Hong Kong is very famous for its deep natural harbour and expansive sky line and is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the entire world and the population mainly comprises of ethnic Chinese population. Hong Kong is not only popular as a tourist destination but also is one of the leading financial centres in the world.
Hong Kong also has a rich heritage and history influenced by the Chinese dynasties, Japanese empire and the British Empire. A vacation at Hong Kong is not only about its intriguing heritage and breath taking views, but also coupled with amazing shopping experiences and a number of family entertainment opportunities and not to mention the multitude of restaurants and the amazing night life options.
Different places to visit in Hong Kong
Within the compact area available, Hong Kong offers some of the most memorable and eye-catching tourist attractions such as the Peak, The Giant Buddha and Victoria Harbour. The Peak is a very famous attraction amongst all tourists who visit Hong Kong. The Peak offers an amazing view of the city, mountains, harbor, the pristine waters and the popular Hong Kong skyline. The Peak Tram, pulled by steel cables, climbs up 1200 feet and is a trip that should not be missed if you are in Hong Kong.
One of Hong Kong’s greatest assets, Victoria Harbor is something that people from all over the world come to admire at Hong Kong. The best way to capture the memory of the harbour is to take a night time cruise on board the ferry and enjoy the spectacular multimedia show that features more than 40 skyscrapers. The show is called “A Symphony of Lights”.
The statue of the Giant Buddha sitting a top the Ngong Ping plateau surrounded by the scenic eye-catching mountains of the Lantau Island is another must visit spot in Hong Kong. This magnificent statue of Buddha was cast in China. You will have to climb 200 steps to reach the platform where the Great Buddha is seated.
Shopping Trips to Hong Kong
A trip to Hong Kong is incomplete without shopping. Hong Kong offers a unique shopping experience with the huge variety of brand and products available in varying price ranges to suit everyone’s budgets. You can choose to visit funky street markets, themed shopping districts, trendy boutiques, glitzy malls and traditional Chinese stores where you can purchase everything ranging from designer clothes to latest electronic gadgets and not to mention some of the best souvenirs.
Hong Kong is also known for the variety of fashion and beauty products, jewellery and watches, handicrafts, Chinese Tea, Chinese assorted cakes, Chinese Tableware and tax free gold jewelry. Some of the street markets that you cannot afford to miss are the Stanley market, Ladies Market, Temple Street Night Market and Jade Market. Be sure to bargain at these street markets in order to get the best deals on a variety of products. There are a number of shopping districts all throughout the New Territories, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
There are plenty of things that tourist can engage in at Hong Kong ranging from guided tours across the picturesque scenes of Hong Kong to tram tours, to culture tours. Hong Kong is also a great place for romantic vacations as well as family vacations. For nature lovers, Hong Kong presents umpteen opportunities such as hiking, bird watching at popular wet land parks, walking through the bamboo forests, climbing mountains and not to mention enjoying great beach vacations too.
As Hong Kong has a large coastline, there are a number of beaches and bays here and most of them are well sheltered by the mountains near by giving any one who vacations here a feeling of privacy. However not all the beaches are suitable for swimming due to the water quality. Make sure you take some time out to conduct your research on the beaches in your vicinity where you can enjoy your beach vacation. Some of the beaches that are suitable for swimming are Golden Beach, Turtle Cove beach, Deep Water Bay beach, Pui O Beach, Tong Fuk Beach and others.
How to Travel Cheaply to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of the most accessible spots on earth and is serviced by more than 80 airlines, a number of cruise lines, trains from Mainland China and ferry’s. The Hong Kong International Airport is one of the best airports in the world and has flights to and from most of the popular cities all around the world. Travelers who are entering Hong Kong from Mainland china can take local trains into the town from Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu checkpoints. There are a number of ferry’s that connect Hong Kong with the neighboring ports in China. There are a number of cruise liners too that stop off at Hong Kong.
The Cost of a Vacation or Trip to Hong Kong
Travel costs totally depend on the type of transportation mode chosen and the number of people travelling. You will find a number of tour operators offering the best tour packages that will help you save a lot of money on your trip to this wonderful city.
Hong Kong Hotels to Stay in
There are plenty of accommodation options available to tourist in Hong Kong. You can choose from an overwhelming number of hotels, budget accommodations, youth hostels, resorts and much more. Some of the best names in the luxury hotel industry have their presence in Hong Kong. Holiday Inn, Marriott, InterContinental and Harbour Grand are just some of them. A number of hostels are located in New Territories and a quite remote, but offer some of the best sceneries, such as view from over a mountain, hiking trails and marine parks.
Recommendations for a Visit of a Lifetime to Hong Kong
If you prefer warm and sunny weather, then make sure you plan your trip to Hong Kong between October and December. For tourists who prefer cooler surroundings, the best time to visit Hong Kong is between January and March. Make sure you carry adequate travel cash with you.
