Hong Kong: The island which (almost) has it all
By: Lovely Casia | Comments :0
Whether you want to acquire a piece of culture or a luxury hand bag, Hong Kong serves that need with its many temples and historical sites that stand side by side with its towering skyscrapers and buzzing markets. HelloWorld explores the many offerings of Hong Kong and tells why it is a great deal for travelers.
Thousand of skyscraper on two side of Victoria Harbour of Hong Kong. View from the Peak at night.
KOWLOON
Ladies Market – sells clothes, shoes and other items for women and children
Temple Street Market – night market that sells everything from home décor to sex toys
Wan Chai Street Market – biggest outdoor market selling department store items
Jade market – the destination for jewelry, jade carvings, and semi-precious stones
Yuen Po Street Bird Market – its 70 songbird stalls sell anything related to bird, from food to cages
Flower Market – sells blooms from different parts of the globe
Goldfish Market – aside from goldfish, other types of fish, corals, aquariums and ornaments are sold here
Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar – a popular place for dinner, where sea food is bought alive, then cooked
HONGKONG ISLAND
Stanley Market – the best place for Hong Kong first-timers for its souvenirs
Golden Shopping Arcade – sells computer technology parts and hardware at dirt-cheap prices
Business Card Market – designs, creates and replicates business cards
Costume Market – sells costumes, masks, and fancy jewelry
Cat Street – a big flea market that sells jade and Mao Tse Tung memorabilia
Dried Seafood Street – dried seafood is sold by piecemeal or by bulk here
Herbal Medicine Street – this street sells every imaginable Chinese herbal medicine there is
Ginseng and Bird's Nest Street – the best place to buy Ginseng and bird's nest believed to prolong life
Antique Street – offers authentic Chinese good such as jade, silk, embroidered and handcrafted items
Western Market – destination for local Chinese products and vintage items
Once a humble village of farmers and fishermen, Hong Kong is now a booming metropolis—a glittery show window of China to the world. A colony under the crown of Great Britain until 1997, Hong Kong today is now melting pot of international commerce, awash with gleaming skyscrapers and blinking neon signs. From the upscale malls to the easy-on-the-pocket street markets, from fashionable boutiques to traditional Chinese stores: you can find them all here.
For centuries, Hong Kong is one of the few among Asian countries with a direct connection to Europe. Among the first Europeans to establish a trade relation to the area were the Portuguese, followed by the Dutch, forging a constant trading concession to Hong Kong. The demands for Chinese silk, spices and tea flourished during the 19th century, giving Hong Kong a more favorable position as a bustling hub of trade and commerce. More and more goods were brought to the country and sold back to Europe for double the price.
But now, Hong Kong is a place of bargains and great finds. Those who shop without worry of cash can pore over the diverse luxury items sold in the many boutiques that dot the city. What makes Hong Kong unique as a satisfying trip, however, is the variety of experience that it can impart to travelers. A place of wonder and excitement rolled into one, Hong Kong will definitely fill an itinerary with worthwhile activities the moment you arrive.
What to Do and See
Aside from shopping, this former British colony also has a hodgepodge of cultural sites and attractions. Below is a simplified list of things that will keep you occupied for days, or even weeks. Causeway Bay
Fondly called “Little Japan” by the locals, the Causeway Bay is a composed of clustered shops selling all sorts of items– shoes, fashion apparel and electronics. If you take a walk around the area, chances are you’ll stumble upon big shopping malls such as the Times Square, Jardine’s Crescent, La Foret and Island Beverly. Each and every market has its own charm, containing hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered. And the great news, you can always haggle. Great for ALL kinds of goodies!
Jardine for instance is a great place for cheap clothing and accessories. Island Beverly, on the other hand, features the creations of local designers. Even European and Japanese clothing are sold here. At $30, you can have a fashionable top or skirt. If you’re looking for a posh boutique you can check out La Foret which sells top-of-the-line clothing such as Max Mara, Viviene Tam, Gay Giano and Sisley. Hungry? Street stalls and eateries sell their traditional fares such as bean curd, dim sum.
The Hong Kong Island Central
Beside banks and government offices are the big designer’s shopping center such as The Landmark, Alexanda House and the Galleria which cater to the high end market. Crossing the two parallel streets however will bring you to the so called “The Lanes,” dotted with non-descript stalls where hawkers sell discounted curio such as costume jewelry, shoes, watches and the like. The market opens around 10 in morning and closes around 7 in the evening.
The Man Mo Temple
One of the most important landmarks in Hong Kong is the Man Mo Temple, devoted to the Gods of war and literature. You can get the chance to have your fortune read by any of the psychics stationed at the temple’s entrance. Interestingly, the Hollywood Road is nearby Man Mo , which is known for its antique shops selling anything from Chinese furniture to lacquer ware. Tibetan rugs and Buddha sculptures, aside from the rare Ming dynasty ceramic horseman and some Maoist memorabilia, are also sold here.
Tram Ride at Victoria Peak
Named after the British Queen Victoria, this landmark is set on a top of a hill where visitors can have the sheer delight riding the cable train and seeing the glittering city lights. On top of the hill is the Peak Tower, the Madame Tussaud Wax Museum, the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, and the Peak Explorer Motion Simulator. For a more romantic experience, you can pay a visit there just before the sun set and the entire city light up.
Tian Tan Buddha - the world's tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha located in Hong Kong.
Ocean Park and Water World
Nestled in the southwest of Hong Kong island, this spot is worth visiting especially if you’re travelling with your children. The park has amusement rides featuring the wave pool and slides. The aviary, the Butterfly Park and the marine show can also be highlight of your visit to this island. Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha
Those who want to get a taste of a more traditional Hong Kong can proceed to Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha, situated on Lantau Island. Beginning as a simple structure built by three Buddhist monks almost a century ago, the monastery has added structures through the years, such as a temple, living quarters and vegetarian restaurant. Its highlight is the world’s biggest bronze Buddha Statue, standing at 34 meters tall and weighing 250 tons. No fee is collected to see the Buddha but visitors are requested to purchase vegetarian coupons for the restaurant. The coupons also give visitors an access to the three- level exhibition hall where Buddhist arts and crafts, among others, are displayed.
Where to Stay
Hong Kong has a wide range of accommodations, from the finest hotels like Langham Place and the Metro Park Hotel to the inexpensive England Premier Backpackers Inn located in the heart of Mongkok. Most of the accommodations are closely linked to the chockfull of shopping malls and markets, especially around Kowloon area with its restaurants, multiplex cinemas, and the Mongkok subway station. Shopping plazas and bazaars such as the Goldfish Market, Ladies Market are concentrated in the area, catering for the quick shopping fix.
The Chungking Mansions or the so called “Kowloon Walled City” could be another option for backpackers who want to visit Hong Kong, prices here are cheap, but so is the quality. Made famous by the award-winning filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, the mansion became an enclave of visitors who want the cheapest possible accommodation, which can get as low as HK$62 per night.
Hong Kong Harbor at sunset
How to get to Hong Kong
It’s no surprise that Hong Kong is a popular place for foreigners because visa requirements here are lax, that is to say you can visit Hong Kong without a Chinese visa on hand. The best and fastest way to get to the city from the airport is by the MRT, it will cost you around HK$30 to 45. If you wish to stay in Hong Kong for a few days, buying an Octopus card will give you discounted rides on the MRT and most buses, it will cost HK$ 150, out of which 50 is a deposit that you'll get back when returning the card. You will also be refunded for unused fares. However if comfort is your priority, hire an airport taxi costing around HK$340 to Central and HK$280 to Kowloon, but keep in mind Hong Kong traffic can be chaotic.
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