The Story of Hong Kong
The uncredible rise from a small and insignificant fishing village to one of the world’s greatest Metropolises, is nothing short of amazing. Once home to fishermen and farmers, modern Hong Kong is a teeming, commercially-vibrant megacity where Chinese and Western influences fuse. Often referred to as the “New York of Asia”, Hong Kong is a multi-facetted melting pot of culture, entertainment, fun and culinary pleasures, second to none. To simply describe this place in mere words does not do it justice, since one must experience its vibrancy and charm first hand by immersing oneself in its uniqueness and splendor. As the world’s 3rd largest financial centre it also has the highest degree of economic freedom; the Hong Kong Dollar is the world’s eighth most traded currency in the world. The affluence and success of this thriving city can be seen everywhere you turn; it is considered to be one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Sample the delicious cuisine in some of the world’s best restaurants, whether you’re searching for European, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Japanese, or Vietnamese food, and party ‘til dawn; venture into the wilderness of the surrounding hills; relax in one of the gardens or parks, or with a sunrise Tai Chi class; shop all day in the malls, boutiques, and markets; visit the many world class attractions across the island; or simply enjoy a cocktail on a sunset cruise. To sum it up in one phrase – Hong Kong is simply the BEST !
“Must See” Highlights of Hong Kong
The Peak
Victoria Peak is the highest point in Hong Kong at 396 metres above sea level; it offers visitors a view of the entirety of Victoria Harbour and the southern part of the island.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
Victoria Harbour is one of Hong Kong’s most precious attractions, stretching from the colonial-era clock tower to Hung Hom. As night draws in, you can witness the magnificent ‘Symphony of Lights’, in which more than 40 of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers are brilliantly illuminated in a multimedia extravaganza, or experience the magic of the harbour in style with a sunset cruise.
Ngong Ping 360
The Ngong Ping 360 is a gondola lift which whisks you from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping in a 5.7km airborne journey. Try the Crystal Cabin to see the ocean and forests pass by below your feet, and step off the gondola into Ngong Ping market village.
Giant Buddha
Made famous by the erection of the Big Buddha statue in 1993, the once remote Po Lin Monastery was founded in 1906. At the heart of the monastery, in the main temple, there are three bronze statues of the Buddha symbolising his past, present, and future lives. The Big Buddha is the world’s tallest sitting Buddha statue, weighing in at 250 million tons of bronze and standing 34 metres high.
Aberdeen Fishing Village
This nostalgic village is home to a fleet of traditional Chinese sampans, and the original natural port and typhoon shelter are still in existence in a reminder of what life was like when Hong Kong began to grow. Tourists can hop aboard one of true “sampans” and cruise around the port.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
The temple is home to three traditional Chinese religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, and originated in 1915 when the sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin was carried from Guangdong to Hong Kong. Although formally established in 1921, the temple has been open to the public since 1956.
This temple’s renown is worldwide, due its claim that the legacy of Wong Tai Sin can make every wish come true upon request, and that it can foretell the future.
Nan Lian Garden
Built and managed by the Chi Lin Nunnery, the design of the garden is based on the classical style of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD to 907 AD), and is thought to be the only garden of this specific type in existence today. Enjoy the exhibitions of Chinese timber architecture, rocks and potted plants, and complete your visit with a relaxed drink in the tea house or a meal in the vegetarian restaurant.
The Star Ferry
Cross the Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry, which has been rated by National Geographic as being one of the 50 journeys of a lifetime.
Temple Street Night Market
Get a taste of the hustle and barter of Hong-Kong market life; with wares ranging from clothes, watches, and mobile phones, to CDs, audio equipment and even cassettes and video tapes, the variety is enormous. Groups of traditional Cantonese opera singers perform from makeshift stages on street corners, and fortune tellers charge from HK$50-500 to look into the future.
Lan Kwai Fong and SOHO Area
Located in the Central District, this busy area with an upbeat vibe is host to crowds frequenting the array of pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants it has to offer. Come the weekend, the area is entirely given over to pedestrians and the bars bulge with crowds of enthusiastic patrons.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Bringing you all the enchanting fantasy of the Disney universe, Hong Kong Disneyland provides a fun-filled experience for all the family, with seven themed lands each providing a different adventure. The night parade and the fire work display are the must-sees.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park is an exciting combination of amusement park and marine mammal park. The largest entertainment centre in South-East Asia, it can be reached by cable car, funicular railway, or the world’s second longest escalator. Featuring a 20,000 square foot shark aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium dome and the Great Panda Adventures.
Sky100
Offering astounding views of Victoria Harbour, the Sky100 observation deck is 100 floors up in Hong-Kong’s tallest building, the International Commerce Centre. Enjoy learning about Hong-Kong’s culture and history in a state-of-the-art interactive multimedia exhibition on the observation deck, or have your photo taken in a professional Augmented Reality photo booth. It is also a great venue for private events.
Special Activities
Cooking Class
You can literally taste Chinese cooking culture with this Dim Sum masterclass hosted by an award-winning restaurant in the heart of the city.
Dragon Boat Racing
This is a great way of challenging the physical and mental qualities of the participants while still being great fun. The team of rowers undertake an hour of training, and each boat has a drummer who keeps the rhythm of the paddle strokes. One missed beat and the dragon falters; only by working together as a unit can the team cross the finish line.
Evening Cocktail Cruise at Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is one the city’s best-known attractions, and a landmark on the international map; a cruise in the harbour at any time of day offers a unique portrait of this wonderful city, and a relaxing way to see the city from a different viewpoint.
Kung Fu Class
Hong Kong was made famous for Kung Fu by the thrilling escapades of Bruce Lee on the silver screen, but residents of the city have a passion for the art and sport that goes far beyond this. Still the favoured form of staying in shape, Kung Fu is very popular in Hong-Kong.
Lion Dance and Dragon Dance Academy
After a short intensive workshop, participants are let loose to work through the dance in groups. The dragon and lion dances are a great way of promoting teamwork while focusing on coordination, with a lot of laughter and fun.
Tai Chi Lesson
Tai Chi offers a combination of gentle but invigorating exercise and quiet mindfulness; with a city like Hong-Kong, whose fast pace whisks its inhabitants along at a breakneck speed, it’s a perfect way of finding serenity amongst the bustle of city life.
Sightseeing by Helicopter
The helicopter rises above Victoria Harbour; see the world’s largest suspension bridge carrying both road and rail traffic, the Tsing Ma Bridge; move on to the beautiful southern shoreline of Hong Kong island; your tour finishes as you pass over the Happy Valley racecourse on your way back to Central. With the ability to see so much in a very short time, these scheduled helicopter rides are an excellent way to take in as much of the city as possible.