Hong Kong Tuttle Travel Pack. Simon Ostheimer
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After a short but fierce fight, the British forces surrendered on Christmas Day. For the next 44 months of occupation, the colony suffered great hardship, and by the time liberation came in 1945, the city’s population had dropped to 600,000 from its pre-war level of 1.6 million.
However, the colony underwent a post-war boom in manufacturing, as the Civil War in China drove many Shanghai textile tycoons to set up business in Hong Kong. As the economy sped up, the ‘Made in Hong Kong’ label became known in clothing shops worldwide. Over the next few decades, the colony gradually made the shift to a service-based economy, which led to some of the highest rates for literary, life expectancy and income in the world. However, uncertainty reigned following the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984, which declared that the entire territory (even though Hong Kong Island and Kowloon had been ceded in perpetuity) would be returned to China on 30 June 1997, when the 99-lease for the New Territories ran out.
Despite the fact that the pact stated the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’, and Deng Xiaoping himself had promised 50 years of no change, many Hong Kongers, fearing the worst, emigrated to countries such as Canada, Australia and the UK. However, most misgivings have proven unfounded, as the Special Administrative Region has largely been left alone by the national government in Beijing.
While there have been wobbles, most notably during 2003, a year that saw the outbreak of SARS, and a march on 1 July against the proposed introduction of controversial anti-subversion legislation, which one in ten residents took part in, the city has continued its remarkable growth, becoming ‘Asia’s World City’, as the current government slogan goes.
The Hong Kong Travel Pack
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Full of up-to-date, thoroughly researched information written by locals, the Tuttle series of Travel Packs are indispensable companions on your global travels. The portable size and straightforward format make them always easy to use, no matter if you’re a regular or first-time visitor to the city.
In the front of the book, we give you an overview of the city, including its people, culture, religion and geography, with an additional two pages devoted to Hong Kong’s history, from its Opium War beginnings to the 1997 Handover and beyond. Chapter 1 then lists Hong Kong’s ‘Must See’ Sights, beginning with easy itineraries, and then detailing the Top 21 ‘Don’t Miss’ places to visit and things to do—from riding the Peak Tram to kayaking through sea caves to enjoying afternoon tea at The Pen, you’ll find it here.
In Chapter 2, we take a closer look at the many unique districts that make up Hong Kong, and the distinctive colour and character you’ll find in each, beginning in the commercial and colonial heart of Central, and ending up on the quiet, rural Outlying Islands. In addition, we head west across the Pearl River Delta to the neighbouring Special Administrative Region of Macau, with its combination of classic Portuguese heritage and modern, glitzy casinos; and cross the northern land border to visit the exciting Mainland Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, trips you might make yourself if you have time.
The largest section of the book is devoted to Chapter 3: Author’s Recommendations. Here, our Hong Kong author makes his picks for Hong Kong’s hippest hotels and nightspots, top kid-friendly activities, must-do country hikes and more. Lastly, the Practicalities section presents all you need to know before you go, including the low-down on festivals, visas, tipping, getting around and essential Cantonese.
While all information is correct at time of print, do make sure to call ahead if you plan to visit any of the venues listed within, as places tend to frequently open and close in fast-paced Hong Kong. As such, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may be contained within the Travel Pack.
CHAPTER 1
HONG KONG’S ‘Must See’ Sights
When you’re caught up in a bustling city of 7 million, it can sometimes be hard to catch your breath and decide what to do next. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and put together this list of the top 21 things to see and do in Hong Kong. From riding the Star Ferry to dolphin watching to wandering the backstreets of Central, you simply can’t leave Asia’s World City without checking off the following.
1 The Star Ferry
2 The Peak Tram
3 The Mid-Levels Escalator
4 The Lantau Big Buddha
5 Kowloon’s Temple Street
6 Happy Valley Horse Racing
7 Stanley Village
8 The Ping Shan Heritage Trail
9 Tai O Village
10 Sea Kayaking
11 Hollywood Road
12 Lamma Island
13 Hong Kong’s Trams
14 Morning Tai Chi Classes
15 Dolphin Watching
16 Harbour Junk Rides
17 The Avenue of Stars
18 Shek O Beachside Village
19 Lan Kwai Fong Nightlife
20 Dim Sum Brunch
21 Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula
Make the Most of Your Visit
Blessed with one of the world’s best public transport systems and bilingual English and Chinese signage, Hong Kong is a very easy city to travel around. However, as with any holiday, a little bit of advance planning can make the difference between enjoying that harbour-front cocktail at sunset and being stuck underground five stations away on the MTR. Before beginning any journey, make sure you pick up an Octopus travel card (www.octopus.com.hk), which can be used on all public transport (excluding taxis) and pay for goods at fast food restaurants, retail outlets, convenience stores and much more.
One Amazing Hong Kong Day
After grabbing breakfast at your hotel, begin your day with early morning tai chi on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront (see No. 14) in one of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s free classes. Then, once you’ve perfected ‘White Crane Spreads Wings’ and ‘Step Back to Repulse Monkey’, walk over to the nearby Star Ferry (see No. 1) pier and catch the famous green-and-white boat across to Central, remembering to check the brass plaque by the funnel to see what particular ‘star’ you’re on. Once you’ve crossed Victoria Harbour, head to Central Pier 8 and board bus 15C to the Peak Tram (see No. 2) Terminus on Garden Road. Arriving here, purchase a Peak Tram Sky Pass ($56 return; if the queues are long, use your Octopus card instead and buy a separate Skypass from the ground floor counter in The Peak Tower), and then enjoy some of the best views in Hong Kong as the funicular railway carries you 1.4 km up the steep, wooded slopes. Next, head to the Sky Terrace for panoramic 360-degree views of the city. For lunch, you can choose from one of the many dining options in The Peak Tower or The Peak Galleria opposite, or instead head to the historic surrounds of The Peak Lookout, a former sedan chair rest station and now heritage restaurant. Walk off lunch by taking a leisurely stroll along Lugard and Harlech Roads before catching the Peak Tram back down to Central. Upon arrival at the lower terminus, follow the signs for St John’s Cathedral and Battery Path, which will lead you down to Queen’s Road Central. Surrounded by high-rises, you’ve now arrived in the city’s retail heart. Indulge