Known as the “Fragrant Port”, Hong Kong is one of the most popular
tourist destinations in Asia, even among Asian countries. Located
between Japan and Singapore, this Chinese Special Administrative
Region is one of the world’s most important economic centers. Its
economy is based on commerce, trade, and shipping, comparable only
to Singapore. Other sources of income are tourism, industry, and
agriculture though most of Hong Kong’s food is imported.
Located north of the province of Guangdong, Hong Kong had been a
British colony from 1840 until 1997. Though now under the People’s
Republic of China, Hong Kong remains an autonomous state for 50
years after 1997. It therefore continues to be a commercial region
under a different government.
Hong Kong’s culture is a perfect mixture
of east and west. Though still Chinese, British influence has left an
indelible mark on the local culture that it is hard to tell where the
Chinese influence ends and the British ones begin. The result is a
culture that is uniquely Hong Kong.
Residents of Hong Kong are mostly Chinese and yet they tend to lean
towards the western influence which governed them for more than a
hundred years. Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) and English are the
official languages of the region.
Hong Kong cuisine plays an important role in its culture. Labelled a
Gourmet Paradise and World’s Fair of Food, the restaurants in Hong Kong
are some of the finest in the world offering authentic Chinese food as
well as other internationally renowned cuisine.
There are so many places to visit in Hong Kong. Whether you want to go
shopping for designer wear, sightsee or both, there’s something for you
here.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art on the island of Kowloon has a fine
collection of the region’s history and culture with over fourteen
thousand works of calligraphy, Hong Kong treasures, paintings,
lithographs, antiques, and objects of art.
Victoria Peak gives visitors a bird’s eye
view of Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. One can also hike up
to the mountain’s summit.
A new tourist
attraction is the recently opened Hong Kong Disneyland. It has four main
attractions, namely Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main
Street. It is a new addition to the chain of Disneyland franchise full
of fun and excitement for everyone.
Lantau Island’s pink dolphins that only live and breed in these waters
can be seen while cruising the island of Lantau.
Water World’s waves pools, play area, and water slides are a sure hit
with kids when visiting Hong Kong with the entire family.
Ocean Park’s oceanarium is a favourite among visitors in Hong Kong. See
pandas in the Lowland Gardens, and head over to the Headlands Amusement
Park for a ride on one of the roller coasters and cable cars.
The Central District offers visitors a wide variety of shops and malls
that carry designer western wear. If shopping is your thing, you’ll find
everything you need here.
Get a glimpse of China in its entirety at the Middle Kingdom which
showcases a miniature version of China along with scale models of
shrines, temples, street scenes, and palaces.
If you’re looking for more physical activities and at the same time see
another side of Hong Kong, then Lamma Island is your best bet. The
island offers swimming and hiking and the seafood cuisine is very
popular among visitors.
The Hong Kong Space Museum is a must-see for tech lovers. The place
offers a variety of displays from telecommunications, robotics,
energy, computer, and physics. There are even interactive activities
available to keep visitors busy.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery showcases Buddha in a variety of
poses and hues. The monastery is located in the New Territories.
Get it all fresh at the Wet Market. There are a variety of produce
and seafood being offered in the freshest condition possible.
Hong Kong is a great place to get acclimatised when visiting Asia
for the first time. Because it is partly western, it gives western
visitors a more digestible glimpse of what is coming ahead when
planning to visit more traditionally Asian countries such as
Indonesia, Thailand, and even mainland China which is really a world
unlike anything found in the west.
