Hong Kong Travel Guide

Browse the Hong Kong Photo Gallery

Visually stunning Hong Kong offers a ‘shop till you drop' lifestyle combined with enclaves of fascinating Chinese tradition. Hong Kong's popularity amongst Asian tourists, its major stopover status and financial importance make it an all round contender as one of the most interesting cities in the world.

Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, are an eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers, colonial buildings and traditional temples. For relaxation, Hong Kong's 260 outlying islands, provide a tranquil alternative to the frenetic city life. Escape the city and explore the surrounding mountains, discover remote beaches or take in the fantastic cityscape from Victoria Peak.

Whether it's spending the day betting and bantering at the horses, chasing the kids around Hong Kong's very own Disneyland, or getting back to nature at a stunning country park, there is something to suit all in this cosmopolitan city.

Geography

Hong Kong is located in east Asia, just south of the Tropic of Cancer. Hong Kong Island is 32km (20 miles) east of the mouth of Pearl River and 135km (84 miles) southeast of Canton. It is separated from the mainland by a broad natural harbor. Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain in 1842 by the Treaty of Nanking; and the Kowloon Peninsula (south of Boundary Street and Stonecutters Island) in 1860 by the Convention of Peking. The area of Boundary Street to Shenzhen River and a group of 260 islands, now known as the New Territories, were leased to Britain in 1898 for a period of 99 years. The New Territories (plus the 260 islands) comprise 891 sq km (380 sq miles). Shortage of land suitable for development has led to reclamation from the sea, principally from the seafronts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.