| Over 150 years ago, Hong Kong was described | | | | Szechuan, Peking, Shanghainese or Chinese |
| as a "barren rock." Today, it's a dynamic, | | | | Vegetarian. If you're hungry for a taste of |
| 21st century city that has gone from British | | | | home, you can find just about everything - |
| Colony to one of the world's must-visit | | | | from American-style burgers to homemade |
| tourist destinations. Its colonial charm is | | | | Italian pasta. Day and night, Hong Kong's |
| still to be found in the historic mansions | | | | gourmet delights are plentiful - whether you |
| dotted around The Peak and quaint customs | | | | want to pick up a snack or get dressed up and |
| like firing the Noon Day Gun, yet this is an | | | | hit the clubs of Lan Kwai Fong, it's all |
| international city proud of its Chinese | | | | waiting for you.What's new to see and do in |
| heritage and Cantonese gusto.After the | | | | Hong Kong now. A Symphony of Light.As if Hong |
| handover from Great Britain in June 1997, | | | | Kong wasn't colorful enough, at night's it's |
| Hong Kong became a Special Administrative | | | | electrifying. This new multimedia show |
| Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of | | | | creates an all-round vision of lights, laser |
| China. While some things have changed, you'll | | | | beams and searchlights, performing an |
| marvel at this melting pot of east meets | | | | unforgettable spectacle synchronised to music |
| west.Where else can you gaze in awe at a | | | | and narration that celebrates the energy, |
| Manhattan-style skyline filled with iconic | | | | spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.Already |
| modern architecture by IM Pei and Norman | | | | named the "World's Largest Permanent Light |
| Foster, and just a few streets away, bargain | | | | and Sound Show" by Guinness World Records, it |
| your heart out for silk and jade at a local | | | | has been expanded to involve 33 key buildings |
| laneway market. That's Hong Kong for you. | | | | on both sides of Victoria Harbour. If you are |
| It's fast, efficient, entrepreneurial, yet | | | | in Hong Kong during a festival, special |
| truly Chinese at heart.Location is | | | | pyrotechnic displays launched from the middle |
| everything.Situated at the south-eastern tip | | | | of the harbour add extra sparkle to the |
| of China on The South China Sea, Hong Kong is | | | | show.Hong Kong Disneyland. Visit the magical |
| actually just one island out of a group of | | | | kingdom.Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau |
| 263. Most visitors spend their time on Hong | | | | Island, the fifth in the world, opened in |
| Kong itself, the popular Kowloon Peninsula | | | | September 2005.It has proved to be a huge |
| and the more rural New Territories. Take a | | | | draw card for both international and local |
| ferry trip to one of the outlying islands | | | | visitors, so if you're planning to go, it |
| such as Lamma, Lantau or Cheung Chau and see | | | | will busy. You can discover a magical kingdom |
| how lush and green the scenery is. Hong Kong | | | | of thrilling adventures, wonderful journeys |
| offers the nature lover wonderful treks | | | | and beloved Disney Characters. The park |
| across mountains tops and amazing scenery, so | | | | consists of four themed lands similar to |
| when you've had enough retail therapy, head | | | | those in the other Disneyland parks: Main |
| for the hills.When it comes to serious | | | | Street, USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and |
| shopping, Hong Kong has it all.What hasn't | | | | Tomorrowland. By the way, this Adventureland |
| been said about shopping in Hong Kong! Right | | | | is the biggest one out of all the Disneyland |
| across the Island, you'll discover that | | | | parks.If you're keen to actually stay here, |
| retail must have been invented here. In | | | | you can. There are two enchanting hotels |
| Central, slick designer shopping malls such | | | | offering unique shopping, imaginative dining |
| as Landmark and Prince's Building, cater to | | | | and family recreation -- all delivered with |
| expensive tastes. A who's who of labels, | | | | the style and service you expect from |
| brands and temptations that will entice your | | | | Disney.Take a journey of enlightenment.Ride |
| credit card time and time again. In contrast, | | | | the stunning 5.7km cable car ride up the side |
| there are street markets like Li Yuen East | | | | of a mountain on Lantau Island to a |
| and Li Yuen West, not forgetting factory | | | | culturally themed village next to the Giant |
| outlets where you can go bargain spotting at | | | | Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. The Ngong Ping |
| great prices.Wan Chai: Wan Chai's streets are | | | | Skyrail travels from Tung Chung adjacent to |
| steeped in history and you can happily spend | | | | the airport over spectacular countryside |
| an afternoon exploring the shops and the | | | | offering panoramic views, across the South |
| "wet" market. (It sells food, fruit, flowers, | | | | China Sea, the mountains and monastery. This |
| fish, meat - quite different from a US | | | | is planned to open in mid 2006.Hong Kong |
| supermarket experience.) Spring Garden Lane | | | | Wetland Park.Located next to the |
| between Queen's Road East and Johnston Road, | | | | internationally recognised Mai Po Marshes |
| is a good place to pick up clothes at very | | | | bird sanctuary, this huge park is designed to |
| competitive prices. The market stalls sell | | | | demonstrate the diversity of Hong Kong's |
| products originally meant for export, meaning | | | | wetland ecosystem. You can get closer to |
| quality and price are very | | | | nature through integrated themed education |
| competitive.Causeway Bay: This has become | | | | and recreation facilities, with audio visual |
| known locally as "Little Japan" because of | | | | shows, interactive demos and wetland |
| the major Japanese department stores in the | | | | simulations.Hong Kong Hotels to match every |
| area. It is hip and young, with stores | | | | budget.Hong Kong is one of the world's top |
| specializing in shoes, electrical appliances | | | | ten travel destinations. You'll find every |
| and fashion. Don't miss the small street | | | | type of accommodation available to suit your |
| market called Jardine's Bazaar, filled with | | | | budget - from major 5 star international |
| low-cost fashion and accessories.Stanley | | | | names to smaller hotels offering great value |
| Market: Jump on a bus or take a taxi to | | | | rates. Book online and see what hot deals you |
| Stanley, famous for its warren of stalls, | | | | can find. During holiday time and special |
| shops and restaurants. (The ride along | | | | Chinese festivals, it pays to book ahead. Web |
| Repulse Bay Road is spectacular with superb | | | | sites such as have dozens of choices, in all |
| views across the sea to outlying islands.) | | | | the shopping, business and nightlife |
| Here you'll find paintings, curios, cashmere, | | | | districts.Hong Kong is easy to get around |
| silks and ceramics, along with cut-price | | | | with safe public transport, a reliable |
| fashion. Open from around 10:00am to 6:00pm | | | | subway, trams and ferries, so you're never |
| daily.Hungry for more. A world of exquisite, | | | | far from a bargain or for that matter, a |
| mouth-watering dining options.As you would | | | | memorable time.I'll leave the last word to |
| expect, good Chinese restaurants are found | | | | Noel Coward.Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in |
| everywhere in Hong Kong. Some of the best can | | | | the midday sun. The smallest Malay rabbit |
| be found in major hotels and shopping | | | | deplores this stupid habit. In Hong Kong, |
| complexes. Most specialize in one or more of | | | | they strike a gong and fire off a noonday |
| the following: Cantonese, Chiu Chow, Hunan, | | | | gun.... |