Where: Nestled against the southern Chinese province of

Where: Nestled against the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, Hong Kong is divided into four main areas: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands. All its dynamism is squeezed into just 1098-sq-kilometers.

Getting there: Cathay Pacific (phone 21-515 1747, www.cathaypacific.com) has regular return flights from Jakarta to Hong Kong.

When to go: November through to April provide the most pleasant conditions for traveling in Hong Kong. Unless you're fond of cyclones, give September a miss.

Lodging: Chungking House (Block A, 4/F and 5/F, Chungking Mansion, 40 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, phone 852-2366 5362, fax 852-2721 3570) offers rooms from HK$250 (Rp 284,000) a night. For a step up in luxury try 'The Salisbury' YMCA (41 Salisbury Rd, Kowloon, phone 852-2736 0922, fax 852-2405 0922, www.ymca- hotels.com) where rates start at HK$630 (Rp 715,710) a night.

Dining: All dining in Hong Kong is fine! Though you'll be positively spoilt for choice, be sure to sample a few local favorites such as dim sum, noodle and dumpling soup, and the delicious roast goose with steamed rice.

Getting around: Public transport in Hong Kong is cheap, efficient and widely used. Choose from metered taxis, buses, trains, double-decker trams, ferries or even hoverferries.

Currency: One Hong Kong dollar (HK$) equals Rp 1136.

Reading: "Lonely Planet Hong Kong and Macau" makes an excellent travel companion. On the web check out www.discoverhongkong.com, file://inet4.hktb.com and www.info.gov.hk

More information: Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Jalan Mega Kuningan 2, Karet Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950, phone 21-576 1039, fax 21-576 1034.