TAI O, HONG KONG — As the ferry to Lantau Island glides across Hong Kong Harbour’s choppy surf, I look out from my seat at the city’s congested vertical skyline and try to imagine what this Goliath of modern cities would have looked like back when it was just a humble fishing village.

FOSHAN, CHINA - Long before there was a martial arts actor named Bruce Lee, there was a martial arts master called Ip Man.

HONG KONG - Long before there was Hong Kong Disney, there was Ocean Park Hong Kong, a local theme park where many who grew up in this former British colony spent their youth. Then, when the glitzy Hong Kong Disney opened in 2010, Ocean Park was almost forgotten.

HONG KONG - The large glass door guarding the entrance to the Mandarin Oriental’s posh Landmark Hong Kong Hotel swings open and out pops a man wearing an emoji happy face smile and holding a frosty bottle of water.

HONG KONG - By the time I reach the Star Ferry Terminal at Pier 7 where people hop on the iconic green boats and sail off to this city’s outer islands, the oppressive summer heat has taken its toll. Sweat drips off my body like rain and the hot, humid air has drained me of all my energy.

HONG KONG - A kaleidoscope of vibrantly hued rhododendron and azalea bushes crawl up through the densely forested emerald hills rising on our left.

HONG KONG - This fascinating city is exhausting for the first-time visitor, as my travelling companion and I discovered on a short stay recently.

HONG KONG - While strolling through the forest of glass and steel towers that have taken root in this bustling world city, I discovered a “house.

HONG KONG - Because this Asian beauty is one of the world’s great culinary cities, it’s important that visitors sample as many of Hong Kong’s traditional and neighbourhood restaurants as possible.

HONG KONG - The best way to see all the great attractions this city has to offer is to go “topless” — on an open double-decker known as the Big Bus.