Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Modern buildings, historic landmarks, great transportation, and a big city feel with deep cultural roots, Hong Kong has all of this and more. Whilst you might be keen to find cheap flights to Hong Kong solely to immerse yourself in its notorious cityscape and fast-paced culture, this South East Asian destination has a lot more to offer. Behind the impressive skyscrapers Hong Kong’s not-so-hidden treasures include mountainous landscapes and secluded beaches. If you’ve gone ahead and booked your cheap flights, a true exploration will uncover this popular destination has 75% of undeveloped land and 40% is protected as country parks and nature reserves. Consisting of 260 outlying islands, Hong Kong is a destination perfect for outdoor adventurers as well as attracting keen shoppers, awe-struck city enthusiasts and night owls.
How To Get There
Your cheap flights to Hong Kong will land you at Hong Kong International Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok, winner of Airport of The Year 2011. Situated on Lantau Island, this is an impressively modern, clean and inspiring starting point to your stay. Impressively, Hong Kong citizens can zip in and out of the country with a mere swipe of a fingerprint. All major airlines fly here and booking your cheap flights early will help guarantee your place. Cheap flights from London usually take 12 hours without a stop-over.
Travelling Around
The Airport Express provides great links to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is efficient and easy to use and takes you to all major districts. South of Hong Kong Island can be reached by Public Light Busses (PLB) and outlying islands such as Macau can be reached by ferry. The Star Ferry is a popular attraction which links Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. Hong Kong Island boasts a novel mode of transport through the busy sloping streets of Central with Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, the longest escalator in the world. Double-decker trams are a fun way of exploring on Hong Kong Island and cost only $2 (16p) a ride.
When to go
The best time to take advantage of your cheap flights would be once the heat, humidity and tropical storm season has subsided. June to September sees the most adverse of the weather; however, Hong Kong is a year-round destination with plenty to do despite the weather. Hong Kong has an impressive list of festivals throughout the year which attract visitors from all over the world. Chinese New Year brings celebrations of fantastic firework displays and traditional parades. Other popular festivals include Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Hungry Ghost Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. Book your cheap flights to incorporate any number of Hong Kong’s impressive celebrations.
What To See
Start your sight-seeing excursion at Hong Kong Island. This is a business and commerce centre but head to Aberdeen on the south side of the island and you'll find thousands of people working on all kinds of boats. Tours are available throughout much of the day. Stop in at one of the floating restaurants for a bite to eat or head to one of the beaches (warning these can get crowded). Aberdeen also has the famous Central Market, Man Mo Temple, and the Zoological & Botanic Gardens.
Next on your list should be the Kowloon part of Hong Kong, where you will find lots shops, restaurants, pubs, and more shops. Kowloon is home to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Space Museum and Museum of History. These are all fantastic destinations that the whole family will enjoy. Take a stroll on the Promenade for a view of Victoria Harbour, especially in the evening. Rising 552 metres, Victoria Peak is another place for great views. It is Hong Kong's number one tourist attraction with around six million visitors each year. Hop on the Peak Tram funicular from the centre of town and you'll be at the top in 7 minutes. The wok-shaped Peak Tower has a viewing deck, so get your cameras ready.
The Avenue of Stars was build to honour Hong Kongs rich cinematic past. It is located on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade in Kowloon overlooking the harbour. The walk of fame features over a hundred plaques dedicated to famous film stars. One of the main attractions is the 2-metre-high bronze statue of Bruce Lee which was built to mark his 65th birthday in 2005. The Avenue is free and can be visited around the clock.
Another good way to see the city is on a historic Star Ferry. Established in 1888 and something of a Hong Kong institution, the ferry has four routes and boats leave every 8 minutes.
Hotspot
Symphony of Lights
This multimedia light show began in January 2004 and enhances the already stunning Hong Kong skyline. It is an orchestrated light and laser show and currently features 37 buildings on both sides of Victoria Harbour. Rumour has it that the extravagant show costs about $44 million HKD each year to produce.
The show features lighting from inside the buildings but also LEDs, lasers, searchlights and projection lighting. Fireworks are added on special occasions.
Symphony of Lights takes place every night during good weather. It starts at 8 pm and finishes about 15 minutes later. Head to the Avenue of Stars or Golden Bauhinia Square to hear live music and narration - read in English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The best place to watch the show is aboard one of the Victoria Harbour ferries.
Night Life
Hong Kong has one of the best nightlife scenes in Asia, there is something here for every taste and budget. There are two main entertainment areas on the Island - Lan Kwai Fong (Central) and Wanchai, with off-shoots like Causeway Bay. Lan Kwai Fong is popular with expats as well as locals and all the bars within close proximity of each other. Watch out on the hilly streets after a couple of drinks! Wanchai is the famous Suzy Wong area of Hong Kong and is packed with neon signs and scouts trying to tempt visitors into the go-go bars.
Fast Facts
· Hong Kong means fragrant harbour.
· Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated areas. Almost seven million people inhabit 415 square miles.
· Kowloon, one of the citys mainland areas, means Nine Dragons.
· The symbol of the reunification of Hong Kong and China is the Chinese White Dolphin which is actually pink.
· The Regent Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui was been designed to enable dragons to pass through and feed in the harbour. There is a fountain to attract them and glass windows for them to pass through.
Quick History
In the mid-1800s Hong Kong Island wasnt much more than a small gathering of houses. It was ceded to the British in 184, followed by Kowloon and Stonecutters Island in 1856. In 1898 the New Territories were leased to the British for 99 years. When the lease period endedin 1997, negotiations saw Britain handing Hong Kong back to China. Under the motto 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong is now a Special Administrative Region of China. Ten years on from the handover, Hong Kong continues to develop as a commercial city. East meets west in the largest concentration of tall buildings in the world.
Lingo
Locals are always happy to hear you make an effort, so its good to have a couple of words and phrases up your sleeve. Cantonese is a tricky language, but here are the basics:
Hello Nei hau
Goodbye Bai bai
Thank you Dor je
Money
Currency is Hong Kong dollar (HK$). There are 100 cents in a dollar. Coins come in 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents; HK$1, HK$2, HK$5 and HK$10. Notes have denominations of HK$10, HK$20, HK$50, HK$100, HK$500, and HK$1,000.
Major banks are open from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12:30pm on Saturday. There are ATMs everywhere.
The exchange rate is around 80p to the HK dollar. Up-to-date rates can be found here.
Most restaurants will add a 10% service charge but waiters will expect some loose change. Tipping is discretionary - bellboys, porters and taxi drivers will happily accept.