Asia Travel

Situated in southeastern China, and spreading over 1,092 sq km, Hong Kong is comprised of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and outlying 234 islands. Formerly under British Colony, it was turned over to China in 1997 with the expiration of the 99-year lease, and has since been a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. Macau is sister SAR.

Despite the diversities, Hong Kong is prosperous, and is seen by the world as the meeting place of the east and the west, of varied cultures, of the old and the new.

It is best to visit Hong Kong during the mild autumn months in October and November. Climate is generally sub-tropical, with hot humid summers and cool dry winters, whereas typhoons usually hit Hong Kong between April and October.

By air, Hong Kong can be reached via the Hong Kong International Airport, third busiest airport in the world. Travelers can go to Hong Kong by train, ship and hovercraft from China, and by hydrofoil and jet foil from Macau. While in Hong Kong, tourists are advised to get an Octopus Card – a value-stored card that can be used with all of Hong Kong’s public transport, including ferries, as well as in restaurants and stores.

Hong Kong is a tourist’s dream destination, a vacationer’s paradise. It boasts of numerous tourist attractions – shopping options (Pacific Place, Time Square, The Landmark, Harbour City, Festival Walk); exciting nightlife (Lan Kwai Fong, Wan Chai); architectural magnificence (Victoria Peak); cultural heritage (Hong Kong Heritage Museum); religious structures (Taoist and Buddhist temples, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, The Big Buddha); Disneyland and Ocean Park; the remains of the British Empire in the Central district.

There are cheaper alternative things to see and do in Hong Kong – free morning Tai Chi class at the parks; shopping in bargain markets; museums that allow free entrance on certain days; cruise along the Victoria Harbour on board the traditional bat-winged boats; visit to old temples; seeing the busy districts on a double-decker tram, and many more.

Tourists should avoid littering and spitting which considered are illegal in Hong Kong. Moreover, the concepts of honor, name and face are important to Hong Kong locals. Causing one to lose face publicly like insulting or questioning him in front of others is generally taboo.