Chinese New Year in Hong Kong is a celebration like no other. With 15-days packed full of age-old traditions, cultural festivities and family celebrations, Chinese New Year is the largest and one of the most beloved festivals of the lunar calendar. This 2016 it will be on ?Monday, 8 February, Year of the Monkey

Indeed, Hong Kong's Chinese New Year celebration was recently listed by Forbes as one of the world's 10 best festival extravaganzas in the world, alongside famous holiday celebrations such as Germany's Oktoberfest and Brazil's Carnival.

Excitement builds up from the first day of the new year right up until the Spring Lantern Festival. During these two weeks, locals flock to aromatic temples to play for good fortune, dip in scrumptious meals, squeeze into festival flower markets and string up shock-red lanterns.

But what makes Hong Kong's Chinese New Year so special? First of all, a bit International Chinese New Year's Parade in the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui brings the city to life while locals cheer like their voices run out; an impressive fireworks display over Victoria Harbor takes spectators breath away; the Chinese New Year horse races where people try their luck and bet for a good year; and the "world's largest sound and light display" every day.

Lonely Planet also listed the Hong Kong Chinese New Year festival as one of the top of events in the world. And there's an added value, because while you are enjoying the festivities, you can also shop in one of the world's favourite cities for malls, luxury goods, and available bargains.

The holiday kicks off with the Parade on New Year's Day, which goes by some Hong Kong highlights such as the Avenue of Stars, Kowloon Park, and the Golden Mile of Nathan Road. Spectators will be able to admire ingenious floats such as the character Jack from Tim Burton's film The Nightmare before Christmas.

Numerous floats continue down the streets with performing groups and bands, out of which 20 groups will be from around the world. Before the parade, many entertainers will cheer the festival-goers along the parade route, which includes historic Nathan Road, Salisbury Road, Canron Road and Haiphong Road.

On the second day of the celebration, dancing choreographed pyrotechnics fire up Victoria Harbour. In the meantime, the daily record-setting Symphony of Lights jazz up the city with colourful building lights and laser light show.

Thousands of excited fans flock to Sha Tin Racecourse on the third day of the celebrations to bet on the most popular races of all - the Chinese New Year horse races. This event has always been Hong Kong's most popular horse racing event. On this day, a nonprofit charity group named the Jockey Club features a full program of traditional and colourful festivities.

Before the races, there is a grand opening show that features a lion dance and a medley of cultural performances and entertainment. Among the entertainers, Jockeys will cheer the fans with messages for good luck, until the race begins - the featured race of the day is the Chinese New Year Cup.

If there is one celebrity Hong Kong is known for is Jackie Chan. Famous for his films yes, for his crazy stunts, of course, but also his wit and sense of humour has made him beloved worldwide. Here are some of his quotes:

"I'm crazy, but I'm not stupid."

"American stuntmen are smart - they think about safety. When they do a jump in a car, they calculate everything: the speed, the distance... But in Hong Kong, we don't know how to count. Everything we do is a guess. If you've got the guts, you do it. All of my stuntmen have gotten hurt."

"Olympics for me is love, peace, united."

"I want to be in ‘Avatar'. I want somebody to hire me to be Superman, a Chinese Superman or Spider-Man."

"The ads all call me fearless, but that's just publicity. Anyone who thinks I'm not scared out of my mind whenever I do one of my stunts is crazier than I am."

"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie. Study computers instead."

"A lot of people ask me when I do a stunt, ‘Jackie, are you scared?' Of course I'm scared. I'm not Superman."

"After all those years in Asia, I don't have to do promotion anymore. We just release a Jackie Chan movie and - Boom! - people go.

"I only want my work to make people happy."

"Anyone can be a Superman, but nobody can be Jackie Chan."

"If everyone does some good, think of what a good world this will be." "I never wanted to be the next Bruce Lee. I just wanted to be the first Jackie Chan." "Cinema reflects culture and there is no harm in adapting technology, but not at the cost of losing your originality."

"I want to be an Asian Robert De Niro."

"My schedule goes: wake up, running, exercise, downstairs, running shoes off, then to the shower. That's the Jackie Chan diary."

"Why did I become Jackie Chan? Mostly because I work very hard. When people were sleeping, I was still training."

"I'm tired of fighting. I've always known that I can't be an action star all my life."

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not. I'm really confused now."

"If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic." "I sometimes just don't like to see the Ultimate Fighting. I just find it, as a martial artist, I just find it too violent."

"I loved cowboy movies when I was a kid. When I was five years old, I was already wearing a cowboy hat and suit. When I grew up, I knew John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Kirk Douglas and so on."

"I have violence, yes I do. It's kind of a dilemma, huh?."

"More understand China, then more people will have interest in China and more people will come to China to visit us because I am a tourist ambassador."

"When I make a film - I direct my own film, I write my own script - that's what I want to hear from the audience. ‘Oh, thank you, Jackie!'

When the sun goes down, Hong Kong's vibrant nightlife warms up the city until dawn. Whether you join the party at the hippest clubs, bars and pubs, take a luxury night cruise over Victoria Harbour or stroll in the bubbling streets with the locals, it will be a night to remember.

If you are looking to party and socialize, head to Lan Kwai Fong, the icon of nightlife in Hong Kong and the city's trendiest nightlife area. LKF is an entire block of clubs, bars and restaurants that offer an exciting experience all night until you see the Sun. There is an international atmosphere in the area and international travellers, executives and socialities hang out in LKF.

Here you can enjoy beer, alcohol and wine from different countries while you play chess, dart or listen to a music band. Sip on a classy cocktail, dance the night away in VIP club, or chill out in a shisha bar, it's your party and you can do what you want to.

Some hip bars you should visit are Felix at the 28/F of Peninsula Hotel and Sky Lounge in Sheraton Hotels. From here, don't miss the amazing night view of Victoria Bay. If you are looking for some delicious cocktails, visit Wyndham the 4th, run by world-bartending champion Tom Wood,

Discos in Hong Kong include Western nightclubs and cabarets. Performances include singing, acrobat, folk dances and Cantonese Opera. The most popular discos are in big hotels around Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Central. Party the night away at JJ's (Grand Hyatt Hotel), Cyber 8 Discotheque Pub (New Miramar Hotel Bldg), California Red or if you prefer a chilled-out nightclub, head to Kara OK.

However, if you are looking for an experience like no other, have a drink at a rooftop bar. Fortunately, given Hong Kong's buildings, recent years have seen a proliferation of rooftop bars boasting impressive views over the city. From here you can also admire the countless glistening skyscrapers that make up Hong Kong's distinctive skyline. Head to Eyebar and check out the illuminated skyscrapers, the mountains of Hong Kong Island and boats colouring Victoria Harbour.

If you think Hong Kong's skyline and views are impressive, wait until you see the city at night. As the night falls, Hong Kong transforms itself into a spectacle of lights. Check out the shining cityscape from Victoria Peak or stroll by Avenue of Stars and watch the famous synchronised laser sound, and Symphony of Lights show, every day at 8pm. Take a cabe ride to the Victoria Peak for magnificent views.

If you prefer another type of adventure, take Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village Dinner Cruise, which lasts 5 hours. The trip starts at the Golden Bauhunia Square, then there will be a stopover at seafood bazaar at Lei Yue Mun Seafood Village. Then you get to see Hong Kong on the runway of the old Kai Tak airport and shop in the Temple Street Open Market.

If these options don't take your fancy, you can try your luck and gamble at the Wednesday night horse races in Happy Valley or sing in a karaoke bar.

If you are looking to shop till you drop, then Hong Kong is the place for you. From Asia's Largest Louis Vuitton store to souvenirs of all shapes and sizes, traditional crafts, trendy fashion, branded goods, cutting edge electronics and hidden funky finds, Hong Kong has a shop for any need and every whim. Whether you prefer glitzy malls, traditional Chinese product stores, trendy boutiques or funky wet markets, there's plenty to choose from in Asia's world city.

Hong Kong's heritage as an international centre of trade has led to a large variety of goods. From the latest designer fashion and electronic gadgets to great value antiques and collectibles, the city is truly a shopper's paradise. But beware, the local enthusiasm for buying and selling is highly contagious.

The city is also known as the fashion capital of Asia. Therefore, it is the place to get the latest and hottest trends. As a fashion hub, you'll also find an impressive variety of every product.

Indeed, shopping till you drop is not just a cliché here, the shops are open around 10am and close around midnight so you can satisfy your shopping hunger.

If you are looking for souvenirs as well as hunting for bargains, head to the market stalls on Cat Street near the Man Mo temple. Here you'll find bags, watches and tailored clothing, which can be found in the lanes in and around Li Yuen Street West and Li Yuen Street East.

If you are looking for designer clothes and the latest fashion and accessories, Causeway Bay in Hong Kong Island is the place for you. This bustling area consists of six main streets with a number of large shopping malls. Instead, if you are looking for a cheap buy, visit Jardine's Crescent and Lee Garden Road.

At dusk, the Temple Street flea market brings the city to life. This vibrant night market is ideal to pick up cheap gods such as clothes, watches and luggage. Here you can watch some street performances while enjoying a cheap and tasty meal from a vendor nearby.

The best place to buy electronics such as cameras and gadgets is Nathan Road Kowloon. This is also a popular place to buy designer watches for less.

If you like second-hand goods, browse through the large and chaotic Ap Liu Street flea market. Here you'll find antique watches, coins and electronic products.