HONG KONG

HONG KONG

(chin. 香港, Xiānggǎng „Duftender Hafen“; kantonesisch: Heunggong) Hong Kong

officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and a former British Crown Colony. According to the "one country, two systems" policy[8] and the Basic Law, Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy in all areas except foreign affairs and defense. Hong Kong is a global city and international financial centre with a highly developed capitalist economy.

AMAZING HONG KONG

Catch the excitement of Horse Racing. Causeway Bay horse racing is very much part of many Hong Kong residents lives and what better way to enjoy the thrill and colour of these magnificent creatures than to watch them in action. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club organizes races on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at one of two sites: Happy Valley or at Shatin.

Climb Victoria Peak.

From the Star Ferry (Hong Kong side), walk to the left and queue up for the free bus ride to the tram station at Garden Road. From MTR Central Station, exit at Chater Garden and walk towards the Hilton to Garden Road then walk along Garden Road. You have to take an incline car to the top of the peak or you can walk on the fairly flat road which rings the top of the mountain. The view of Kowloon and Hong Kong is fantastic. Tip: The return trip from the Peak Tram Station in Central to the Star Ferry is free with a receipt from the Peak Tram. Visit this site for some great photos of the view from Victoria Peak.

Go Dolphin Watching.

An activity for the whole family and perhaps the most unique boat trip is offered by Hong Kong Dolphin Watch. The sight of wild pink dolphins playing in the waters north of Lantau Island is something that will stay with you long after you return to shore. Telephone (852) 2984 1414 for more information.

Join in or just watch the ancient sport of Tai Chi or Chinese shadow boxing. It is a fascinating sport to watch. Whether you want to participate or just observe, the best places to go would be Kowloon Park and Victoria Park at Causeway Bay.

Relax in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

Located on upper Albert Road. This public area is one of the best ones to escape the bustle of Hong Kong...wandering around these tranquil gardens and its menagerie are one of Hong Kong's best kept 'relaxation' secrets.

Visit Lantau Island. From the Hong Kong Ferry Outlying Islands Pier at Central, catch the ferry to Mui Wo. Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong and is worth a day's visit and easily explore-able by bus. There are lots of hiking around the island as well as a number of tourist attractions such as the Po Lin Monastery. You can rent horses at this monastery and if you are up to it make a pleasant way to view the surrounding landscape. Lantau Island also has some good beaches too.

Visit Ocean Park. If you like amusement parks with culture, this is a must-see. It houses "Water World", a huge complex of swimming pools and other water related activities. There are also thrill rides and sea mammal shows and exhibits. Don't miss the Middle Kingdom show which includes traditional Chinese dance, juggling, and acrobats. It's phenomenal! Take a gondola over the mountain to the main part of Ocean Park where you'll see some fantastic views. To get there, take the MTR to Admiralty Station, or take the City-bus directly to Ocean Park.

Visit Po Lin Monastery. This is Lantau Island's most popular sight and a major centre of Buddhism in Hong Kong. Set amid spectacular mountainous scenery on the 520 metre high Ngong Ping plateau, Po Lin ("Precious Lotus") Monastery caters to visitors with a large vegetarian restaurant. Many visitors climb Lantau Peak (known locally as Phoenix Mountain); at 934 metres, it is the second highest peak in Hong Kong.

SIGHTSEEING AROUND TOWN

ABERDEEN

Some 200 years ago, Hong Kong's Aberdeen district was a haven for pirates. Located on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island, it was also home to the Tanka boat people and a popular destination for floating restaurants. Today, there is lively marina crammed with junks, sampans, water taxis (kai do), cruisers and yachts and the fishing harbour is a wonderful way to experience the activity of life on water. Boat tours can be enjoyed onboard one of the many sampans offering half-hour trips around the harbour and Hong Kong cuisine can be experienced within the unique environment of the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

Location: 73 from Stanley (first passing the scenic stretches of Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay)

Causeway Bay

A major shopping area for tourists along with Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. There are lots of Japanese department stores around this area. Many of the newer shopping areas are now located in Causeway Bay instead of Central, including Times Square, a mega-shopping mall with about nine floors worth of shopping.

Bank of China Building

An example of Hong Kong's amazing modern architecture, the BoC Building was the tallest building in Hong Kong for a while but has since been overtaken by others. The general public is not allowed access to the top of the building where there is a conference centre. It is possible to go up to the 55th floor where the view is spectacular.

Central District

Central is the business district of Hong Kong and is home to many fancy boutiques and shops. There are winding alleys filled with small shops that sell clothing and accessories, popular with both tourists and locals. The district is also home to another Hong Kong architectural wonder, the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Building. There are several other landmarks such as the Jardine House - the building Spiderman climbed in the movie which was then the tallest building in Asia.

Deep Water Bay/Repulse Bay

Here you will find one of the many beaches in Hong Kong. The water quality is not the best, but the views are wonderful and there is a Chinese temple and recreation centre.
Helicopter Tours
A spectacular and exclusive way to see the sights. They can give you an impressive bird's eye view of most of Hong Kong. You can fly around the harbour and look down upon the skyscrapers of Central, cruise along beautiful bays and beaches and cross over to the magnificent Outlying Islands, and view the rugged east coast and traditional farmlands of the New Territories. For more information, visit www.heliservices.com.hk/

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

In 1989, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened this centre, located next to the Star Ferry terminal. It includes a 2,100-seat concert hall, a Grand Theatre, a Studio Theatre and an arts library. It also incorporates the Hong Kong Museum of Art, which has six exhibition galleries. Regular performances by high-profile international artists are accompanied by free recital sessions performed in the afternoons, making this a venue for everyone, no matter how small the budget. Look here for photos of the star Ferry. Location: 10 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2734 2009 www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/HKCC/index.html

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

This Museum is devoted to preserving Hong Kong's history, arts and cultural heritage. It is located in Sha Tin and features a permanent exhibition on the New Territories, a gallery devoted to the history and performance of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong and a Children's Discovery Gallery of natural and cultural history, including toy-making. Theme galleries display a wide variety of artistic styles including traditional Chinese wood block prints and Hong Kong comics. Location: 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories Tel +852 2180 8188 www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk.

Hong Kong Museum of Art

It is one of the city's largest museums and is the perfect place to while away a few hours. It is adjacent to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and features some of the world's finest examples of ancient Chinese art from the Han to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Two special exhibition galleries showcase international works, keeping pace with global artistic trends. Open: Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: 10am-6pm. Closed Thursday (Except Public Holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. Location: 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel +852 2721 0116 www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/

Hong Kong Museum of History

Showcases Hong Kong's broad and dynamic history. Great efforts have been made in collecting, conserving, processing, studying and displaying cultural objects which are related to the archaeology, history, ethnography and natural history of Hong Kong and South China. The permanent exhibition showcases 6,000 years of Hong Kong's history. It occupies an area of 7,000 square metres. Location: 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel +852 2724 9042 www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkmh

Hong Kong Racing Museum

The museum has eight galleries and a showcase cinema that tell the success story of horseracing in Hong Kong. Beginning in the 1840s, the museum traces the sport's history through to today's state-of-the-art, hi-tech racecourses and phenomenal, record gambling turnovers. Learn about famous trainers and jockeys, what makes a champion horse and how the Sha Tin Racecourse was built on reclaimed land. Location: 2/F Happy Valley Stand, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island Tel +852 2966 8065

Hong Kong Space Museum

Explore the final frontier - learn all about astronomy and space technology at the Space Museum. The museum is particularly renowned for its Space Theatre, one of the largest planetariums in the world, which features both Omnimax screenings and Sky shows several times daily. Location: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Complex, 10 Salisbury Road Tel +852 2721 0226 www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/index.htm

Hong Kong Science Museum

Learning has never been so much fun! The Science Museum showcases over 500 interesting exhibits, 80% of which are hands-on and offer an insight into a wide range of science-related subjects. The exhibition covers many areas of science and technology, including robotics, transportation, virtual reality and more. The focus of the museum is the 20-metre-high Energy Machine which, when activated, triggers a series of displays to produce spectacular audiovisual effects demonstrating various forms of energy. Location: 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel +852 2732 3232 www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Science

Hong Kong Park covers 8 hectares in Central and is an outstanding example of modern design and facilities blending with the natural landscape. A further attraction is the way of flowing water, which has been employed as a thematic motif to link the different features of the park by waterfalls, streams, ponds and cliffs from artificial rocks. The Museum of Tea Ware and the Visual Arts Centre are also located here plus an aviary with tropical birds and plants. The designated walk is highly recommended as well. It is very close to the Peak Tram Station.

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

It is located on the northern slope of Victoria Peak and occupies an area of 5.6 hectares. Founded in 1871, the grounds are divided into two parts by Albany Road, but linked by a subway. The eastern part of the Garden is known as the Old Garden where a Children's Playground, Aviaries, Jaguar Enclosure, Green House and a Fountain Terrace Garden are found. The New Garden in the west is mainly the home of mammals and reptiles. Location: Albany Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2530 0154

Kowloon Park

This 14 hectare park is an oasis of green in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. Once the site of military barracks for British and Indian troops, the parkland attractions include a bird lake and aviary, a maze, Chinese gardens and a banyan tree court. Sculpture Walk is an open-air exhibition featuring works by local sculptors and a magnificent bronze statue by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. At night, the sculptures are illuminated. The park is also home to the Hong Kong Museum of History.

Lantau Island

Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong and is worth a day's visit and easily explored by bus. There are lots of hiking trails around the island as well as a number of tourist attractions such as the Po Lin Monastery. You can rent horses at this monastery, an alternative way to view the surrounding landscape. Lantau Island also has some good beaches.

Macau Island

From Hong Kong, take the Jetfoil from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry. Macau is about 65 km from Hong Kong and is famous for its casinos. Full of Portuguese architecture and the Portuguese language being heard on every corner it makes for an interesting visit. There are ruins of a cathedral and an old fort to explore as well as a number of historical sights around town. Macau has its own currency, the pataca, which is worth almost exactly the same as HK dollars. You don't need to change any money into patacas as you can use HK$ there and HK will not exchange patacas for HK dollars on your return to Hong Kong.

New Territories

If you are interested in urban development take a hydrofoil from Central to Tuen Mun ferry station. (Tourist information is available at the ferry station.) On arrival get on the Light Rail (KCR) line and travel to Yuen Long, getting off at some of the intermediate stops en-route if you want to see how the new Hong Kong middle class lives. There are also some temples, parks and the Chinese University. Check out the art gallery at the university's Institute of Chinese Studies.

Ocean Park

If you like amusement parks with culture, this is a must-see. It houses "Water World", a huge complex of swimming pools and other water related activities. There are also thrill rides and sea mammal shows and exhibits. Don't miss the Middle Kingdom show which includes traditional Chinese dance, juggling, and acrobats. It's phenomenal! Take a gondola over the mountain to the main part of Ocean Park where you'll see some fantastic views. To get there, take the MTR to Admiralty Station, or take the City-bus directly to Ocean Park. For more information, visit www.oceanpark.com.hk/

Tsing Ma Bridge

The world's longest suspension bridge carrying road and rail traffic. At 2.2 km long, the bridge ridge forms part of the infrastructure for Hong Kong International Airport and has quickly become one of Hong Kong's defining landmarks. The adjacent Lantau Link Visitors Centre and Viewing Platform is a most impressive engineering marvel and provides a panoramic view.

Tsim Sha Tsui

This is one of the major areas in Hong Kong where one finds hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and the like. On Granville Road, you'll find a lot of factory clothing outlets selling clothes at bargain basement prices. Also in this area: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Space Museum, Kowloon Park, Ocean Terminal/Ocean Centre/Harbour City, Star Ferry, Victoria Harbour.

Victoria Harbour

The cheapest and easiest way to get a view of both Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula is by taking the Star Ferry. They are cheap and do tours of the harbour. They have morning, afternoon, sunset and night cruises. Another excellent place to view the harbour is at Tsim Sha Tsui East. The New World Centre is where the sidewalk along the coast begins. Walking this way takes you all the way to Tsim Sha Tsui East and Hung Hom where the KCR Kowloon Station is.

Victoria Peak

The view of Kowloon and Hong Kong is fantastic from the peak (provided it's not misty or raining). You can take the Peak Tram to the top of the peak and then walk on the fairly flat road which rings the top of the mountain. Photos of the tram on Victoria peak.
Tip

The return trip from the Peak Tram Station in Central to the Star Ferry is free with a receipt from the Peak Tram.