Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a place with multiple personalities, as a result of being Cantonese with a long-time British influence and increasingly more China connections. Perhaps the hallmark of this city is the frenzied vibrancy and the world-class cuisine.

On the surface, it's an urban landscape without the charm of what one would consider "China." It offers the same upscale shopping malls and boutiques found in other world cities. But the small curious nooks, as well as the beautiful greenery and hiking trails, make it unique. The city is also known for its incredible efficiency as a result of its convenient transport, quick customer service and fast pace.

Hong Kong is a little chilly in the winter and hot and humid in the summer. The best times of year to visit is spring (March-April), when the average temperature is around 25°C and the climate is not too humid, and autumn between September and November. Typhoons usually occur between June and September and sometimes can bring a halt to local business activities for a day or less. The weather in winter is unstable. It can range from 12-22°C.

Visa Details

Hong Kong retains control of its own immigration. The good side of this is that, unlike mainland China, most Western visitors do not need to obtain visas in advance, but the bad side is that a separate visa is required to enter mainland China from Hong Kong.

Detailed visa requirements are available from the Immigration Department.

Anyone arriving at Hong Kong International Airport and requiring an onward visa for Mainland China, during your stay in Hong Kong, will find a kiosk in the downstairs foyer that issues them.

A photo will be required, which the staff are only too willing to assist.

Hong Kong is divided into a number of distinctly different districts.

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island was the site of the original British settlement. The Northern part of the Island is densely populated. Because of the scarcity of land supply, you'll find most of Hong Kong's skyscrapers and the famous skyline along the northern coastline. The main business and nightlife districts, in addition to the government offices, can be found here. The southern part of the Island has more leisure facilities, with beautiful beaches and luxury residential complexes.

Kowloon

Kowloon is the peninsula jutting down towards Hong Kong Island. It is the most populous area in Hong Kong, at one time the most densely populated place in the world.

The New Territories

The New Territories was named by the British officials when leased from the Chinese government in 1898, and are Hong Kong's residential hinterland.

The Outlying Islands

The Outlying Islands are the 234 other islands in the territory ranging from Lantau (twice the size of Hong Kong Island) to rocks poking out of the sea. Situated on Lantau is Discovery Bay a resort type residential area and home to approximately 40000 inhabitants, many of them expatriates or middle class locals.

Things to See and Do

The skyline of Hong Kong is ranked the best out of all cities in the. See the stunning Hong Kong Island skyline from Kowloon.

Victoria Peak

Overlooking Hong Kong Island, is Victoria Peak with its giant, Wok shaped building. It is a beautiful site. Within the building are shop’s, restaurants, museums and viewing

Horse Racing

The racing season runs from September to June, during which time meetings take place twice weekly, the location alternating between Shatin in the New Territories and Happy Valley near Wan Chai. Of these, Happy Valley is the more convenient and more impressive location.

Local life

Go visit a fresh food market and a larger supermarket called "superstore", you witness struggle between small retailers and corporations, most areas in town are quite secure.

It is rather sad that most tourists only hang around the several tourist districts. However, it is very worthwhile to go to some more Hong Kong-ish places like Ladies Street, Temple Street, Seafood Street, Apliu Street and so on, which a list of so may be retrieved through the website DiscoverHongKong.com, the official site of the Hong Kong Tourist Board.

Museums

There are a variety of museums in Hong Kong with different themes, but to be honest, the people on the streets seem offer more insights than the exhibits in most of these government-run museums. One exception is the Hong Kong Museum of History.

Nature

Hong Kong is not all skyscrapers, and it's worthwhile to go to the countryside, including the country parks and marine parks.

Lantau Island

Lantau Island is twice as big as Hong Kong and is well worth checking out if you want to get away from the bright lights and pollution of the city for a spell. Here you will find open countryside, traditional fishing villages, secluded beaches, monasteries and more. You can hike, camp, fish and mountain bike, amongst other activities.

Sai Kung

Sai Kung is also a worthwhile place to visit, for its hilly geographic features. If you like challenging, try going onto the Sharp Peak (Am She Tsim in Cantonese)

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Hong Kong Wetland Park is the ecological mitigation area (EMA) to compensate for the wetlands lost due to Tin Shui Wai New Town. To visit, take KCR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai Station.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disney Land is on Lantau Island.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is on the southern side of Hong Kong island. With roller coasters and large aquarium altogether, it's still packed on weekends with families and tourists after opening to public for 30 years.

The cable car is an icon and an essential link between the two parts of the park. The views of the South China Sea, from the car is always terrific.