Hong Kong at a Glance
Hong Kong is known for its gorgeous skyline, efficient service,
tasty cuisine, good shopping, and mix of cultural influences. Plus,
its easy-to-use public transportation system (trains, trams, buses,
subways, ferries, and taxis) makes hitting the city's myriad sites
a snap. - H.S.
Victoria Peak
See it all by heading up this mountain, the highest on Hong Kong
Island. You'll find Peak Tower, a wok-shaped structure boasting a
360-degree view of Hong Kong's skyline, and Peak Tram, a funicular
railway that dates back to 1888.
Avenue of Stars
Journey through 100 years of Hong Kong cinematic history here,
where plaques honor 73 of the country's brightest film stars.
Hong Kong Space Museum
Recognizable by its egg-shaped dome, the museum features
interactive exhibits on space science and astronomy.
Ocean Park
Part amusement park, part marine conservatory, Ocean Park has
something for everyone in the family. Visitors can ride the roller
coasters and get up close and personal with pandas, dolphins,
sharks, sea lions, and more.
Repulse Bay
Don't let the name fool you. The sand is soft, the water is
pristine, and the waves are gentle at this former pirate hangout.
Two goddess statues, Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, watch over the bay and
protect fishermen.
Temple Street
The open-air night market features fortune tellers, Cantonese opera
singers, dozens of food stalls, and, of course, hundreds of
vendors. Bargaining is expected.
Happy Valley Racecourse
Catch a nighttime race at
Happy Valley, where the stakes are high
and the crowds are plentiful. Horse racing is Hong Kong's most
popular spectator sport.
A Symphony of Lights
Lasers and searchlights dance across 33 buildings and over Victoria
Harbour at this nightly event, which tells a story through five
themes: awakening,
energy, heritage, partnership, and celebration.
Tian Tan Buddha at Po Lin Monastery
Take a trip to Hong Kong's outlying islands to see the world's
tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha, which is more than 110 feet
tall and weighs 250 tons. (But first, you have to climb the 268
steps to reach the statue's base.)
Tai O Fishing Village
After visiting Tian Tan, on Lantau Island, head west to Tai O, a
Chinese village made up of stilt houses. The residents here are
mostly the Tanka people, fishers who feel more comfortable on water
than on land.
Go Figure
The name Hong Kong means "fragrant harbor." It's derived from the
area around present-day Aberdeen (on Hong Kong Island), where
fragrant wood products and incense were once traded. // The median
age at first marriage is 31 for males and 28 for females. // Hong
Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with
more than six million people living on 415 square miles. // The
official languages are Chinese (Cantonese) and English, with
English spoken by more than a third of the population. Mandarin,
the official language of
China, is now the second most popular
Chinese dialect spoken in Hong Kong.