Hong Kong is one of
the richest cities in
the world – a forest of
skyscrapers rising up
from a few small islands
off the south coast of
China. The streets are a
heady mix of ancient
culture and neon lights.
Hong Kong is just the
place to catch a kung
fu flick, go shopping in
a ‘mansion’ house or
nibble an extraordinary
local dish. Mmm!
EVERYTHING EXCEPT
THE TABLE
Hong Kong is famous for its food.
There’s a saying in China,
that the Cantonese
(the Chinese from
this part of the
country), “will
eat everything
that swims
except a
submarine,
everything
that flies except
an airplane, and
everything with four
legs except the table.” What would
you say to a plate of thousand-year-old
eggs (duck eggs kept in salt until they
go black), baby mice in seaweed or
monkeys’ brains?
MONEY, MONEY,
MONEY
There’s cash in Hong
Kong and lots of it.
The city is one of the
busiest trading centres
in the world, right up
there beside London
and New York. It even
has two skyscrapers,
including one 484m
(1,588ft) giant that’s
the sixth tallest
building in the world.
They were built just
for the moneymen
and women – the
tallest one is called the
International
Commerce Centre.
SOAR IN A SEAPLANE?
Visitors flying into Hong Kong feel like
they’re about to land in the sea. That’s
because the airport takes over the whole of
the tiny island of Chek Lap Kok, with extra
runways built on land reclaimed from the
ocean. It’s perfectly safe, but many struggle
to believe that as their plane swoops down
over the water!
HOLLYWOOD IN THE EAST
Hong Kong has one of the biggest film industries
in the world. Its kung fu action flicks, comedies and
historical dramas have made big stars of actors and
directors such as Jackie Chan, Wong Kar-wai and
Maggie Cheung. A lot of the films made in Hong
Kong star the city itself. The spectacular high-rises,
steep green hills, twisting alleys, bright lights and
dense crowds make the perfect backdrop.
TRAM-ENDOUS
Hong Kong locals love to travel
by tram. On the northern part of the
island clattering double-deckers known
as ‘ding dings’ transport people to work
or out to the shops. One of the best ways
to see the city is to take the Peak Tram – one
of the world’s steepest funicular railways.
The iconic cars make their way from the
Garden Road Lower Terminus up the highest
mountain on Hong Kong Island to the
upper levels of the city. At the summit
of the Peak there are beautiful
houses, shops, restaurants
and spectacular views.
HIGH-TECH...
There are more skyscrapers in Hong Kong
than anywhere else on Earth. After dark
the streets blaze with neon light. During
the day, air-conditioned suspended
walkways criss-cross the city to shield
pedestrians from the scorching heat.
... AND TRADITION
Despite all of its state-of-the-art buildings, Hong Kong hasn’t
forgotten its traditions and customs. Construction workers
helping to build the skyline clamber precariously up scaffolding
made entirely of bamboo. Red-sailed junk boats bob in the
harbour and in August people leave food out on the street
and burn paper to appease the ghosts of their ancestors.