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Hong Kong
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No matter how many times you visit Hong Kong, there is a new
facet to the city that you will get to discover every time. Here, we
will take a look at the many reasons why it pays to travel to Hong
Kong – and keep coming back for more. Is there more to its
reputation as simply being the shopping district of the world? Read
on to find out.
Introducing Yourself to Hong Kong is a Sensory Overload
If it’s your first time to visit this huge city which is located in
East Asia, you might be surprised at how jam packed it is with
people. Hong Kong is a virtual melting pot of people from all parts
of the world, and the city itself is a surprising blend of
contemporary skyscrapers, traditional temples and colonial
buildings. If being near the city amenities is a priority in your
trip, then Hong Kong should definitely be on top of your list of
travel destinations.
The name Hong Kong comes from a Cantonese term which roughly
translates to ‘fragrant harbor’. A former British colony, Hong Kong
exhibits a mixture of British and Chinese influences in terms of
culture.
The minute that you set your foot into its crowded streets, you
might be a tad overwhelmed but you will soon discover how organized
and exciting Hong Kong life actually is.
Hong Kong Offers More than Just Shop-til-You-Drop Options
Basically, Hong Kong is made up of four major areas: Kowloon, the
New Territories, the Outlying Islands and the main Hong Kong Island.
If you’re looking for shop-til-you-drop options, then the main
business district is where you need to be: Victoria Harbour.
Causeway Bay in particular is famous for the wide array of shopping
options that it offers to travellers.
But more than that, there are plenty of other sights to see and
places to discover when you pay the other three areas of Hong Kong a
visit. In Kowloon, there’s a flurry of hotels, shops, markets and
even the occasional museum or temple that you can visit.
If you’re looking forward to slowing down your Hong Kong discovery
for a bit, you can go to the New Territories where there are small
rural villages interspersed with modern towns. The Outlying Islands
is where the giant Buddha and Hong Kong Disneyland can be found.
Sink Your Teeth in the Local Culture
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the local culture when
visiting a new country is to participate in one of the festivals –
which Hong Kong has plenty of. Depending on the time of the year
that you’re visiting, you can take part in the Chinese New Year
celebrations, the Spring Lantern Festival, the Ching Ming Festival,
the Hungry Ghost Festival or the Moon Festival.
Finally, your visit to Hong Kong will never be complete without
sampling what the local cuisine has to offer. If you’re on a budget,
stick to the local restaurants which offer cheap but succulent
traditional and modern Cantonese dishes – with a sprinkling of
Chinese cuisines thrown in. Please your palate with a taste of
dumplings, pastry, rice dishes, egg tarts and congee.
Losing yourself in the shopping crowd, having a moonlit view of the
city from the top of Victoria Peak, lounging by the beach or simply
taking in the sights – no matter what your travel itinerary is like,
you will definitely not be lacking in places to visit and things to
do in Hong Kong. This multi-faceted city is a sure crowd-pleaser, so
don’t pass up on the opportunity to discover its many delights
yourself! |
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