Hong Kong, China Travel Guide
About Getting Around Attractions Hotels Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals
Intro to Hong Kong
Chief among the Chinese cities that relentlessy reverberates its sounds, smells and sights in one’s mind long after you leave is Hong Kong. You can consider Hong Kong as half-western since it was a British colony from 1842 to 1997, when the People’s Republic of China regained sovereighty. Part of the western feel and influence can be detected in the English speaking Chinese folks in Hong Kong – they have British accents since they were taught English by British instructors. Very cute. From automobiles (mini coopers) to fashion to attitudes and finally to technology and modernization, the western world’s hand in raising Hong Kong has made Hong Kong the exotic, outside and independent sibling of mainland China.
Hong Kong is a busy, bustling, often smelly (Kowloon) and congested city. But, boy is it a fun and exciting city with much to offer. And nowhere else does size does matter (ie, Hong Kong buildings) so much as in Hong Kong. The appeal for the large and grand is represented in Hong Kong’s Jumbo Kingdom, a top tourist attraction, amusement park and entertainment center.
Even though Hong Kong has millions less people than Shanghai, Hong Kong has a much better and handicap accessible transportation system. Sometimes though, you get a feeling that Hong Kong is a large corporation with all it’s highrises mixed with hum drum of regular folk – Chinese, Middle Eastern and African – on the streets. It’s a true metropolitan city alive with some of the most magnificently designed, modern highrises, insane shopping opportunities and aesthetic harbor scenes. At the tip of Kowloon peninsula is Victoria harbor and across the harbor is Hong Kong Island. The nightlife in Hong Kong shines with as much energy and intensity as its lights and neon signs. You will certainly leave Hong Kong with an indelible impression. You only need a passport to get into Hong Kong.