Hong KongHong 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
travelers 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 harbor facing Kowloon. The Outlying Islands comprise a composite of 234 islands.
Getting Around: With one of the best and most varied public transport systems in the world and a compact city center, getting around Hong Kong is extremely cheap, fast and efficient and is easy enough for even inexperienced travelers. It includes buses, minibuses, ferries, trams, light railways and an underground subway. The underground Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is fast, clean, efficient and inexpensive. Single-journey tickets or travel passes like the electronic Octopus card can be used on the MTR to easily access attractions, shopping and dining locations. Bus routes serviced with double-decker or single-decker buses cover all of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories with final destinations displayed in both English and Chinese on the front. Bus fares are low and distance-based; exact change is required, or you can use the ubiquitous Octopus card, which covers all public transport options. Small mini-buses are more expensive but also more flexible, stopping for passengers to board or disembark on request. Hong Kong's old-fashioned trams still follow the same tracks as they have since 1904 and provide visitors with wonderful views of the city from their upper decks. They are also a cheap and convenient way of getting around. On the water, fleets of ferries connect Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the Outlying Islands,
Macau and Mainland China. Last but not least there is an abundant supply of taxis, color-coded according to their area of operation. Taxi fares are low, but many drivers don't speak English and visitors are advised to have their destination written down in Chinese characters.
Nightlife: Mellow in comparison to
Tokyo or
Beijing, the nightlife in Hong Kong is somewhat modest, yet there is still plenty to tempt those with an appetite for a party. With plenty of bars for locals and foreigners to choose from, Hong Kong serves its own unique brand of entertainment.Notoriously naughty
Wan Chai has calmed down a lot over the last few decades, and although it has still retained some of seediness and a few girlie bars can be found, there are also many British-style pubs frequented by expatriate locals.
Lan Kwai Fong is known as having one of the biggest drinking crowds in Hong Kong and the bars to sustain it and is also a well known people watching spot.Live music is has become a standard feature of many restaurants, cocktail lounges, and bars that actively seeking it out is futile. The Fringe Club is Hong Kong's most well known venue of all things alternative and live acts can be seen here on most weekends, for a price.As it gets later and more alcohol is consumed, most of Hong Kong's small bars tend to evolve into raucous nightclubs while trendy dance clubs impose a strict dress code and often only grant entrance to members.
Climate: Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cool, dry winters. Winter lasts from January to March, the coldest month being February, when the temperature averages 57°F (14°C) and the city gets cooled by strong, cold winds that blow in from the north. In summer the wind blows from the south, bringing in warm, humid air and a rainy season that extends from spring through summer. Temperatures in summer climb to a maximum of around 82°F (28°C) and Typhoons are possible during both the spring and autumn months.
