Hong Kong – Asia’s World City

Ingrida Kurlinkute,

Editor (Travel)

 

Imagine a place where people have the longest life expectancy in the world (according to both the UN and the  WHO), the highest average IQ score in 81 countries around the world and meanwhile it is one of most densely populated area in the world. In a place like this, called Hong Kong, which brought to Hollywood actors such as Bruce Lee and  Jackie Chan, what is there to see, to do and to eat? In the lines below, we are going to find out!

If you have just a little time to spend there, head straight to Victoria Peak,  the highest point on Hong Kong Island being  554 meters (about 1,817.6 feet) above sea level , also a favourite attraction to both visitors and locals, and the place to view the city of skyscrapers and the harbour. A tram ride to the top of the peak takes eight minutes. At the top there is an observation desk, shops and restaurants. And if you listen carefully enough, you can hear a busy city droning below.

As a contrast to the urbanised vista of Victoria Peak, there is a green Victoria Peak Park which is the most popular of the parks here. There are swimming pools, tennis courts and outside cafes. To relive the spirit of the past, there are Victorian style features such as sun-dials, benches and gazebos. Early in the morning you can watch local people practising t’ai chi.

Take a boat trip to Jumbo – one of the largest floating restaurants in the world – in the middle of Aberdeen Harbour. Treat yourself to a good meal where Queen Elisabeth II and Tom Cruise have chosen to dine.  They cannot be wrong! Do not be afraid of spending over your nose, all the meals here are definitely the best quality possible. On the thrifty side, access to the restaurant by shuttle boat from Aberdeen Promenade or from Sham Wan pier is free. If you are looking for a bargain and more exotic foods, you should know that street food is flourishing in Hong Kong. Try some local dishes, for example, fake shark fin soup (碗仔翅) or egg waffle (雞蛋仔).

If you are a shopaholic, you will love Hong Kong. Shopping is one of the most popular pastimes here. You can buy everything from a new watch to the latest electronic equipment. If you are looking for some antiques, Cat Street and Hollywood Road are on your must list. You can purchase valuable Chinese antiques, such as Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, opium pipes or delicately crafted vases which will be shipped straight to your home in safe. The Ladies’ Market on Tung Choi Street, which is one kilometre long, offers more than 100 stalls of different goods to buy.

Hong Kong, meaning ‘fragrant harbour’ in Cantonese, prouldy calls itself Asia’s World City. It has been influenced by a magnificent array of cultures from different countries such as China, Great Britain, Vietnam and Canada. There are two official languages: Cantonese and English. Nevertheless, not all people are capable of speaking English, so it is useful to learn at least a few phrases. Strart with 唔該; M̀h’gōi (rhymes with boy) and use it for saying ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘excuse me’! Though it is a tonal language and may not be easy to learn, local people will definitely treasure any attempt to speak it.

 

Image Courtesy: Diliff (Wiki Commons), Eckhard Pecher(Wiki Commons)