Hong Kong: The City of Skyscrapers

Hong Kong is a city state located in the state of China, and of course its not as if we haven’t hear about it. Hong Kong is a city which is known for its skylines and deep natural harbor. It has a population of over seven million people and happens to be one of the most populated placed in the world. Hong Kong is ranked as one of the most important leading international financial centre right after London, and New York City. The city of Hong Kong has many nick names, however one of the most famous nicknames is “Pearl of the orient,” which is “Dong Fong Chi Chu” in Cantonese as it reflects the city lights on both sides of the Victoria Harbour and the many high rise buildings. And even though Hong Kong is located at the south of the Tropic of cancer, it has a climate which is rather humid and subtropical. The city has a mix of cultures as it reflects the mix of the Chinese roots with the influences from its time as a British colony. Hong Kong is known as the place where “East meets West.” There are concepts such as feng shui which is taken seriously, and objects like Ba gua mirrors which are used to deflect evil spirits and buildings often do not have any floor number which as a 4 in it as it is similar to the word for “die” in Cantonese.

Shopping, Sightseeing, and Food!!!

Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is a tribute to the names which helped to make Hong Kong the “Hollywood of the East,” as it gives visitors a paranomic view of the city’s most iconic sight and its glorious skyline. There are many commemorative plaques, celebrity handprints, descripitive milestones, movie memorabilia, a life size statue of Kung Fu action hero Bruce Lee and a bronze rendering of the popular cartoon character McDull here. The Avenue of Stars sets the glamour of Hong Kong’s film industry against the captivating dazzle of Victoria Harbour. The atmosphere here is always very lively and it has around 30 performances, including music, drama and dance, which is organized each month. You can also catch the “A Symphony of Lights” multimedia show here.

The Peak

This is the highest point on Hong Kong Island and has been the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood since colonial times. Back in the day it was the cooler air which attraced the rich and the famous and now it is the views of one of the world’s most spectacular cityscapes which keeps everyone coming. The anvil shaped The Peak Tower has a large viewing platform called Sky Terrace 428, in addition to dining and retail outlets. Nearby The Peak Galleria has a free entry observation deck as well as shopping and dining options. There are more treats for your eyes at the Lugard Road Lookout, and Lions View Point Pavilion. If you really want to get a full of experience of viewing the beauty of Hong Kong’s skyscraper’s you can go on the Peak Tram which will carry you to The Peak on the city’s historic railway.

 Ocean Park Hong Kong

A fun time for the kids, Ocean Park Hong Kong is a marine life theme park which opened in 1977. The park has animal exhibits, thrill rides and shows. In 2012 it was the first Asian winner of the biannual Applause Award as the theme park was able to blend in entertainment with education along with conservation. The park covers more than 870,000 square meters. The Waterfront and The Summit areas are connected by the Cable Car and Ocean Express funicular train. The theme park has many attractions such as the Polar Adventure, Old Hong Kong, Thrill Mountain, and Rainforest.

Hong Kong Disneyland

We all love Disneyland and in Hong Kong, you are in for an adventure when you visit the Mystic Point Hong Kong Disneyland’s attractions. There are many rides such as the “Mystic Magneto Electric Carriage,” which gives a view into Lord Henry Mystic, an accentric explorer’s acquisitions from around the world.There is also the Grizzly Gulch which takes the guests on a new and original experience which has been developed exclusively for Hong Kong Disneyland. There is the Toy Story Land which is exclusive to Asia as it gives an unforgettable experience to guests of all ages. There is also non stop fun from day to night as it gives many families many magical memories through the tehemed lands.

Ladies’ Market

Ladies we all love shopping, and at Ladies’ market there are over 100 stalls of bargain clothing, accessories and souvenirs. The market is located on Tung Choi Street and provides a one kilometer stretch for you to shop in. There are a numerous amount of clothing and accessories available for women of all ages, with watches, cosmetics, bags, home furnishings, CD’s and trinkets also up for grabs, you can find anything and almost everything just all in one place.

Temple Street Night Market,

The Temple Street Night Market is a popular street bazaar which is named after a Tin Hau temple located in the centre of its main drag, and a place so steeped in the local atmosphere that is has served as the backdrop to many movies.  You can find various items here to shop for such as trinkets, tea ware, electronics, watches, menswear, jade and antiques while clay pot rice, seafood, noodles and other treats are consumed with gusto. This is a place where you can get a taste of the theatre and festivity of a Chinese market.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

This is a major landmark on the Hong Kong Island skyline as it has a curtain of glass and is a 40,000 square metre aluminum roof sculpted to echo a seabird soaring in flight. Worldwide it is known as HKCEC, and the harbor front expansion used the top down construction techniques to meet a challenge of limited land supply. This location was the setting for the Jackie Chan movie New Police Story and where the former British Crown Colony was returned to the People’s Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established.

Golden Bauhinia Square

The bauhinia is an emblem of Hong Kong. The Blooming Bauhinia Sculpture gives the Expo Promenade the commonly used name, Golden Bauhinia Square which was a gift from the Central Government to mark the 1997 Handover which was an occasion that was held in tremendous significance for the world’s largest nation. Today the site has many visitors who come to take photos fo the Reunification Monument which has the calligraphy of President Jiang Zemin who represented China at the Handover Ceremony as well as the beautiful view of the Victoria harbour.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

The promenade which is a very nice place for the lovebirds stretches from the colonial era Clock Tower to Hung Hom, and a stroll down the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade will take one past the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art and Avenue of Stars. But most likely you will be more attracted towards the dramatic topographical and architectural spectacle which is Hong Kong Island  skyline towering over Victoria Harbour.

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

The Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple claims to make every wish come true upon request which may have something to do with its popularity. Home to the three religions (Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism), the temple’s natural setting and beautifully ornamented buildings make it as much a scenic attraction as an important religious centre. The temple commemorates the famous monk of yore, Wong Tai Shin who is also known as Huang Chu-ping. Many of the Feng Shui enthusiasts will surely take notice of the structures representing the five geomantic elements: the Bronze Pavilion (metal), the Archives Hall (wood, the Yuk Yik Fountain (water), the Yue Heung Shrine (fire), where the Buddha of the Lighting Lamp is worshipped, and the Earth Wall (earth).

Clock Tower

The Clock Tower was erected in 1915 as part of the Kowloon-Canton Railway terminus and stands at 44 metres tall. The once bustling station is no longer in existence, however the red brick and granite tower is now preserved to be a declared monument and has survived as an elegant reminder of the Age of Steam. It has also been a landmark for the millions of Chinese immigrants who passed through the terminus to begin new lives not just in Hong Kong, but also in other parts of the world via the city’s harbor.

Denisha Sahadevan