IN THE FRAME: Tourists photograph the Hong Kong skyline — and themselves — from atop Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. Photos: MCT
By and large, global travellers tend to think that Hong Kong comprises mostly concrete structures. Only upon arriving do most visitors realise that not even one-third of it consists of skyscrapers, Ramesh Mathew reports
There is so much to see, and experience in a vibrant place as Hong Kong which no doubt, doesn’t need any introduction to readers as it is undoubtedly one of the most developed and talked about destinations across the world, in particular on the eastern side of the globe.
Lying on the southern side of China and surrounded by seas mainly from three sides, the federally administered territory, under the strict vigil of the Chinese mainland spreads just a little over 1000 square kilometers and houses close to 7.3 million residents, making it one of the most densely populated regions of the world.
Hong Kong, unlike many other parts of the world, offers events round the year events and temperatures never go beyond 34 degrees even in the peak summer period of July and August.
Recently, a team of journalists from this country were in the archipelago (consisting of more than 260 islands) at a joint invitation from the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HTB) and Cathay Pacific, which is adjudged as one of the world’s finest airliners, headquartered there.
The scenic land, which has a rich concentration of greenery and tempting hilly sides amidst a multitude of high rise structures were thronged by no less than 55 million tourists from across the world in 2013.
“We have no intention to sit on what we achieved last year and our expectations are that more travellers than last year would tour Hong Kong in coming years,” said HTB Regional Director (Europe and New Markets) Peter Hoslin in an interaction with the visiting media.
While explaining some of the initiatives launched by the HTB to boost travels from other parts of the world, including the Middle East countries to Hong Kong, the senior tourism professional highlighted the steps taken by the ex-Commonwealth territory in recent years to encourage entrepreneurs and hospitality professionals.
“More than 30 five-star and other top branded hotels are currently under various phases of construction and most of them would be ready before the first quarter of 2016”, said Hoslin.
The excellent public transport connectivity across the length and breadth of Hong Kong, thanks to its flawless Metro and well-built road networks linking all inhibited islands, make the entire place one of the most favourite and appealing destinations to tourists looking for something that is missing elsewhere.
May be generally referred to as an expensive destination, Hong Kong also has developed tailor-made packages and plans to attract tourists of varying budgets. “Inexpensive residential accommodations are also available in large numbers throughout the country,” added Hoslin.
The local tourism sector is well served and serviced by an array of industry professionals, supported by rich experience and remarkably excellent communication skills, thanks to the high quality English education rendered by the British, who were there until 1997.
”Through our specially-designed tour packages these days, we also focus on those who haven’t heard much about the tourist facilities, avenues and infrastructure that Hong Kong has developed in the last one decade,” said Beatrice Lee, an assistant manager (Public Relations) at the HTB.
By and large, global travellers tend to think that Hong Kong comprises mostly concrete structures. “Only on arriving here do most visitors realise that not even one-third of Hong Kong consists of skyscrapers. Of course, we have a remarkably large number of high rise buildings compared to many other places in the world,” said Fred Chang, a tour facilitator working for the tourism board.
Chang, a former policeman, who has accompanied large number of external tour delegations on their sojourns in less than a decade said the urban developments in recent years that were executed to those areas of Hong Kong which were not that developed earlier have helped the country attract significantly more tourists than before.
“Our industry professionals are sparing no efforts to convince the visitors that Hong Kong is certainly much more than a business place. Even while our land is being referred to as a commercial capital, we want others to see and experience the remarkably good leisure and adventure spots that Hong Kong has developed in the last one decade,” said Chang.
At the Peak, considered one of Hong Kong’s most scenic destinations, one is pulled to the top of the hill by steel cables. Visitors there are amazed not only by the spectacular views of the surrounding city skyline but also by the scenic charm of the country side. However if one lands there when foggy conditions are around no sight-watching from the pinnacle of the Peak is possible.
The well-connected Central District has a considerably large number of skyscrapers. Despite the presence of large number of mainly yellow coloured double decker buses and 16-seater mini buses, each of which makes transportation easy for the residents, the place remains extremely clean and serene.
The headquarters of many of the banks and financial institutions, including the HSBC, is located in the same area. The building that used to serve as Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, built on neo-classical traditions is one of the major attractions.
The main vegetable, fruit, spice and fish markets lying in the vicinity of the Central District are toured by a large number of people throughout the day. Most shops in the area remain open even after midnight.
One of the major attractions of the area is arguably the world’s longest outdoor elevator, connecting different corners of what is seen as one of the busiest places in entire Hong Kong. Inquiries found that a number of Hollywood and Bollywood movies were shot at the place in the last 10 years. Among them are Batman and The Dark Knight.
The Police Married Quarters (PMQ), which once used to serve as the accommodation for the families of the married officers of the local cops is right now extensively modified into a creativity hub with design studios and pop up stores. A number of widely acclaimed brands, both local and international, are operating in this complex, designed in neo-classical architectural style.
Countless boutiques, artistic stores and cafes lined along the Hollywood Road and Tai Ping Shan appear to be more popular among the non-Chinese locals and visitors alike, if the crowds present in the evenings were any indication. So lively are the environs that each outlet is filled with so many merry-making customers.
Tsim Sha Sui, the busiest shopping location of Hong Kong has as its pride nearly 75-metre long Harbour City, billed as the largest mall of the state. Unique by many counts, the shopping mall is in the vicinity of the Hong Kong bay and it houses about 500 outlets, many of which are globally acclaimed brands.
Avenues of Stars and 1881 Heritage are contrasts to themselves. While the former has the distinction of turning Hong Kong into the Hollywood of the East, giving visitors a panoramic view of the city’s most iconic sight, its unparalleled skyline, The 1881 Heritage, once the police headquarters of the territory, with rich features of the Victorian architecture epitomises the place’s boastful colonial background.
The Stable Block, Ball Tower and the Police Headquarters are now declared as monuments. The location also serves as a shopping destination of high end limited edition luxury brands of watches and pearls.
The ferry ride to Wanchai from Tsim Sha Tsui, the most favourite shopping destination is a never miss item in any tour itinerary. The more than 125-year-old ferry ride is one of the cheapest transportation modes of the visitors as well as residents.
The mammoth Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition is a model worth emulating. Built along the scenic bay, the location also serves as an excellent business location with an array of shops lined up along its cozy interiors. Its builders, no doubt, have succeeded in giving a lesson or two to those developing similar expo and convention facilities in other parts of the world, on how one should make such massive facilities effective and meaningful while there are no expos or other events during the lean days.
More than anything, the centre’s main attraction appears to be its easy access, well served by excellent public transport connectivity. The place could easily be reached by Hong Kong Metro, 16-seater buses or double deckers, besides the round-the-clock ferry ride.
The Ladies’ Market in Mongkok district is one location that is frequented by hordes of tourists throughout the day. In the evenings, the place becomes more lively and active with larger crowds of visitors swarming the entire area, where one could finds mainly shops selling things of all hues and shades for commoners.
The areas surrounding well-accessible and well-connected Prince Edward Street and its immediate surroundings in Tsim Tsha Tsui are equally popular with the countless tourists flocking to the country every day.
The way side market spread over more than two-kilometres is a hit among those looking for moderately priced to expensive goods, mostly manufactured and imported from the mainland China.
Bargaining is a marked feature of shopping there and main commodities traded there are cheap leather goods, textile and footwear. An amazingly large number of jewellery outlets are also located in the vicinity of the main market area.
The marked feature of the business location is its narrow streets, where smaller 16-seat multi-coloured buses seem to be the main mode of conveyance.
In the extremely busy and crowded Ladies Market, the smart shopkeeper women ensure even disinterested shoppers spend some money!
No visitor to Hong Kong could afford to give the picturesque Lantau Island — well-known for its rich greenery, unspoiled country side, virgin hills and lush valleys — a miss.
The largest outlaying island of Hong Kong, well connected to the densely populated city areas, using a state of art-cantilever bridge that runs more than 3 kilometres in length has as major attraction the Ngong Ping 360, where the major attraction is a Buddhist shrine.
The place, located atop a scenic mountain is connected to the mainland through cable cars moving at a higher elevation of more than 500 feet. The unavoidable but stunning cable car ride consumes no less than 25 minutes to cover a nearly 5-kilometre distance.
The journey not only offers breathtaking aerial views of the Lantau and South China Sea but also provides the tourists a wonderful photo opportunity of the entire surroundings. The Hong Kong International Airport is among those sights that a visitor could view while being in a cable car.
It was explained that more than 1.7 million people took the card ride last year. Annually, about 5 to 6 weeks the cable car journey is not there as maintenance of the vehicles takes place during the period.
The hilly village hosts a 34-feet high Buddha statue, which is said to be the only one of its kind, looking northwards to China, whereas all other statues of Buddha are reportedly positioned towards the south.
The statue atop the Ngong Plateau is adjudged to be the biggest outdoor statue of Buddha. Along with Buddhists, a large number of followers of other faiths also throng the place daily.
At the village’s museum visitors are imparted lessons to make a peculiar variety of Chinese Oolong tea, the leaves of which could be reused four or five times after its first use.
The museum of Cathay Pacific is worth seeing. The airline company which will soon turn 70 years has housed many of its prized possessions at the museum. Outside the complex the company has exhibited its first flight, Betsy, for the visitors. Once sold to Australian company the aircraft was bought back by the company when it developed its own museum. The pictorial images of the major milestones of the company are exhibited at the museum, which is in the same complex where the airline’s main office is located.
BELOW:
1) SHOPPERS’ HAVEN: Wo An La Street in central Hong Kong is filled with shoppers, even during a rain storm. Such traditional neighbourhoods are disappearing in Hong Kong as developers try to squeeze more high rises onto some of the most valuable real estate in Asia.
2) MUSEUM: A visitor to the June 4th Museum in Hong Kong watches a video. The museum opened in late April.