A visit to Hong Kong
The Hong Kong metropolis is an extremely exciting city to visit and it has fascinated the millions of travelers that go there to experience its many unique contrasts.
Hong Kong is Chinese, but is also influenced by the more than 150 years of British rule, which ended in 1997. Between the skyscrapers, one finds small buildings made in the finest colonial architectural style, providing living proof of the city’s history.
Hong Kong offers a colossal range of activities, modern business areas, and beautiful nature. The city is also filled with shopping opportunities, the delicacies of the Cantonese cuisine and ancient Chinese culture.
Hong Kong itself is mainly composed of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and the two combined offer both metropolitan atmosphere, lovely bathing beaches and wild nature. Nearby is Macau, where the distinct Portuguese touch still left behind from colonial times also creates a unique experience. Have a good trip!
Even in prehistoric times, there were dwellings in the Hong Kong area, but thousands of years were to pass before the area began to develop further.
With the opening of the Silk Road, which was at its height from about 200 BC to the year 950, the Chinese territory experienced a general development.
When Genghis Khan invaded China from the north around the year 1200, there was a big increase in the population of Hong Kong due to the numerous refugees from the Mongolian invasion in the other Chinese regions. In 1300, Hong Kong was officially founded as a Chinese city.
The first European to visit Hong Kong was Jorge Álvares, a Portuguese merchant who traded with the Chinese. His trade brought him there in 1513, and from then on, Portuguese traders visited the city regularly.
In 1840, Hong Kong became one of the centers of the Opium War between China and England. The Chinese administration in Peking demanded that the import of opium cease and all the established stores of opium were destroyed.
In response, on January 20, 1841, Charles Elliott declared Hong Kong a British crown colony, began to sell land and thus to re-inhabit Hong Kong Island. After some disputes and difficulties, Henry Pottinger took over the leadership of the island, and under him, the British holdings were expanded to other cities on the Chinese coast; among them was Shanghai. Just as they were about to take over Nanking, a peace agreement was reached and the Opium War ended.
One of the results of the peace agreement of Nanking was that China surrendered Hong Kong to England, and on June 16, 1843, Henry Pottinger was appointed the first British governor of Hong Kong. During the same year, China got trade rights in Hong Kong.
In 1858, the second Opium War broke out, and, after numerous skirmishes, ended in 1860 with a settlement in Peking giving England the southern part of the mainland, present-day Kowloon.
The last decades of the 1800s were a period of great growth for the city. A cable car network, the Victoria Peak Tram, was built, and railroad connections to Canton were opened. In 1891, the Hong Kong dollar was introduced.
In 1898, the last expansion of Hong Kong’s territory took place with the 99-year British lease agreement for the so-called New Territories, consisting of the mainland north of Kowloon and 236 islands. The new additions of land made it possible for the British to develop the city into the modern center that it still is today.
In 1941, Hong Kong was invaded by Japanese troops and after 16 days, the city surrendered. A large part of the population left for Macau. In 1945, Hong Kong’s British rule was re- established. Just a few years later, in 1949, when Mao founded the People’s Republic of China, supporters of Chiang Kai-Shek left China, many of them for Hong Kong, thus increasing the population of the small land area even further.
In 1956, Hong Kong came under regional home rule, still under the British crown, but with greatly increased local authority.
The following decades saw the beginning of Hong Kong’s explosive period of economic growth. It began with the establishment of a large textile industry that could compete with the European producers, especially in terms of hourly wages.
After the textile industry, trade and industry in Hong Kong changed in line with the economic success and a strong financial sector developed.
Over a period of only a few years, the city became one of the richest in the world.
During this time, changes also took place in the cultural and social areas, not least due to the overweight of Chinese inhabitants – for example, Cantonese became an official language on the same level as English. The transport sector also benefited from large investments – the metro, MTR, was opened in 1980, and eleven years later came plans for the modern airport, Chek Lap Kok.
In the beginning of the 1980s, China and England began negotiating British withdrawal from the area after the lease agreement expired. In 1984, an agreement was signed returning all of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Under the agreement, Hong Kong’s status and system would continue partially unchanged until 2047. However, the city would be subject to Chinese territorial borders, defense rules and foreign policy immediately after 1997.
On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong became Chinese once again, and since then the city has become increasingly integrated into the present unique period of growth in China – for example, heavy investments have been made in Hong Kong’s film industry.
Tour 1: Hong Kong
MTR: Sheung Wan
Pok Fu Lam Road www.hku.hk, MTR: Sheung Wan
In the university museum, Chinese antiques and works of art can be seen; among them is the world’s largest collection of bronze objects from the Yuan dynasty.
323 Des Voeux Road Central MTR: Sheung Wan.
124-126 Hollywood Road, MTR: Sheung Wan
The Man Mo Temple is one of Hong Kong’s oldest. It was built in 1847. The Temple’s name stems from Man (the god of literature) and Mo (the god of war), but the temple itself is a beautiful, peaceful oasis in the midst of the surrounding city environs.
Duddell Street, MTR: Centra
Upper Albert Road, MTR: Central
In the Mid-Levels Garden Park, the former official residence of the British governor in Hong Kong is situated. The governor’s residence was built in 1855 and converted by the Japanese during World War II. Twenty-five British governors lived here until 1997, when Hong Kong was handed over to China.
Today the governor’s residence is used for concerts and other entertainment programs. Outside of the residence, one can enjoy the lovely garden with its rhododendrons and azaleas, not to mention many other attractive flowers.
1 Battery Path, MTR: Centra
Peak Road
www.thepeak.com.hk
www.madame-tussauds.com.hk
MTR: Central
Victoria Peak is one of Hong Kong’s most visited spots. Its placement at the top of the mountain on Hong Kong Island provides a fantastic view out over the entire city. It is recommended that one make the journey upwards in the hours just before sunset and then stay on the peak until after nightfall. The view at both points in time is unforgettable.
Victoria Peak is also the starting point for a number of footpaths, which give one the possibility of experiencing Hong Kong outside the metropolis area. One of them gives a fine view of the southern side of the island and the ocean there.
In the unique tower on Victoria Peak itself one finds shops, restaurants and Madam Tussaud’s Wax Museum, which contains replicas of about 100 well-known personalities, among them Hong Kong’s own Jackie Chan.
The Peak Tram/峺錔殻崝 takes you to Victoria Peak from the terminal at Garden Road. It is a cable-car route established in 1888. The tram climbs 373 meters upwards, and you get an incredible view looking out from the right side of the wagons.
Tour 2: Hong Kong
4-8 Garden Road www.stjohnscathedral.org.hk, MTR: Central/Ο
/Admiralty/
/Admiralty/ 
St. John’s Cathedral is believed to be the oldest Anglican church in the Far East. It was built in 1849 in a style that blends English architecture of the 1200s with decorated Gothic architecture.
1 Garden Road, MTR: Central/Admiralty
The impressive Bank of China Tower is one of modern Hong Kong’s most striking buildings. The architect, I. M. Pei, used bamboo as his inspiration. The building is 70 stories high and recognizable from all the popular vantage points in the city.
10 Cotton Tree Drive www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/museum MTR: Admiralty
The Flagstaff House mansion in Hong Kong Park was built in 1846 as a residence for the British commander. It held that status until 1932. Today, the lovely house is a museum for tea sets.
18 Harbour Road, www.centralplaza.com.hk, MTR: Wan Chai
Central Plaza’s 78 stories make it one of Hong Kong’s highest buildings. After nightfall, the neon light at the top of Central Plaza changes color every fifteen minutes, thus placing it among the city’s most noteworthy modern skyscrapers.
1 Expo Drive www.hkcec.com MTR: Wan Chai
Hong Kong’s unique convention and exhibition center is built on reclaimed land in Victoria Harbor. Its special roof construction makes it one of Hong Kong’s landmarks. It was here that the official ceremony of Hong Kong’s handover to China took place in 1997.
The little Tin Hau temple was built in the early 1700s by the Tai family. The temple was originally built to protect a statue of the goddess of the sea, Tin Hau, which the family is said to have found along the coast.
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong’s picturesque cable cars have rumbled through the streets of Hong Kong Island since 1904. A tour from east to west provides many impressive sights of the lovely buildings and breathtaking views of natural scenery in these parts.
Tour 3: Hong Kong
www.starferry.com.hk MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
Since 1898, the Star Ferry has sailed the eight- minute route across Victoria Harbor, thus connecting Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui.
The tour is a must for every visitor to Hong Kong. The view from the ferry of modern, beautifully situated Hong Kong and the special atmosphere on board are incomparable.
Waterfront Promenade, MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
The striking Railway Clock Tower at the waterfront near Star Ferries was erected in 1921 as part of the earlier main railway station of the Kowloon-Canton railway. Today, the area near the clock tower is a good starting point for a walk along the pleasant waterfront promenade.
Tsim Sha Tsui Hill, MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
Salisbury Road 10 www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkcc MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong’s unique cultural center was constructed in 1984. It is the setting of a number of concerts and exhibitions. It also houses a couple of the city museums, including the art museum.
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