Hong Kong: The Gateway to China |
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| Used as a stopping off point en route to or from Australia, Hong Kong can offer as little or as much that you want to experience; it is the perfect blend of East and West. Whether it’s one day or many HK can heighten your senses. |
May 2005 |
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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK) is the official name after being returned to China in 1997. It is made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, and has a population of over 6 million.
Famed for having the most difficult landing strip in the world, HK has stepped into the future with the opening of the new international airport located on Lantau Island; and there is a spectacular road-rail suspension bridge (Tsing Ma Bridge) which links it to the city. A lot of hotels offer a bus services, but the quickest way to get to the city is to take the train, which runs very frequently. [The old Kai Tak International Airport located in Kowloon now mainly serves domestic flights.]
Annually HK sees over 15½ million visitors; the majority coming from mainland China and Taiwan. For Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and U.S. citizens, they do not require a visa and can stay for 3 months; while UK citizens, they can stay up to 6 months.
Initailly I was dissuaded from visiting China - what with the language barrier and it being off the beaten track, 'making it far too unsafe for solo travel'. But I can confirm that with not too much planning it can be quite a rewarding experience.
General information: the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at about US$1 = HK$7.8.
Also couple of helpful websites include: www.HKTA.org and www.discoverhongkong.com.
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| Favourite spots: |
Being in Victoria Habour was exhilarating, day or night. For me, it was a feeling of disbelief; the kind of feeling that makes you want to pinch yourself. The harbour just draws you to its banks, whether on the Island or in Kowloon the experience and views are special.
In the mornings on Kowloon Public Pier, (or Victoria Park or any open green space) you can see many people engaging in Tai Chi. It’s an amazing sight to see them in unison completing their exercises.
During the day it’s nice to cross the harbour in one of the many Star Ferries and if lucky, you will see one of the most famous icons of HK the traditional Chinese Junk sailing. However I’m told these are rare now.
Then in the evening there is the Symphony of Lights. Since 2004 every night at 8pm the famous HK skyline comes alive with a wonderful display of sound and lights. The best views are had from the Avenue of the Stars, Hk's answer to Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
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| What's really great: |
Shopping was the name of the game in HK, from designer to markets.
On the Island Stanley Market is opened 7 days a week; there are many shops to go bargain-hunting and it was fun haggling; however I found Kowloon much cheaper. But there were also places of interest mixed in like Stanley Plaza, an elegant European-style house and the village square adjoining the seafront promenade.
Then in Kowloon Nathan Road; where everything can be found, they also have roads dedicated to ladies’ fashion, electronics and sneakers etc.
Finally Temple Road Night Market; having never been to a night market, this was fun and the energy electric. It was the perfect place to find electronics as well as fake designer clothes and accessories; this was my personal favourite.
However, when I landed into HK, the airline warned me of being overloaded when departing, and they weren’t wrong; I was lucky the airlines were flying empty because of Sars or I would have had to pay excess baggage.
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| Sights: |
The most recognisable views of HK are from VICTORIA PEAK. It is described as being on the 'back of the Dragon', high on top of the hills. It has spectacular view of Victoria harbour, Kowloon and the city in general.
The best way to get to Victoria Peak is to take the funicular Peak Tram which has been in operation since 1888. One of the tips I was given was to sit on the right-hand side towards the front of the tram for very special views.
REPULSE BAY is HK most popular beach and is always busy. The Life Guard Club's terraces has a pair of statues of goddesses, Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, which is very interesting.
Tsum Sha Tsui and the Clock Tower are places you enevitable get to, but located nearby is the space museum.
The longest network of escalators in the world is on HK Island and they lead to some great shops and restaurants.
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| Accommodations: |
Probably the best place to stay is on Hong Kong Island; however Kowloon offers a cheaper alternative; because the old international airport is located here, the buildings are supposedly much shorter than on the island, although I couldn’t quite see it.
The Metropole Hotel, located in Kowloon, was a nice hotel, but seemed more like a businessman’s hotel. The communal areas were great, I remember entering the lifts and thinking ‘this is really nice’; they have a lovely restaurant with a patisserie next door. They also offer a complementary bus service to Nathan Road and down to Tsum Sha Tsui, which can be very helpful.
I'm not sure whether I should be recommending this hotel, as it was the location where the Sars epidemic broke out, (on the 9th floor); and this happened just two days before I arrived.
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| Nightlife: |
HK has a sizzling nightlife, with many great clubs, here's just a few I heard of:
Club Nu – Ground Floor, Winly Building, 1-5 Elgin Street, Central
Elements Lounge Bar - 55 Elgin Street. Check out www.elements55.com for more information, and
C Club – California Tower, Basement, 30-32 D’angular Street, Central.
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| Restaurants: |
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The longest escalator in the world
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The Jumbo floating restaurant is the largest Chinese restaurant I had seen. When you go to Aberdeen this is a must. It was opened in 1976 and has become an icon to tourist for seafood. It is designed like a classic Chinese palace, and can seats over 2,000 people. It was renovated in 2003 and is now a modern complex of fine dining, shopping, sightseeing and cultural attractions. The food is really great and whilst you can get traditional Chinese food they also provide modern fusion dishes.
But to be sure, being in HK one must try dim sum and having it from one of the street vendors makes it that more authentic.
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| Other recommendations: |
Horseracing is a very popular activity and Happy Valley is the main racecourse. It is centrally located and was built on reclaimed marshland.
Ocean Park is located on the southern side of the island. It is a traditional entertainment park with rides, exhibits and facilities on both sides of a mountain. Getting there can be just as much fun as being there, as a network of cable cars links the lowland to the headland, and offers spectacular views en route. Tickets can be purchased from any 7-Eleven stores.
Lantau Island is nearly two times the size of HK, on one side is the airport and buildings, and the other has been designated as country park. It is a great place for hiking and just being at one with nature. After the overcrowded city, this is a welcome break.
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Published on Saturday May 7th, 2005 by mistybleu
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