Space to breathe: Victoria Park

Time from Central: 15 minutes by taxi. Closest MTR station is Causeway Bay or Tin Hau
Time to explore: 20 to 30 minutes

The crush of shoppers thronging Causeway Bay can feel overwhelming at times – and that is where Victoria Park comes in handy. Retreat to its shaded paths, or sit and watch the world go by, as many elderly park visitors do. As the largest park on Hong Kong Island (19 hectares), it has space to host special events: during Chinese New Year (late January or early February), Victoria Park transforms into a flower market, while March brings the annual Flower Show and Mid-Autumn Festival fills its concrete football pitches with an impressive lantern display. Impromptu tai chi sessions take place most mornings, and the park’s sporting facilities attract enthusiastic amateurs, while pros turn up to participate in major events.