"Keeweechic's Hong Island" Top 5 Page for this destination Hong Kong Island by keeweechic

Hong Kong Island Travel Guide: 246 reviews and 750 photos

Keeweechic's Hong Island - Hong Kong Island

Prior to the British arriving, Hong Kong Island’s inhabitants was made up of a small fishing population. There is even evidence of farmers and fishermen some 6,000 years ago. The island had little to offer in the way of a potential settlement. It lacked fertile soil and fresh water, it was mountainous and was well known to be a haunt for pirates. British Merchants arrived in 1821 and began using the harbour to anchor vessels carrying opium. They soon realised that this sheltered harbour with its deep waters was an ideal location for trading in the Far East and expanding their opportunities along the China coast. They also sought the location to serve as a naval resupply point. At the time, the trade of opium was highly profitable for British Merchants and eventually with their illegal importing into China, the Opium Wars began and consequently Britain’s acquisition of Hong Kong. When British merchants were imprisoned in Guangzhou and their opium warehouses confiscated, the British foreign secretary dispatched navel forces and war developed. With their strength, the British won easily and were occupying Hong Kong Island in 1841.

Hong Kong Island is 77.5 sq km. Mostly the urban areas are concentrated along the northern shore. The centre and the south coast are dominated by mountains. Victoria Peak being the highest place on Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island has five Country Parks aside from those on the mainland. The island shelters the harbour from the South China Sea. Most of the commercial trading houses, bank headquarters and major governments are located in central on land which has largely been reclaimed from the harbour. More than six million people in Hong Kong. About 1.3 million of them live on Hong Kong Island. For the two years I lived in Hong Kong, I also lived on the Island and loved every minute of it. Whenever time permitted, I usually chose to take the star ferry from Kowloon side, especially at night, just to gaze at the splendour of Hong Kong island at night.

Photos which are taken by myself and all headings are copyright and digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission. Thanks. (c) keeweechic 2001-2008 (copyright)

Intro Updated Feb 24, 2008
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (76)

Stanley Markets Shopping (10)

Stanley Markets is a wonderful place full of atmosphere to go and shop for clothing, trinkets and souvenirs,... more travel advice

Central Shopping (10)

Central is filled with local shops as well as very upmarket boutiques selling expensive brand names from Armani,... more travel advice

Shanghai Tang Shopping (10)

One especially different store to go to is Shanghai Tang – this store was very upmarket traditional and yet modern... more travel advice

Pacific Place Shopping (10)

Pacific Place is one of Hong Kong Islands most popular shopping complexes. There is a Marks and Spencers, Lane Crawford,... more travel advice

Local Customs (4)
See All Shoes
Sports & Outdoors (1)
Hong Kong Stadium
What to Pack (1)
Packing List
Transportation (3)
See All The Buses & Trains
Tourist Traps (1)
Taxi's
Warnings and Dangers (6)
See All Low Cloud - Victoria Peak

Off The Beaten Path (1)
Local Produce and Wet Markets
Things to Do (37)
See All Deep Water Bay
Hotels (8)
See All Empire Hotel Hong Kong Island
Nightlife (2)
See All Wanchai
Restaurants (2)
See All Lang Kwai Fong
Been to Hong Kong Island?
Share your travels with the world!

Comments (4)

Reply
- Report abuse
snuggie Jul 6, 2010 at 5:29 AM

Informative page on HK.Hope to visit one day :)
Reply
- Report abuse
Pawtuxet Aug 16, 2009 at 1:22 PM

Thanks for the review of a trip we took many yrs. ago. Had fun at the floating restaurant. They loved my husband's Navy tatoos.
Reply
- Report abuse
Sweetberry1 Sep 21, 2006 at 11:27 PM

Very informative CB.. Must be a glorious view from the Peek. And the shopping... Woww.. My kind of place to a 'T'. Cheers!
Reply
- Report abuse
matcrazy1 Sep 16, 2006 at 10:07 AM

What a fantastic page! Outstanding pictures as well. It's one of my future destinations, no doubts! Thanks for sharing.