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Hong Kong is the first city that I have visited that reminds me of NYC. The pace of life, the tall skyscrapers, bright lights, and distinct neighborhoods felt very much like Manhattan Busy, vibrant, modern, safe, and a spotless subway are words that describe this great city.
The area known as the Central District -- but usually referred to simply as "Central" -- remains Hong Kong's nerve center for banking, business, and administration. If there is a heart of Hong Kong, it surely lies here, but a few traces of its colonial past remain.
The Central District's glass and steel high-rises represent some of Hong Kong's most innovative architecture, including some of the poshest hotels, priciest shopping centers, and office buildings. Restaurants and bars here cater to Hong Kong's white-collar workers, primarily in the nightlife districts known as Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo. Central is also packed with traditional Chinese restaurants, an outdoor market, and the neon signs of family-run businesses. The neighborhood even has oases of greenery at Chater Garden, the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and Hong Kong Park.
On one of my visits here, I experienced a full typhoon. While there, though, I had enough time to experience the calm after the storm.
Some great shopping too.
Empty streets in downtown due to typhoon winds and rains.
At the southern tip of Kowloon Peninsula is Tsim Sha Tsui (also spelled "Tsimshatsui"), which, after Central, rates as Hong Kong's most important area for tourists.
With very little land the city has grown up through modern high rises that look more like works of art than buildings. There are several beautiful, large parks located in the city where the residents can find the open space they need. Walking through the parks you can witness numerous and varied activities practiced by the Hong Kongers.
Each park that I visited had places reserved for Tai Chi but often I would see individuals practicing this ancient ritual in open spaces in the park. On Sundays, you will see many young couples with their families waiting to be married.
Hong Kong Park is located at the foot of the mountain where the tram entrance is. The tram will take you to the famous peak at the top of the mountain, where you can see amazing views of the city, its famous harbor, and the South China Sea.
This tranquil setting can be found in the small Hong Kong Park just next to the Peak Tram entrance. In the early morning, you can witness many people practicing their Tai Chi here. This is one of my favorite places in Hong Kong. Located in the middle of the busy city you quickly lose the feel of the city and find yourself in a most amazing place where you can simply forget about everything!
Surrounded by the South China Sea, Hong Kong is made up of several islands. One of the most popular and useful ways to transport yourself to and from one island to the other is by ferry. If you visit Hong Kong don't miss the 8-minute ferry ride on the famous Star Ferry. The harbor is teeming with boats like the one in the photo, which makes it a wonderful photo opportunity almost every time.
Across from Hong Kong Island on a short ferry ride is part of the city known as Kowloon. Kowloon encompasses the northern part of Hong Kong, on the mainland across Victoria Harbor. Once a separate city, it was acquired by Britain in 1860 and returned to China with the rest of the colony in 1997. It’s now a shopping, arts, and entertainment district. Stores line Nathan Road, while traditional markets offer goods from flowers and goldfish to clothes and jade. Besides the great shopping, this part of the city has a much different feel from the island. A bit more gritty, small mom-and-pop restaurants, the best view of the city skyline, and the 8 pm light show. Each time I have visited Hong Kong I stayed at a harbor hotel in Kowloon.
One of the best experiences in Hong Kong is the food. Simply some of the best I have ever had, especially, of course, the Chinese. I have found that you can walk into most restaurants in the city and find something good and in some cases something that you may have to find the courage to eat.
The best homemade noodles I have ever tasted were made and eaten here!
Hong Kong has an efficient and very clean subway system that allows you to get anywhere in the city quickly.
I found a wonderful, large dragon mask that I have now added to my mask collection.
Shopping on either side of the harbor is as good as it gets. You can find just about anything at a pretty good price.
Trams -- certainly one of Hong Kong's most endearing sights -- chug their way straight through Central.
Tram to the Peak
Located above Central on the slope of Victoria Peak, the Mid-Levels has long been a popular residential area for Hong Kong's yuppies and expatriate community. Its swank apartment buildings, grand sweeping views, lush vegetation, and slightly cooler temperatures make it a much sought-after address. To serve the army of white-collar workers who commute down to Central every day, the world's longest escalator links the Mid-Levels with Central, an ambitious project with 20-some escalators and moving sidewalks (all free) stretching a half-mile (board and exit as you wish). The escalators are a great way to "climb" the hillside, and they stop at each of the main streets along the way.
View from the Peak
About an hour's ferry ride west from the main island, you will find the island of Lan Tau, home of the Tian Tan Buddha statue (informally known as the Big Buddha). The statue is the largest outdoor Buddha in the world. Sitting high on the mountain, it is a magnificent sight to see as you approach it through the trees.
Surrounded by an ancient monastery, the giant Buddha commands the area. To reach the statue, you need to climb 268 steps to the top. The view is well worth the climb, not only do you have a close-up of this giant statue but a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains, valley, sea, and monastery.
The Po Lin Monastery is one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist sanctums. It was a surprise to my visit to the giant statue. Surrounded by lush gardens and thousands of burning incense sticks it made for an intense sensory experience.
Home to many a devout monk, You can also enjoy a meal at its popular vegetarian restaurant.
I had planned and arranged to have a late lunch here. Although spartan in looks the meal was outstanding blending the expected Chinese spices and sauces with plenty of great fresh veggies and hand-made noodles.
On the southwest part of Lan Tau Island, the Tai O River splits to the north (as Tai O Creek) and west, and at this fork lies the very small island referred to as Tai O.
Tai O village is located on a tiny island. Know for its quaint stilt houses on the sea this small fishing village is a wonder to walk through. Dried fish decorate the small stalls that line the back streets and canals winding through this tiny, working, fishing village. The locals are friendly and expect a smile and a wave from many of them.
Hint, visit Tao O in the early morning as I did, around lunchtime the sleepy fishing village becomes a tourist haven with dozens of tour buses descending on it.
Slideshow of my travels in Hong Kong
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