7.2 million people. 44th largest economy in the world.
Residents have one of longest life expectancies in the world.
Recent timeline:
Hong Kong became a British colony in 1830s and remained under British control for a century until Japanese occupation during the second world war, British control resumed after the war, in 1997 Hong Kong become a special administrative region of China with a high degree of autonomy.
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| Hong Kong location |
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| Hong Kong administrative area |
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| Where things are in Hong Kong |
Here's a range of activities to fill a weeks visit.
Centrally
Waterfront walk: Walk along Kowloon waterfront from Victoria Harbour for skyline views of Hong Kong island. It's flat, away from traffic and nice.This walk encompasses Walkway of the Stars, similar to avenue of the stars in Hollywood.
Kowloon heritage buildings: Opposite Victoria Harbour/the Space Museum is The Peninsula
Hotel, a grand colonial building with hi teas in decadent surroundings and pretty arcades of expensive shops. Next door is 1881 Heritage building, think Raffles Hotel in Singapore, a collection of up market dining experiences and shops.
Star Ferry: This runs between Kowloon near the above buildings and Hong Kong island, it's popular with tourists because it's easy to get to and central.
Symphony of Lights: A free nightly light and sound show at 8pm of the skyline of the island best viewed from Victoria Harbour.
Mid level escalators: Escalators that go through the centre of Hong Kong islands business district up towards Victoria Peak.
Victoria Peak: You can either walk up to the Peak from the escalators and the zoological gardens or take the Gondola. Views.
Theme parks
Ocean Park on the other side of Hong Kong island, Pandas and rides. $385 adult/ $193 child.
Disneyland on Lantau island by train. $539 day ticket ages 12 64.
Walks
The islands: Take the ferry near Central Ferry Piers on Hong Kong island to one of the islands; there are no cars on some of the islands which makes for nice walking.Cheung Chau island has a mini China wall which is nice to walk along and a fishing village.
Lantau island has some good walks along its Southern side, accessible by ferry to Discovery Bay, Mui Wo, Shap Long Chung Hau.
Lion Rock in Kowloon offers a decent walk and good views, take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin
on red line. Steep sections.
This is a good blog about hiking in Hong Kong with each walk described with maps and pictures.
http://hikehongkong.blogspot.co.uk/
Further afield:
Day trip to Macau, ferries depart from its own pier to the left of Central piers on Hong Kong island and from Kowloon. Trip takes about an hour, HKD$320 return approx. Take passport.
Macau is famed for casinos, but there is plenty of Portuguese heritage buildings.
Getting to and from Hong Kong airport:
Taxi about $250 to Kowloon, $300+ to Hong Kong island.Airport Express train $90 to Kowloon, $100 to Hong Kong island.
Bus A21 goes to Mong Kong, Kowloon and Hum Hong $33,
Bus E21 is more convenient if returning from Prince Edward area of Mong Kong, $21 due to A21 having a slightly different return route. The buses have the stops listed and next stop highlighted so you don't have to guess to where you are.
Buy an Octopus card from airport on arrival, can be bought next to where train departs or once through immigration. Tip- if staying up to 3 days there is a Tourist Octopus card that gives unlimited travel for 3 days. If more than 3 days just get a regular adult Octopus $150 which you have to load with credit, the card comes with $100 credit within the price. It can also be used as an Eftpos card to pay for things, so you may want to load it with more for the convenience of this.
For exact stops and nearby hotels for bus routes this is a useful website:
http://www.hongkong.net/transportation/to-from-airport/bus/a21
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