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Hong Kong is a Special Administrative
Region of the People's Republic of China. It has a population of
7.4 million people in an area of 1,100 square kilometers. Known
for its dense central areas of Kowloon and Hong Kong island,
there are also forested mountains, off-shore islands, small
fishing villages, beach communities and unique districts in the
New Territories. It was a delight to revisit this bustling city
since our previous trip. See
Hong Kong.
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From the 118-storey ICC Tower a view of
Kowloon takes in the apartment blocks, busy harbour and travel
links to mainland China and Macau. |
Across Victoria Harbour lies the island of
Hong Kong, dense with office towers, prestigious estates and
dense residential areas.
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Every evening, a light show illuminates
the buildings on both sides of the harbour.
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Double-decker trams run through central
Hong Kong between Kennedy and Shau Kei Wan. |
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The venerable Star Ferry, crossing
Victoria Harbour between Kowloon and Admiralty district, is an
important commuter transportation link.
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The elevated Mid-Level escalators carry
commuters from the hill-side residential areas of The Peak to
downtown, running into town in the mornings, and up the hills in
the evenings.
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Kowloon Park was a former walled
settlement of soldiers and migrants which has been converted to
a public park.
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The Central Wai-Chan bypass is an
automobile corridor that connects the Golden Bauhinia Square,
Convention Center and Hong Kong Observation Wheel. |
The busy back streets of Hong Kong are
fascinating to wander and to view from the numerous pedestrian
overpasses.
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Shanghai Street in Kowloon is a tangle of
small shops, bamboo scaffolding, and sidewalk braziers. |
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The village of Stanley, or Chek Chue, lies
on a peninsula on Hong Kong Island. It is popular for its market
and seafood restaurants.
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Repulse Bay is an upscale residential
resort-like area. Its wide beach is popular with locals and
tourists. |
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Lamma Island is one of the 260 outlying
islands. They are vastly different from the bustle of central HK
with fishing villages, homes built on stilts, and pretty
secluded beaches.
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About 50 traditional hutong villages are
still found in Hong Kong. They are government-protected zones.
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A patron of the Bird Market takes
his caged bird to visit the others. |
Bicycles continue to be an
important transportation mode.
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Uniformed school children get
around independently on the metro, ferry and tram
system. |
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With Taoist and Buddhist elements, Man Mo
Temple is one of the oldest and most famous temples.
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Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is reached
by walking a path lined with golden buddhas, each with a unique
face and body.
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Fine artwork adorns the exterior and
interior of the monasteries and temples, here the pagoda at
10,000 Buddhas, the door to Man Mo and the shrine at Tin Hau.
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The juxtaposition of the Sikh Temple and
the traditional Chinese cemetery illustrate the diverse
multicultural nature of Hong Kong.
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