Hong Kong – 2008

In 2008 we stopped off in Hong Kong on the way to Thailand to sample the culture and food.

Everywhere you explore in Hong Kong, you can’t miss signs of the city’s unique fusion of East and West—a multicultural vibe that makes it a unique and easy-to-navigate travel destination. Hong Kong’s Chinese and British make-up is evident: it’s in its preserved buildings and the old-fashioned street signs, on the racks of local fashion designers and the tables of the best restaurateurs. From this cultural fusion—these leftovers from the past—emerges a new, modern Hong Kong.

Hong Kong culture is underpinned by the Cantonese dialect and people: early immigrants from the southerly Guangdong region of China established Cantonese as Hong Kong’s main language, bringing with them a strong cultural influence that’s evident in the city’s food, music and festivals.

Its a vibrant and fun city to visit and we did just that on two occasions.

Ngong Ping Cable Car & Village

This is a visually spectacular 5.7km bi-cable ropeway. As the first of its kind Hong Kong tourist destination, the cable car journey begins from Tung Chung, crossing Tung Chung Bay to reach the angle station on Airport Island and turning about 60 degrees in the air towards North Lantau. Visitors looking for something to complete their Hong Kong tourist attractions list will enjoy some of the best views during their joyful 25-minute ride: the vistas of the distant and vast South China Sea and the rolling grassland slopes of North Lantau Country Park from the cable car slowly take over from the hustle and bustle of the city. The journey also offers a breathtaking panorama of the Hong Kong International Airport, verdant, mountainous terrain of Lantau Island, Tian Tan Buddha and the 360-degree view of Ngong Ping Plateau.

A tram ride to the Peak

That view is what makes The Peak one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. By day your eyes stretch across sparkling skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour all the way to the green hills of the New Territories. In early evening this panorama melts into pink and orange before reincarnating as a dazzling galaxy of light, shimmering beneath you. And if you listen carefully enough, you can hear Asia’s world city humming below.

Riding the Peak Tram is a visual experience in its own right — Hong Kong Island’s skyscrapers slide past your window at what appear to be impossible angles as you make the ascent to The Peak on the city’s historic, funicular railway.

Harbour and city vistas

You can’t help but admire and appreciate the vibrancey of this harbour city.  From the shoreline to the ferry crossings you soak up the vistas around you.

Stanley Village

We visited this market in the quaint village of Stanley on Hong Kong Island’s south coast.  It is popular with locals, expats and tourists: its enormous selection of brand-name clothing items (large sizes are available) and accessories, jewellery, home furnishings, souvenirs, ornaments and Oriental knick-knacks are sold at reasonable prices in a picturesque warren of lanes. There are also a load of restaurants and food emporiums to fill you up when hungry.