Discover Hong Kong
The mere mention of Hong Kong summons connotations of gleaming skyscrapers, teeming crowds, dazzling lights and a lot of pollution. Once a quaint fishing village, Hong Kong has steadily blossomed into one of the world’s economic powerhouses, where Chinese nationals live side-by-side with an exodus of Western professionals and proud expats.
Hong Kong Skyline
From the modernistic high rises and trendy shopping malls packed onto Hong Kong Island, to the hustle and bustle of Kowloon’s nearby street markets, prizes both esoteric and cheap can always be found. As an international exchange student, I was tossed head first into the city’s entirely alien culture and way of life. First there’s the weather, with humidity levels so high that three showers a day is almost a necessity, whilst the scorching summer temperatures don’t help matters. Then there’s the cuisine, where the likes of chicken feet and snake soup are common delicacies served on most street corners. Obviously, these elements – on top of Hong Kong’s never-ending army of pedestrians – took some getting used to, but that’s what made the experience so unique and exciting.
If there’s only one thing you can do in Hong Kong, make it a trip to Victoria Peak. The city’s highest vantage point, visitors are treated to spectacular panoramic views of a skyline so lofty, improbable and modernistic that it makes Manhattan’s seem provincial in comparison. Venture into the central business district and you’ll be treated to a dazzling collection of neon lights and towering skyscrapers boasted by some of the world’s most powerful multinationals. Elsewhere, Ocean Park provides a fun day out for visitors of all ages; where an abundance of rollercoasters, candy floss and other enticements await in eager anticipation. Another must visit, nearby Lantau Island plays home to the magnificent Tian Tan Buddha statue and nearby Po Lin Monastery, idyllically perched by the South China Sea and surrounding mountains.
Whether you’re coming for a week or a month, Hong Kong’s international playground of delights will always have something, somewhere to amaze.