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Showing posts with label sightseeing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sightseeing. Show all posts

A Multitude of Indulgences within a Truly Diverse Country

One of the most visited regions of Asia, Hong Kong boasts of everything necessary for rest and relaxation along with dabbling in other activities such as shopping, leisure and adventure. Located on the southern area of China, Hong Kong is a wonderland of discovery that mixes the likes of traditional Chinese culture to the rich heritage left behind by the British Colony.

Being a historically and culturally diverse country, Hong Kong offers much to discerning tourist. With the likes of the Hong Kong Island, Lantua Island and the New Territories, there is much to see and more to do while travelling the country. Acting as a time capsule of history, many regions of Hong Kong Island still hold traits of the British Colonisation, which was present in the country until 1984. Known to the world as a business hub, this great country has many hidden secrets that are waiting to be discovered.

When in the Hong Kong Island, travellers are provided with cultural attractions such as the many festivals that occur throughout the year. These include the likes of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year, Spring Lantern Festival, Moon Festival, Hong Kong Arts Festival, The Man Literary Festival and much more. Furthermore, there are many places to visit, on the mainland as well as the island. Lantau Island offers tourists beautiful beaches, many religious destinations such as the Tian Tan Buddha, Po Lin Monastery along with other recreational attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Trail for hiking and nature enthusiasts, as well as Inspiration Lake the largest synthetic lake in Hong Kong. Home to Hong Kong’s largest expatriate community, the Hong Kong Island offers many attractions and activities to do while in the island, be it shopping, dining or sightseeing. Hong Kong Island also offers travellers many attractions be it nature or recreation. With attractions such as The Peak, Man Mo Temple, Lan Kwai Fong and many shopping destinations at the likes of high retail outlets or street markets, the island is filled with the hustle and bustle of being a metropolitan.

Visit the endless delights that are waiting to be discovered within this great nation while taking up luxury accommodation in Hong Kong at the likes of the The Langham Hotel Hong Kong. This Hong Long luxury hotel not only offers guests 5 star accommodations but also partakes in offering a truly first class service during their stay.

Hong Kong for Tourists

Hong Kong conjures up images of glittering lights and tall skyscrapers, of business deals and a British Chinese heritage. Hong Kong has long established itself as a business destination of choice and many Asian organizations are headquartered there. Several multinational companies have made Hong Kong their Asian headquarters as well. However, today Hong Kong is establishing itself as a tourist destination as well. With the increased growth in travel, there is no dearth of 5 star hotels in Hong Kong and 4 star hotels in Hong Kong.

The most popular tourist point in Hong Kong is the Peak. Take the tram up to the Peak for fantastic views of Hong Kong city. The Peak is the tallest point on the island. The tram goes from Central (downtown) right up to the Peak. There are many 5 star hotels in Hong Kong around the start of the tram. Another popular tourist must do activity is the Star ferry. The Star ferry gives you magnificent views of the lights from the Central district reflected in the waters of the bay. The ferry connects Kowloon with the mainland.

Tourists from India, Malaysia, China and other countries in Asia make a beeline for Hong Kong for its world class amusement parks, Disneyland and the great shopping. Disneyland is smaller than most of the other Disney parks but is great for families. Other parks include Ocean Park and nature reserves such as the Wetland Park. With modern facilities, tourists can enjoy themselves at 4 star hotels in Hong Kong with its spas, swimming pools and fine dining restaurants.

Though Hong Kong is not known for its beaches, it has some very pretty ones. Repulse Bay is a famous beach albeit manmade. There are 5 Star hotels in Hong Kong on the beach such as the Hong Kong Gold Coast resort. Excitehotels.com enables you to select a hotel from a variety of choices handpicked for you as per your budget. Excitehotels.com offers up to 75 percent discounts on the hotels you book including luxury hotels like 4 star hotels in Hong Kong and 5 star hotels in Hong Kong. If you're on a break from sightseeing or business, head to Lan Kwoi Fong. This small L-shaped street was earlier a hawker's area but has since been transformed in to an entertainment area with discos, bars and even a gay club.

Top Sightseeing Spots in Hong Kong

As the economic and financial center in East Asia, Hong Kong enjoys all the benefits of a dynamic and vibrant metropolis. Hong Kong however still captures the romance and mystery of days gone by in the markets and lanes where East meets West. In addition to its impressive modernity, Hong Kong has many accessible beaches and natural sights for outdoor lovers. Lantua Island for example, provides a relaxing atmosphere for a holiday break.

#One: Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is a small public city park on Hong Kong Island in Central. It is surrounded on one side by the skyscrapers and on the other side by Victoria Peak. But in the small 8 hectare (20 square acres) space between Cotton Tree Drive and Kennedy Road, the Hong Kong Provisional Urban Council and the Hong Kong Jockey Club opened this park in 1991. It is free and attracts a million visits a year. In the big garden is a pond that covers a former tennis court, waterfalls or rapids and several important facilities including a sports facility, a big aviary, museums, a plant conservatory and a children's playground. 

The park has won several awards including one from the United State Urban Services Department for its excellent design and facilities in the crowded urban area. The aviary is a walk through aviary. This means that you can walk on a walkway through the tree canopy so that you can see the birds flying around inside up close. The little Hong Kong Park has a lot of interesting attractions crammed into it and is a major highlight of a visit to Hong Kong Island.

#Two: Avenue of Stars


The Avenue of Stars is basically a sidewalk on the shore of Hong Kong's Victoria Bay that is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The sidewalk and pedestrian area has the handprints and signatures of famous Hong Kong actors such as Jackie Chan and metal sculptures of Hong Kong actors or film industry figures such as Bruce Lee. It stretches for about 440 meters along the shoreline, and there are benches and decorative plants. 

To keep people from falling into the ocean below, there is a metal handrail along the sidewalk. Some local people go there to enjoy the sight of the bay and the passing ships, jog, and enjoy the harbor air, and tourists go to see the light show at night and to take photographs. This sidewalk attracts a lot of mainland Chinese. You can see most of the tall buildings on Hong Kong Island here, and at night as part of the light show, music and dialogue are played.

#Three: Man Mo Temple

It is the oldest temple in Hong Kong in the Mid-levels area of Hong Kong Island. It is half the way up Victoria Peak. In the temple, two idols are worshiped, the God of Literature and the God of War. It was built in 1847. People go to the Man Mo temples in China to pray for success in examinations or in their academic or literary endeavors. They also go to Man Mo temples to settle disputes. A bronze bell there was also made in 1847. Though it has been often renovated, the original appearance is preserved, and it is visited by lots of people.

It is said that the ceremony for settling disputes between people of cutting off a chicken's head and burning yellow paper originated during the Qing dynasty. In this ceremony, in order to avoid going to court, people invoke the gods to punish people who don't perform the vows that they publicly make in the ceremony.

#Four: Hong Kong Aberdeen

Aberdeen Harbor is on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. It is on the other side of Victoria Peak from the main Hong Kong urban area. Aberdeen is the largest town on Hong Kong Island outside the main urban area, and the harbor was famous as the place where the Hong Kong boat people lived in the 1960s and 1970s. Movies such as a James Bond movie and a Bruce Lee movie were filmed there, so the harbor is recognized world wide. 

Now, the harbor area is mainly an anchorage for the yachts and pleasure boats of the Hong Kong suburban dwellers in the area. But there are still some famous floating restaurants and local fisherman using the bay, so it is a place to go for seafood on a boat and to see the scenery and the area tourist destinations like Hong Kong Ocean Park.

#Five: Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is the highest peak in Hong Kong Island with an altitude of 554 meters and has been considered as a landmark of the island. It is the best spot to have a bird's eye view of the Victoria Harbor and the whole thriving island. Viewed from the peak, the scenes are different between day time and night. At day time, you can see high and crowded buildings and the busy Victoria Harbor. 

At night, lit up by colorful lights, the whole scene is dazzling as a fairly-tale world. The best spot to enjoy the scene is the Peak Tower and the Lion Kiosk beside the peak tram terminal. To reach the Victoria Peak, you can take the peak tram which was put into service in 1888. Its steepest point has an angle of 27 degree which definitely can give you an unforgettable experience. Recommended Hong Kong Travel, Hong Kong attractions and Tours to Hong Kong.

How To Save Money When Visiting Hong Kong

If you're traveling to Hong Kong on business or vacation, you'll need to know the cost saving ways to get around the city without it costing an arm and a leg. This handy guide will show you how to save money when visiting Hong Kong on your next trip.

Airbus Instead of Airport Express
When you arrive in Hong Kong from your long flight, you'll want to take the Airbus instead of the Airport Express or taxi. While Airport Express is convenient and there are plenty of baggage handling officers to help you, the Airbus is a much cheaper way to commute from the airport to the city.

A taxi will run you about $300 USD from the airport to the city. The Airport Express will cost you anywhere from $60 USD to $100 USD each way, and the Airbus is about $30 USD to $45 USD. It may take you a little longer to get there, but you can definitely save money with the Airbus.

Octopus Card
The Octopus Card is a prepaid rechargeable card that is your ticket to all the public transportation in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong's transportation system is so advanced you won't mind it one bit, and it will save you lots of money getting around Hong Kong. When you swipe your Octopus card, the cost of the item is automatically deducted from your available balance. Not only is it convenient, you will also get a discount on everything with your Octopus Card, so it's wise to get your card immediately upon arrival. You can even use it at convenience stores and fast food chains like McDonalds.

An Octopus card costs $150 for a $100 value and a $50 refundable deposit. You can also receive a refund on any funds not used on the card so you never have to worry about ending up with extra once your visit is over.

Sight-seeing tour for only $2
Take the double-decker trams in the city for a nice slow ride through the city streets of Hong Kong. It is one of the best ways to see the city on a budget.

Find a Cheap Hotel in Hong Kong
Finding a cheap hotel in Hong Kong can be a challenge, but with the Harbour View International House you get a reasonable room rate with a view of beautiful Victoria Harbour. It is perfectly located, close to the subway, the convention center and within walking distance to the ferry.

Tipping
A 10% tip is usually added to most services like restaurants and hotels, so do not leave a full tip in these cases. Make sure to check how much gratuity is already added to your bill before leaving additional tips. An extra 5% is appreciated in addition to the gratuity already billed.

Shopping
If you are looking for authentic Hong Kong shopping and still get some deals, Kowloon is the place. But beware! These open markets are known for selling to tourists and may sometimes overcharge. Be a discriminating buyer to get the best deals. Bargain as much as you can as some items could be discounted up to 50%.

There are lots of ways to save money when visiting Hong Kong, you just need to know where to look. Keep your eyes open, compare prices, and follow some of these money-saving tips for thrifty travel in Hong Kong.