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