Hong Kong
From its humble beginnings as a small fishing community frequented
by travellers and pirates, Hong Kong grew into one of East Asia's
most prominent centres of trade, manufacturing and finance, as well
as being a major player in the film industry and one of the most
popular tour destinations on the planet.
Setting foot on Hong Kong soil is to tread into a world where
cultures collide and find a fascinating, harmonious balance. Like no
other tour destination, Hong Kong, one of the two administrative
regions of China, not only blends Eastern culture with Western, but
also antiquity with modernity: colonial buildings and Chinese
temples share the skyline with lustrous skyscrapers and traditional
bamboo and tin huts fringe the shorelines; market stalls on the
bustling streets vie for business with colossal, ultra-modern
supermarket complexes; Western pubs and some of the best Chinese and
international restaurants in the world are to be found in close
proximity to one another; and the 160 year-old Star Ferry and the
century-old Peak Tram are viable travel alternatives if one of the
multitude of taxis or the futuristic railway doesn't suit.
Undoubtedly, it is the range of choices in Hong Kong that makes it
so popular among travellers, as even the most discerning of visitors
is sure to find some aspect that suits his or her needs or wants.
For the less discriminating traveller, the options lent by the wide
variety on offer in Hong Kong mean that boredom never factors into
the equation; there's always something new or different to try.
Hong Kong has been under the dominion of Britain, China and Japan
since it came into being and each civilisation has left its
indelible mark on the landscape and culture of Hong Kong. The
territory's name literally translates as 'Fragrant Harbour,' and
Hong Kong certainly lives up to the name, with pungent and
distinctly varied aromas wafting through its bustling, cosmopolitan
streets. The territory is often considered an ideal gateway for
travellers since they can enjoy the pleasures of the East without a
complete departure from the comforts of the West; a place where
travellers can get a rich taste of wholly different cultures and
lifestyles in a somewhat familiar environment. Sights of interest
abound in this, one of the most densely populated regions in the
world, and for those reluctant to experience the at times hectic and
overwhelming nature of urban Hong Kong, there is always the option
to stray further afield and take in the splendour of the
surroundings from a distance. The shimmering neon lights that
illuminate the entire city at night are truly a sight to behold.