Hong Kong Tourist Attractions

Well recognized as the "Pearl of the Orient" and "shopping paradise", a regional and international financial center, Hong Kong is a modern dynamic city, which possesses a favorable location and benefits from advantageous opportunities of development.

Hong Kong consists of five major districts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, Lantau and Outlying Islands. From a small fishing village with only 5,000 people to an affluent cosmopolitan city, Hong Kong has undergone a complex history. It was ceded piece by piece by the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912) to Britain during the two Opium Wars. In 1997, Hong Kong was given back to China and became a Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems". Yet since then little has changed in terms of its political attributes, economic dynamism and cultural diversity.

First setting foot in this city, one may feel overwhelmed by its compact skyscrapers, tightly packed sidewalks and slow crawling traffic. Yet surprise always awaits you around the corner. People call it "shopping paradise" for most of the goods here are free of duty so that they are usually cheaper than elsewhere. The shopping malls in different districts are mostly well equipped with all kinds of shops and restaurants as well as recreational facilities.

Peaceful moments can also be enjoyed in this bustling city, for the attractions here seldom fail to win tourists' appreciation. Stanley Market is just such a place in where tourists can find relaxing activities to do; while Man Mo Temple, the Ocean Park, and Hong Kong Museum of History are other attractions this city is famous for.

After sightseeing one may have a seat in one of numerous restaurants and taste delicacies of all different cuisines from around the world. Streets in Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon City are full of restaurants and eateries. Hong Kong people's eating diet is influenced by both Chinese (especially Cantonese) and western ways; European styles of cooking here are just as commonplace as Asian. It is also a habit for them to go to tea restaurants, have a cup of tea and eat some delicious dim sum in the morning or early afternoon.

The nightlife in Hong Kong is especially recommendable. Nightclubs, bars and pubs are easy to find out as people often want to forget about the daily affairs by having a drink. Central, Lan Kwai Fong and Causeway Bay are just a few of the popular nightlife spots.

• Air quality: ★★★★☆
• Foreigner-friendly degree: ★★★☆☆
• Public security degree: ★★★★☆
• Hygienic degree: ★★★★☆
• Traffic jam degree: ★★★★★
• Internationalization level: ★★★★★
• Consumption level: ★★★★★★

• Language: Mandarin, Cantonese, English
• Best traveling season: Oct. to Mar.
• Tourist resources: landscape, culture, historic relics, shopping, cityscape
• Airport to downtown: 30 km
• Demographics: Chinese (92.62%), foreigners (7.38%)
• Key words: modern, shopping, skyscraper, hot, rainy, food, prosperous, luxury, crowded, busy, fashion.

Local Delicacies: Four kinds of food, Sea Food (Haixian海鲜),Tea Restaurant Characteristics Snack (Chacanting Tese Xiaochi茶餐厅特色小吃), Roasted Dishes (Shaola烧腊), Desserts (Tianpin甜品), including Roast Suckling Pig (Kaoruzhu烤乳猪), Shenjing Roast Goose (Shenjing Shaoe深井烤鹅), Xuliushan Fruit and Dessert (Xuliushan Tianpin许留山的著名水果甜品 ), Stewed Milk Beancurd (Shuangpinai双皮奶), Sesame Paste (Zhimahu芝麻糊), Mango Cool (Mangguoshuang芒果爽), Uncongealed Tofu (Doufuhua豆腐花), Garlic Spread with Steamed Prawns (Suanni Zhengxia蒜泥蒸虾), Fried Oysters Bread (Jianhaobing煎蚝饼), Hong Kong Dim Sum (Gangshi Tianpin港式甜品), Roast Young Pigeon (Ruge乳鸽).

Local Specialities: Hong Kong Cake (Gangshi Gaodian港式糕点), Hong Kong Gold Article (Jinshi香港金饰), Pearl (Zhenzhu珍珠), Hong Kong Butterfly (Hudie香港蝴蝶), Chinese Style Bread (Zhongshi Bingshi中式饼食), Hong Kong New Year Cake (Niangao香港年糕), DongguanTambac (Guan Xiang莞香), Electronic Equipment (Dianzi Qicai电子器材).

Useful lines:

• 入境事务处(24h) Immigration Department
• 852-28246111
• 香港旅游发展局旅游热线 Hotline of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
• 852-25081234
• 报案、火警、急救 Police Service, Fire Alarm, First Aid
• 999
• 警察询问处 Police Service
• 852-25277177