The constantly surprising city of Hong Kong
The city of Hong Kong is one of Asia’s major economic hubs, a metropolis which is home to many global business and citizens from across the globe. It is however a destination which offers much more than big business and international banks; culturally diverse with a colourful history, Hong Kong is a genuinely fascinating city. Visitors are mesmerised by the blend of landscape the area boasts; it is both a sprawling urban jungle and a region with contrasting natural scenery from beaches to mountains.
Business meets leisure on Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong is split up into a various districts, with one of the most central and focal being Hong Kong Island, home to much of the business district but also many of the tourist highlights. An absolute must-do is to take the tram up to Victoria Peak, the highest area of all of Hong Kong, providing sublime views of the city skyline and Victoria Harbour. The harbour itself is a very popular area and a common activity is to take the Star Ferry across the water to or from Kowloon. This method of public transportation provides an up-close experience of the harbour and the stunning views of the city, whilst also a convenient method to link hotels in Hong Kong to neighbouring districts. One of the easiest escapes from the mass urbanisation is to head to the south side of the island, home to an array of beaches and smaller communities. Ocean Park, a theme park favourite with families, can be found on this side of the island and is appreciated for its iconic cable car. To access the south side of Hong Kong Island, buses lead to the town of Stanley, on the central southern tip, where visitors can additionally find the popular Stanley Market. From Stanley there are dozens of smaller towns and areas to explore and it is where visitors can enjoy some of the more peaceful Hong Kong hotels.
Cultural density in Kowloon
Across the harbour from Hong Kong Island is the district of Kowloon, a much more hectic and diverse neighbourhood containing much of the city’s cultural variance. Visitors can find demographics of all kinds in Kowloon and as a result some of the finest cuisine in Hong Kong can be found here. Alongside the harbour there are a host of tourist attractions, including Avenue of the Stars, Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a place where many events and shows are held. The entire Kowloon area really comes alive at night and amidst the bustling streets centred around Nathan Road there are an assortment of markets offering almost anything imaginable, edible and otherwise. Staying in a hotel in this area allows guests to truly emerge themselves in the vibrant lifestyle that many Hong Kong residents adore. Additionally the district contains dozens of museums and religious buildings providing a medley of activities to suit all travellers, Hong Kong truly caters for every market.
Catering to all needs
Hong Kong’s diversity in almost every demographic is reflected across several dimensions of the city. When it comes to shopping, the city has a myriad of options from high-class glitzy shopping malls to lively and often overwhelming street markets. Some of the most renowned shopping malls include the IFC Mall, Pacific Place and Times Square, all found on Hong Kong Island. As previously mentioned, Kowloon houses many of the most well-known street markets, but there are also smaller regional markets in the smaller settlements across the region. Examples of this include on the southern side of Hong Kong Island and additionally further inland to New Territories. It is here visitors can find increasingly unique items as well as a variety of localised cuisine; an insightful demonstration of everyday life in Hong Kong. Thanks to the city’s extensive transportation network, it is possible to access the entire region with ease and thus staying in a central Hong Kong hotel does not hinder exploration of the rest of the area, and vice-versa.
Escape into nature
Although Kowloon and Hong Kong Island represent a great deal of the population and attractions in Hong Kong, there is also much more territory to discover. Indeed many of the lesser known attractions and quieter areas of the region can be found when venturing further afield, providing the chance to find a more relaxing hotel in Hong Kong. Lantau Island, the largest of Hong Kong’s islands, also home to the airport, offers an abundance of nature and cultural architecture including the thirty-four metre high Tian Tan Buddha. On Lantau Island visitors can also view the rare Chinese White Dolphins in their natural habitat, whilst Hong Kong Disneyland is also situated on this island. The New Territories district is very popular with nature lovers due to its variety of natural areas and national parks, presenting a host of hiking opportunities. Guests can find in New Territories more of the independent hotels Hong Kong also possesses, often initially overlooked but appreciated for close proximity to and spectacular views of, the surrounding nature.