Hong Kong Introduction

Welcome toChina GuiLin Tour

+ 10days Beijing & Xi`an & Guilin & Shanghai  tour

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the busiest cities and ports in the world. Yet it is not the hectic pace of life that will leave you breathless. Instead, it is the very serenity of the Peak that will make you catch your breath….
    This hill on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island will indeed leave you speechless with wonder at the stunning panorama that can be seen at its pinnacle. The marvelous vista is further enhanced by its lovely, walks under a canopy of trees and by the Victoria Peak Garden, the former residence of the Governor of Hong Kong. And the ride on the Peak Tram is an experience not to be missed!   
     An ideal place to spend some quality time with family, friends and loved ones. Enjoy a picnic at the Peak, where you'll be serenaded by Mother Nature's very own musical ensemble - the chirping birds and crickets, accompanied by the rustling leaves and gentle whisper of the breeze.
    Simply stunning - the view atop the Peak will have even the most hardened of sceptics marvelling at the beauty of Mother Nature's handiwork. So, take a little trip up to the Peak, where you'll learn to rediscover and love the simple things in life!  
                        
     Western District The pioneers of America headed west, where they found a whole new land and forged a whole new life; visitors to Hong Kong should also 'Go West', all the way to Western District - to get a better glimpse of the Chinese culture and life of the Hong Kong Chinese.
      With lots of antiques, crafts and curios on sale in Western District, visitors would no doubt get a feel of the diverse beauty of the culture. With the traditional medicine shops proudly proclaiming their cure-alls derived from various herbs and animal parts, visitors would certainly gain an eye-opening experience of the old practices of the local people. And with its old, sculptured temples - some more than a hundred years old - visitors will definitely celebrate the spirit of life, as the locals know it.
     The Western District epitomises all that the Chinese of yesteryear hold dear. The uniqueness of the old way of life is still partly preserved in the Western District; this area is all the more attractive for showing up the contrast of a life and culture that is slowly but surely giving way to the hip and modern way of life. So, head out 'west' for a blast from the past!

    The Star Ferry In Hong Kong, one of life's simple pleasures is taking a ride on the Star Ferry that enables commuters to get from Kowloon to Hong Kong and vice-versa. The decks of the ferries offer one fabulous views of the island.

    Starry-eyed romantics will not want to miss this ride and lovers who only have eyes for each other will no doubt have to tear their gazes from each other as the panorama will just about steal your breath away, particularly at twilight time, when it is especially enchanting, with man-made lights lighting up in unison with the twinkling stars in the darkening sky. 

    So, for the many of us who cannot afford a luxury cruise, there're always the ferries of Hong Kong to set the lovely relaxing mood of an adventure at sea. Just close your eyes and let your imagination sail the Seven Seas….

   Cheung Chau  means "Long Island" and the fishing community still live in real wooden junks - their traditional homes. But there is a difference here, these boats have very modern equipment to find fishes!
     Vehicles are virtually non-existent here and visitors get to enjoy a relaxing walk as they make their way down the waterfront, simply called the "Praya". Seafood drying in the sun, fresh shellfish on sale and seafood restaurants are common sights here. The Praya becomes a pretty promenade, a la Mediterranean, in the evenings, while the weekends see lots of visitors from Hong Kong coming over for day-trips.
     To the western end of Praya Road, is the over-200 year old Pak Tai Temple, dedicated to the Taoist god of the sea. It features traditional Chinese temple architecture, with ceramic figurines mounted on the roof. The image of the deity is the one with the serpent and tortoise under his feet. The people started honouring Pak Tai after the deity was said to have driven away evil spirits which brought pirates and a devastating plague.
     Every year, the villages hold a procession and the Cheung Chan Bun Festival as thanksgiving to the deity, and huge towers consisting of sweet buns are erected in front of the temple.

   LAMMA ISLAND Lamma Island makes a wonderful weekend getaway or a day trip destination. Its close proximity to Hong Kong makes it possible and convenient for the people of the main island to enjoy a ferry ride over for a night of banqueting and reveling as there are many affordable restaurants and eateries serving excellent Chinese and Western fare. The clear air and sandy beaches which give way to green hills complete with butterflies, trees and villages; the picturesque view that awaits from a pavilion at the top of a little hill on Hung Shing Yeh Beach - all do wonders for the soul. The little grocery shops, the bars and the lovely restaurants, some built out over the water - they do wonders to your appetite!
      Lamma Island is just the place for you if you love good food and Mother Nature. So check into one of the few hotels there and check out all that Lamma Island has to offer. Stanley Stanley is THE place for bargain hunters and patrons who love dining alfresco. But it is also known for its historic sites and colonial buildings, mainly the oldest police station and Murray House - the former British army quarters. Another interesting venue to stop by is the temple of the goddess Tin Hau, patron saint of the sea, who also protects the villagers of Stanley. The Military Cemetery is also a place of interest, unusual though it is. Make you way along to St. Stephen's Beach and you'll be able to rent a small boat to take you over to tiny Po Toi island, where the ancient rock carvings take center stage. Another interesting attraction there is the "Shell Rock". As it name implies, it looks like a shell and rises ten metres above the spur.

   Tai Tam Reservoirs Water, water everywhere But nary a drop to drink - until it has been treated, that is! Surrounded by the southeastern hills of Hong Kong Island, hidden from the city, are the Tai Tam Reservoirs. It is the largest of the island's reservoir. Visiting it is a relaxing way to spend an hour or two, especially when all that you need to do is to take a stroll down a hill.
     En route to the reservoir itself are a picnic area and a viewing station. Take a rest at the pavilion below the Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, and look out at the bigger Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. Water flows from the surrounding valley and from the western slopes of Dragon's Back in Shek O. Keep walking along the road and you'll find yourself in some lovely shaded woodland beside the reservoir. A picturesque bridge completes the tour and minutes later, you'll find yourself back at Tai Tam Road.

   Mongkok Markets Mongkok is famous for its markets; there are four very interesting ones for you to check out - the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, the Flower Market, the Goldfish Market and the Ladies' Market.  around town.
     Bird sellers and their prized songbirds are the main attraction on the grounds of this Chinese courtyard of the Bird Garden. Bird paraphernalia of all types are sold here, from cages to bird snacks. Say it with flowers, fresh or dried, and the best place to get them in all of Hong Kong is at the Flower Market. It is the centre of Hong Kong's retail and wholesale flower trade. The shops and sidewalk resemble a veritable paradise, with blooms of all colours, shapes and sizes imaginable! Exotic flowers and potted plants come from all over the world. It is open daily from 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
      At the Goldfish Market, tropical fish in bright hues dart around playfully amid coral in tanks. The market operates from 10 a.m. until 6.00 p.m. each day. A visit there might just be the thing to win you over, even if you aren't really a fish enthusiast. The Ladies' Market is a misleading name as it gets its fair share of attention from the men as well. And no, they aren't cross-dressers as the market has on sale all manner of clothes and accessories as well as beauty products and other knick-knacks. Best of all, they are bargain priced!

    Museum and Galleries Hong Kong's museums aren't just about old things - they are a varied combination of old and new, and of East and West. There are many museums with different themes and there'll be one that is bound to catch your attention. Scattered all over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, they are a wonderful source of information on heritage, culture and natural history, art, science and technology. There are even the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, the Hong Kong Racing Museum and the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum! One museum that is worth visiting just to see its traditional Chinese architecture is the handsome Tung Wah Museum. It can be found in the Old Main Hall, the only surviving building of the Kwong Wah Hospital. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. - and you can make arrangements to have someone take you on a guided tour by calling +852 27700867. Take them up on their offer; it's free, by the way….

Hong Kong Bank Building Said to be the most expensive building ever built, the Hong Kong Bank Building epitomizes the harmonious mix of an ancient practice with high-tech wizardry. Its very design is based on the art of feng shui, of which harmony of elements, shapes, size and colour is essential in producing and maintaining the balance of energy. An imbalance of energy bodes ill for all.
    Giant pillars hold the entire magnificent building up and people can walk under the bank and come out on the other side. When standing directly under the bank, you will be able to see right into the heart of the building if you look through the huge glass atrium. This comes as no surprise, since the inside is transparent.