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With its intriguing blend of East and West, with
its Chinese roots and British colonial heritage, and its ultra modern
sophistication and ancient traditions, Hong Kong is one of the most
diverse and exciting cities in the world. What's more, it's also one
of the most convenient and comfortable destinations for mature
visitors. In survey after survey, Hong Kong's hotels frequently top
the list of the world's best accommodation. Whether you're treated to
hand-made chocolates in your room or greeted by a doorman in
impeccable white gloves and pillbox hat, the city's deluxe hotels
offer a style and service second-to-none. English-speaking front-line
staff provide useful information about how to spend your days here.
And when you go out you'll discover a world full of wonders - old and
new. Restaurants will tempt you with the dishes you love and many
you've never tried. Well-preserved country parks invite you to stroll
around green and serene hills. You can buy souvenirs and antiquities
from street markets for family members back home. Or simply take in
the sights with convenient organised tours.
Time Out
Compact and cosmopolitan, most Hong Kong hotels are located within
easy reach of major attractions. Within minutes of stepping out of the
air-conditioned comfort of your home-away-from home you will be
exploring the city's rich mix of traditional Chinese culture and
British colonial heritage, its famed transportation systems and its
historic architecture. Magnificent shopping and dining, of course, go
without saying. Hong Kong, after all, is the City of Life. From the
historic Noon Day Gun, made famous by Noel Coward in his song Mad Dogs
and Englishmen, to Government House, home to 25 British governors from
1855 to 1997, Hong Kong is a treasure trove of British colonial
memorabilia.
The Star Ferry, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 1998, and the
city tramway, inaugurated in 1904, are both widely used by locals and
tourists alike. The Peak Tram is the oldest form of mechanised
transport in Hong Kong. When it started running more than a 100 years
ago, it was the ideal way of reaching Victoria Peak. It still is
today. Don't miss this amazing journey up to one of Hong Kong's most
popular attractions.
Favorite Foods
As a city that
lives to eat, Hong Kong boasts nearly 9,900 restaurants. Food to tempt
your taste buds is never far from hand.
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Familiar Flavours
From American-style steaks and burgers to authentic Italian fare,
SoHo (‘South of Hollywood Road’) in Central and Knutsford Terrace in
Tsim Sha Tsui offer a cluster of cosy yet cosmopolitan restaurants.
Lan Kwai Fong, the trendy nightlife area known for its excellent
restaurants and bars in Central, caters for tastes ranging from
Californian to Vietnamese. Simply bring your appetite and feast
away.
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Tea Time
An enduring tradition from the colonial era is the charming custom
of afternoon tea. At the city’s most prestigious hotels on both
sides of the harbour, visitors can take high tea, a tradition
steeped in both British and Chinese cultures. Enjoy a pot of fine
English tea accompanied by delicacies such as cucumber sandwiches,
Windsor cake and scones with Devonshire cream and jam.
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Chinese Extravaganza
Hong Kong is the capital of Chinese cuisine and lovers of authentic
Oriental cooking need look no further. Cantonese, the local style,
is known for its fresh flavours and quick frying. Steamed fish and
barbecued meats are also popular dishes. Chinese food varies greatly
according to its province of origin. Needless to say, you can enjoy
every variety in Hong Kong. You can savour the most succulent Peking
duck served with spring onions and plum sauce on wafer-thin
pancakes, or wake your taste buds with spicy Szechuanese or Hunanese
fare. For seafood, Hong Kong's outlying islands are a pleasant
surprise for most visitors. With relaxed village ambience, lush
greenery and excellent restaurants, key islands are easily
accessible by short ferry rides from Central.
Dim sum - or light snacks - is another quintessential Hong Kong
dining experience. During breakfast and lunchtime, restaurants and
teahouses offer such tasty snacks as har gau (shrimp dumplings) and
shiu mai (minced pork and shrimp in flour casing).
Show Time
A
cosmopolitan city of culture, festivals and art, Hong Kong is alive
with colour and drama any time of year. Indeed, the City of Life
attracts much more than tourists - it also draws acclaimed artists and
performers from across Asia and from around the world. Big names to
grace Hong Kong's stages include Cirque du Soleil from Canada, British
jazz legend Georgie Fame and many theatrical and dance blockbusters,
including Cats and Riverdance.
For more information on upcoming events and festivals, contact the
HK Tourism Board Visitor Information & Service Centres
or your nearest
HK Tourism Board Office.
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International
Acclaim
International performances and exhibitions include top artists at
world-class venues. Spectacular events planned for the coming months
include sporting action such as the
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. Several major
exhibitions are also lined up. And let's
not forget the Star Alliance
City Festival and
Hong Kong Arts Festival.
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Dragons & Lions
Chinese New Year (normally in February),
is when the whole city celebrates with a parade, skyscrapers
bedecked in lunar lights, flower markets and lion dances. Other
festival highlights each year include the
Cheung Chau Bun Festival (usually in May),
the
Dragon Boat Festival in June or July and
the beautiful
Mid-Autumn Festival (usually in
September). Dates vary according to the lunar calendar.
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Chinese Opera
For almost 1,000 years,
Chinese opera has expressed the moral
dilemmas and folk legends of the Chinese people. Replete with
falsetto singing, spectacular kung fu, striking costumes and
striking make-up, performances are held year round.
See it in Style
An effortless
way of getting the most from Hong Kong is via an organised tour. With
the HK Tourism Board's excellent selection you simply sit back and
relax in comfortable air-conditioned coaches and let our experienced
guides escort you through this fascinating city. It's an efficient,
fun and informative way to see the best of the City of Life. Many
tours are available to experience all the treasures that Hong Kong has
to offer.
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Heritage
On the Heritage Tour you'll discover the Hong Kong of yesteryear,
when walled villages and scholars' opulent homes took the place of
today's gleaming skyscrapers. Discover the legacy of the past for
yourself through the Heritage and Architecture Walks.
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Cruising
Cruise the harbour, sip a cocktail and watch the dazzling man-made
wonder of Hong Kong's amazing skyline come alive at night with a
variety of harbour cruises. The city is at its most dramatic and
picturesque after sunset. And there is no better place to enjoy the
spectacle of the world's most dramatic cityscape silhouetted against
a cobalt sky than aboard a gently rocking boat in historic Victoria
Harbour.
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Wild Wonders
Open your eyes to the little-known alter ego of Hong Kong. Rolling
hills, lush greenery and world renowned bird sanctuaries like Mai Po
Marshes are part of Hong Kong's wild wonders. You can also watch
wild pink dolphins at play in their natural ocean environment on the
Hong Kong Dolphinwatch Tour.
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Local Leisure
Take a chance on Lady Luck with thousands of other hopefuls on a
Come Horseracing Tour. Or perhaps you might prefer to delve into the
delights of Chinese cooking.
Suggested Five day
Itinerary
Day One
Arrive and check into one of Hong Kong's fine hotels. Freshen up
before taking a stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade to take in
the Hong Kong skyline. If you are staying on Hong Kong Island, take
the historic Star Ferry across bustling Victoria Harbour. You can
return by the same means later. Reach the promenade as the sun sets
and watch as the skyscrapers reflect the day's last rays. Finish your
evening by dining in Knutsford Terrace, an international dining oasis
in the neon-lit Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district.
Day Two
Take the funicular Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. The area offers some of
the best sightseeing in Asia, as well as wonderful photographic
opportunities. Stop for lunch at one of the delightful restaurants
here before heading for picturesque Stanley on the south side of the
island. The scenic setting and Mediterranean ambience are ideal for a
relaxed drink before dinner.
Day Three
Spend the morning exploring the leafy Hong Kong Zoological and
Botanical Gardens and the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware.
Surrounded by glittering skyscrapers of glass and steel, it is a
tranquil oasis in the very heart of the city. In the afternoon, Hong
Kong's outlying islands beckon. A comfortable ferry will whisk you
there to dine on delicious and fresh seafood.
Day Four
Take a tour to make the most of sightseeing in a single day. The Land
Between Tour of the New Territories takes in bird sanctuaries,
monasteries, rolling hills and small farms. Another attractive
alternative is the Heritage Tour, featuring highlights of Hong Kong of
yesteryear and its Chinese traditions and colonial heritage.
Day Five
Buy souvenirs and presents for family and friends back home. Cat
Street on Hong Kong Island offers a wealth of interesting curios and
knick-knacks. Nearby Hollywood Road is the place for antiques, while
Chinese department stores are excellent one-stop shops for silk
garments and traditional Chinese furniture. Depart in the evening.
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Traveling Together
Information provided by
Hong Kong Tourism Board.
