Hong Kong welcomes with an iconic skyline, a legendary kitchen, and lush, protected nature where rare birds and colorful traditions thrive.
Situated at the mouth of the Pearl
River Delta on the south-western coast of China, Hong Kong is an amalgam of
East and West, a unique mix on many fronts. On the one hand, it is modern, sleek
and businesslike, with an impressive reputation for international trade,
transacting its affairs in English and drawing tourists from the Chinese
mainland and across the world.
On the other hand, it is fiercely
traditional, with many of its seven million people deeply and conventionally
Chinese, albeit in a peculiarly Hong Kong style.
The handover by the British in 1997
may have seen Hong Kong revert to Chinese control to become a Special Administrative
Region of China, but this arrangement lasts for 50 years, guaranteeing the
region its own political, social and economic systems and creating the unique
mix of cultures that so appeals to visitors.
Hong Kong is the perfect destination
for Westerners planning to gain their first impression of the East – a halfway
house between Western society and the communism of neighboring China and other
areas of Southeast Asia. Seek and you will soon discover a capitalist world of
teeming streets with traditional markets, temples, and Chinese herbal medicine
shops.
However, Hong Kong is not simply a
commercial jungle. Remarkably, almost 40 percent of Hong Territory is a
designated nature reserve or country park, with mountains, secluded small
islands, pristine beaches, and isolated walking trails. The country consists of
four sections: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and the Outlying
Islands. But it is Hong Kong Island where the population is squeezed, cajoled, and squashed into just 1,110sq km of the concrete jungle. It’s hectic, hot and
irresistible.
So much confronts the visitor that an
initial visit will keep anyone busy, whether sightseeing, shopping, eating out
or escaping to the countryside. To see the island stretched before them most
people take the Peak Tram to the tower at the top of Victoria Hill. And to get
under the city’s skin many visit a temple, such as Man Mo, and check out old
colonial buildings, a vestige of the British presence, such as Government House
or Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park. For more great views
they head for Central Plaza’s Sky Lobby or 2 IFC, Hong Kong’s highest building.
Other places that fascinate are Mong Kok – arguably the world’s most densely populated
urban area – with its markets and bird garden, and nunneries, monasteries,
pagodas, and the world’s longest outdoor escalator.
Popular out of the city is Ngong Ping
360 cable car, which carries visitors to the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island, and
the old Star Ferry to Kowloon. And for a really peaceful experience, everyone
finds there is nothing better than a trip to Lamma Island.
Of course, other highlights include
superb shopping – for everything from designer labels and watches (both real
and fake) to Chinese herbs – at high-class malls, the buzzing Western Market, and traditional shops. To top it all there is a myriad of eateries to try.
Hong Kong’s currency is the Hong Kong
dollar. It is advisable to take traveler’s cheques in pounds sterling, US
dollars or Euros. All major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs can be
easily found throughout Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate
with four distinct seasons. The climate is defined by hot, humid summers and
cool, dry winters. Winter lasts from January to March with strong cold winds
blowing from the north. Summer winds blow in from the south bringing warm humid
air and a rainy season from June to August. The weather at this time is extremely
sticky. Spring and autumn are warm with occasional rain and cooler evenings.
There is a risk of typhoons from April to October but direct hits are rare. The
best time to visit is October through to December.
The average monthly temperatures for
Hong Kong are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
19 |
19 |
21 |
25 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
30 |
28 |
24 |
20 |
|
Night |
13 |
14 |
16 |
20 |
24 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
25 |
23 |
19 |
15 |
You will find it all in Hong Kong –
everything from ultra-trendy fashions, contemporary design and the latest in
electronic technology to traditional Chinese clothing, medicines, jewelry and
handicrafts.
Worthwhile souvenirs and best buys to
bring home include Chinese and Asian handicrafts and textiles, jade carvings,
Chinese clothing such as Mandarin-style jackets, silk bathrobes and cheongsam
dresses, Chinese teas, Chinese decorative cakes, gold jewelry and Chinese
tableware
There are countless places to shop,
including shopping malls (such as Cityplaza) and department stores to themed
shopping streets and markets such as Jade Street or Goldfish Market. Other
markets include the Flower Market at Mong Kok and Ap Liu Street Flea Market at
Sham Shui Po. Temple Street Night Market is a great place to browse, the Ladies’ Market, Mong Kok, is great for
clothes and accessories, Stanley Market in the fishing village of Stanley is
hugely atmospheric, and Li Yuen Street
East and West is the place for ready-to-wear and made-to-measure clothes for
men and women. (Tailoring is of a high standard in Hong Kong). Nathan Road,
with its glare of neon signs, is also a popular shopping street.
When shopping always take care. Check
for the quality and compare prices, beware of fakes, and be cautious if approached
in the street to buy. Shops displaying the QTS (Quality Tourism Services
Scheme) sign are shops you can trust.
The buzz never stops in Hong Kong and
the choice of entertainment is almost overwhelming. Whatever your mood you will
find something to suit – nightclubs, bars, karaoke, sophisticated wine bars or
neighbourhood pubs. Get in the swing with happy hour between 6 and 9pm and
enjoy a visit to the cinema, theatre, concerts, Chinese opera, puppet shows
and, of course, horseracing. Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a major performance
venue with a concert hall, theatres and bars. Check out the English-language
newspapers for lists of events.
Notable areas for nightlife include
the cobblestone streets of Lan Kwai Fong, the SoHo neighbourhood, Causeway Bay;
Wan Chai district (particularly Lockhart, Luard and Jaffe Roads), Tsim Sha Tsui
and Tsim Sha Tsui East.
Night cruising on the Star Ferry is a
great way to see Hong Kong and its lights. Alternatively, dine on a floating
restaurant or go shopping at Temple Street Night Market.
Explore beyond the concrete jungle
and seething crowds of central Hong Kong with a trip into the countryside or a
cruise on the water. Leave retail and partying behind and do some serious
hiking or sightseeing. Check out the See
& Do section for ideas.
Check with your doctor for
vaccinations that might be needed for entry into Hong Kong. Inoculations may be
required and if you are traveling on to the Chinese mainland you may need to
take other precautions. Always have full medical insurance as charges are made.
The level of care is high.
Tap water is considered safe but many
visitors prefer bottled water. Be selective when eating food from street
stalls.
Mosquitoes are prevalent so take the
usual precautions. There are some snakes on Lamma and Lantau islands so take
care when walking cross-country. Go to a public hospital if you are bitten as
they keep the relevant antidote.
Hong Kong is extremely crowded but is
considered a relatively safe destination. However:
