If tranquility and serenity are adjectives you would use to describe the perfect trip, leave Hong Kong out of your itinerary. The boisterous energy of 14 million inhabitants leaves the visitor wondering if insomnia is contagious in this city. Hong Kong is the quintessential representation of east meets west, boasting its own Times Square along with artifacts from the Paleolithic Age. The far-reaching history and booming capitalist economy has propelled Hong Kong to the forefront of modern technology and commerce. The best way to navigate this urban jungle is to allow extraordinary diversions to lead where they may, while visiting a few key sites when you travel to Hong Kong.
From Opium Wars to Opulence: Hong Kong History
Since the Stone Age, the island of Hong Kong has supported a society rich with influences from Europeans and the Portuguese through steady and moderate trade. During the 1700s, increased commercial value of Asian luxury goods sparked heightened global interest in this once-neglected corner of China. Following the Opium Wars of the mid-19th century between the British and Chinese, Hong Kong was officially ceded to the British Empire as a Crown Colony beginning in 1898 for a term of 99 years. During that term, Hong Kong's economy blossomed onto the international stage to become one of the most prosperous free markets of today. After 1997, Hong Kong was returned to China as a Special Administrative Region under the conditions that the market and government would remain free and democratic (non-Communist) while Beijing would only handle national security and foreign diplomacy ("one country, two systems").
Today, Hong Kong has maintained a majority of its autonomy and travel to Hong Kong has remained relatively easy for Western nationals. At this time a visa is still not required unless traveling through China as well. English is still an official language along with Chinese.
The Sights and Sounds of Hong Kong Travel
The constant buzz of modern life and the ghostly prevalence of ancient life on the island will keep any traveler occupied without a moment to spare. A unique attraction that pays homage to the Chinese fixation with caged song birds is the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden where 70 different bird stalls, each elaborately decorated, fill the air with their own harmony. From anywhere in the city it is impossible to miss the looming Bank of China Tower, now Hong Kong's national monument and a modern declaration of China's mounting role in the global economy. In the center of the city is Times Square, a monumental 9-story shopping complex that dwarfs Western commercialism. Hong Kong museums do not skip a beat, ranging from science and space to history and art.
When the sensory overload of the city center begins to take a numbing effect it is easy to escape to one of Hong Kong's many parks and monasteries. Victoria Peak is by far the most popular asylum, standing 1,810 feet above the city lights - only to offer more distractions of a smaller commercial district. The famous Man Mo Temple and the Miu Fat Monastery provide a mind-calming sanctuary while Kowloon Walled City Park, which once protected a private Chinese enclave during British rule, is a true natural refuge from Hong Kong's concrete.
Once in Hong Kong, the city will guide you along its commercial corridors and through its ancient alleys. Tradition and history are alive in every corner of this modern municipality, as long as you can turn away from the neon distractions.
Located in Eastern Asia, Hong Kong is situated near the South China Sea. It was in 1997 that the city was returned to China after being leased to Great Britain - this was quite an event and cause for celebration for the Chinese people. Previously fearful of losing their country completely to Great Britain, citizens threw parties for weeks afterward. Now, although neither its own country nor technically a city, it is referred to as a "region" of China.
The official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English, as many residents speak both fluently. Most foreigners actually do not have any difficulty with communication there because the Chinese population tends to speak a number of languages due to business and other pragmatic reasons. The type of money used is the Hong Kong dollar - you should always check the exchange rate at the time of travel.
This location in China is known to be a very modern region with wonderful food, energetic and hard working people, plenty of shopping areas that rival some of the most popular in the world, and local customs that will draw anyone into their vibrant area.
In fact there is so much to do and see, it can be difficult to know where to get started. If you travel to there and plan to do some shopping, look around and compare prices first. Depending on where you are at the time, you could be charged a whole lot more than even going to a similar market on a street one block away.
There is a great public transportation system throughout the land, which uses the Octopus payment card. This card is essential to getting around town as almost everyone pays transportation fees from it, except for taxi cabs. It can even be used at restaurants, convenience stores, and for almost any other imaginable purchases.
When you travel to this part of the world, there is much to be seen, so start slowly and take your time so you don't miss essentials while trying to catch everything. Definitely include Hong Kong Island on your itinerary, which is the most urbanized district. Kowloon is also a great spot to take a day trip. It offers the best view of the skyline and is one of the most populated cities in the world.
The Chinese government and its citizens are very conservative, so be on your best behavior at all times to enjoy the beautiful country on their terms. It wasn't long ago that very few visitors were even allowed into China from the outside and you had to jump through hoops to get a Visa to travel there.
Make sure to take a train through the land as well, allowing you the opportunity to restfully enjoy everything that this region has to offer. From fabulous food to amazing culture, you can hardly go wrong visiting Hong Kong.
Both Frank Johnson & Terry Miller are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.