"Cultural Kaleidoscope" is a series of fun and educational classes, tours and activities designed for visitors by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. You can arrange a trip aboard the last sailing junk in the city, enjoy a feng shui tour or take an architecture walk. Get to know the people by taking a class in tai chi, tea appreciation, shopping secrets for jade and pearls, Chinese medicine, Cantonese opera appreciation or Chinese cake-making. Or purchase a special pass to see the museums of art, heritage, space, science and coastal defense (HKD30, good for seven days). Most programs are free and offered in English. Call for full schedule, or check the tourism board's website.

TSIM SHA TSUI. About 1000 Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins call the Pearl River Delta home. No one knows exactly why, but the dolphins here along the Chinese coast are bright pink. This company guarantees you'll see at least one dolphin or you get to take another trip free of charge. Of course they have a 97% success rate, so a second trip is rarely necessary. Part of the package is coach pickup from one of two places: the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (8:30am, 5 Connaught Road, Central) or the Kowloon Hotel (9am,19-21 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Sui). The trip actually departs at 9:30am from Tung Chung New Pier, North Lantau, and time on the boat is about 3 hours. Advance reservations and payment are recommended.

CENTRAL. This ferry carries passengers between Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island's Central and Wan Chai. In November 2006 the historic Central Star Ferry pier was knocked down and rebuilt ten minutes away, but the short trip is still a fascinating way to see the city from the sea. Views are most spectacular at night, when Hong Kong's skyline contrasts with the surrounding black sky. Most ferries run at 5 to 20 minute intervals from about 7am until about 11pm.

TSIM SHA TSUI. Watertours offers a variety of leisure cruises. Morning and afternoon harbour cruises, pre-dinner cocktail trips, and Symphony of Lights Cruise to name just a few. All include some sort of refreshment or a full meal. Tours depart from the Kowloon Public Pier, and again 15 minutes later from Queen's Pier in Central.