Travelling Tour

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Introducing Hong Kong

On first acquaintance Hong Kong can overwhelm. Navigate its teeming, tightly packed sidewalks and you’re met at every turn with neon signage, steam-filled canteens, molasses-slow traffic and a Babel of chatter.

Once this first sensory wave has rolled over you, though, take a deep breath and start swimming with the current, because you’ll find Hong Kong is a place to delight in. Utterly safe and fantastically well organised, it offers little moments of perfection. You may find them on a plastic stool enjoying a bargain bowl of beef brisket soup or simply gazing at the thrilling harbour vistas. You’ll find them taking afternoon tea in the cool of a five-star hotel lobby or enjoying balmy open-air beers in the party zones.

Hong Kong can nudge you out of your comfort zone but usually rewards you for it, so try the stinky beancurd, sample the shredded jellyfish, brave the hordes at the city centre horseracing and join in the dawn tai chi. Escape the city limits and other experiences await – watching the sun rise from a remote mountain peak, hiking surf-beaten beaches or exploring deserted islands.

If it’s pampering you’re after, money can buy the ultimate luxuries in a city well used to serving its tiny, moneyed elite. Yet Hong Kong is also a city of simple pleasures. Most often it’s the least pricey experiences – a $2 tram or ferry ride, a whiff of incense curling from temple rafters, savouring fishing-village sundowners and seafood – that are the stuff of priceless memories.

Hong Kong Travel

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most popular travel spots, and it’s not surprising why. It is a small but bustling city with a night life that is comparable to the Caribbean, and a serenity that is true to its Buddhist roots. If you are going to Asia, you should definitely stop by Hong Kong.

Next only to the Philippines and India, Hong Kong is one of the best English-speaking regions in Asia. The street language is a delightful mix of English and Cantonese, so it is fairly easy to ask for directions, get a meal from restaurants, or haggle in the marketplace. Most educated Hong Kong locals are very well-versed in English, especially now that ‘English as a Second Language’ is already being taught in Hong Kong schools.

If you enjoy culinary variety, then Hong Kong is the place for you. Uniquely Chinese dishes such as special dim sum are a must-try. Other Chinese specialties include chicken lo mein, Peking duck, stuffed scallops, mouth-watering Tong Cho oysters, tofu dishes, fried whole trout, and exotic seafood plates of soft-shell crab topped with crawfish tails. If you get tired of Chinese food and miss Western food, do not worry – there are hundreds of McDonald’s outlets and several Western-style restaurants that offer American and European food.

Hong Kong is fairly expensive compared to other Asian travel destinations, but it is well worth it. To save on accommodations, you may choose to stay in dormitories. You can also eat budget meals (usually Chinese delicacies) instead of going to fancy restaurants. An allowance of about HK 250 dollars per day should be enough. But remember – Hong Kong is a shopping paradise and it can get very hard to resist the urge to buy, so hold on to your money if you do not want to overspend.

Travelling in HongKong

Travelling in HongKong is a unique experience as it combines the best characteristics of the Eastern and Western culture.It is a cosmopolitan city where you can find both greeneries and shopping centers,ancient temples as well as high raise buildings that can compete with the best of the world.

Hongkong is a travel friendly country.You don’t require any visa if your stay is below 15 days in HongKong.Whole of the Hongkong has been covered by MTR [Mass Transit Railway] which is the rapid transit railway system.Buy Octopus cards [similar to debit cards] in Hongkong Airport which can be used in these MTR’s.Travelling in this MTR’s is an awesome experience.They are the super fast cool trains I have ever seen!!.

Victoria Peak

One of the first visiting stops should be Victoria Peak which gives a magnificient view of the city.It has souvenire shops,resturants,Madame Tussad’s wax museum and a motion simulator ride called Peak Explorer.One can go by walk or take a tram to reach the top of the peak.Taking the Peak Tram is a memorable way to get to the Peak.You can spend a whole day here catching the view of city in daylight as well as in night which is awesome.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin Temple,is one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong.The architecture of Wong Tai Sin Temple is in the traditional Chinese style.The temple is named after Wong Chuping whom people worship as god.This temple is also famous for fortune telling.People light worship sticks, kneel before the main altar, make a wish, and shake a bamboo cylinder containing fortune sticks until one falls out. The stick is exchanged for a piece of paper bearing the same number, and the soothsayer then interprets the fortune on the paper for the worshipper.Also at the temple we can visit Nine Dragon Wall–a replica of the renowned Nine Dragon Wall in Beijing, and the Good Wish Garden – a miniature copy of Beijing’s Summer Palace.

Avenue Of Stars

One of Hong Kong’s latest tourist attraction spot is Avenue Of Stars which was constructed to pay tribute to outstanding professionals of Hong Kong’s film industry.The sidewalk and pedestrian area has the handprints and signatures of famous actors such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.You can see most of the tall buildings on Hong Kong Island here.The Avenue of the Stars is also a great place to see A Symphony of Lights, a spectacular light and laser show synchronized to music, staged every night at 8:00pm.There are benches and decorative plants and ideal for spending an evening with lights and music.

Markets in HongKong

Street markets here provide a insight view of real HongKong and its culture.Each market has its own charm and beauty.
Ladies’ Market (Tung Choi Street)
As the name suggests it sells mainly ladies clothes and cosmetics,but u can also find plenty of cloth for men.
Don’t forget to bargain!
Temple Street Night Market

It is one the most colorful markets of HK.The marke aftt opens officially in the afteroon but best time to visit in the nights when its liveliest.Should not miss tasting the local street food here.If you eat sea food then they have unlimited cuisines!.This places is good for shopping CDs, hardware, pens, trinkets, watches and luggage.

Flower Market is worth a look for its color and beautiful flowers imported from all over the world.

Po Lin Monestry

Trip to HongKong would be incomplete if you don’t visit Po Lin Monastry and Giant Buddha situated in Lantau island.Called as Tian Tan Buddha, this statue is 34 m tall and happens to be the tallest outdoor seated image in the world.You need to climb around 270 steps to reach the top platform of this statue.

There is a cable car service to reach Lantau Island which is one of the main tourist attraction.Named as Ngong Ping 360 degree experience, you can have a 30 min crystal cable car ride enjoying the breathtaking views of Hong Kong International Airport, verdant, mountainous terrain of Lantau Island, the Tian Tan Buddha Statue.Ngong Ping Village is a 5 minute walk from Buddha statue which gives a wonderful experience on Buddhist history and culture.Here the main attractions include Walking with Buddha and Monkey’s Tale Theatre.This place also gives tourists a variety of dining and shopping experiences.You need a full day to explore this place and a great place to head to if you want to escape from the crowds of the city.
Official website is

http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/front/index.asp

Welcome to Hong Kong

Welcome to Hong Kong, one of the world's most dynamic city! Hong Kong offers unique experiences to visitors, such as The Peak, Star Ferry, Tramways, dynamic street markets, bustling shopping areas, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park and etc.

Hong Kong, the Oriental Pearl, is simply amazing !

It would be hard to find a more exciting city than Hong Kong. Set among beautiful natural surroundings it has all the benefits of a thriving and vibrant commercial center. Here you can find the delights of modern living alongside an abundance of reminders of its historic past. Whether you visit the better known highlights like the stunning Ocean Park, the fantastic viewpoint of Victoria Peak or the beautiful Repulse Bay, Hong Kong is certain to exceed your expectations.

Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of PRC, has grown from what was a simple fishing village into the world's fourth largest banking and financial center and eighth largest trading economy. Situated in the southeast corner of China, Hong Kong occupies an area of 1,104 square kilometers (about 426 square miles) and is home to more than 6,970,000 people. Most people (about 97% of the population) are Chinese and speak Cantonese and English, although Mandarin is becoming more popular in Hong Kong now. Most tourism personnel and taxi drivers can communicate with tourists in English. The most common religions are Buddhism and Christianity.

Hong Kong is made up of four parts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Hong Kong Island is the center of economy, politics, entertainment and shopping. Northern Hong Kong Island is the main commercial, shopping and entertainment area; the residential area is located in Eastern Hong Kong Island; and Southern Hong Kong Island known for its sea shores and bays. Kowloon is another flourishing part of Hong Kong. Above all, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok are the most popular areas. These areas are busy day and night, and tourists can feel secure enjoying the lively nightlife, because Hong Kong is one of the most secure cities in the world. The New Territories and Outlying Islands are ideal places to experience a peaceful and natural Hong Kong.

An open city with a wonderful natural harbor, Hong Kong is the meeting place of various cultures that blend harmoniously with Chinese traditions and exotic influences. On one hand traces of British culture can be found everywhere as a result of former colonial rule. On the other hand, Hong Kong preserves traditional customs and the core values of Confucianism that have faded in Mainland China. This is reflected in its colorful festivals ranging from Spring Festival to Christmas. Nowhere else on earth do luxury restaurants, street side food-stalls known locally as dai pai dong, grand mansions and penthouses, tenements, office blocks, wooden boats and huge liners coupled with English in a variety of accents and multifarious Chinese dialects coexist peacefully.

It is the dynamic Hong Kong that provides the environment in which the richest Chinese listed in Forbes directory do business. The city also is the backdrop for modern movies and pop music that together enjoy worldwide recognition. Home of Kongfu heroes like the late Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, Hong Kong continues to attract more and more ambitious would-be stars and entrepreneurs.

A place where various cultures blend harmoniously

From Yum Cha (tea and dim sum) in the morning to a moon lit view from the top of Victoria Peak or stunning night time harbor cruise, mingling with shoppers in the numerous malls and markets around Tsim Sha Tsui, tasting delicacies at dai pai dong, taking a trip in a sampan or high speed ferry, Hong Kong will guarantee its visitors an unforgettable experience. There will always be something to enchant you and quite probably make you fall in love with this unique place, be it sightseeing, shopping, dining or simply exploring its many delights by day and night.

If there is no other reason why people from the world over are so interested in this island, the answer is likely to be 'because it is there!' Don't wait any longer. Join us and explore this wonderland for yourself!