I ll be visiting Hong Kong later this year (September) on business, but will have about five days to see the sights. What can you recommend

Asks JacksonC

A. September is not the best time of year to visit as Hong Kong often experiences cyclones then, but if you do visit at this time of year there will still be plenty to do on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

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Hong Kong Island - The shops, restaurants and the sheer amount of people is a great attraction here. Aberdeen, on the southern side of the island, is also worth a visit (or organised tour) as it is where 6,000 people live and work on junks anchored in the harbour. The floating restaurants are also worth a visit, but not very good value. The island's other main attractions include the Central Market, a great day out if you have the stomach for it - animals, raw meat, dried fish and spices are all muddled together here. The smell is very strong; so don't visit on a really hot day.

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The Old Man Mo Temple and the Zoological and Botanical Gardens are other stop-offs. Repulse Bay (very popular, but crowded beach) and Stanley (which has a great laid-back market) are good for day trips.

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Kowloon - If you're after a fake Rolex this is the place to come. Tsim Sha Tsui is the territory's tourist ghetto and full to the brim with shops, street stalls, pubs and restaurants. It also has a great night market on Temple Street. Although its tourist region maybe synonymous with tack, Kowloon is also home to the fantastic Space Museum, the Museum of History and the Cultural Centre.

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Victoria Peak - a trip to the top of Victoria Peak (553m above sea level) is a must on any trip to Hong Kong. Its views are spectacular, with the main viewing deck on top of a shopping mall. The best view of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon is at night when the lights across the horizon are amazing.

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Q. Can you recommend any good hotels

A. If price is no issue there are a lot of great hotels in Hong Kong, as most of them are expensive and plush. At this end of the market the Grand Hyatt in Wanchai (Tel: 00 852 2588 1234) is considered the best in town, it is very central and has an amazing lobby. The Mandarin Oriental (Tel: 00 852 2522 0111) is a great choice if you're after a bit of luxury. The Harbour View International (00 852 2802 0111) in Wanchai is central and very reasonable (with incredibly small sit-up baths). The bargain hunters' resting place is the Mount Davis Youth Hostel (Tel: 00 852 2817 5715), which is perched on top of a very peaceful mountain! It is however, really out of the way and difficult to reach (by bus and a very long walk from Exchange Square at the Star Ferry, or bus to Kennedy Town and then a taxi). Conditions are fantastic, but guests are expected to do one cleaning chore per day. A very novel place to stay it the Fu Lai Villa in Causeway Bay (Tel: 00 852 2577 0648) which is a 'love hotel'�- rooms can be rented by couples on an hourly basis! Tourists can rent per night and it is perfectly respectable, with the added bonus of big round beds and huge baths.

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Q. I know Hong Kong is expensive to visit, but are there any things you can do on a tight budget

A. If you're on a budget there are some great things to do, very cheaply in a very expensive territory. The Peak Tram is a funicular railway that takes you into the fantastic peak area, with amazing views. The Star Ferry (which runs a shuttle service from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island) at dusk is one of the best boat rides in the world! It offers a great view of the skyline and the city from the water, and rivals Manhattan any day.

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Q. When would be the best time to see the Hong Kong Chinese celebrate their infamous festivals

A. Many festivals are held through the year, the Chinese administration introduced two new ones after the handover from Britain - Handover Day is now celebrated on 1 July and Victory over Japan day is on 4 July. A few of the others include:

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January/February - The Lantern Festival - lanterns are lit in homes, restaurants and temples.

March�- Hong Kong Food Festival

April - Tin Hau Festival. This is a Taoist festival. Junks are decorated and sail in long rows to the temples of Tin Hau to pray for clear skies and good fishing.

June - The Dragon Boat Festival with dragon boat races taking place around the islands.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. The best weather is in November and December when there is a lot of sunshine and pleasant breezes. Hong Kong can be unbearably humid and polluted (between May and September).