A (very brief) Guide to Hong Kong
In 1841 Hong Kong Island – not much more than ‘a barren island with few houses’ – was ceded to the British.
In 1997 negotiations between Britain and China resulted in the handover of Hong Kong back to China. Under the credo ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong is now a Special Administrative Region (S.A.R.) of China.
Hong Kong is a dazzling commercial city where east meets west. The lack of space in Hong Kong has led to the largest concentration of tall buildings in the world, even ahead of New York City.
Predominant Architecture:
Hong Kong features great emphasis on Contemporary architecture, specially Modernism, Postmodernism, Functionalism, etc. Due to the lack of available land, few historical buildings remain in the urban area.
Some places to see:
The Peak: A funicular tram ride brings you to Victoria Peak, at 1800ft, the highest point on Hong Kong Island. It is a popular tourist attraction thanks to the spectacular views over Hong Kong’s skyline.
Mongkok: Known as the most crowded area in an already overcrowded Kowloon, Mongkok is busy day and night. The area is a shopper’s paradise, despite its reputation as the heartland of triad gangs.
Nathan Road: This long, crowded boulevard in Kowloon is dubbed the ‘Golden Mile’ for its many neon signs. The road, which runs from the waterfront to Mongkok, is popular with visitors for the many shopping opportunities
Star Ferry: Despite modern competition from rail and road tunnels, the historic Star Ferry continues to be a popular means of crossing Victoria Harbour, especially with tourists.
