Enjoy big pulsating city-life along with oriental beauty? Hong Kong is worth a visit because of its unique combination of east and west, blending Chinese heritage, British colonial influences, high-tech modernity, and Cantonese gusto. Hong Kong is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China, with a lot of influence over them since China resumed sovereignty in 1997. Prior to that, Hong Kong belonged to the British Empire for more than 150 years as a result of the First Opium War (1839 – 42).
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| View of Hong Kong at dusk from Victoria Peak |
When we first arrived in Hong Kong after a month of backpacking in China, our first amazement was that the toilets have doors AND WALLS! What a luxury! Spending a week in Hong Kong, we realized that Hong Kong has a lot of luxury and a lot more to offer than just toilet doors :)
History
When the Brits first arrived and settled, they were confined to the Island of Hong Kong where they later signed a lease for 99 years of ownership in 1898. This piece of paper gave Hong Kong the opportunity of becoming a place not restricted to the rules of Mainland China and at the same time being a stop-over colony for the British Empire and becoming an important port for trade with the colonial power countries in the Pacific ocean. 150 years of being under British influence, only cut off by the Japanese occupation during WW2, has given Hong Kong a lot of Western customs and influences, while still maintaining their strong ties to their Chinese heritage and customs. Their educational system, immigration, taxation and free trade, to name a few, differentiates them from Mainland China and make Hong Kong the perfect city to visit if you want a light version of Asian big cities. The free trade also means that if you want to buy a specific brand, electronics or equivalent, Hong Kong will sell it for a much cheaper price than most other places.
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| Hong Kong Skyline and CBD |
The Island
Hong Kong is located on China’s southern coast and is enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea. It is known for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbor.
Hong Kong Island is what gives the territory its name, even though it is not the largest part of the territory. However, it is the place where the majority of tourists spend their time.
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| Shopping around Hong Kong |
Best area to stay
If it is your first time visiting an Asian metropolis, I would recommend Sheung Wan, which has all a tourist needs in terms of art galleries, restaurants, antique stores and boutique shops, and Shanghai Lane that specializes in Shanghainese Dumplings, which are one of the reasons to visit Hong Kong. It is also where all the Filipino nannies hang out on their day off. They occupy all the streets and parks. Here they sit together in big groups and talk, eat and enjoy.
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| Meeting a marching band on our tourist-trip around |
Where to go
Since the
Hong Kong Skyline is one of the city’s main attractions, viewing this amazing skyline is an absolute must, and not only once, but in the daylight, at sunset, at night, and for the Harbour show; every night introducing a light show featuring the tall and beautiful buildings of Hong Kong. I am not kidding. It is the place to hang out.
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| Hong Kong Skyline from the harbor at sunset |
Second is
Victoria Peak that gives a breath-taking view of the skyscrapers, the glittering harbor and the hills of the new territories. It is beautiful any time of day, but for a special experience, you can watch the sunset over the city’s skyline. As the highest point on Hong Kong Island, this has been the city’s most exclusive neighborhood since colonial times.
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| The view of the city from Victoria Peak at night |
Another sight is the
Avenue of Stars, which pays tribute to the names that helped make Hong Kong the ‘Hollywood of the East’while giving visitors a panoramic view of the city’s most iconic sight: its glorious skyline, dramatically set against the Peak.
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| People gathering around for the show |
For a bit of Chinese culture, visit The
Wong Tai Sin Temple. Home to three religions (Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism) it's natural setting and beautifully ornamented buildings make it as much a scenic attraction as an important religious center. Another reason to go is that it claims to make every wish come true upon request. - For Hong Kong culture visit the malls and go straight for the Rolex
Marketplace
Hong Kong has
Mong Kok Ladies’ Market, a one kilometer stretch containing over 100 stalls of bargain clothing, accessories, and souvenirs. This is the place to buy all the fake brands. When buying clothes in the market, you are not allowed to try it on to see if it fits, one simply has to take the sales persons word for it. Make sure to pay no more than half of what they first ask for. The people all believe in you break it you buy it, and if your big western body wants to fit into their cute small things, it will be after you have paid for it.
Mong Kok is also the place to buy electronics- genuine, not fake.
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| Tired from shopping all day |
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Another market is
Temple Street Night Market, where you can bargain for just about everything as soon as the sun sets every night. Not in the mood for clothes? Then get your fortune read, buy an authentic tea set, or get a clay pot of rice to consume while watching the theater that is a Chinese night market.
This is the place where you get to discover 1000 shades of poorly colored hair. Hong Kong has a term for them. They are called Mong Kok Boys and they dye their hair different shades of that I think is supposed to be blonde. The results are often in the shades ranging from orange to pee colored. These cool kids hang out all over the market and surrounding areas all night and are impossible to miss. They are too cool for school, and to fun to watch. Enjoy
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| Hong Kong Skyline and CBD |
Getting around
Hong Kong is easy compared to Mainland China since everything is written in English as well as Cantonese. Hong Kong has double-decker buses that London is famous for, but remember to have the exact amount of cash, because they do not give change. The subway runs all over Hong Kong as well, but it does not give the possibility for spontaneity since you have to give your final destination when purchasing a ticket.
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| Catching a fine Hong Kong bus |
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| Catching a Hong Kong bus with all the bags |
Must-eat
Dim Sum is a specialty, and there are tons of restaurants that offer this as a brunch option which is used by most Cantonese families on the weekend.
Sui mei, (‘fork burned’) is Chinese Barbecue and an absolute must for at least one meal while you stay on the island.
Another thing Hong Kong is famous for is Fusion food. For a city that has been a crossroads of cultures since its inception, the kitchen is a fusion of flavors from different countries and regions.
The people arriving in Hong Kong from all over China brought their own regional styles of cooking, and during the years they have blended it together and added a bit of European. The Chinese chefs have been experimenting with adding local flavors to European dishes, creating a new discipline known as Soy Sauce Western.
In the mood for fine-dining? Quite a few restaurants in Hong Kong have been awarded Michelin stars, and this is the one place in the world where you can probably afford it. Insider tip: Go there in the middle of the day to be sure to get a table without waiting days for it.
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| Walking down the shopping street in Hong Kong |
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| Picture from our window of the Island |
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| Hong Kong Skyline and CBD |
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| Landmark |
* All pictures are private and taken by me.
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