Hong Kong

Hong Kong is situated in the south of China's mainland. It is separated by a river in the north, neighboring Shenzhen city, Guangdong Province. To the west, it is separated by the Pearl River estuary, facing Macau and Zhuhai cities and to the east and south it is overlooking the vast South China Sea. Relying on such advantageous geographical position, Hong Kong has now developed into an economic centre in Asia.

Hong Kong is mainly composed of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, the area of which is 1084 square kilometers. The Hong Kong Island (otherwise known as Gang Island) is the most thriving place of the whole of Hong Kong and is also the seat of the Hong Kong Government bodies. On both sides of the streets, there are flourishing commercial towers and shopping centers, offices of the world famous financial bodies, shipping institutions and the headquarters of trade companies, and consulate of various countries and regions. The topography in the southern part of the Hong Kong Island is relatively low. The renowned Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay are all located here, which are Hong Kong's mainly tourist area and residential quarters of the first class. Kowloon is one of the centers of industrial and commercial activities. The Victoria Harbour, one of the three natural deep water harbours of the world is situated between the Kowloon Peninsula and the Hong Kong Island.

By utilizing the excellent advantages, Hong Kong has gradually developed into one of the world shipping centers.

The total population of Hong Kong is over 6.3 million, among which, 97.5% are Chinese. And among the aliens, the Philipino constitutes the overwhelming majority, the Americans, British and Indian and others come second. The daily language used among the Hong Kong residents is mainly Cantonese (Guangdong dialect). The official languages being used are Chinese and English.

Hong Kong belongs to the monsoon climate of the subtropical zone; the annual average temperature is 22.8C, and the annual rainfall is 2220 mm. There have always been tropical storms in Summer and Autumn (mid-September to mid-November) which prove to be the most comfortable seasons of the year. During this time of the year, several millions of tourists come to Hong Kong for visits and shopping.

From 1842 to 1898, the British aggressors forcibly occupied the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories one after another and the Hong Kong region became a British colony and was ruled by the British. On 19 December 1984, the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland signed the 'Joint Declaration on the
Question of Hong Kong'. And on 1 July 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, thus Hong Kong has returned anew to the embrace of the motherland.

During the past several decades, the economy of Hong Kong has undergone an extremely rapid development and its economic strength is getting momentum with each passing day, thus forming six great pillars of industries' trade, finance, manufacture, shipping, real estate and tourism. Big companies and banking corporations of many countries throughout the world have come to Hong Kong for trade.

Every year there are several million tourists come to Hong Kong for visits and thousands of huge ships coming in and out of Hong Kong harbours and everyday there are hundreds of airplanes taking off and landing in Hong Kong international airport.

Hong Kong today is a flourishing international metropolis, which is well run, clean and beautiful. In the commercial towers and shopping centers, you will find exquisite merchandise, a feast for the eyes. It looks as if international fairs of merchandise from various countries throughout the world were held here everyday. Hong Kong's communications are highly developed, subway and ground railway, highway, undersea tunnels, motorway interchange, viaduct, ferry, airport and what not radiating in all directions, like a piece of huge network knitting the whole city together.

Hong Kong is a city for tourism, which is known as a fine place for 'visits, shopping and recreation'.

Bird Market
Hong Lok St, Mongkok, Kowloon
This street market specializing in birds, singing crickets and intricate cages gives a glimpse into the traditional Chinese way of life.

Cheung Chau Island
Cheung Chau
This little island offers walks, temples and traditional fishing villages, as well as markets and seafront, seafood restaurants.

Museum of Art
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Salisbury Rd, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon
Art Museum featuring Calligraphy, scrolls and colonial-era art, as well as an excellent, well-presented collection of Chinese antiquities.

The Peak
The Peak, Hong Kong Island
Take the little funicular railway up this 550-metre hill for superb views over Hong Kong harbour. The ultimate Hong Kong experience: A ride on one of the world’s steepest cable cars up to Victoria Peak, atop which you will have a 360-degree view of Hong Kong Island. Magical at dusk.

Wong Tai Sin Temple - Taoist temple
Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon
Huge, colorful Taoist temple dedicated to a god of healing. A constant throng of petitioners and fortunetellers.

Ocean Park
On the south side of Hong Kong Island, near Aberdeen.
Ocean Park Road
2873-8888
An amusement park where a cable car takes you to the best rides: the Dragon roller coaster, the Octopus and the Crazy Galleon. Or you may enjoy the Raging River, a lovely cruise on a sturdy boat. Ocean Park also contains the Shark Aquarium, the Japanese Garden for relaxing and the Ocean Theatre, where killer whales, seals and dolphins act out high-quality drama.

Government House
Central, on Upper Albert Road
The Government House is the official residence of the governor of Hong Kong under British rule. The tower was added during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. The Chief Executive of the SAR (Special Administrative Region) has elected not to live in the building.

Hong Kong Museum of History
Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui,
2367-1124
A historical overview of the city, focusing on pirates, wars, economic growth and hardships. Also an excellent collection of local photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Botanical Gardens
Albany Road
Hong Kong
2530-0154.
The Botanic Gardens are also above Central, but to the west. Lively monkeys and
orangutans enjoy watching their visitors.

Space Museum
Salisbury Road
Hong Kong
2734-2722
The Space Museum is the massive white dome in Tsim Sha Tsui, a short walk
from the Star Ferry. It’s in three parts: planetarium, Exhibition Hall and Hall of Solar Sciences. Short films run in the theater.

Middle Kingdom
2555-3554
Middle Kingdom offers replicas of temples, pagodas and street scenes, as well as exhibits and demonstration stalls. Get your name written in Chinese characters and see the Lion Dance in front of you!

St. John’s Cathedral
On Garden Road
Central, Hong Kong
St. John’s Cathedral is a handsome building, the oldest Anglican church in East Asia. It was constructed in1849.

Tsui Museum of Art
2A Des Voeux Rd.
Central, Hong Kong
2868-2688.
Rotating exhibitions drawn from its collection of more than 3,000 Chinese antiquities, predominantly Chinese ceramics.

Tiger Balm Gardens
Located off Tai Hang Roadnear Causeway Bay
There’s a surreal ambience to this place. It’s a collection of statues and models and a pagoda, showing mostly scenes from Chinese mythology.

Water World
Ocean Park Road
Aberdeen, Hong Kong
2555-6055
Contains water slides (you plunge down at 28 mph/45 kph), a wave pool, the Lazy River and a children’s area for those under age 6.

Hong Kong Science Museum
2 Science Museum Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
2732-3232.
Hands-on exhibits that will interest adults as well as children.

The Ngong Ping Tea Gardens
Located above Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island
This is Hong Kong’s only tea plantation. It’s on top of a mountain with only one road up and down. It offers horseback riding, barbecue pits and a roller-skating rink. The ferry for Lantau Island leaves from the Outlying Islands Ferry Pier, west of the Star Ferry terminal in Central. On the island, directions to the Tea Gardens are available at the ferry pier.

Temple of 10,000 Buddha’s
Above Shatin railway station (go by Kowloon Canton Railway).
The Temples of 10,000 Buddha’s requires that you be able to climb 431 steps, but the reward is not merely 10,000, but 12,800 statues of Buddha. A mummified holy man embalmed in gold leaf is also on display inside.

University Museum and Art Gallery
University of Hong Kong, Bonham Road, phone 2859-2114.
Large collection of bronze ware from the Yuan Dynasty as well as artifacts from the Warring States Period and Indian Buddhist sculpture.

The Star Ferry
Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and Central (Hong Kong side)
2366-2576
This is a must! The ferry is a rare mix of the romantic and the practical. It takes you between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and you may end up taking it every day of your visit. En route, you’ll see the activity of the harbor close up, and the journey always seems to pass too quickly.

Kat Hing Wai
Kam Tin
Kat Hing Wai also known as Kam Tin Walled Village is the original 10th-century homestead of the Tang clan, the first of the Cantonese “Five Great Clans” to migrate to the New Territories from China. The village may be modern inside, but it’s still surrounded by a moat and walls with four corner guardhouse towers. Contributions to the donations box are expected, as are handouts to the costumed Hake women before camera shutters can be pressed.

Hong Kong Arts Centre Pao Galleries
2 Harbour Rd.
Wanchai
2582-0200
Hong Kong Arts Centre Pao Galleries showcase for contemporary art, with major international and local exhibitions of paintings, photography, crafts and design staged regularly.

Flagstaff House, Museum of Tea Ware
Hong Kong Park
Central
2869-0690
Dr. K. S. Lo donated the permanent collection of Chinese tea-drinking ware housed in this magnificent old mansion. Even if the tea ware is not of particular interest to you, Flagstaff House is well worth a visit to see some of Hong Kong’s remaining 19th-century architecture.

Lei Cheng Uk Branch Museum
41 Tonkin St., Sham Shui Po,
Kowloon
2386-2863
Lei Cheng UK Branch Museum is the Han Dynasty tomb dating back some 2,000 years, the oldest historical monument in Hong Kong. Also a Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) exhibition of dress.