Hong Kong, China

Travel guide and travel reviews...

Hong Kong guide

In 1997 Hong Kong was handed over from being a British Colony to Chinese sovereignty. The name Hong Kong is a derivative of the Cantonese phrase for 'fragrant harbour' - Heung Gong.

Although this is a very dense, busy and highly populated city the people are very peaceful and have an extremely calm outlook on life. Strong customs and beliefs are still practiced and even adopted by western society such as the practice of 'feng shui'; a process to achieve harmony with the forces of nature to produce a prosperous environment.

You can reach the Central District of Hong Kong Island by 'Star Ferry' which will take you across the harbour. The Hong Kong stock exchange is in 'Exchange Square'. There are many places to see in and around the square and some great historical buildings. St. John's Cathedral on Battery Park is said to be the oldest Anglican Church in East Asia dating back to 1847-49. The interior is stunning and has many different influences reflecting the era of construction. Nearby in Hong Kong Park you will find beautiful plant species and birds. If you're a tea-lover and want to learn more about the history of your favourite beverage you will also find the Museum of Tea Ware in the park. For stunning views of the city ride the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak!

On Wan Chai waterfront you will find the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. There are hotels, exhibition halls and theaters making it the largest in Asia. Behind the centre you will find the tenth tallest building in the world - Central Plaza standing at 1,227 feet. Wan Chai is popular on the arts scene because of the academy for performing arts and the arts centre.

If your wanting to do a spot of shopping Hong Kong style 'Causeway Bay' has many department stores and shopping centers and is a popular place amongst tourists. Don't worry about the time; if you forget your watch at midday you should hear the sound of the Noon Day Gun to remind you! Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon is better for designer goods.

Chinese people are keen gamblers; Happy Valley is home to Hong Kong's first racecourse it is a great place to go even if you intend not to gamble and simply soak up the atmosphere! There is now a newer racecourse built which is bigger and better called Sha Tin.

Markets are a vision that you might conger up when you think of Hong Kong - Temple Street Night Market near Jordan Street, Kowloon on the mainland is by far the liveliest with an enchanting atmosphere. To listen to the sound of traders and shoppers trying to get a good deal is very enjoyable. You will find everything sold here including your fortune! Food stalls can be found with a great mix of seafood delicacies.

To escape from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong; trekking out to the New Territories is well worth it. They are easily accessible by the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR). The Sai Kung area has two official parks and nature reserves. The small town is adorable but also on the peninsula you will find some of the best beaches in Hong Kong if you fancy topping up your tan!

  • Hong Kong charges no sales tax and is a duty-free port.
  • A good way to get around Hong Kong is to hop on a tram.
  • The Hong Kong Tourist Board is known as HKTB; you will find an office at Causeway Bay MTR Station and again on Tsim Sha Tsui.
  • You will find two Pandas called An An and Jia Jia in the oceanarium at Ocean Park.
  • If your traveling at New Year Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade is where you will see all the action and fireworks.
  • The Chinese New Year falls in January or February for a 3 day celebration (Lunar New Year).
  • Currency - Chinese Dollars.

    • Flights to Hong Kong Airport (HKG)

    Hong Kong International Airport is 34 km north-west of Hong Kong Island.

    To and from Hong Kong Airport

  • Bus - Airbus will stop at all major hotels; you can buy a ticket at the commercial Service counter and the journey will take about an hour upto Hong Kong Island.
  • Train - Airport Express is the quickest way to get into the city; trains run from 5.54 - 12.48 am every 15 minutes and the journey will take around 20 - 25 minutes.
  • Taxi - Outside the arrivals lounge.
  • Ferry - Skypier travels from the airport into Hong Kong.
    • Activities and sightseeing in Hong Kong

    Hong Kong Island

    Central District - Exchange Square, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Central Mid-Levels Escalator (an outdoors 800 m escalator), Central Market, Casinos. Victoria Peak and Victoria Peak Tram - zoological and botanical gardens, Peak Galleria and Peak Towers (Madame Tussauds), Peak Circle Walk, Victoria Peak Gardens. Western District - Man Mo Temple (Hollywood Road), Museum of Medical Sciences (Caine Lane), Western Market. Wan Chai - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Central Plaza, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Hong Arts Centre, Maidens Rock, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, Noon Day Gun, Hong Kong museum of Coastal Defense. Happy Valley - Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong Racing Museum. Aberdeen - 'Floating Population' and â'Jumbo Floating Restaurant'. Ocean Park - Waterfront and The Summit, oceanarium (dolphins, sealions, penguins and seals, sharks and pandas. Repulse Bay - beaches ad harbours. Stanley - market, plaza, Hong Kong Maritime Museum.

    Kowloon

    Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade, Clock Tower, The Avenue of Stars, The Hong Kong Cultural Museum, Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, The Hong Kong Science Museum, The Hong Kong Museum of History, Nathan Road (Shopping), Kowloon Park, Temple Street Night Market, Tin Hau Temple, Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Wong Tai Sin Temple. Casinos.

    New Territories

    Tsuen Wan (town), Shenzhen (shopping), Tuen Mun (temples, statues and gardens), Kat Hing Wai (walled village built five centuries ago), Tai Fu Tai in San Tin (mansion), Tai Po (market), Sai Kung (beach village and beaches, parks and nature reserves), Sha Tin (Man Fat Tze, Monastry of 10,000 Buddhas).

    Islands

    Lantau (white-sandy beaches, Hong Kong Disneyland), Cheung Chau, Lamma.

    Eating and drinking in Hong Kong

    Eating out is a very sociable activity in China; it is a means of meeting friends and family and to spend time enjoying a variety of dishes. You will find restaurants offering cuisines from all over Asia so lack of choice will not be a problem. The dishes will consist of crunchy and tender textures to sweet and sour.

    Hong Kong offers everything from fine dining to grabbing a quick bite from market stalls. Choose restaurants each day that offer different styles of cooking such as Cantonese, Beijing (Peking), Chiu Chow, Shanghai, Dim Sum, Sichuan, Hakka. Try to use 'chopsticks'; if you need help ask the waiter how to hold them properly.

    Chinese grape, rice and wheat based wines can be very strong so you definately have to have a taste for it. Brandy is also a favourite with the Chinese and they will drink it with their meals. Chinese beers such as Tsingtao beer is very nice but there will also be world beers available including the locally brewed San Miguel.

    Tsim Sha Tsui is a good place to go out with many clubs and bars. One of the most trendy places to be seen out on the town is Soho around Hollywood Road and Lan Kwai Fong. Also there are several places along Yiu War Street and Sharp Street. Many hotels with also have bars and clubs to wander into for a dance.

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