Discover Hong Kong

Hong Kong or 香港 in Cantonese translates to "fragrant harbour".

The bustling metropolis as we know it today began its history as a trading port, becoming a crown colony of the United Kingdom in 1842. It was reclassified as a British dependent territory in 1983 until the transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997.

Situated on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River facing the South China Sea, and with a population of 7 million people and a land area of 1,104 km2, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

At the core is the one of Hong Kong’s greatest assets, the remarkable Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon and beyond that, the New Territories that runs up to the boundary with Mainland China.

The New Territories makes up the bulk of Hong Kong's land mass incorporating 262 outlying islands, including Lantau where the airport is located.

Renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour, this cosmopolitan centre has been hailed ‘Asia’s World City’ where a unique blend of Eastern & Western heritage is reflected in its living culture of unrivalled shopping and superb dining amongst spectacular harbour vistas and the rural splendour of mountains, beaches and islands.

DINING

Boasting more than 11,000 restaurants, Hong Kong has recently become only the second Asian city to be awarded its very own Michelin guide. Renowned as the culinary capital of Asia, visitors can sample a full choice of authentic Asian cuisines and Western fare. 2009 is Hong Kong Food & Wine Year which culminates in a three-day Wine and Dine Festival running from 30 October until 1 November featuring wine appreciation classes, wine tours and walks, as well as the
International Wine and Spirits Fair 2009.

SHOPPING

For sheer variety of products and brands in all price ranges, Hong Kong is a unique shopping experience. From glitzy malls to funky street markets, trendy boutiques to traditional Chinese product stores and themed shopping districts, you can find everything from the latest designer fashions and electronic gadgets, to great value antiques and collectibles.
When shopping in Hong Kong, the currency is the Hong Kong dollar, major credit cards are widely accepted In Hong Kong and visitors are advised to obtain adequate travel insurance.

EXPERIENCE

The Cultural Kaleidoscope programme created by the Hong Kong Tourism Board is your special opportunity to truly appreciate Hong Kong's culture and to take part in everyday life (just make sure you book ahead).

The mostly free activities include:

Tai Chi classes;
Duk Ling rides (Approx. $7.15 AUD per person);
Tea Appreciation;
Chinese cake-making;
Chinese Medicine Classes and more.
Click here for more information.

Travel up to The Peak or visit the Avenue of Stars along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for spectacular harbour views and watch the magnificent ‘A Symphony of Lights’ show, featuring more than 40 of Hong Kong's skyscrapers in a stunning multimedia extravaganza, nightly from 8pm.

GREEN SCENE, OUTLYING ISLANDS & BEACHES

For its size and population, Hong Kong is remarkably green. More than 70 per cent of its land mass is rural mountains, forests and outlying islands – all within easy reach of urban areas. You can enjoy city gardens and parks, or head out to a beach, hiking trail, or one of the many outlying islands and protected country parks. Each corner of Hong Kong has its special attractions. Visitors can ‘Discover Hong Kong by Nature’ and combine hiking, cycling, sightseeing, dining & shopping, all in one day of this uniquely compact city.

GETTING AROUND

Hong Kong is geographically compact and boasts one of the world's most efficient, safe, affordable and frequent public transport systems. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way. For convenience, use an Octopus Card electronic stored-value card that is accepted on most public transport.

Use the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s online itinerary planner to make the most of your time in Hong Kong! Visit www.discoverhongkong.com for this tool and much more information.

TOP 3 MUST DO ACTIVITIES

• Take advantage of the rare opportunity to ride aboard the last remaining sailing junk in Hong Kong, the Duk Ling, this can be done as part of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s ‘Cultural Kaleidoscope’ program for under $10 AUD per person.
• Ride a ferry to Lamma Island for a fresh seafood banquet at an award winning waterfront restaurant.
• Visit the home of Hong Kong’s world-famous horseracing at Happy Valley Racecourse, mostly on Wednesday evenings, or at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong’s New Territories on Saturday or Sunday. The racing season runs from September to early July.

TOP 3 HONG KONG SIGHTS

• Witness the Guinness World Record holding ‘world’s largest permanent light and sound show’ nightly at 8pm on both sides of Victoria Harbour. ‘A Symphony of Lights’ brightens the Hong Kong Skyline with a myriad of vibrant colours, music and narration.
• See the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha, and the nearby Po Lin Monastery, located on Lantau Island. The Ngong Ping 360 Cable car, also in the area, offers breathtaking views of North Lantau and the South China Sea.
• Ride the ‘Peak Tram’ to Hong Kong’s highest vantage point ‘The Peak’. The peak Tram has been in operation since 1888, and takes people up an incline so steep that the buildings look like they are leaning at a 45-degree angle!

CRUISING HONG KONG

• ARRIVE IN STYLE
  Whether entering or departing Hong Kong by ship, visitors are treated to one of the world’s greatest cruising experiences: sailing through the magnificent Victoria Harbour with its breathtaking skyline as a backdrop. Most ships berth on the tip of Tsim Sha Tsui at Ocean Terminal, which provides direct access to one of Hong Kong’s largest shopping and entertainment malls, and the gateway to a vibrant hinterland. Hong Kong is also perfectly placed at the heart of Asia's cruising map, offering numerous opportunities to explore the region's unique attractions on a fly-cruise package. Already a favourite port of call for round-the-world cruises, voyages out of Hong Kong offer attractive itineraries of less than one week to ports in Mainland China, Japan and Korea to the north, and to the tropical charms of Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia to the south.
  
  
• WEATHER
  Weather in the south east of the region is tropical so it’s warm and humid all year round. The Tropics don’t have seasons as such, rather wet and dry periods. The wet season or monsoon period is from June to September. The more northerly ports in China and Japan are seasonal and cruises here are in the northern spring and summer.

FUN FACTS ABOUT HONG KONG

• Hong Kong Disneyland is the only Disneyland in the world with its own special Disney train running to and from the park.
• Hong Kong has an entire street market dedicated to Goldfish. The Goldfish Markets on Tung Choi Street are a great place to view the spectacle of thousands of exotic fish.
• The Mid-Levels Escalator is the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator, and is the transport system that many locals use to get to work each day.
• Hong Kong’s Ocean Park is home to two pairs of Giant pandas.
• Rare Pink Dolphins can be spotted in Hong Kong’s waters.
• For its size and population, Hong Kong is remarkably green. More than 70 per cent of its land mass is rural mountains, forests and outlying islands – all within easy reach of urban areas.
• You can enjoy city gardens and parks, or head out to a beach, hiking trail or one of the many outlying islands and protected country parks.

For more great information on the fragrant harbour check out www.discoverhongkong.com.