"MacKiwi's Hong Kong Page" Hong Kong by MacKiwi

Hong Kong Travel Guide: 8,199 reviews and 19,592 photos

Chinese New Year Fireworks Display - Hong Kong
Chinese New Year Fireworks Display

<b>Welcome to this most vibrant and exciting city which is currently our home. This is a shot of HK Island taken from Kowloon during the Chinese New Year celebrations.</b>

<center><b><font color=red>HONG KONG: WHAT'S IN A NAME?</font></b></center>

<b>Hong Kong's English name is derived from two Chinese characters, Heung and Gong ("fragrant harbour"). Originally this was only the name of a small settlement near Aberdeen, the main fishing and entry port for pre-colonial Hong Kong Island. Some historians suggest Hong Kong's Chinese name was inspired by its export of fragrant incense


The explanation for Kowloon's name is even more romantic. In Chinese, the peninsula's name is Kow Lung ("Nine Dragons"). It is believed this dates back as far as eight centuries to Emperor Ping, one of two boy-emperors of the doomed Sung Dynasty whose court fled to Hong Kong. He is said to have counted eight mountains in the area, and decided to name it "Eight Dragons" based on the belief that a dragon inhabits every mountain. His tally was corrected by a quick-witted courtier who pointed out that as emperors were also believed to be dragons, there were nine dragons - Emperor Ping being the ninth.

The origins and historical validity of the legend are still widely debated. An ancient rock inscription, which lies in a small park, in Kowloon City, by the edge of Hong Kong's former International Airport, confirms the boy-emperor's travelling palace was in Hong Kong</b>

<Center><b>For info on CHINA in general, visit <a href=http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/.148459/72/?s=A>My China Page</a> and travelogues</b></center>

<center><img src=http://hongkong.en.images.free.fr/sample.gif></center>
<center><img src=http://www.bluemax.com/animate/websitefAGIFdownloads/Flags/AllNations/G-N/hong_kong_clr.gif></center>

<center><font color=blue>All photos taken by myself are digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission</font><font color=red
© David Macleod 2002 (copyright)</font>
<center><font color=blue>For enquiries, please email: <A HREF="mailto:david@mackiwi.com">david@mackiwi.com</A></font>

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Reviews (58)

The Po Lin Monastry and Bronze... - Hong Kong The Po Lin Monastry and Bronze... Things to Do (17)

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Two Star Cruise ships in HK - Hong Kong Asian Cruising Favorites (7)

Star Cruises operate out of Hong Kong daily to Vietnam and China. Trips can last for one day/nite or 5 days for the trip... more travel advice

Jumbo floating restaurant - Hong Kong Floating Restaurants Things to Do (17)

The JUMBO floating restaurant moored in Aberdeen harbour is a sight to behold. Very ornate and especially spectacular... more travel advice

Comments (230)

  • Reply
    budapest8's Profile Photo
    Feb 13, 2006 at 10:28 PM

    Yr tips bring back memories. I was in HK back in `86. Dim Sum for breakfast in Monkok, 50 cent trips on the Star Ferry, The Peak Cafe watching the view, getting clothes tailor made at Temple Street, Tai Chi in Kowloon Park.ÒþÐ뵀 ღ (~_~)

  • Reply
    BluBluBlu's Profile Photo
    Aug 8, 2005 at 5:12 AM

    Great HK pages...can almost smell it!

  • Reply
    Aug 27, 2004 at 4:59 PM

    Got me all nostalgic again- used to work on a gin-palace like that in DB. Is Merlin as trusty as skipper Paul (being a Bavaria)? Regards, Jem

  • Reply
    Renee44's Profile Photo
    Feb 29, 2004 at 4:49 AM

    Wow! Very informative page!

  • Reply
    madamx's Profile Photo
    Feb 27, 2004 at 8:23 PM

    I haven't been to Hong Kong for years; thanks for updating me! Great page and beautiful pictures. Greetings from Calgary :o)

  • Reply
    mim95's Profile Photo
    Dec 3, 2003 at 12:31 PM

    Very well presented info!

  • Reply
    condorito's Profile Photo
    Nov 29, 2003 at 6:32 AM

    Very helpful information, in January , New Year, we are goin to visit HK Thanks

  • Reply
    starship's Profile Photo
    Nov 13, 2003 at 9:42 AM

    Wow! What a great page! I think I'd like to walk in your shoes for awhile. Your New Zealand home is gorgeous too!

  • Reply
    Jim_Eliason's Profile Photo
    Oct 26, 2003 at 5:39 PM

    Great HK Page!

  • Reply
    kenHuocj's Profile Photo
    Oct 26, 2003 at 6:33 AM

    visit HK with MacKiwi's Virtual Tours - it's cheaper & quicker ;-)))

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