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Hong Kong Sightseeing and Attractions

Wan Chai

• Expo Promenade
  The Expo Promenade (often defined as Golden Bauhinia Square) outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the waterfront of Wan Chai marks what was without doubt the most significant occasion in Hong Kong's history - the return of the former British Colony to the People's Republic of China (PRC), and the establishment of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. The hand-back took place in the Convention Centre with President Jiang Zemin and other high PRC dignitaries representing China, and Prince Charles present in Royal Navy uniform to witness the relinquishment of what had often been described as "the richest jewel in the British Crown".
  
  The main ceremonies took place on the night of 30 June 1997, and as the clock struck midnight the Hong Kong SAR came into being under its Chief Executive, Shanghai-born former shipping magnate, Tung Chee Hwa. The Golden Bauhinia is a gift from the people of the PRC to mark the widespread joy of the Chinese at the return of the territory to the Motherland after 156 years. Other gifts to commemorate the historic occasion were sent by each of China's provinces, autonomous regions and other territories. Near the Golden Bauhinia stands the Reunification Monument bearing inscriptions of President Jiang Zemin's calligraphy. The white ring around the pinnacle denotes the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, and the 50 smaller rings symbolise that Hong Kong's way of life will remain unchanged for 50 years from mid-1997. Take the MTR to Wan Chai Station, leaving from the A1 Exit. Walk across the footbridge, head right and through the lobby of Central Plaza, continue on across the connecting overhead walkway, then descend to ground level. Head towards the waterfront ahead, and you will find the statue and monument on the left.
   

• Special Flag Raising Ceremony
  Catch all the pomp and ceremony of the official, daily flag raising at the Golden Bauhinia Square located outside the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. This major sightseeing attraction has been the venue for the flag raising since 1997 when Hong Kong was returned to Chinese sovereignty.

Note : Please be aware that flag raising ceremony may be cancelled under bad weather conditions. In case of cancellation an announcement will be made over local media channels between 7am and 8am. If you have any queries please phone the Police Training School at +852 2814 4279 between 7am and 8am for the latest information.

• Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
  Sitting on the Wan Chai waterfront is one of Hong Kong's most impressive and stunning pieces of architecture. The Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, with its sweeping sails and vast glass windows, is a striking visual testament to Hong Kong's ongoing development. Thanks to its wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, the HKCEC is also an ideal venue for exhibitions and trade shows and is regularly voted "the best convention and exhibition venue in Asia". The HKCEC was the site of the handover when Hong Kong was returned to the motherland in 1997; an event commemorated by the adjacent Bauhinia Square that is a huge attraction for mainland visitors. Transportation: Take the MTR to Wan Chai Station, leaving from the A1 Exit. Walk across the footbridge, head right and walk through Central Plaza. The Convention & Exhibition Centre is across the street to your left.
   

• Fire Dragon Dance at Tai Hang
  It's one of the most spectacular celebrations takes place in Causeway Bay during the Mid-Autumn Festival. It's the fire dragon dance in Tai Hang that is a collection of streets located in behind the Causeway Bay recreation grounds. Over a century ago, Tai Hang was a village whose inhabitants lived off of farming and fishing. A few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival a typhoon and then a plague wreaked havoc on the village. While the villagers were repairing the damage, a python entered the village and ate their livestock. According to some villagers, the python was the son of the Dragon King. The only way to stop the havoc which had beset their village was to dance a fire dance for three days and nights during the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. The villagers made a big fire dragon of straw and stuck incense into the dragon. They lit firecrackers. They danced for three days and three nights and the plague disappeared. Transportation: Take the MTR to Tin Hau and take exit B.
   

• Happy Valley Racecourse
  Happy Valley Racecourse was built on reclaimed marshland, and the first races were held here in 1846. They have been extremely popular ever since. Today, the track is ultra-sophisticated with computerised betting and races broadcast live on gigantic screens. Night racing was introduced at Happy Valley in 1973 and was an immediate success. The extra revenue raised was used to build Hong Kong's second racecourse at Sha Tin in the New Territories, which opened in 1978.
  How to get there :
  1) Take MTR to Causeway Bay station (Exit A) walk along Matheson Street to Wong Nai Chung Road about 20 mins. 2) Take tram to Happy Valley Tram Terminal. 3) Take Bus No.1, 5A at Admiralty MTR station or take No.19 at Yee Wo Street of Causeway Bay MTR station. 4) Take Taxi outside Causeway Bay MTR station (Exit A)
   

• Sha Tin Racecourse
  Sha Tin, once a tiny village on the shores of a shallow inlet, is now a bustling new town. Built almost entirely on reclaimed land, Sha Tin Racecourse is more than just a modern racetrack. Extensive landscaping of the infield has transformed it into one of Hong Kong's largest public parks, Penfold Park, enjoyed by thousands every weekend.
  How to get there :
  Take KCR to Racecourse Station (on race days only)
   

• Bank of China Tower
  The soaring 70-storey Bank of China Tower is one of Hong Kong Island's most stunning landmarks. Designed by acclaimed architect I.M. Pei, the inspiration of his design is derived from the elegant poise of bamboo; its sectioned trunk being propelled higher and higher by each new growth. The building's blue-glass walls and triangular glass facade also make it one of the most photographed buildings in the city.
   

• Central Plaza
  Located on the reclaimed land of North Wan Chai, 78-storey Central Plaza is the tallest building in Hong Kong and one of the highest in Asia. It is also the world's tallest concrete-framed building. After dusk, bright neon rods at the top of the building change colour each quarter-hour, creating the city's most visible timepiece.
  How to get there :
  Take MTR to Wan Chai station (Exit A1) and walk along pedestrian bridge towards the direction of Gloucester Road.
   

• Cheung Kong Center
  Towering 62 storeys between the Bank of China Tower and the HSBC Headquarters, Cheung Kong Center is the new headquarters for renowned property tycoon Li Ka-Shing's Cheung Kong Group. An immaculate example of modern architecture designed by world-renowned architects Leo A Daly and Cesar Pelli, it is enclosed in a sheath of reflective glass interwoven in a rich tapestry of stainless steel.
  How to get there :
  Take MTR to Central station (Exit J2) walk along Jackson Road to Queen's Road Central.
   

• Exchange Square
  Not only is it home to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, this spectacular building is also recognised architecturally after being noted as an important achievement in architecture by Time magazine. With its three towers of rose-coloured granite and silver glass, it is an aesthetic forum where some of the most important financial transactions are made.
  How to get there :
  Take MTR to Central station (Exit A).

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  Information provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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