If you’re looking for a city that is both cosmopolitan and laid-back, Hong Kong is for you. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife and delicious food, this destination has something for everyone.
Despite being a former British colony, Hong Kong retains a high degree of autonomy under the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’. The territory is home to a significant number of people from China, Australia, Europe and North America.
Victoria Peak
Hong Kong has one of the world’s best skylines and Victoria Peak is the best place to see it. It’s a must-see for everyone visiting the city and it’s easy to get there!
You can get to the top of the Peak via a vintage funicular tram. It’s a very popular option but it can be crowded, so make sure to leave early!
The views from the top are truly incredible, no matter what time of day you go. The view of the harbour, the skyscrapers, and Kowloon’s eight mountains are breathtaking.
To enjoy the view, you can pay for a ticket on the tram to go up to the Sky Terrace, or you can climb a few steps to the free observation deck. Alternatively, you can visit The Peak Galleria, which has both a free observation deck and a shopping arcade.
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is Hong Kong’s bustling commercial hub. It’s home to some of the city’s top shopping destinations and an enticing array of restaurants and attractions.
Located across from Victoria Park, Rosedale Hotel Hong Kong is the perfect base for travelers who want to explore Causeway Bay’s bustling streets and world-class amenities. The hotel is also conveniently located for public transportation and is a five-minute walk from an MTR station.
One of the more peculiar sights in Hong Kong is the Noonday Gun, which is fired every day at noon by an employee of multinational company Jardine Matheson. It’s a simple ceremony that only takes a few minutes, but the sight of a cannon being fired in the middle of the harbour is certainly memorable.
If you’re into luxury goods, you can stop by Hysan Place and Lee Gardens for high-end retailers like Barbour, Chanel, Dior, Hermes and Dunhill. The mall is also home to a slew of top restaurants and bars.
Hong Kong Space Museum
The Hong Kong Space Museum, a landmark set boldly against Victoria Harbour, celebrates man’s journey into space. Located on the waterfront, it is one of the world’s first local planetariums built to popularise astronomy and space science education.
The 8,000 square-metre space science museum comprises an east and west wing, the former of which has an egg-shaped dome structure and beneath it is the Stanley Ho Space Theatre with a hemispherical projection dome, the Space Science Hall and workshops. The west wing is the main exhibition halls and includes a lecture hall, a gift shop and an office.
The space science museum is a great place to learn more about outer space and the universe, with exhibits on astronomy, spaceflight, and space technology. It also features a planetarium and an IMAX theater. The exhibits, predominately interactive, enable visitors to enjoy educational and entertaining experiences, fostering their curiosity in science. Moreover, it organises many extension activities to enrich their knowledge and experience throughout the year.
Kowloon Walled City
The Kowloon Walled City is a fascinating area that boasts a vibrant mix of historic houses, coffee shops, quaint villages and former industrial sites. If there’s one thing you can be certain of, it’s that the district predates modern Hong Kong by centuries.
When it first came into being in the mid-19th century, it was a Chinese military outpost. However, as a result of the Opium Wars and subsequent Unequal Treaties, Britain was granted the right to occupy Hong Kong Island, and subsequently the Walled City.
Despite its status as China’s most infamous vertical slum, the area had many positive aspects as well. There were schools, a church and charitable institutions run by the Protestant and Anglican churches.
By the time the Walled City was demolished in 1994, its residents had been offered a $3.2 billion compensation package. The site has since been transformed into a beautiful park, modeled on Jiangnan gardens. The ruins of the Walled City are still preserved in the park, and there’s even an ancient building that was once the Yamen, the official offices and residences within the Walled City.