HONG KONG HOTELS

ABOUT HONG KONG

Hong Kong is located on the southern coast of China. The city metropolis is known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. It occupies a strategic position along the Pearl River Delta bordering the South China Sea in the south and shares a northern border with China Guangdong province. The region comprises of the main Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories.

Originally a small fishing village she became a British colony in 1842 following the defeat to the British forces in the first Opium War. Under British administration the city flourished as one of the modern cities in Asia with western influences while maintaining its Chinese heritage.

She was returned to China in 1997 under the “one country, two systems” policy. principle,

Central Hong Kong is one of the leading financial and commercial hub of Asia with a fascinating mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings, and traditional temples.

ATTRACTIONS IN HONG KONG

• The International Finance Centre (IFC) which is a towering skyscraper that dominates the city skyline. In addition to shopping, dining and entertainment visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the observation deck on the 100th floor.
• The historic Man Mo Temple. This traditional Chinese temple dates back to the 19th century and is dedicated to the gods of literature (Man) and war (Mo).
• The Maritime Museum showcases the countries historical colonial past. Housed in a building that was once the British Royal Navy’s headquarters, the museum showcases a diverse collection of exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.
• Located across the causeway from Central is the vibrant neighborhood of Tsim Sha Tsui. Located on the southern part of the Kowloon Peninsula it is known for its eclectic mix of attractions from upscale shopping malls and luxury hotels to cultural landmarks and stunning waterfront views. Tsim Tsar Tsui is also home to the iconic Victoria Harbour and the popular Hong Kong skyline. The Avenue of Stars, located along the4 harbor walk, pays homage to famous Hong Kong movie stars with a 3 meters tall bronze statue of the late Kung Fu movie star Bruce Lee. Food lovers will be delight with the culinary choices from traditional simple dim sum restaurants, Michelin rated high end Chinese restaurants to trendy rooftop bars in the Tsim Tsar Tsui area.
• The Museum of History or the Cultural Center is located along the harbor walk as well. Just a short 15 minutes walk from the harbor area is Kowloon Park. The park is home to a collection of flora from all over the world with a bird park in the center. The park is busiest during weekends and public holidays.
• The historic Star Ferry services (implemented during the British administration in 1888) across the Victoria Harbour is a must try. This ferry service has been connecting the Island with the Kowloon Peninsula for over a century offering passengers stunning views of the city’s skyline and Victoria Harbour.
• Other attractions are Victoria Peak, Disneyland Hong Kong, Ocean Park, Tai O fishing village and the Hong Kong Observatory Wheel. Popular tourist locations include suburbs of Mongkok, Sum Shui Po, Stanley Market and the designer brands shopping area of Canton Road in Tsim Shar Tsui.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT HONG KONG

The best time to visit Hong Kong is during the fall (October to December). This period brings mild temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). The humidity is lower and is comfortably to be outdoors exploring the whole day. Avoid visiting in May, June, July, August and September as these 5 months are rainy period that brings the typhoon season along with it.

MORE ABOUT HONG KONG

The currency denomination is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD), which is subdivided into 100 cents. The HKD is issued by three banks: HSBC, Bank of China, and Standard Chartered, each producing banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000. Coins are available in denominations of 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, $1, $2, $5, and $10.

The population ethnicity of Hong Kong are Taishanese, Chiu Chow, Cantonese and Hakka ethnic origins of the Han Chinese. The remaining 10% of the population consist of British descendants, Filipino, Nepalese, Indian and Indochinese.      

Getting around the city is a easy with its renowned extensive Mass Transit Railway (MTR) network that is clean, punctuality, and safe. The iconic double decker bus and mini-bus (only serving remote locations away from the central area) complement the MTR. The Trams is another mode of transport across the northern parts of the island.