China Guide
Hong Kong
HONG KONG is East Asia's most extraordinary city. First under colonial and now mainland Chinese rule, Hong Kong's citizens have never had a say in their futures, so they have concentrated their efforts on other things – notably, making money. With its emphasis on economics and consumerism, Hong Kong offers the greatest variety and concentration of shops and shopping on earth, along with a colossal range of cuisines, and vistas of sea and island, green mountains and futuristic cityscapes. The excellent infrastructure make this an extremely soft entry into the Chinese world and the population of seven million is sophisticated and well informed compared to their mainland cousins, the result of a relatively free press.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR) comprises an irregularly shaped peninsula abutting the Pearl River Delta to the west, and a number of offshore islands. The bulk of this area, namely the north of the peninsula as well as most of the islands, forms the semi-rural New Territories, the land leased to Britain for 99 years in 1898. The southern part of the peninsula, known as Kowloon, and the island immediately south of here, Hong Kong Island, are the principal urban areas of Hong Kong. Though ceded to Britain in perpetuity, the British government in 1984 saw no alternative but to agree to hand back the entire territory as one piece, returning it to Chinese control from midnight of June 30, 1997.
Hong Kong Island's downtown north shore offers not only traces of the old colony but also superb modern cityscapes of towering buildings teetering up impossible slopes, along with whole districts dedicated to selling Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbs. The south of the island offers several decent beaches. North of the harbour, Kowloon – especially Tsim Sha Tsui – is the SAR's principal tourist trap, boasting a glut of accommodation, and innumerable shops. In pleasingly peaceful contrast are the little islands of Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau.
Hong Kong has its own currency, the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged at around $8 to the US dollar. Yuan cannot officially be used.
Highlights
1 Hong Kong Island trams The best way to travel the north shore of Hong Kong Island is by rattling double-decker tram. Ride from North Point to Western, upstairs and at night for the full effect.
2 Star Ferry The crossing from Tsim Sha Tsui to Hong Kong Island is the cheapest harbour tour on earth – and one of the most spectacular.
3 Harbour view from The Peak At dusk, watch the city's dazzling lights brighten across Hong Kong, the harbour and Kowloon.
4 Sai Kung Peninsula Get away from the crowds and concrete, amidst beautiful seascapes, beaches and wild countryside in this often overlooked corner of Hong Kong.
5 Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Amazing vistas of Lantau's coast, mountains and Big Buddha on this cable-car ride from Tung Chung to Po Lin Monastery.
6 Dim sum Book in advance for an authentic dim sum lunch alongside enthusiastic families – try the chicken's feet and barbecue pork buns.
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