Areas to visit in Hong Kong

Hong Kong represents one of China’s most representative and famous symbols; the city is located into the South coast of China and shelters on a small surface more than 7 million people. Hong Kong is also one of the world’s most important financial centres with standards and volume of transactions compared with cities like New York or London. The high importance that the economic activity has for this city can be easily observed if you think that the Hong Kong dollar (the official currency of the area) is one of the most traded currencies in the world.

The charm of the city won’t be appreciated by those who despise crowded areas: Hong Kong suffers from many daily situations everyone dislikes but that are inevitable in a city with such a high number of inhabitants. However, to diminish these effects, the Chinese people have managed to put some of the meticulousness they are famous for in the extremely well communicated transport system or into the huge shopping centres that amaze every visitor.

Hong Kong includes four main areas - Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. The city is nestled on the Victoria Harbour, while the main financial activity takes place in Central on the Hong Kong Island.

The Hong Kong Island

Each area of Hong Kong is designed to fulfil a specific need. While this is mainly a city visited for business purposes, Hong Kong has seen a rise in the number of people that visit it as tourists. Since China has decided to open its beauties to the world, many tourists have put Hong Kong on their travel list, and China expects the number of tourists visiting the country to be higher and higher every year.

On the East of Central, visitors will find the Admiralty commercial district, while in Causeway Bay a major shopping area can be seen, and in the Wan Chai area visitors will find restaurants and clubs in which to spend their free time and taste the traditional and authentic Chinese cuisine. The residential paradise of the city can be found in the Mong Kok area, while hotels and other shopping areas are located mainly in the Jordan and Yau Ma Tei area.

Probably the most impressive views of big financial centres can be seen from high skyscrapers and Hong Kong has plenty of them to delight the eyes of its visitors. Hong Kong is also known as a cosmopolitan and modern symbol of China; the city has all sorts of distractions so nobody gets bored in Hong Kong. Between the rush of the high number of people, and the multitude of museums, coffee shops and beaches, nobody can waste time in Hong Kong because time here seems to be more precious than in any other place.

For more touristy attractions in the area you should visit the Madame Tussads museum, and the Hollywood road decorated with antique shops filled with traditional Chinese objects and souvenirs. In this area you can also see the Man Mo Temple, built to honour the memory of the Man Tai, Pau Kung and Mo Tai; or the Hong Kong Soho, a famous entertainment area. For all tech lovers or passionate about the ultimate technologic developments, make sure to visit the Stanley Market, and for a different eating experience visit the floating Jumbo Kingdom restaurant in the Aberdeen area.

Kowloon

For some Kowloon is a glimpse of what they imagine paradise to be. The area is located on the South of the Hong Kong Island, and is so popular that even inhabitants can’t resist the temptation of mixing with tourists after a trip on the ferry boat to get there. Luxurious shops, conceptual coffee shops and plenty more, this is what you’ll find here. You will find street markets on Nathan Road, and in the Mong Kok area you will be surprised by the avalanche of bars and coffee shops available to serve the tastiest drinks.

In addition, Chinese culture can be experienced here by visiting one of the many temples located in the area such as the Wong Tai or even some interesting museums. Fashion addicts from around the world consider Hong Kong the perfect place to shop after they visit Cheung Sha Wan Street, where international buyers meet with second hand and vintage clothing local shops in what appears to be a paradise of clothing.

Your Hong Kong experience wouldn’t be complete without tasting the fresh sea food that Hong Kong Restaurant offer. For a more complete picture of the fauna in the Pacific Ocean visit the Lei Yue Mun Seafood Bazaar, where you will find fresh sea food exposed in an attractive way, and ready to be cooked and served. It will delight your senses.

New Territories

People love comparing, especially if they have the chance to compare the old with the new, and this part of Hong Kong will allow you to that. Located in the Northern part, this area will give its visitors a unique experience. Rural and traditional villages mix along with modern towns, and give the people visiting the place the impression of living in two distinct areas, in two different eras.

We recommend several touristic attractions in this area such as the Tai Fu Tai, the only mandarin remaining house in Hong Kong, the Ching Chung Koon temple, a collection of pavilions, lotus ponds and bonsai trees or the Heritage Trails of Lung Yeuk Tau and Ping Shan.

The Outlying Islands

This area is known for its multitude of small islands that count more than 235 and represents one of the principal attractions of Hong Kong. Tourists who visit this area have the chance to see many important icons of the Chinese culture such as the giant Buddha statue, entertaining parks such as Hong Kong Disneyland or Tai-O, the village built on stilts. For other attractions points in the area you should also visit the rural town of Mui Wo, the Lamma Island or the large business and entertainment complex Hong Kong Sky City located near the Hong Kong International Airport.

Both the traditional and modern spirit of the Chinese culture can be observed in Hong Kong. Providing its visitors with the perfect combination between traditional temples and Manga inspired attitude, Hong Kong offers a complete picture of what used to be a closed culture. Chinese culture proves to everyone visiting Hong Kong that their curiosity was justified. Whether you visit the city for the business opportunity of your life or to explore the world, Hong Kong is a city that you’ll find surprising and vivid, a Chinese version of the city that never sleeps.