HONG KONG
Hong Kong perches on the edge of
mainland China occupying an anomalous
position as a territory straddling
two worlds. Since the handover in 1997 Hong
Kong has become a ‘Special
Administrative Region of China’ and no longer a
subject of colonial sovereignty. Past
and present fuse to create a capitalist utopia
embedded within the world’s largest
Communist country.
Hong Kong offers a dense
concentration of shops and shopping malls with a cross -
pollinated cosmopolitan culture that
embraces Nepalese and British cuisines with
equal enthusiasm. It is the perfect
gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia and
China, providing a smooth transition
from west to east. As one of the key
H o n g K o n g a t n i g h t © d a s
f a r b a m t
economies of the Pacific Rim, Hong
Kong Island showcases a gleaming landscape
of skyscrapers and boasts a highly
developed transport infrastructure that makes commuting around it a dream.
Hong Kong consists of four sections,
Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands.
Kowloon and the New Territories form
part of the Chinese mainland to the north of Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong
Island, containing the central
business hub, lies on the southern side of the harbour facing Kowloon. The
Outlying
Islands comprise a composite of 234
islands.
Attractions
Victoria Peak
Much of the pleasure derived from a
trip to Victoria Peak lies in the journey to its summit. The funicular railway
or
peak tram has steadily made its way
up the mountain since 1888. Energetic travellers can scale the real peak that
extends 140m (459ft) above the tram
terminus. From the top, marvellous vistas open out onto central Hong Kong
and across to Kowloon. Victoria Peak
used to serve as a hill station in colonial times and later became the location
of exclusive summer homes. Today it
is a popular tourist spot offering a cooler perspective from which to
contemplate the pleasures of travel
to the region. The Peak Tower on the summit houses numerous attractions,
like a Ripley's Believe it or not
'Odditorium', shops and restaurants.
Telephone:
2522 0922 (Peak Tram); Website:
www.thepeak.com.hk; Transport: Take
the Peak Tram from
Garden Road or bus 15C. There is also
a shuttle bus (daily 9am to 7pm) that departs from Star Ferry Terminal;
Opening
time : The Peak Tram runs every day, including Sundays and public holidays,
between 7am and midnight.
The tram departs every 10 - 15
minutes; Admission: Tram fares are
HK$22 for a single and HK$33 return (adults)
Hong Kong Disneyland
The fifth Disneyland Resort in the
world, but also the smallest, Hong Kong Disneyland offers a magical adventure
in four themed lands similar to other
parks, namely Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland and
Tomorrowland. Mickey Mouse welcomes
visitors of all ages to the happiest place on Earth, which also includes
attractions exclusively designed for
Hong Kong. Particular care has been taken to incorporate Chinese culture into
the design, such as a feng shui
layout, and the omission of the number four in the numbering of floors in each
of
the two hotels. In addition to the
numerous rides and various events and attractions, shops sell Disney souvenirs
and restaurants offer a variety of
food throughout the park.
Address:
Lantau Island; Website:
www.hongkongdisneyland.com; Transport:
MTR Disneyland Resort Line;
Opening
time : Daily 10am to 8pm; Admission:
Regular day: HK$295 (adults), HK$210 (children 3 - 11); Peak days
and Special days: HK$350 (adults),
HK$250 (children 3 - 11)
Western Market
This indoor market is held in a four
- storey red brick colonial building that was constructed in 1906. After
extensive
renovation it re- opened in 1991 and
now occupies an entire block at the western end of Central Hong Kong. The
building houses a variety of shops
and stalls that sell a range of products from curios to assorted silks and
fabrics.
From here one can hop onto Hong
Kong's ancient double - decker tram headed for Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and
Happy Valley.
Address:
323 De Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wang; Transport:
Take the MTR to Sheung Wan, exit B or C; bus
or tram along Des Voeux Road to
Sheung Wan; Opening time : Open
daily from 10am to 7pm; Admission:
Free
Police Museum
The Police Museum showcases a display
tracing the development and history of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force
from 1844 to today. The main exhibit
encompasses a significant number of artefacts relating to the Hong Kong
Police Force from uniforms and
firearms, to historical archives and photographs. Other exhibits look at the
major
factions which have influenced the
status quo namely the triad societies and narcotics (Hong Kong was founded on
the narcotics trade). The Police
Museum is an interesting visit, which provides insight into the dedication of
the
officers who served within this elite
force.
Address:
27 Coombe Road, The Peak, Hong Kong; Telephone:
2849 7019; Transport: Take NWFB Bus
No.15
(from Exchange Square to the Peak).
Get off at the stop between Stubbs Road and Peak Road; Opening time :
Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm;
Tuesday 2pm to 5pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays; Admission: Free
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