of the bars and restaurants set up tables outside, so you can sip cocktails or share tapas al fresco.

For bars and nightlife, head to Lan Kwai Fong in the Central area of Hong Kong island. Once the home of a flower market (the name translates as Orchid Square), this area has been rediscovered by young entrepreneurs, designers and gallery owners and is home to dozens of trendy bars and restaurants. You'll find many bars are open long hours here, and the inevitable casualties staggering around. My friend likened it to a night out in Blackpool as we picked our way through puddles of puke!

Away from the bustle, you'll find cool bars on Kowloon. Felix, on the 28th floor of the Peninsular Hotel, or the Sky Lounge on the 18th floor of the Sheraton Hotel, are great for cocktails. You can sit and take in the wonderful views across the harbour and maybe catch the cheesy Symphony of Lights, a light show where buildings on both sides of the harbour are lit up in time to music.

Aqua on Tsim Sha Tsui is an achingly cool bar and restaurant on the 29th floor, offering great panoramic views across the city with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Small booths are partitioned off with curtains of fairy lights so you can enjoy your drinks in comfort.

Travelling with kids
If you're travelling with your family, there are plenty of things to do. A ride across the harbour on the Star ferry is a must for everyone, but children will certainly enjoy being on this busy stretch of water. You can also book longer cruises around the harbour with the company.

Disneyland has a Hong Kong site, and as this year is the year of the rat, there's even more reason to visit with the world's most famous rodent. Ocean Park is a zoo and theme park offering rides and attractions together with the chance to see dolphins performing acrobatic tricks. There are also giant pandas and a huge, four-level aquarium.

Getting there
An 11-hour flight is never a delight, but we flew Oasis, a new airline offering a scaled-down business class service at budget prices. True, you don't get all the frippery that you do on other carriers, but you do get the additional leg room and comfier seats, meals and drinks included and in-flight entertainment.

In economy, you have to pay for alcoholic drinks, but otherwise the usual things are included. Prices start at £109 in economy and £599 in business (one-way excluding taxes), so it's worth planning ahead to take advantage of the value-focused prices.

We stayed at the Langham Hotel, in Kowloon. This luxury hotel is within easy walking distance of the harbour and Star ferry. The comfy rooms and great location made this an ideal base for the trip, and they have great treats with the turndown service - chocolate sushi anyone?

At the end of the day, you can relax with a swim in the rooftop pool, or if that seems too energetic (and I confess it did for me) wallow in the hot tub to recharge flagging spirits.

Need to know

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is an award-winning airline offering great value fares from London to Hong Kong. Flights are direct from Gatwick and leave seven days a week. A round trip on businessOasis costs from £1396.00, including taxes and charges.

For more information about Hong Kong go to www.discoverhongkong.com.

Flying a daily service from London Gatwick, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines offers high-quality travel at affordable prices. Tickets start at £109 + tax one way in economyOasis and £599 + tax one way in businessOasis and include everything from hot meals to seat back entertainment. To book tickets, visit www.oasishongkong.com or call the customer service centre on 0844 482 2323.