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.
