Travel to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a part of Chinese republic. It was earlier a part of British colony due to the English invasion. It was a British crown colony, which means that it was one of the most important colonies among all the other British colonies. However, after its independence, Hong Kong developed at a very fast rate. Today it is one of the leading economies of the world. Hong Kong is known for its success in financial markets in the world. It has a high successful capitalist economy and is very autonomous in nature.                  

When we talk about the culture of Hong Kong, we see that it is the place which is often depicted as a place where eastern culture meets western culture. It is said so because of the Chinese base of the country while the effects of the British invasion had an effect in giving Hong Kong a mix of western culture too. We will find that the beliefs like feng shui are still practiced very seriously even though it does not exist in western culture. The food is also affected by both the cultures. The people of Hong Kong like to have Chinese cuisine and they also include western cuisine in their food, therefore the sea food, oils, bread and other food habits are all a part of the Hong Kong food.                                             

Hong Kong is a very beautiful place to visit and there are many tourists who get attracted towards this place. The most popular places in Hong Kong are Madame Tussauds, Hollywood Road, Western Market, Lan Kwai Fong, Happy Valley Racecourse, Jumbo Kindom, Repulse Bay, Stanlay Market and Murray House. These places are very beautiful and have a pleasant environment. The investors or the tourism sectors are also very interested in investing in Hong Kong tourism market as it is very developing market. The currency of Hong Kong, which is the Hong Kong dollar, is 9th most traded currency in the world.

The most popular hotels  in Hong Kong are Conrad hotel Hong Kong, Gold Coast Hotel, Harbor Grand Hong Kong Hotel, Harbor Plaza Hong Kong Hotel, Intercontinental Grand Standard Hotel, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Sha Tin Hotel, Le Meredian, Cyberport Hotel, Regal hotel, and Royal Garden Kowloon hotel. These are the most luxurious hotels of Hong Kong. However, the other hotels in Hong Kong are also very beautiful and royal and have a very developed infrastructure and excellent facilities.

Tourists are often very much attracted to the culture of Hong Kong because it is very fascinating and attractive. The other reason why tourists are very interested in visiting Hong Kong is because of the blending of the two different cultures in the country. The mix of the western culture and eastern culture is very widely seen in Hong Kong. People of Hong Kong are very calm and peaceful. The crime rate in Hong Kong is under control and therefore the tourists feel very safe and secure about this place. There are several things like food habits, living styles in the country which depicts the blend of these two cultures.

Hong Kong, also referred to as the 'Pearl of the Orient,' is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Southeast Asia. Until the arrival of the British in 1842, it was just a typical small village. In 1997, Hong Kong was handed over to China, under the policy 'one country, two systems.' The city has now become one of the vibrant as well as s sought after destinations not only in Asia but also in the world.

Bordered by the South China Sea and Sea, Hong Kong, although a part of China, is different from rest of China. With its own government, stamps, and laws and regulations, the city consists of four geographic areas, such as, the New Territories, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the Outlying Islands, all of them packed with a plethora of attractions and facilities. It also consists of more than 200 islands, which consist of both small and tiny islands. In addition, Hong Kong is much famed for its superb deep water harbors. According to the survey conducted by the World Tourism Organization, the city has been ranked among the 15 most preferred tourist destinations in the world.

An incredible city blending the best from the East and West, Hong Kong's attractions, among many others, are Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with its unique curved three-tier roof and glass walls; the covered Central-Mid level Escalator, which is the longest in the world; and Hollywood Road, packed with a range of antique and curio shops selling Buddha statues, Japanese specialties like ikebana baskets, Chinese furniture, and snuff and perfume bottles. Despite these attractions, perhaps the most famed attraction of the city is Victoria Peak, from whose summit you can gaze down to enjoy the wonderful vistas of skyscrapers and Victoria Harbor. During nights, the sights from the peak become more dazzling.

Also, of special significance are the temples of the region. Since Buddhism being the most popular religion of the place, Hong Kong has to its credit more than 400 temples, each of which is regarded as not to be a missed tourist attraction. One of the most prominent Buddhist shrines is the Chi Lin Nunnery, located in Kowloon. Considered a living museum of the Tang Dynasty, it has been stunningly renovated in the traditional Tang-era architecture with several magnificent Buddhist halls. Another popular Buddhist shrine is Po Lin Monastery, whose focal point is a bronze statue of the Lord Buddha, which is the largest in the world. In addition to Buddhist shrines, the place also consists of several other popular shrines such as St John's Cathedral, which is considered to be the oldest in the Far East and Shelley Street Mosque, which is noted for its minaret of green and white colors.

A visit to Hong Kong would be incomplete without taking a tour to many of its fascinating museums, showcasing unique art and antiquities representing several aspects of the place such as its history, film industry, space and science, and coastal defense. Some of the most visited museums in the region are Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong Film Archive, Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences, Hong Kong Racing Museum, Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery, and Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. Attractions also include a continuum of beautiful beaches, including Repulse Bay, the most spectacular among the city's beaches; Deep Water Bay, which is connected by a pathway to the Repulse Bay Beach; Turtle Cove, a tranquil beach; Golden Beach, the first artificial beach in Hong Kong; and Hung Shing Yeh - a marvelous beach on the Lamma Island.

Also, the gastronomy of the place is amazing, with specialized areas for enjoying remarkable delicacies, like, SoHo with a variety of restaurants serving international cuisine; Gage Street, dotted with an array of stalls, from where one can enjoy the best of Hong Kong style cuisines comprising noodles, soups, pastries, and herbal teas; and floating style restaurants found in Aberdeen. Apart from this, excellent options are available for shopping, with areas like Lyndhurst Terrace packed with shops selling ancient paintings and maps; Stanley Street, considered a paradise for shopping cameras and film accessories; and Li Yuen Streets, dotted with shops selling knick-knacks, leather items, and casual wear.

With these fabulous attractions and options to enjoy a variety of activities, tourists flock to Hong Kong all year round. No matter you want budget or luxury accommodation, the city has options to cater to all types of tourists. Majority of the hotels and resorts are located within the heart of the city, and hence are within easy reach of almost all top tourist attractions. Nowadays, many of the hotels, both budget and luxury accommodation, have their own sites on the web, which in turn enables the visitors to check price and room as well as make bookings in advance.

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.