Hong Kong was visited by 26.5 million people in 2016. First of all, they are attracted by the opportunity to purchase quality branded items in this duty-free zone. What can you see in Hong Kong with its main districts - North (tourists prefer to visit Fanling Wai, Sheung Shui Heung and other villages), West and South (famous for fashionable hotels and famous shopping centers)? Skyscrapers, Fragrant Harbor, Big Buddha, Hong Kong Museum of Art and much, much more deserve attention …
Holiday season in Hong Kong
Holidays in Hong Kong are good at any time of the year: spring (March-April) is suitable for field trips and visits to the Botanical Gardens with plants blooming in them, winter (December-February) is suitable for excursions, shopping trips and pilgrimage tours, autumn (November) - for leisurely walking and yacht walks, relaxing on the beaches of Lantau and Kowloon, summer (May-October) - for swimming (pay attention to Tong Fuk, Silvermine Bay and other beaches) and diving (choose Wong Chek Hang, Zuo Wo Hang and other islands). Rest in August-September can be overshadowed by rains, high humidity and hurricanes, but October is good for all types of recreation.
Top 15 places of interest in Hong Kong
Victoria Peak
At the top of a 552-meter mountain, which can be reached by taxi ($ 5-10), bus ($ 1.4), funicular (the cost of a round-trip ticket with a visit to the observation deck is $ 10.8, and without visiting the observation deck - $ 5, 2) or on their own two, everyone will be able to visit the shops, cafes and the History of the Peak museum, relax in the park, admire Hong Kong, the Kowloon Peninsula and the harbor from the observation platforms (Sky Terrase 428 and The Peak Tower) during the day and in the evening Victoria and also take beautiful panoramic photos.
Ocean park
The Ocean Park consists of several levels:
- The first level is occupied by the Whiskers Harbor Playground, carousels, roller coasters (Hair Racer, Mine Train), “Expedition Trail” (travel deep into the wild jungle), “The Rapids” (rafting on a boat at a speed of 58 km / h) and other attractions, as well as the reserve with sea lions and the Atoll aquarium (its inhabitants - 5000 various underwater creatures);
- The second level is equipped with an Ocean Theater, a zoo and a museum of disappeared animals.
For visits, the Ocean Park (ticket price - $ 36) is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Big Buddha
Big Buddha is a 34-meter high bronze statue and landmark of Lantau Island. 268 steps of stairs will lead to the statue of travelers (there is also a winding road). You can see the Big Buddha from 10 am to 5:45 pm, but those who decide to go inside will have to pay a fee.
The structure of the 3-level complex: the 1st level is occupied by the Hall of Virtue (its walls are decorated with paintings with scenes of the earthly life of Buddha) and a huge bell (it emits 108 beats every day), the 2nd is the Hall of the Universe (famous for the wooden panel "Preaching Faim"), and the third is the Hall of Memory (it is the repository of a particle of Buddha's relics).
Bank of China Tower
The 315-meter Tower is a 70-story skyscraper and the headquarters of the Bank of China (the tower has an unusual and futuristic design). Tourists are interested in this object by the observation deck located on the 43rd floor. It is believed to offer one of the most stunning views of the bay.
The tower can be visited free of charge on any day except Monday (get off at the Central metro station - from there it is only a few meters to the tower).
Light and music show "Symphony of Light"
You can witness the light and music show “Symphony of Light” every day (in case of good weather) at 20:00 for 15 minutes. Pyrotechnics, lights, music, laser displays "take part" in this action. The best way to enjoy the multimedia extravaganza is from the Avenue of Stars on Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront, on board the tourist ferry (Star Ferry runs through Victoria Harbor), next to Golden Bauhinia Square. Typically, 47 buildings on both sides of the harbor are “projection screens” and the show focuses on 5 main themes related to Hong Kong.
Wong Tai Sin Temple
In the Wong Tai Sin temple, which dates back to 1915, a Taoist deity (“Great Immortal Wong”) is worshiped. The architecture is represented by red columns, multicolored carved wooden decorations, roofs made of gold and blue friezes … Tourists should pay attention to the Garden of Good wishes, the Wall of 9 Dragons, 3 memorial arches, a library (which contains texts of Buddhists, Confucians and Taoists), a portrait Confucius.
In the Wong Tai Sin temple, you can resort to the services of professional palm fortune-tellers, as well as independently perform the ritual of fortune-telling "kau chim" (kneeling at the altar and formulating your desire / question, you need to light an incense stick and shake the bamboo cylinder with the sticks of fate, while alone will not drop out of them).
Monastery of 10,000 Buddhas
This monastery is located in the Sha Tin area. It was founded by the teacher Yuet Kai, who preached Buddhism. The main shrine of the monastery is its mummy in a golden display case (its location is the main hall of the monastery), as well as 13,000 Buddha figurines in different poses and with different facial expressions.
To reach the top of the hill with the monastery located on it, you need to go up the stairs with 400 steps, during which travelers will encounter 10,000 Buddha statues (praying, fat, slender, grieving, laughing …) human-sized.
Outdoor escalator
The street escalator is an 800-meter moving sidewalk with 20 movable staircases that lift pedestrians to a maximum height of 150 meters.
The number of exits and entrances to the escalator is 14, and the length of the path from the start to the end point is 20 minutes. Every morning he “delivers” people living in Hong Kong to their place of work from 06:00 to 10:00 (the escalator moves down, bypassing traffic jams), and from 10:00 to 24:00 it turns around, moving up.
Since the escalator is free of charge, you shouldn't miss the opportunity to ride it.
Tsinma bridge
Tsinma is a two-level suspension bridge with a length of more than 1300 m. It is designed to connect the islands of Ma-Wan, Chek Lap Kok and Tsing-I. The upper level is the location of a 6-lane highway with 3 lanes in each direction, and the lower level is occupied by a 2-lane road (this is an emergency road created for service purposes; it is also activated during typhoons) and 2 railway tracks.
The Tsinma Bridge is not intended for pedestrians, but a panoramic center is open there for them, operating both on weekdays and weekends, with the exception of Wednesdays. It is better to admire the bridge after sunset, in its night illumination.
Aberdeen area
Hong Kong's Aberdeen area is located on the shores of Aberdeen Harbor. It used to be a floating village where people lived in boats, but now they only catch shrimp and fish during the day.
Tourists will be able to dine at a floating restaurant or ride junks, attend concerts and fairs in Aberdeen Square, become a spectator at the Duanwu festival (dragon boat races are held), explore the Thinhhau Temple (built in 1851), relax and have a picnic / barbecue in Aberdeen Country Park.
Chilin monastery
Chilin Monastery is the decoration of the Dziulong Peninsula. The complex is equipped not only with a monastery, but also with a vegetarian restaurant, a tea house, Chinese gardens, a lotus pond, a red bridge over the Nan Lian garden, ritual halls, and a pilgrim hotel. In the garden and temple halls, everyone can stay free of charge any day of the week from 7 am to 9 pm. In the monastery they will see gold sculptures of Gautama Buddha made of clay, stone and wood, as well as statues of Guanyin (a mythological deity).
Tin Hau Temple
The Tin Hau temple was built in honor of the sea goddess Tin Hau and is a symbol of the protection of ships and fishermen from the attacks of the water element. It is only a couple of blocks away from the Jade Market. Hong Kong chess players often gather in the monastery square, and along the road leading to the temple, one can often meet fortune-tellers who predict the future for everyone who will leave them a reward.
They say that the goddess grants wishes: after thinking about the innermost, it is necessary to light a stick with incense, and when leaving the temple, hit the huge drum with a special stick 3 times. The spirits will hear the request and fulfill it.
Chinese village
The Chinese village Kam Tin Walled Village, which can be reached through one gate, has preserved the features of antiquity. It is worth capturing the unique wall of the city fortress from the 14th century in photographs, as well as looking at the houses separated by lanes.
The entrance to the territory of the village is free, but donations will not be there. Those who wish, having made a small contribution, will dress in historical costumes and take pictures with local residents.
To get to the village, take the bus (No. 64, 51, 54) or the West Rail subway line (Kam Cheung Road Station, Exit B).
St john's cathedral
St. John's Cathedral is an example of the Gothic style (early English architecture of the 13th century). You can see it while walking along Garden Road. The curious should pay attention to the square bell tower (in the western part you can see the letters VR - they indicate that the bell tower was founded during the reign of Queen Victoria), the southern and northern towers (their decoration is weapons belonging to two former mayors of the city).
Opening hours: 07: 00-18: 00.
Tea Ware Museum
In this museum (the building in the Greek style is decorated with tall Ionic columns), tourists will be able to look at samples of rare tea ware and taste real Chinese tea as part of the tea ceremonies taking place for them (participation in the ceremony will cost $ 80).
One of the expositions will tell tourists about the peculiarities of growing tea bushes, another - about tea traditions in different countries through art paintings, the third - about how to properly serve tea and pour this drink. Dishes and tea, if desired, can be bought in the shop opened at the museum.
The museum is open Wednesday-Monday from 10 am to 6 pm.
