Taking a hike out to Cheung Chau

Grilled seafood at street stalls are a must-try in Cheung Chau. Provided to China Daily

The juxtaposition of the humble village lifestyle and luxurious high life is another big appeal.

Street food stalls and open-air restaurants coexist with exquisite cafes. Baskets of dried seafood are placed side-by-side, next to artistic shops selling creative gadgets and bizarre inventions. Old-fashioned and contemporary ways of life do not clash, but fuse together surprisingly well.

Dong Wan, or East Bay beach, is a must-see.

The stretch of sea and the whiff of salt breeze will bring relief to stressed-out city folks.

Perch on a high point for a vantage view, kick off your shoes to paddle in the shallows or build a sand castle on the beach. Either that, or just lay back and count the fluffy clouds as they roll by, lulled by the gentle sound of the waves.

Once you are thoroughly relaxed, head for the fresh seafood to complete your trip.

Makeshift tables and chairs are laid out in a low-key but organic manner, lining the sides of the streets. Diners can have their pick of the abundant seafood - fish, crabs, prawns, shrimps, oysters and clams.

All are lightly and freshly cooked, perfectly preserving the natural flavors.

You have to bear with the occasional scooter roaring past and avoid the nervous cyclists that teeter by, but it's all part of the charm.

Stray cats lounging lethargically nearby may join your table without an invitation but they are normally polite, waiting patiently for scraps by the tables. After feeding, they are content to return to sunbathing with a full stomach.

As after-meal entertainment, you can walk down the meandering lanes and peer into rustic village residences and their peaceful yards.

If the charms of Cheung Chau have worked their magic, you can also choose to stay overnight. Plenty of apartments or rooms are available for rent and you can walk back to the ferry to ask any one of the agents eagerly waiting for business.

Most of the apartments include basic kitchen amenities, which will allow you to cook your own seafood, or rustle up a barbecue on the balcony.