Geography

Hong Kong is made of a peninsula and a group of small islands, which are covering about 1000 square kilometers. It is located in Eastern Asia and it is bordering China and the South China Sea. Hong Kong can be divided into three parts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Hong Kong Island is home to the financial and administrative centre. The Kowloon peninsula is home to the majority of people living in Hong Kong. The New Territories comprises the rest of Hong Kong’s land and it is made of new towns, picnic areas and beaches.

Economy

In recent years, Hong Kong’s economy has grown strongly. Its GDP per Capita in 2008 was estimated at around US$ 43,800 or HK$ 337,260; Hong Kong’s economy depends mostly on: International Trade, Finance, Services and Tourism.

International Trade
International Trade is a very important part of the Hong Kong economy with Mainland China being Hong Kong’s largest trading partners.

Finance
Hong Kong is without any hesitation the premier Stock Market for Chinese firms wanting to get listed abroad. Mainland Chinese Firms now account for 1/3 of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and represents about 60% of the market’s capitalization.

Services
Hong Kong is highly dependent on its service industry, which comprises of travel and tourism, trade related services, shipping, banking services and civil aviation. It is important to notice that the service industry accounts for more than 90% of Hong Kong’s GDP.

Tourism
Tourism contributes a significant portion of Hong Kong’s GDP. With China decision’s to ease travel restrictions for its citizens wanting to visit Hong Kong, the tourism industry has literally exploded. In 2008, 16.9 million Mainland Chinese visited Hong Kong compared to 3.8 million in 2000.

Government & Politics
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China with its own law, capitalist system and lifestyle. The structure of Hong Kong’s government can be found in “The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region” which follows a set of agreements between Britain and China prior to 1997. The core of these agreements can be summarized as the following sentence: “one country, two systems” which means that until 2047, China agrees to maintain Hong Kong’s capitalist system, judicial and legislative power as it was prior to the handover. The Beijing government is mostly responsible for Hong Kong ‘s defense and foreign affairs.
The head of the Hong Kong’s government is the Chief Executive (CE). Its cabinet is made of secretaries from various departments who report to the CE. The legislative branch of the government is responsible for enacting laws, approving budgets and monitoring the work of the government. The current CE is Sir Donald Tsang.

Population
As of July 2009, the Hong Kong population was estimated to be around 7,055,071.

National Flag
Hong Kong’s national flag depicts the Bauhinia on a red background. Each morning at 8:00 the flag is raised by 5 police officers. The national flag can be seen outside of many government buildings.

Many large cities have skyscrapers that offer a view from the top. Hong Kong, as it so often does, takes a slightly different route and gives visitors Victoria Peak.

At 552m the Peak is higher than any existing skyscraper. From that height, visitors can look down on the lush, green mountainside and around at some of the $10 million homes that get to enjoy the view every day. Looking from there, tourists can see Victoria Harbor – one of the world’s most active ports.

The mountainside is alive with tropical vegetation thanks to the hot, humid summers and the cooling sea breezes of the area.

Though none of these houses offer tours, some angles offer a glimpse of homes that show how Hong Kong’s wealthiest residents live. Many homeowners here are entrepreneurs who made their fortunes in Hong Kong after starting out as poor residents of Canton and other parts of mainland China.

Looking down, you can get an expansive view of the ancient harbor and the ultra-modern city. Victoria Harbor is one of the deepest in the world, only one of the many natural attributes that has been used to good advantage by Hong Kong’s enterprising businessmen.

The port is always buzzing with the arrival and departure of ships that carry goods and passengers to and from China to every port on the globe. Ships of every national registry, both cargo and cruise, make it to Hong Kong regularly.

Using a pair of binoculars, you will be able to take a look at some of the many boat families that still populate Hong Kong’s wharves near the area where the ships dock. Here, as they have for over 200 years, fishermen and their families ply their trade in some of the toughest circumstances.

But to see all this, first you have to get there. Visitors have several choices, including bus and tram.

The bus is decidedly less crowded. This route has the added ‘benefit’ that you won’t feel the need for a rollercoaster ride again anytime soon.

Most, for good reason, take the tram up. This railway is among the world’s steepest and most scenic rides in Asia. Though the term may be unfamiliar, almost everyone has seen one in person or at the movies. It’s a long, suspended-cable system in which cabs go up and down the mountain in tandem. The weight of one cab coming down helps pull the one going up.

Lines can be long so be prepared. But the wait is well worth it, as you can get another spectacular view of the harbor looking down and of the mountain looking up. This is one ride you will definitely want to take at least twice – once during the day, and again at night.

Sited atop Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping plateau, lies one of the most frequently visited sights in Hong Kong – the Po Lin Monastery.

There’s enough to see and do in and around the monastery to take a vacation day or more, so plan ahead.

The trip there is an adventure in itself. Take the MTR to Tung Chung. At the bus terminal, board the No. 23. Riders get to see some of the superb countryside and seaside near Hong Kong and at the same time experience the harrowing joy of a typical Chinese rollercoaster bus ride.

Founded in 1924 as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks, the Po Lin Monastery offers superb sights both inside and out. The view from the top looking out over the sea and mountainside is breathtaking.

You’ll be free to look around at the exterior, which provides a superior example of the architecture and art of the period. The monastery is festooned with small statues and inscriptions. The surrounding grounds make it easy to imagine the tranquility that motivated the monks to make it their home.

You can experience a small taste of that lifestyle for yourself by purchasing a meal ticket and enjoying the vegetarian lunch prepared by the monks in the dining hall.

Inside the temple, it isn’t necessary to remove your shoes, nor to wear long pants as required by Buddhist temples elsewhere. Simply acquire an incense stick and offer three bows to the ancestors who watch over the monks and their sacred building. Place your incense sticks in the holder and then enjoy the many colorful and intricate carvings and decorations.

Visitors can even stay overnight and see the rising sun the next morning. The view of the light spilling onto Fong Wong Shan Mountain, twice the height of Victoria Peak, has inspired the monks for decades in their peaceful retreat.

From the temple gate, look out toward the top of Muyushan Mountain. You’ll be able to clearly make out a large copper statue of the seated Sakyamuni, reaching 26 meters (85 feet) high. Sakyamuni was the sage of the Sakyas, a Buddhist-Lamaist (Tibet) god and the historical Buddha.

Here known as Tian Tan or The Big Buddha, the statue was constructed over a steel frame and completed in 1993 after a 10-year construction effort. It sits atop the plateau which can be reached by climbing 268 steps.

Stand at the base and experience the setting first. Around the pedestal is a three-story exhibition hall containing a large bell. Rung 108 times per day, it is said to relieve the 108 vexations.

For a slightly quieter shopping experience than Nathan Road head over Hong Kong Island and visit Stanley Market.

Stanley hosts a wide variety of handicrafts, souvenirs and even a few designer labels. There are also a few restaurants and bars.

Here you will find Chinese artwork, collectibles and silk. Jade, of course, is frequently sought after and available in abundance.

Wherever you go to shop in Hong Kong, whether on the island or Kowloon or elsewhere, be prepared for the crowd. Hong Kong is a vibrant and bustling metropolis with small oases of tranquility.

To find one of those little oases, stop in at one of the many small temples and enjoy a few minutes of tranquility between moments of bargaining. The Tin Hau, honoring the goddess of the sea, is a good bet. Built in 1767, visitors can step in and see the genuine tiger skin and smell some relaxing incense.

While in the area, check out the Hong Kong Maritime Museum housed in Murry House. The museum holds over 500 exhibits of ancient pottery. There are also interactive games and displays showing Hong Kong’s historical connection to the sea.

Still in evidence are the remnants of British Colonial rule, and the navy that enforced it. But much farther back the Hakka called Hong Kong home and their history is recorded, as well.

Next to Murray House there is a shopping arcade and a community theater. Every Christmas, Stanley Plaza hosts a free concert by the Hong Kong International School Band.

Unlike Nathan Road, the area is frequented as much by locals as by the tourists. As with other shopping experiences in Hong Kong, visitors need to be prepared to bargain. It’s expected and great deals can be found for those willing to haggle.

Getting to Stanley is simple via bus. No. 6 but be prepared for a lengthy ride. For a quicker ride, take the MTR subway to Chai Wan Station and catch the No. 16M.

Hong Kong is a bustling, ultra-modern city with an ancient past. This contrast is captured and displayed to perfection in the Hong Kong Museum of History. With dozens of interactive videos and computers, alongside hand-sculpted or carefully selected artifacts, Hong Kong’s long history is shown.

An introductory exhibit shows the history of the harbor and surroundings as far back as 400 million years, showing its geological formation and the development of local plant and animal life. In a room the size of a commercial airplane hangar, visitors can see and read about the tigers and black bears that used to occupy the area. The exhibit is accompanied by Natural History-style Neolithic exhibits of early Chinese mankind.

Museum-goers will get a sense of the life of the average Chinese by boarding a fishing ship in one exhibit. Surrounded by statues and puppets, the life of a fishing family in Hong Kong harbor is vividly recreated. Exhibits explaining life in the Ming and Qing dynasties demonstrate why there was a mass migration to Hong Kong during those centuries.

A third of the museum is devoted to Hong Kong’s British colonial period, beginning about 200 years ago. Portrayed by a harbor and street scene that tourists can walk in and around, you’ll see the cargo on the wharf as it appeared generations before Hong Kong entered its modern phase. Realism is maximized by recreations of the docks, a period tea shop and others. The floor even vibrates with the hum of a steamer engine.

Visitors can see genuine photographs of Hong Kong streets as they were 100 years ago. You’ll see reminders of the Opium Wars along with Sun Yat-Sen’s activities that led to the establishment of the Chinese Republic.

Further down the hall is a large exhibit showing the Japanese occupation during WWII, complete with an air raid shelter and booming sound effects.

Film clips from the 1960s show the beginnings of Hong Kong’s leap into the jet age. A few exhibits catalog some of the tragic disasters that have tested the spirit of these indomitable people.

Zoom ahead to the latest ultra-modern skyscraper. Photos and model displays show visitors the Hong Kong they can see out the windows. Some of the most innovative buildings along some of the world’s busiest streets remind visitors of New York times ten.

Now housed in a stylish, modern building, the museum was formed in 1962 and split from the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 1975. Small by British Museum standard, at 17,500 square meters, the museum will nonetheless entertain visitors for hours.

The museum is easy to reach by the subway system. Take the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui. Take exit B2 and walk along Cameron Road. The museum is located at 100 Chatham Road South.

From 1925 to 1998, the Hong Kong International Airport also named “Kai Tak Airport” used to be located on the north side of Kowloon Bay. Landings at the airport were known for being extremely difficult and dangerous due to the airport geographic surroundings made of skyscrapers and mountains.



On July 6, 1998, a new world-class international airport located in the island of Chek Lap Kok replaced the “Kai Tak Airport”. The construction of this new airport facility was one of the largest in the world. It included merging together two islands via land reclamation techniques to create a platform for the airport. It also included the construction of two suspension bridges: the Tsing Ma bridge and the Kap Shui Mun Bridge.

Today, the Hong Kong International Airport at Check Lap Kok is one of the best around the world. The new airport terminal building hosts all the amenities found in large international airports around the world such as banks, restaurants and duty free stores.

Getting to / from the Airport
Airport Express – What really differentiates this airport from others of its kind is the fact that an airport express train links the airport to the main Hong Kong Island and Central Business districts. If you are coming to Hong Kong for the first time, avoid taking a taxi at all cost. Simply take the airport express train and you will be able to save a small fortune that you will certainly use in one of your late night endeavors at Lan Kwai Fong. To view a schedule of the Airport Express please click here.

Public Buses- Public buses are certainly a great alternative for those who are afraid of trains or those who tend to live extremely close to their pennies. Public Buses in Hong Kong are comfortable, inexpensive and convenient. Click here to view a schedule of the buses linking the airport to the different areas of Hong Kong.

Taxis- Taking a taxi from the airport to go to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories is without any hesitations the most expensive transportation method available. Although it does offer a certain level of flexibility, you should get ready to pay top HK dollars as high as HK$310 + HK$30 of toll fare to reach your lovely destination!

Opened in September 2005, the Hong Kong Disneyland is the fifth theme park offered by the entertainment company. Located on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island, the park is already enjoying huge crowds.

Similar to other Disney parks, there are four themed areas – Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The park as a whole is smaller than others, but the company has envisioned a long-term expansion plan.

Park visitors can see all the sights familiar from Disneyland in Anaheim or Paris. Along with the rides, favorite Disney characters wander the park in costume and provide photo opportunities for the kids. Of course, since it’s Hong Kong, don’t be surprised if you hear Mickey speaking Cantonese or Mandarin!

Main Street in Hong Kong Disneyland is a perfect duplicate of the one in California and guests can ride the Omnibus, the Paddy Wagon or cruise along in one of the Main Street taxis. Inside the theater there is a film related to the building of the park.

Adventureland offers many of the same attractions as Anaheim with a Jungle River Cruise and rafts to Tarzan Island. Be sure not to miss the Festival of the Lion King at Theater in the Wild.

Tourists will want to catch the Mickey’s PhilharMagic and see Maestro Mickey in his 3D adventure. Younger kids will want to take a spin on the Cinderella Carousel, based on the famous Disney movie. Old and young kids alike will enjoy boarding the Winnie the Pooh Hunny Pot and taking a journey through the Hundred Acre Wood.

Just as at other Disney parks, Tomorrowland offers the familiar Space Mountain rollercoaster and the Buzz Lightyear Journey to Infinity and Beyond. Board the Orbitron to pilot your personal flying saucer. Drive an electric car through the alien landscape in Autopia.

There’s a daily Disney Parade with all the well-known and beloved Disney characters marching through Fantasyland and down Main Street.

In true Hong Kong style, the music and dance of Disney in the Stars is accompanied by spectacular fireworks. Listen to your favorite Disney tunes while watching the colorful display of choreographed explosions.

Ultimately, the company expects to be able to handle up to 10 million visitors per year. Come be one of them, but as with any Disney Park be prepared for the crowds.

In the 1960’s the government of Hong Kong saw a need for a transportation system able to help reduce road traffic. British transport consultants Freeman, Fox, Wilbur Smith & Associates were shortly appointed to study the transportation system in Hong Kong. In 1967, they submitted to the government a document suggesting the construction of a rail rapid system in Hong Kong. In 1979, the Metro system also known as MTR or Mass Transit Railway was born. It started with only one train route linking Shek Kip Mei Station to Kwun Tong Station. Over the years, the MTR has largely expanded its service to become a full transportation network of about 150 stations from which 82 are railway stations and 68 light rail stops.

Today the Hong Kong MTR is one of the most advanced in the world. The introduction of the smart card called Octopus in 1997 has helped increase its efficiency. With an approximate 4 million trips made on a daily basis, the MTR is now without any doubt the most common mode of transportation in Hong Kong. Its inexpensiveness and convenience have made it the most popular mode of transportation in Hong Kong. Its popularity also lies in the fact that the Hong Kong MTR is extremely safe. Various campaigns, posters and activities have definitely helped increase awareness of certain safety procedures. Safety reminders are regularly made in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Furthermore, police officers are tirelessly and constantly patrolling trains and train stations to ensure their safety.

If you are coming to Hong Kong for the first time and have plans to stay for a few months, head over any MTR stations and ask for an Octopus card. This will help you save a small fortune especially if you intend to commute a lot.

Along the main thoroughfare in Kowloon stretches Hong Kong’s must-see shopping lane – Nathan Road. Bounded by Boundary Street in the north and Salisbury Road to the south, this hundred fifty year-old section is framed above by neon lights in true Hong Kong style.

Named after the former British governor, Sir Matthew Nathan, in 1909, the area was the northern limit of the colony prior to the signing of the 100-year New Territories lease in 1898. Even before being returned to the administration of the PRC government, there remained few reminders of the colonial past. The hustle of a typical Hong Kong market had long before replaced any stately British influence.

Today, Nathan Road is one of Hong Kong’s busiest commercial areas. At the lower end is the Golden Mile section, a name no longer much in use. Here are the shops topped by neon signs prominent in so many photos of the district.

Naturally, the bartering is intense and tourists should be cautious not to get ‘a deal’ that turns out to be slightly less than what was explained. But bargaining with the native shopkeepers is all part of the fun of shopping in Hong Kong.

Crowded with visitors, you’ll find a huge variety of goods for sale. Some of the cheapest cameras, camcorders, and watches anywhere in Asia line the shelves. But sometimes cheap means inexpensive and other times it simply means, well, cheap. Buyer beware.

Besides consumer electronics goods are boutiques, perfume shops, restaurants, and street vendors of every shape and color. If you just have to buy a pair of shoes at midnight, Nathan Road is your destination. If you want that handbag that is available nowhere else at a price you can’t believe, this is the spot.

Jade, of course, is a staple of the area. The Jade Market is up Nathan Road to Kansu Street in the Yau Ma Tei area. There are ornaments, jewelry, and even raw jade for sale.

There’s even a Dutch South African camera shop. Formerly called Van Der Merwe, it now goes by the name P.C. Cheng (Koos). Located at No. 2 Humphreys, just look for the South African flag hanging outside.

Take a break from the frenetic shopping experience and visit nearby Kowloon Park. Take in the minarets outside the Jamia Masjid India Mosque, a local Chinese Muslim gathering place. Have some lunch at one of the many tiny shops selling beef noodles. Or, if you prefer, try one of the Nepalese or Pakistani restaurants that dot the streets.

Even if it’s only for the pleasure of watching people bargain, Nathan Road is an excellent attraction to add to your Hong Kong vacation.

It will surprise many that Hong Kong is not made only of buildings and streets. Not far from the center of this bustling metropolis is one of the most preserved natures on earth.

A now-protected wetland, the Mai Po Marsh is one of the world’s greatest sites of wild birds, fish, and insect populations. And fortunately for those sensitive to heat and humidity, summer isn’t the only good time to visit. From October to May the annual migration floods the marsh with hundreds of interesting species.

Part of the Ramsar site, Mai Po is an important part of the East Asian Flyway for migratory birds. Within these 1,500 hectares (3,675 acres) managed by the World Wildlife Fund can be found nearly 500 distinct species of bird. During the winter months the wetlands are home to over 50,000 migratory birds.

There are Purple Herons and Arctic Warblers, Brown Flycatchers and Great Egrets. There are still some of the world’s only remaining Black-faced Spoonbills and Spoon-billed Sandpipers. One of the hardest to spot is the Ruff, but Asian Dowitchers are plentiful.

The wetlands also attract some of the many interesting indigenous insect species, such as the colorful dragonflies and butterflies native to Hong Kong. There are also other wildlife, such as otters and leopard cats.

The area itself is of some interest as well, comprising mudflats, mangroves, shrimp ponds and reed beds.

Visitors should be prepared for the conditions. That can mean unexpected rain. But it can also mean man-made changes that occur without notice. Attempts to control the number and location of species result in frequent changes. Areas are often alternately drained and flooded by the local authorities managing the wetlands.

As a result, guidebooks or blogs or other sources that report a good location for spotting certain species may or may not be accurate at the time of your visit.

A permit to visit the park is mandatory and costs around $100 HK ($13 US) for a one-day visitor pass. Visitors must be five years old or older. For more information visit http://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/maipo/

It’s wise to plan in advance as permits can often take several weeks to obtain. Booking three months in advance is best. It’s unwise to attempt to visit Mai Po without a permit. Authorities are very strict and don’t accept excuses from those caught in the area without one.

The WWF organizes regular three-hour tours on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Those arriving for the first time are well advised to take advantage of their expertise. The tour currently costs around $70 HK ($9 US) and for a few dollars more you can rent binoculars.

Finding the Mai Po Marsh is easy. It’s located on the northwest coast of the New Territories, neighboring the Deep Bay. Visitors can take the MTR subway to Nam Chong, change to the West Rail to Kam Tin, and then take a taxi to Mai Po.