One of the many awesome things about Hong Kong is that it feels like there are actually hundreds of Cities crammed in this one tiny place!
Going to Central (City University of Hong Kong is located in Kowloon, which is a peninsula) is island hopping in itself. For about a dollar canadian you can take a ferry across from Victoria Harbour, using public transport as a cheaper alternative than a tourist cruise (minus the food, alcohol and merriment).
Apart from that there are also outlying islands that feel like they could be other countries! For a short boat ride (for less than the price of a ttc ride) you can go to lamma island. There are awesome hikes overlooking beaches (and industrial sites) and what seems like a hippie commune where everyone chills and eats sea food. It has a completely different vibe from Hong Kong and when it gets really warm (today it was 20, so that shouldn’t be too long) a brave few risk growing extra limbs and go swimming.
I haven’t gone to Lantau Island ( apart from the trip from the airport) but I’m SUPER EXCITED. Did you know pink dolphins existed? THEY DO. And rather than chilling in an idyllic beach near Australia they’re cosmopolitan dolphins who love and appreciate Hong Kong’s hustle and bustle. There are also small villages, hikes, and a giant gold buddha. NBD, that’s just how HK rollz.