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Hong Kong Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Hong Kong - Hong Kong perches on the edge of mainland China
occupying an anomalous position as a territory straddling two
worlds. Since the handover in 1997 Hong Kong has become a 'Special
Administrative Region of China' and no longer a subject of colonial
sovereignty. Past and present fuse to create a capitalist utopia
embedded within the world's largest Communist country.
Hong Kong offers a dense concentration of shops and
shopping malls with a cross-pollinated cosmopolitan culture that
embraces Nepalese and British cuisines with equal enthusiasm. It is
the perfect gateway for travellers to Southeast Asia and China,
providing a smooth transition from west to east. As one of the key
economies of the Pacific Rim, Hong Kong Island showcases a gleaming
landscape of skyscrapers and boasts a highly developed transport
infrastructure that makes commuting around it a dream.
Hong Kong consists of four sections, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Kowloon and
the New Territories form part of the Chinese mainland to the north
of Victoria Harbour. Hong Kong Island, containing the central
business hub, lies on the southern side of the harbour facing
Kowloon. The Outlying Islands comprise a composite of 234
islands.
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Hong Kong
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Victoria Peak
www.thepeak.com.hk |
What is it? Much of the pleasure derived from a trip to
Victoria Peak lies in the journey to its summit. The funicular
railway or peak tram has steadily made its way up the mountain
since 1888. Energetic travellers can scale the real peak that
extends 140m (459ft) above the tram terminus. From the top
marvellous vistas open out onto central Hong Kong and across to
Kowloon. Victoria Peak used to serve as a hill station in colonial
times and later became the location of exclusive summer homes.
Today it is a popular tourist spot offering a cooler perspective
from which to contemplate the pleasures of travel to the region.
The Peak Tower on the summit houses numerous attractions, like a
Ripley's Believe it or not 'Odditorium', shops and
restaurants.
Hours of Operation: The Peak Tram runs every day, including Sundays and
public holidays, between 7am and midnight. The tram departs every
10-15 minutes
Phone:2522 0922 (Peak tram) |
2. Western Market
Connaught Road
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What is it? This indoor market is a four-storey red brick
colonial building constructed in 1906. After extensive renovation
it re-opened in 1991 and now occupies an entire block at the
western end of Central. The building houses a variety of shops and
stalls that sell a range of products from curios to assorted silks
and fabrics. From here one can hop onto Hong Kong's ancient
double-decker tram headed for Wanchai, Causeway Bay and Happy
Valley.
Hours of Operation: Open daily from 10am to 5pm
Phone:2543 6878 |
3. Police Museum
27 Coombe Road, The Peak
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What is it? The museum showcases a display tracing the
development and history of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. It
provides an interesting visit and insight into the dedication of
the officers who served within this elite
force.
Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm; Tuesday 2pm to 5pm.
Closed Mondays
Phone:2849 7019 |
Hong Kong
holidays - Top Events
1. Chinese New Year
From 2007-02-18
To 2007-02-18
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What is it? When it comes to Chinese New Year
celebrations, nobody does it better than Hong Kong. The streets are
jammed with dragon dancers, street performers and illuminated
floats; doors are hung with colourful messages of good fortune, and
lights are draped over all the city's skyscrapers. The highlight of
the festivities is the glittering night parade, which is
complemented by special lighting effects and concluded by a
traditional fireworks extravaganza over the harbour that is said to
scare away demons and ensure good luck. In 2007 the year of the
boar begins.
Where is it? Wan Chai Harbourfront; parade route in Tsim Sha Tsui |
2. Hong Kong Arts Festival
From 2007-02-27
To 2007-03-25
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What is it? As a major international arts festival and
the city's premier arts event of the year, the Hong Kong Arts
Festival presents a fabulous assortment of music, theatre, dance
and a wide range of creative visual arts by top international and
local performers. The festival is renowned for the richness and
diversity of its programme, ranging from classic entertainment to
modern and innovative forms of performing arts. The festival is
opened at the Piazza Party that is a special open-air extravaganza
of music, dancing and free entertainment.
Where is it? |
3. Cheung Chau Bun Festival
From 2007-05-24
To 2007-05-24
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What is it? The tiny island of Cheung Chau hosts the
world's only bun festival in honour of the God of the Sea, Pak Tai,
to ensure fair weather and a good catch at the start of the fishing
season, as well as protection against evil spirits. Spectacular bun
towers, 60ft (18m) high bamboo structures covered with iced buns,
are erected in front of the Pak Tai Temple as an offering, and the
blessed buns are handed out to believers at the end of the
festival. A colourful street procession with floats, dragon and
lion dancers, acrobats and young children in rich costumes make it
one of Hong Kong's most vivid and intriguing
festivals.
Where is it? Cheung Chau Island |
4. Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng)
From 2007-06-19
To 2007-06-19
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What is it? The festival commemorates the death of a
national hero, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself as a protest against
the corrupt rulers of the 3rd century. Legend has it that the
villagers threw rice dumplings into the river and beat drums to
scare the fish away from his body in an attempt to rescue him. The
main festival activities today bring to mind the event, as rice
dumplings are eaten and teams of local and international racers
compete in fast and furious dragon boat races to the pounding of
drums, as well as other various water-based activities. The
elaborately carved, brightly painted dragon boats are the highlight
of the festivities, combining heritage, sport and spectacle. For
more information email the Hong Kong Tourism Board info@discoverhongkong.com
Where is it? Shing Mun River, New Territories |
5. Mid-Autumn/Moon Festival
From 2007-09-25
To 2007-09-25
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What is it? One of the major festivals celebrated in Hong
Kong, the Moon Festival is also one of the most widely celebrated
festivals for Chinese all over the world, and is traditionally a
time for family reunions. At this time of year the moon is thought
to be the biggest, brightest and most beautiful, and to celebrate
this sighting colourful lanterns in a variety of traditional shapes
are lit and all open spaces and hilltops are crowded with families
and bright lanterns, watching the full moon rise and eating
traditional sweet moon cakes. As with many Chinese celebrations
there are numerous ancient myths and legends to explain the
festival. For more information contact the Hong Kong Tourist Office
Association on +852 2807 6543 or email info@www.hkta.org
Where is it? |
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