China Travel

Taking the tram to the top of Victoria Peak for the first time can make you a bit giddy, first with the kind of buzz little kids get from amusement park rides, then with the pleasure of realizing that, in Hong Kong, everyday public transportation is fun (don't forget the double-decker street trams and Star Ferry). And once you reach the peak, you're in for another treat: one of the world's best views, with Hong Kong's skyscrapers, bustling Victoria Harbour and Kowloon spread out before you. The tram drops you off at the foot of the Peak Tower. An oddly unnecessary addition to such a stunning spot, the eight-story wok-shaped mall in the sky looks a bit like a clunky party hat perched atop the head of an otherwise grand dame. Along with the neighboring Peak Galleria, the tower houses a slew of expensive shops, pricey eateries and a Madame Tussaud's wax museum. Of far less question... more »

Wong Tai Sin Temple is a great example of Chinese practicality. Technically a Taoist temple dedicated to Wong Tai, a man who found the way and ascended to Taoist godhood, it does triple duty, welcoming Confucians and Buddhists as well. This may account for its great popularity with Hong Kong residents. This and the promise of a quick return on one's prayers: Wong Tai is reputed to be an especially responsive and generous god, willing to turn stones into sheep and mere paper into money if you ask in the right way, which makes him a perfect god for pragmatic business-minded Hong Kong citizens. Join the crowds and see believers burn incense, kneel and shake out numbered sticks from a bamboo cylinder鈥攖he number determines one's fortune, delivered by one of the many fortune tellers on hand. The Chinese New Year is an especially active time at the temple and, if you're lucky, you mig... more »

Allegedly the world's tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha, the 34-meter-high Tian Tan Buddha was completed in 1993 at a cost a reported $68 million.  The statue weighs 250 tons and is made up of 202 separate pieces of bronze. Below that statue, a massive bell rings every 7 minutes symbolizing the release of human suffering.  Symbolic of the harmonious relationship between people, nature and religion, the mammoth statue sits in the lotus position atop an alter surrounded by eight smaller statues on a hill reached by a long stairway (268 steps). The Buddha's raised right hand symbolizes the removal of pain.   The Tian Tan Buddha is now more of a tourist attraction than major centre of Buddhism and is one of five large Buddha statues in China. On a clear day, you can see the Buddha from as far away as Macau.   Located an Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, th... more »

While Hong Kong Disneyland is not for everyone, if you enjoy kitsch and color, you will not be disappointed. Opened in 2005, the popular 126 hectare theme park has four parts: Main Street, U.S.A, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland. Located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay on Lantau Island, this is the fifth and smallest Disneyland with less than five million visitors each year. In an attempt to be culturally sensitive, Disney incorporated aspects of Chinese culture, customs and traditions in the design and building of the park and resort. The park can handle 34, 000 visitors per day, but it gets less visitors than expected and plans to expand in an attempt to double its annual visitors. At present there are 27 attractions in the park, making it the smallest of the 5 other Disneyland Parks (Paris, Tokyo, Florida, and California). The theme park's staff speak Eng... more »

After a day wandering around the intensely urban heart of Hong Kong Island, you'll be ready to hop on the Lamma ferry. A short ride from the Star Ferry Pier, Lamma Island is gloriously car-free place with great hiking trails, beaches and small enough be an ideal day trip from the city. The lack of motorized traffic is tonic for the overtaxed urban soul. The island's 13.6 kilometers are home to around 5,000 people and at least twice as many cats. At Yung Shue Wan, a picturesque small town, you disembark from the ferry (from Central and Sok Kwu Wan which connects to Aberdeen). The seafood restaurants clustering the ferry piers all look and feel very similar--open-air seating, tanks out front full of crabs and fish and lobsters for the picking, and friendly laid-back staff. Try the seafood at “the Lamma Hilton,” an open-air restaurant overlooking a small harbor. Sadly, ... more »

It's a popular saying: "Hong Kong's favorite sport is making money and in horseracing you have Hong Kong's favorite money sport." Happy Valley has been important to the city since 1846. Some say the city grew up around the racecourse. Happy Valley Racecourse is an oasis of green in the midst of the city with impressive tracks, a green expanse surrounded by high-rises. Before the races the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, residents of the surrounding high-rises throw cocktail parties on their balconies overlooking the track. And everyone knows there are two types of green in Hong Kong. An incredibly popular pastime, the "Sport of Kings" is the only form of gambling legal in Hong Kong, but it's still not without it's share shady practices. In one racing season (September to June), more than HK$91 billion is taken in. Wealthy businessmen, holiday makers,... more »

Repulse Bay  After a few days in the middle of Hong Kong surrounded by smog, a day trip to one of the island's bays is a good way to break up a trip. From the west of the island, the beaches stretch around in a curve. The first bay that you arrive at from Hong Kong, Repulse Bay, is the most popular. A long stretch of golden sand, it gets really busy, especially on weekends and holidays.  This is a popular swimming beach. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty. Near the beach, there are extensive facilities: showers, change rooms, barbecue racks, shade trees, hotels, supermarkets, and cafes. A lighthouse near the beach is a popular photo spot.  Sunset is a popular time to bring out a beach blanket and have glass of wine. With year round water temperatures ranging between16 C (60.8F) and 26 C (80.6F), this is a great place to beat the heat and get a bi... more »

Serving the people of Hong Kong for over 100 years, Star Ferry is both tourist attraction and daily mode of transport for commuters, connecting Hong Kong Island with Kowloon Peninsula. To some extent these ferries have become a symbol of the city. The main service between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui runs between 06:30 and 23:30 everyday. The Star Ferry Company came into existence around 1898 and since then its ferries have been shuttling busily between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The Star Ferry now owns 12 double-deck ferries and each ferry has a cabin on the upper deck All of its ferries have the word 'star' in their names (Night Star, Morning Star, Gold Star, Heaven Star). Ferries run frequently and it takes only about 10 minutes to travel across the harbor. In the evening, passengers can enjoy the sea breeze gentle breeze and the world-famous sky-line of Victoria Harbor. ... more »

Sai Kung peninsula and Clearwater Bay are popular weekend escapes due to their close proximity to Kowloon and Hong Kong. The area surrounding Sai Kung Town (once a tiny fishing village), is a great place for scenic walks and swimming at the beaches nearby. The best way to see the area is to hire a small boat. By boat, you can either take a tour of all the islands (approximately HK$150) or just take a ride to one of the nearby beaches. The boat owners moor their vehicles by the pier in the town and will haggle to agree on a fare. The boats regularly visit Sharp Island (Kiu Tsui Chau), White Sands Island (Pak Sha Chau), Pillow Island (Cham Tau Chau) and Salt Field Island (Yim Tin Tsai). After a day of hiking or lounging on the beach, go for dinner at one of the lovely little eateries. Among the best ones are Pepperoni's Pizza, Cafe on Po Tung Road and the Tung Kee Restaurant wh... more »

While Hong Kong has a number of beaches, Cheung Sha Beach on the southern shore of Lantau Island is Hong Kong's best-kept secret.  At 3 km in length, Cheung Sha is Hong Kong's longest beach and it's surprisingly quiet.  Cheung Sha is a great place to kite-surf or simply to relax, swim, sunbathe and is a one-hour ferry ride from Hong Kong Island.  For lunch on Cheung Sha Beach, The Stoep is the place. Tables are outside, facing the beach. It's run by South Africans, and the food's a mix of Mediterranean standards and South African-style barbecued meat -- try the mixed grill. more »