Hong Kong, until 1997, was a British protectorate and retains a strong international feel. The noise, the lights, the constant traffic - Hong Kong island is an incredibly exciting place to visit - the sort of city that grabs you from the moment you step off the plane. (onto the amazingly efficient and cheap airport express that whisks you into town) I loved my trip there and can't wait to return!So what to see?
Depending upon your budget here are some Lazyshark suggestions on how to spend your time and Hong Kong dollars whilst you're there:
Money to burn?
Get a suit made - Ask around, ask in your hotel or any locals that you meet, there are always tailors around who will whip you up a suit/10 shirts/a beautiful evening dress quicker than you would have thought possible.
Climbing/Sailing - If you are interested in Rock climbing, Hong Kong is a fantastic place to indulge in this sport, the many small islands that form this archipelago offering apparently some of the best climbing in the world. Similarly, it's a great place to splash out on a boat trip for a day or two, a beautiful way to explore and a welcome break from the craziness of HK central!
On a shoestring?
Star Ferry to Kowloon - To bag yourself the best pictures of Hong Kong island skyline, get the ferry to Kowloon either early morning or after dark.
Peak Tram up Victoria Peak - This used to be better a few years ago before they built all the shopping arcades etc (Madame Tussauds, anyone?!) at the top of Victoria Peak, but the views from the top are still great and you can walk around the back to some poorly maintained paths that make for a good walk back down the peak. (don't forget to take some water with you though - it's further than it looks!)
Stanley Market -This is a very touristy market these days, but the locals still go there to eat Dim Sum or Noodles. The atmosphere is great for a wander, and if you are needing anything from Bird cages to Silk dressing gowns it's a good place to start. (even if you just go to find out the "price" before going to a less touristy market to haggle)
Hong Kong Museum District - This purpose built area contains several museums that are laid out in landscaped grounds, the collections change frequently so worth having a look to see if anything is on that might take your fancy.
Monasteries and Temples - There are a few, fairly modern temples in Hong Kong, of which I enjoyed the Wong Tai Sin Temple (lots of steps!) and the Po Lin Monastery. (the journey to get out there was a bit of an adventure in itself, involving tube, ferry then bus, but a beautiful place and worth the effort)
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