"Hong Kong" Hong Kong by traveldave

Hong Kong Travel Guide: 8,200 reviews and 19,587 photos

Hong Kong - Hong Kong

I have been fascinated with Hong Kong for almost as long as I can remember. When I was about six years old, I saw an article from the early 1960s in National Geographic, which was about how Hong Kong was being transformed from an unimportant part of the British empire into a major manufacturing and exporting center. Although I was too young to understand what was going on in Hong Kong at the time, I was captivated by the pictures and wanted to go there.

My dream came true in 1999 when I was able to visit Hong Kong for one week. Hong Kong (which means "Fragrant Harbor" in the local Cantonese dialect) had recently reverted from British to Chinese control, and it was an interesting time to be there. And the Asian economy had crashed not long before that, after having experienced a period of unprecedented growth. Because Japanese businessmen were no longer filling the hotels and airline seats, the hotels and airlines worked together to offer very reasonable packages to Asia, which included hotel accommodations and airfare.

Most people imagine the glittering skyscrapers of Central, the teeming streets of Kowloon, or the "boat people" of Aberdeen Harbour when they think of Hong Hong. However, the built-up metropolitan area is just a small part of what is now a Special Administrative Region of China. Hong Kong is made up of 233 islands and part of the mainland, and most of the area is actually rural or even wilderness. During my visit, I made it a point not only to see the sights and attractions of the bustling city, but those of the countryside as well.

  • Last visit to Hong Kong: Sep 1999
  • Intro Updated Jun 21, 2012
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Reviews (22)

- Hong Kong Hong Kong Favorites (2)

What is now Hong Kong once consisted of barren islands with small fishing communities. However, a war between Britain... more travel advice

- Hong Kong Kowloon Favorites (2)

Kowloon is an urban area of Hong Kong that makes up five square miles (12 square kilometers) of the most densely... more travel advice

- Hong Kong The Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower Things to Do (6)

Completed in 1915, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower is all that remains of the historic Kowloon-Canton Railway... more travel advice

- Hong Kong The Cheuk Lam Sim Monastery Things to Do (6)

Located in the foothills above Tsuen Wan in the New Territories, the Cheuk Lam Sim Monastery is one of the most... more travel advice

Comments (66)

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Nov 7, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    Interesting to read about your recent visit to Hong Kong -- more recent than mine, that is, since mine was 45 years ago. (I've just posted a small VT page about it.) I'm glad the Star Ferry is still going strong and is still such a bargain.

  • Reply
    deecat's Profile Photo
    Feb 26, 2008 at 6:04 PM

    Enjoyable work. Shows hard work & dedication. Great variety with temples, Stanley market, boat people, an island, walled village, towers, & monastery! Jumbo Floating Restaurant was a "hoot". It's enlightening what a war can do for a "backwater" location.

  • Reply
    SLLiew's Profile Photo
    Dec 30, 2007 at 6:18 AM

    Great overview of HK. One of my fav "Asian cities. Bring back fond memories. Cheers, SL :)

  • Reply
    scottishvisitor's Profile Photo
    Dec 9, 2007 at 8:58 AM

    Hong Kong looks an interesting place but a bit too busy for me :) Glad it's Aberdeen is included in the tourist trap & not the Scottish one!!

  • Reply
    LoriPori's Profile Photo
    May 22, 2007 at 12:05 AM

    I enjoyed this page on Hong Kong and like the others got a chuckle out of the Jumbo Floating Restaurant - tacky but still kinda cool!! Enjoying our stay in Greece so far.

  • Reply
    Pixiekatten's Profile Photo
    Feb 14, 2007 at 3:32 PM

    Just finished watching a Bruce Lee movie and felt the urge to check out Hong Kong on the net! :) Great page! Some day I will visit this seemingly great place! :))))

  • Reply
    matcrazy1's Profile Photo
    Dec 31, 2006 at 12:05 PM

    Fascinating Hong Kong page full of great writings and beautiful photographs! Tang people-interesting!

  • Reply
    globetrott's Profile Photo
    Nov 13, 2006 at 4:10 AM

    An interesting page with great infos and nice pics ! Unfortunately Hong Kong is still missing on my map :-((

  • Reply
    Kuznetsov_Sergey's Profile Photo
    Oct 26, 2006 at 12:36 AM

    Thanks David for virtual travel to Hong Kong. Dream to visit it someday...

  • Reply
    easyoar's Profile Photo
    Jun 23, 2006 at 4:04 PM

    Just read kevarms amusing comment! I have missed out on Aberdeen both times I have been to HK, so haven't seen Jumbo either! Good page.

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