A perfect stop off on a China holiday, Hong Kong, with its bright lights, winding back streets and mountainous terrain are ripe for exploration.

Traditions and culture in Hong Kong

Hong Kong has been a special administrative region of China since 1997 when it sovereignty was transferred from the British.

Since 1842 until this time, the province had been a dependent territory of the UK and ruled via London through an appointed governor – the last one being Tory MP Chris Patten.

This means that the region is quite unlike any other area of China and has a noticeable British vibe. From the Botanical Gardens to the railways to the exclusive sports clubs and Christian churches, Hong Kong's colonial history is more than evident.

Modern history aside, the province has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic era and first became part of Imperial China during the Qin Dynasty

Culturally Hong Kong is very much a case of East meets West. Rapid economic development and a major role in international trade sits next to ancient traditions of Tai Chi, Buddhism and herbal medicine.

Recommended in Hong Kong

Whether it's aspects of ancient China or advents of the modern world, there is something for everyone in Hong Kong.

From medieval Buddhist temples to silver skyscrapers, the city skyline charts the evolution of its past and nods to the economic boom of the present.

Must-visit locations include Victoria Peak. One of the most exclusive places to live in the world, the Peak is a mecca for shoppers and tourists. The Peak Tower houses several designer stores and offers stunning views down to the rest of the island.

The journey up to the peak is an experience in itself. For a nominal price, people can board the funicular railway in the Central district and travel up through the Mid-Levels to the summit of the peak.

Operated by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels group, the Peak Tramway covers 1.4 kilometres and travels up one single track to the top of the mountain.

Taking a ride on the Star Ferry across the Hong Kong Bay to Kowloon is another experience synonymous with a Hong Kong holiday. It's from these little white and green boats that visitors will be able to glimpse across Victoria Harbour at the impressive – and well-known – view of the skyline over the water.

Hong Kong is also home to the tallest outdoor Buddha statue in the world, the Tian Tan Buddha.

Weather in Hong Kong

Temperatures are always quite warm in Hong Kong and humidity can reach up to 90 per cent during the summer months.

The best time to take a Hong Kong holiday is usually said to be between October and December when the weather is slightly cooler and the sky blue for longer.

Summer can be a busy period as can around Chinese New Year. Those people looking for cheap flights around this time should book well in advance and bear in mind that cheap hotels can be pretty busy in these peak seasons.

May to September is typhoon season and rainfall can be fairly heavy over these few months. Visitors need not be put off, as the city has strong flood defences and travel plans are rarely affected by the weather.

Destination checklist for Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) is the currency in Hong Kong, where the two official languages are Cantonese and Mandarin. The province's time as an overseas British territory means that English is widely spoken and visitors will find street signs, menus and maps all carry English translations.

A holiday guide could come in handy for those tourists keen to try their hand at Mandarin or Cantonese - some phrases come in handy for taxi rides.

The international dialling code is +86 and Hong Kong Standard Time is eight hours in front of GMT.