Travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a wonderful travel destination. Visitors will certainly never get bored as there are so many excellent Hong Kong tourist attractions for them to enjoy and visit. The most popular attraction in Hong Kong is definitely the Hong Kong Disneyland which opened several years ago and which attracts visitors from around the globe.

There are so many places to visit in Hong Kong and unfortunately most tourists only spend a couple of nights in Hong Kong. We have listed for you the most popular tourist attractions of Hong Kong and if possible you should try to visit all of them during your stay in this former British colony.

Hong Kong Disneyland

No visit to Hong Kong can possibly be complete without a visit to the Hong Kong Disneyland. If you are visiting Hong Kong with your children then they will never forgive you if you don’t take them to this amazing Hong Kong tourist attraction. Hong Kong Disneyland is located on Lantau Island and there are a number of Hong Kong hotels and resorts located nearby to this popular tourist attraction.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park has been one of the most popular Hong Kong tourist attractions for some time now. This excellent theme park is popular with both local residents as well as tourists. There are all sorts of attractions and activities at the Hong Kong Ocean Park including a shark aquarium and various rides and roller coasters. If you are interested in visit the Ocean Park during your visit to Hong Kong then please note that Ocean Park is located on the south section of Hong Kong Island. Opening hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 until 18:00.

Victoria Peak

One of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong is Victoria Peak. It is located at a height of just over 550 meters and many tourists visit Victoria Peak so as to enjoy the Hong Kong from above. Be sure to take your camera when visiting this popular Hong Kong tourist destination. If you are interested in visiting the Victoria Peak then please note that you should take the Peak tram which will take you all the way to the top and takes only eight minutes.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Hong Kong is home to some rather stunning temples and one of the most popular of these Hong Kong temples is the Wong Tai Sin Temple. This popular Hong Kong tourist attraction is especially very popular with Chinese people visiting from abroad. The Wong Tai Sin Temple is a Taoist temple and was build in 1921.

The Hong Kong Museum of Art is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong and is a museum dedicated towards the Chinese Cultural Heritage. The museum is also caters for both international as well as local art in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Museum of Art was at first formed in 1962 by the Urban Council as the City Hall Museum and Art Gallery and was located at the City Hall, which lies in Central. Later in 1991, the Hong Kong Museum of Art was shifted to its current location, 10 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. The present location lies near the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The Hong Kong Museum of Art is run by the Hong Kong Government. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for the management of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, located in the Hong Kong Park is a branch of the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The Hong Kong Museum of Art has a frequent rotation of displays, much of eh exhibits include sculpture, calligraphy and paintings mainly from Hong Kong and China but also from the rest of the world.

After a good and maybe even a tiring day spent at the museum a splendid idea would be to head off to a Hong Kong Spa for some relaxation. One good Spa in Hong Kong is the Chuan Spa Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the successful islands in the world. Over the last century and today, it has blossomed as a financial center. Its future appears to be bright as ever. It was a dependant territory of the UK in 1842. Since 1997, it once again came back under China's fold. Now Hong Kong continues to enjoy economic development under the policy of China's one country, two systems.

Hong Kong is situated in the southern part of China and is found in the South China Sea. It is officially known as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The island of Hong Kong is small having a land mass of nearly 427 square miles. Hong Kong has one of the highest population densities in the world. The population of its inhabitants reaches over 7 million. Hong Kong is one of the most important and successful financial, cultural and communications hubs in the world. While the vast majority of the inhabitants are Chinese, there are also few expatriates from many nations living in Hong Kong and it known for its international atmosphere.

The word Hong Kong is derived from the Cantonese word Hakka which means fragrant harbor. Hong Kong's original harbor is now known as Aberdeen Harbor. In Europe, Hong Kong's first mention was recorded by the Portuguese explorer Jorge Alvares who arrived in 1513. When China and Britain signed the treaty of Nanking in 1842, the name Hong Kong was officially used for the first time.

Kong was used by the British for trading opium among other commodities in the mid 1800's. Because of the immense social and financial affects on China's population, the Qing Dynasty refused to no longer import Opium in 1839, this resulted in the First Opium War between China and Britain. Hong Kong was occupied by Britain in 1842 and the British established a Crown Colony under the Treaty of Nanking. During the Second Opium War, Stonecutters Island and Kowloon Peninsula also ceded to Britain. In 1898, Britain obtained a 99 year lease of Hong Kong. For this long period leading till 1997, Hong Kong was under the control of UK.

Hong Kong played a major role in Asia as a center of trade during the early 20th century. It progressed financially and culturally. However during the Second World War, Japanese Empire drove off the British from the island in the Battle of Hong Kong and took control of Hong Kong till the end of 1941.

The civilians of the island suffered extremely during the initial invasion and occupation of Hong Kong. There was wide spread food shortage and hyper inflation was experienced. From 1945 to 1971, the conditions were extremely bad when the control of Hong Kong returned back to the British after Japan surrendered. Nearly half of the civilians had died.

Hong Kong quickly recovered after World War II because of the arrival of migrants from the mainland of China. Additionally, many companies also shifted their operations to Hong Kong due to the communist takeover of the mainland China. Textiles and manufacturing Industries grew over the years. The labor was cheap and businesses and entrepreneurs were easy to operate because of the capitalist philosophy of Hong Kong. The economic development of Hong Kong left China more isolated. Today, Hong Kong is specifically known more for its finance and banking sectors.

On the midnight of 1st July 1997, the changeover from British to China's control took place. UK and China were planning the transition close to 20 years before then. The Sino-British Joint Declaration was agreed in 1984. The document specified that Hong Kong would be governed as a special administrative region for at least the next 50 years beginning in 1997. This was helpful in making sure that Hong Kong would continue to succeed and will not face disturbance at the time of transition.

Hong Kong is ruled today under the principle of one country, two systems. It still enjoys a vast range of autonomy except in matters of defense and foreign affairs. Hong Kong is ruled under the basic law and its people enjoy an economic system based on capitalism, human rights and freedom. The future of Hong Kong is bright as ever and it continues to be an economic and cultural powerhouse in Asia.

Hong Kong was once a sleepy fishing village. But, with the arrival of the British in 1842, it became a crown colony of the United Kingdom, which continued until 1997, when the British handed it over to China, after signing an historic agreement by the then prime minister of the UK, Margaret Thatcher, and the then Chinese President, Deng Xiaoping.

The city has now become one of the vibrant destinations in the world, apart from being a prominent economic center in Asia. The World Tourism Organization rates the city among the 15 most preferred tourist destinations in the world. Al though a part of China, Hong Kong is quite different from rest of the nation, and has its own government and legal systems, monetary policy, and immigration policy. Situated in Eastern Asia, bordered by the South China Sea, it is made up of three areas, such as, the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories as well as the Outlying islands including Lantau Island, Lamma Island, and Cheung Chau Island.

The center of economy, entertainment, and politics - Hong Kong Island is considered the heart of the special administrative region. Stretching from the Tin Hau to Chai Wan on the eastern part of the island is the prime residential area of the region. The northern part of the island is the main commercial as well as entertainment area, stretching from the Central District to Causeway Bay. Likewise, the southern part of the Island is home to some of the destinations that are abound in natural beauty, such as, Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay and Ocean Park, which is one of the top-most theme parks in Southeast Asia.

However, most popular among the destinations in the island is the Peak, the highest point on the island that is perched at an altitude of 554 meters. The Peak serves as a perfect base to have a bird's eye view of the whole of the thriving island as well as the spectacular Victoria Harbor, which is one of the three natural water harbors in the world. One of the most popular ways to reach the Peak is to take a ride on the Peak Tram, which runs from the city center and reach here within seven minutes. Another stunning landmark of the island is Bank of China Tower - a soaring 70-storeyed building. In addition, situated on the southwest coast of the Island is the Cyberport, a high-tech facility supporting the multimedia, telecommunications, and IT industries.

The island is also much famed for its destinations including Aberdeen, a traditional village inhabited by hundreds of fishermen. From traditional style Chinese boats to most sophisticated boats, an amazing variety of fishing boats can be seen here. Further, located here are the HK Convention and Exhibition Center and Golden Bauhinia Square, which stands as a symbol to memorize the Return of Hong Kong to its motherland. Kowloon is an exciting part of the city, and is considered one of the prominent industrial and commercial hubs of the nation. It is also home to one of the busiest airports in the world, namely, Kai Tak international airport. A ride on Star Ferry from Kowloon across Victoria Harbour to the Island would be a great experience. On utilizing the excellent options rendered by Kowloon, the city has now become a prominent shipping center in the world.

A visit to Hong Kong is incomplete without touring its amazing attractions such as Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) Building, Exchange Square and the International Finance Centre, Victoria Park and the Hong Kong Central Library, The Fringe Club and the Foreign Correspondents' Club, Happy Valley and Sha Tin Racecourses, and Murray House.

Attractions in Hong Kong also include an array of Buddhist as well as Chinese temples including Man Mo Temple, Chi Lin Nunnery, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Che Kung Temple, and Tin Hau Temple. In addition, included in the landmarks are a range of museums, such as the Arts Centre Pao Galleries, the Racing Museum, the Film Archive, Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre, and Sheung Yiu Folk Museum. Gastronomy - The city boasts of a variety of excellent options to satisfy your gastronomic needs, with restaurants providing cuisines, ranging from Japanese, French, and Italian to Asian and Chinese cuisines. Shopping - Fabulous choices are available in the city for a great shopping, with a variety of shops on such happening areas as Stanley Market and Temple Street.

Also referred to as the 'Pearl of the Orient,' the city provides excellent options to cater to the accommodation needs of all types of tourists, no matter you are a budget conscious traveler or a luxury lover traveler. Many of the hotels and resorts are located within the heart of the city, and hence are within easy close proximity to almost all top tourist attractions.

Hong Kong is one of the world's most thrilling destinations. A special administrative region of People's Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong has the Pearl River Delta to the east, Guangdong Province to the north, and the South China Sea to the west and south. A typical trading village until the 19th century, Hong Kong became a crown colony of the Britain in 1842, which was later handed over to the People's Republic of China in 1997. Hong Kong is now an exciting destination, with a thriving blend of ancient eastern traditions and western modernism. Hong Kong enjoys a liberal system and has its own monetary system, legal system, and customs and immigration policies.

The city of Hong Kong consists of three sections: Hong Kong Island, which is regarded as the heart of the city; Kowloon, which has to its credit attractions such as the Tsim Sha Tsui and the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple; and the New Territories and Outlying Islands such as Lantau Island, Lamma Island, and Cheung Chau Island. Discussed further in this article are some of the hot spots in Hong Kong Island. Once a flat lying area that was considered worthless, Hong Kong Island has now become a busy financial as well as commercial center of this special administrative region. Situated to the south of the mainland China, this is the area of the original settlement of the British, and still continues to be a prominent hub of business as well as commerce. The greatest of the attraction in the island is undoubtedly the bustle of thousands of people of living and working here. The island has been categorized into central district, southern district, and western district.

The central area of the island is regarded as the economic, political, and historical center of Hong Kong, and boasts of such attractions as the Bank of China Tower - a 360 meters tall structure designed by the world-famous architect, I M Pei; Jardine House, alternatively known as the 'House of a Thousand Orifices;' Exchange Square, a shiny tower which houses the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; Li Yuen Street, packed with a range of shops and stalls selling items such as fabrics and fashion accessories; and Queen's Road Central. When comes to the southern area of the island, the area is filled with a variety of mesmerizing attractions. Of which, one of the most prominent is Aberdeen, a harbor town that provides great options to enjoy amazing sea life.

Another prominent attraction in the area is Tin Hau Temple, built in 1851 and which is located at the site from where the town of Aberdeen at its best. Also, a must-visit attraction in the area is Ocean Park. Spread across an area of about 170 acres of land, Ocean Park comprises two sections such as low land site and headland site, both of which are connected by a 1.5 kilometers cable-car bridge. Among the highlights of the park are Atoll Reef, the world's largest aquarium, an amusement park with a variety of interesting slides, Film Fantasia, and the Ancient World, which is an adventure trail.

Situated to the west of Central area, the Western District, as the name suggests, is more or less influenced by the western culture. Most prominent among the attractions in this area is the Central Market, which consists of such attractions as the CRC Department Store, where you can shop items such as Chinese artifacts as well as clothing. Highlights of the region also cover Hillside Escalator - the longest outdoor escalator in the world; Hollywood Road - a street which is famed for its antique as well as furniture shops; Fung Ping Shan Museum, located within the grounds of the University of Hong Kong and which has on display ancient Chinese art and craft; and Morrison Street - a historical red brick building built in Edwardian style.

No visit to the island is complete without taking a tour to Victoria Peak, also known as the Peak. This area is perhaps the most eye-catching landmark of the city. During the first five to six years of the history of Hong Kong, no one traveled up here. With the opening of the Peak Tramway in 1888, the area became popular and came to be known as the Peak. The Peak Tramway is still operational and takes people up and down the hillside. The Peak is also one of the most significant residential areas in Hong Kong.

Above all, the attractions within the area of the Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, such as Admiralty, formerly a British naval station; Hung Shing Temple, which is named after an official of the Tang Dynasty; Pak Tai Temple, an impressive triple hall shrine built in 1863; and Hopewell Centre - a 66 storey building. In fact, Hong Kong Island is home to majority of the attractions in the city. Perhaps for this reason, tourists in increasing number flock to this region. Therefore, the island has accommodation choices to cater to every preference and budget.