planning a trip to
Hong Kong
Here is what you need to know: Hong kong travel Guide
Hong Kong is a highly developed region and city that expend from mainland to the surrounding islands. It is one of the world’s biggest financial centre. It is home to richest people in Asia but is also a region of high inequality.
During our stay in China, I (Alex) would use Hong Kong in order to extend my visa as going to Hong Kong is considered as going out of China.
It is a beautiful and huge city where you can feel the British culture, double decker tram and bus, similar metro (different from China), left side driving.
The city offers lots of things to do, shopping, visits, museums, hikes, beaches, Disneyland, zoos…
About
Hong Kong is Special administrative region of the RPC (China). It was a British colony since the 1842, time at which the Qin Empire ceded Hong Kong at the end of the First opium war.
It was then extended at the end of the 2nd Opium war and when Britain obtained a 99-years lease of the New territories in 1898.
In 1997, Hong Kong was transferred back to China but maintain a certain independence. One country, two systems.
The red color represent the festive colour for the Chinese people and is identical to the one used in China’s flag. Chosen to re-establish a link between post-colonial Hong Kong and Mainland China.
The position of red and white symbolizes “one country, two systems” political principle applied to the region.
The Bauhinia blakeana is a flower discovered in Hong Kong, meant to serve as a harmonizing symbol on which the 5 stars of China’s flag are replicated on its petals.
One speciality of Hong Kong is the egg waffle. It is a spherical egg-based waffle.
They are usually served hot, and often eaten plain, although they may be served with fruit and flavors such as strawberry, coconut or chocolate. Or rolls and filled with Icecream and lots of topping.
One of the most iconic things to do in Hong Kong is a ride on a Sampan.
Sampans are relatively flat-bottomed Chinese wooden boat. Some sampans include a small shelter on board and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters but sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers and are often used as traditional fishing boat.
Hong Kong means “fragrant harbour” in Chinese.
Kowloon, a district of Hong Kong means “nine dragons”.
Folklores tell us that a young emperor noticed the region’s eight hills and named the land “eight dragons”. Later, a servant reminded the emperor that he too is a dragon. This made nine.
Kow sounds like “gau” or nine in Cantonese, and Loon is like “lung” or dragon.
Language: The official languages are English and Chinese (Mandarin) but as most of the population in Hong Kong are descendants of migrants from China’s Canton Province and the vast majority speak Cantonese.
Food: Hong Kong is known as the World’s food fair. Street food, restaurants, local food or international, all can be found. Some of the famous local dishes are Sweat and sour pork, Wontons soups, Steamed dumplings, Milk tea, Pineapple bread…
Transportation: The easiest means of transportation in Hong Kong is the metro. The city is also famous for its tram line with double decker tram. Regular buses and taxi can also be taken.
Money: The currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar. Rates changes, but at the time we were there 1€ was worth 8.72 Dollars. Credit card are accepted everywhere, and ATM are easy to find.
Plugs: The plugs in Hong Kong are type G and D (UK). The standard voltage is 220V with a frequency of 50hz.
Safety: Hong Kong is safe for any type of traveller during day or night. Pickpocketing can occur as in all big cities.
