Visa On Arrival

Geography

Hong Kong mainly consists of the island of Hong Kong, Stonecutter’s Island, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories. Most of Hong Kong is made up of hilly mountains with steep slopes. The country also has an irregular coastline with several bays, rivers and beaches.

The best time to visit the city is from April to October as the humidity is low and the temperature is suited for outdoor activities. Hong Kong occasionally experiences tropical cyclones in summer.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen, a former fishing village, is now the biggest port in China and one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Located in the southern part of the country near Hong Kong, Shenzhen boasts a fabulous nightlife and fun attractions for all kinds of travelers. This city is known for its theme parks, including Happy Valley, Splendid China, and Window of the World. Nature lovers can visit the Shenzhen Garden and Flower Exposition Center, featuring a pagoda and waterfall.

Macau

Macau, once powerful and then long forgotten, is coming out of the shadows. With its Chinese and Portuguese heritage, this true east-meets-west city has something for everyone - historical buildings, exotic restaurants, beautiful gardens and so much more.

^_Macao

China - Kowloon         13 km        8 miles   
China - Shenzhen       41 km       26 miles   
China - Macau              61 km      38 miles
China - Canton            133 km     83 miles
Taiwan - Kaohsiung    655 km    407 miles
China - Changsha       662 km    411 miles

The Lunar New Year in January is followed by the Dragon Boat Festival in May. Labour Day celebrations are followed by Buddha’s birthday on 11 May. October witnesses National Day as well as the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Chung Yeung Festival is also celebrated.

Chinese New Year, the country’s largest festival, is celebrated in the month of January and February. The Ching Ming festival is another popular festival where thousands gather together to pay respect to their ancestors. The Moon Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is the harvest festival which is celebrated in September. The Bun Festival is celebrated throughout the island with dragon dances and music. 

During the Qin Dynasty, Hong Kong was incorporated into Imperial China. The country was later converted into a trading post and naval base during the Tang and the Song dynasties. Jorge Alvares was the first European to visit Hong Kong. In 1997, Hong Kong was made the Special Administrative Region of China.

Apart from its rich political history, Hong Kong has a rich and diverse culture. The culture is a mix of Western culture along with Eastern influence. Canto pop is the dominant form of music in Hong Kong. Dance, speech and combat are important cultural elements and many inhabitants practise a traditional slow-motion shadow boxing. The ancient art of Feng-Shui is widely popular.

Chi Lin Nunnery (traditional Chinese: 志蓮淨苑) is Buddhist nunnery in Diamond Hill, New Kowloon, Hong Kong. The present-day buildings have been rebuilt and their style is of Tang architecture. The beautiful garden in front of the nunnery is open to the public free of charge.

Its buildings are the only ones to be built with wooden rooftops in modern Hong Kong, without the use of a single nail in its construction. This is based on a unique architectural style from the Tang Dynasty which uses special interlocking systems cut into the wood for construction.

Covering a space of 30,000 square meters, Chi Lin Nunnery has strikingly beautiful statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, the goddess of mercy Guanyin and other bodhisattvas. These statues are made from gold, clay, wood and stone.

Po Lin Monastery (traditional Chinese: 寶蓮禪寺, Literally "Precious Lotus Zen Temple") is a Buddhist monastery, located on Ngong Ping Plateau, on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

The monastery was founded in 1906 by three monks visiting from Jiangsu and was initially known as "The Big Hut". It was renamed to its present name in 1924. The main temple houses 3 bronze statues of the Buddha representing his past, present and future lives as well as many Buddhist scriptures.

Tian Tan Buddha, a giant Buddha statue completed in 1993, is an extension of the monastery.

The Ngong Ping 360, consisting of the Ngong Ping village and a gondola lift running between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping, was built near to the Po Lin Monastery.

This Monastery is also famous for making wooden bracelets, that are only sold near the Tian Tan Buddha statue.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Tsz) is a Buddhist temple in Shatin, Hong Kong. It is located at 220 Pai Tau Village, Shatin

 Historic background

In 1951, Venerable Yuet Kai founded the Monastery. The construction was finished in 1957. [1]

The Main Temple and the Pagoda of the Monastery are graded as Grade III Historic Buildings due to their historic significance.

Facilities

The monastery, which is occupying over 8 hectares, is made up of 2 groups of architectural structures at lower and higher levels respectively. There is a pagoda, a hall, 2 pavilions and a tower in the architectural structure at the lower level. There are four halls in another structure at the higher level.The five halls in the monastery are used to house the statues of Buddhas.

Wong Tai Sin Temple (Chinese: 黃大仙祠; pinyin: Huáng Dàxian Cì) is one of the most famous shrines in Hong Kong. It is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong. The 18,000-m² Taoist temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get" (有求必應) via a practice called Kau Cim. The temple is located on the southern side of Lion Rock in the north of Kowloon.

Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong
 
Around 60 temples are (at least partially) dedicated to Tin Hau in Hong Kong. They include:

    * Tin Hau temple, located at 10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay, east of Victoria Park, in Eastern District, on Hong Kong Island. It is a declared monument. The temple has given its name to the MTR station serving it (Island Line).

    * The Tin Hau temple in Yau Ma Tei is also famous in Hong Kong. The public square, Yung Shue Tau before it is surrounded by the popular Temple Street night market.

    * The Tin Hau Temple at Joss House Bay (大廟灣; Tai Miu Wan) is considered the most sacred. It is a Grade I historic building.

Hong Kong has been influenced by the Chinese and the British during the various eras of history. Hongkong was the land of the Chinese for more than 5000 years while the British dominated for around 150 years. Here is concise information of some sites owing to this heritage.

Colonial Monuments
Duddell Street Steps & Gas Lamps
Address
Duddell Street, Central District, Hong Kong

Duddell Street Steps, connecting Ice House Street with Duddell Street, are fine wide stone steps. The lamps, stamping themselves at the head and foot of the steps, were built between 1875 and 1889.

Flagstaff House
Address
Cotton Tree Drive, Central District, Hong Kong

Flagstaff House, constructed in 1846, was put in use as the residence of the Commander of the British forces in Hong Kong until 1932. The place is open for public viewing daily 10am-5pm, except Tuesday and some public holidays.

Western Market
Address
323, Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan

Western Market, one of the oldest structures in Sheung Wan, was completed in 1906. The stately market has red brick walls on a granite base, and and four corner towers highlighted in 'bandaged' brickwork. The market was repackaged in 1991 and now it holds several retail outlets.

St. John's Cathedral
Address
4-8 Garden Road, Central Hong Kong

Considered to be the oldest Anglican church in Far East, St. John's Cathedral also holds the distinction of oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in Hong Kong. The task of its construction was finished in 1849 under Bishop George Smith, first Bishop of Victoria. Most of of the present interior designs and furnishings are post-war.

Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower
Address
Tsim Sha Tsui

The clock tower, once a a part of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) Terminus, came into operation in 1921. However, the terminus was later shifted to Hung Hom in 1975. Only the Clock Tower remains at the place.

Chinese Heritage Monuments
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb
Address
Sham Shui Po

Accidentally discovered in 1955, Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb is one of the most ancient tombs in Hongkong. At the times of its discovery, around 58 pottery and bronze objects were found inside the tomb. It is known to be constructed during the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD25-220).

Law Uk Hakka House
Address
14 Kut Shing Street, Chai Wan

Built about 2 centuries ago, Law Uk Hakka House is the only original village house left undamaged in Chai Wan. The House was restored in 1989.

Old Wan Chai Post Office
Address
Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Oldest surviving post office building in Hongkong, Old Wan Chai Poat Office was constructed between 1912 and 1913. Currently, Environmental Protection Department operates it as a resources centre.

Tin Hau Temple
Address
10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay

Tin Hau Temple, built by Tai family, came into being in the early 18th century. Some family members found an idol of Tin Hau near the shore. They made a shelter for the statue, and later, the shelter developed as the Temple.

Hong Kong has unparalled vacation features that make it a perfect place for family vacation, weekend getaway or honeymoon. It has a plethora of adventure sports activities such as hiking, river treks, diving, snorekelling and birding which make the vacations a great joy.

Hiking and River-treks
The island is carpeted by the hills, which in turn are bisected by number of seasonal rivers, creating several exquisite waterfalls and gorges. Hiking on these hills is organised by various groups. Walks along streams and falls are also organised. Lantau Island has an abundance of riverside walking. Violet Peak on the south of Hong Kong island is also known for river-trekking.

Diving and Snorekelling
Hong Kong is circled by sea. Rocky coasts provide home to exquisite range of marine fauna. More than 80 species of corals and over 300 species of reef fish have been found in the region. These circumstances make activities like diving and snorekelling very rewarding. However, underwater visibility in the coast depends on the wind and tide conditions. Several artificial reefs have also been created for the benefit of the travellers.

Birding
Hong Kong has number of country parks which can prove very intriguing for the lovers of avian life. In Hongkong, birding is best from early October to late April. Noteworthy places for birding activity in Hongkong are Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and Long Valley. Po Toi Island is a must-visit for any bird-watcher.

Hong Kong is as vigorous in the night as it is in the day. After a long, hard day's work, residents venture into the bright psychedelic colored streets for a piece of the action in one of the many night-spots available. Western-style bars and discos are plenty with some attracting a mainly western clientele, while others a mix of locals and expatriates. Options range from British pubs and American bars to high-tech Japanese karaoke clubs and late-night Chinese dance clubs.

There are three districts in Hong Kong that are famous for their entertainment spots. The first is Central where most expatriates and trendy locals go to after work, especially in the areas of Lan Kwai Fong. The second is Wan Chai, which includes nearby Causeway Bay with its many bars and discos that open till dawn. The third is Tsim Tsa Tsui in Kowloon where there is a distinct difference between bars exclusively for locals and those that appeal more to tourists.

Street Markets
Hong Kong's street markets are always full of excitement and colour. The market stalls are where Hong Kong's dedicated shoppers hone their bargaining skills. There are a few for you to explore, such as Stanley Market, Temple Street Night Market, Ladies Market and Jade Market.

Shopping Districts

Hong Kong is a truly "Shoppers' Paradise". There are many shopping areas throughout Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories featuring stylish shopping malls, department stores as well as bustling open-air markets.

 Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme

Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme is managed by Hong Kong Tourism Board to help visitors find shops that meet high standards. Look for the QTS sign displayed prominently by shops that have qualified for this exclusive recognition.

Hong Kong is a delicious mix of eastern and western food. Rice is the staple dish. Some of the popular dishes include poon choi, peking duck, and tofu pudding.

Chrysanthemum Tea is the most favourite drink.

Sheung Yiu Folk Museum

Address:     Pak Tam Chung Nature Trail, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong

Transportation : Take MTR to Choi Hung station, then take maxicab No. 1A to Sai Kung Town. From the town, take bus No. 94 and get off at Pak Tam Chung. You can also reach Sai Kung Town by taking bus No. 92 from MTR Diamond Hill station.
Phone:             (852) 2792 6365
Information:     Once a fortified Hakka village which was established in the mid-19th century, this museum houses typical Hakka furnishings. Located inside one of Hong Kong's most scenic country parks.

Mon, Wed - Sun and public holidays 9am - 4pm. Closed Tue and some public holidays. Admission Free

Tao Heung Foods of Mankind Museum, formerly Foods of Mankind Museum, is the first 'foods of mankind' museum in Hong Kong. It is one of the few museums not run and funded by the government. It was housed in a two-floored building at 1 Lok Tin Street, On Lok Tsuen, Fanling, Hong Kong but closed in 2005 due to lack of funds. The museum introduced the food cultures of different countries from the past to the present. The museum was reopened on 15 October 2005

Hong Kong Heritage Museum (traditional Chinese: 香港文化博物館) is a museum of history, art and culture in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, by the Shing Mun River. The museum was built by the Regional Council and opened on 16 December 2000. It is currently managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government. The building was designed by the Hong Kong Architectural Services Department. The six permanent exhibits and the original temporary exhibits were designed by Canadian design firm Reich+Petch (with Lord Cultural Services).

Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum (traditional Chinese: 孫中山紀念館) is a museum in Hong Kong. It is located in Kom Tong Hall (traditional Chinese: 甘棠第), at 7 Castle Road, Central. After the preparation work undertaken by the Hong Kong Museum of History, the museum was opened on December 12, 2006, so as to commemorate the 140th birthday of the influential Chinese statesman.

Chai Wan Park

Chai Wan Park (traditional Chinese: 柴灣公園) was one of large park in Hong Kong. Located in Chai Wan of Hong Kong, it occupied 6.55 hectares. Completed by Urban Council in 21 April 1993, the park is now managed by Leisure and Cultural Services Department, a department of Hong Kong Government.

History

The park was the former site of Chaiwan Campsite of The Boy Scouts Association, Hong Kong Branch (present-day The Scout Association of Hong Kong) in 1929. The hill in the site thus known as Tung Kwan Shan (童軍山, lit. Scout Hill) in Cantonese language. In 1970, the Government decided to develop Chai Wan and the associate returned the site to the government and got a site in Tai Tam in exchange. The hill was demolished in 1980s and the shore nearby was reclaimed for the construction of the park.  The park was opened in 1993.  The park is with a lily pond in the middle.

Chater Garden (traditional Chinese: 遮打花園), located in the Central District of Hong Kong, is a public park directly east of the Legislative Council building. Due to its proximity to the seat of government, it has been used as a location for political rallies and demonstrations by groups in Hong Kong such as Falun Gong. The garden was developed in the 1970s, taking up space left by the Hong Kong Cricket Club who moved to Wong Nai Chung Gap. It is named after Sir Paul Chater, and one side of the garden is on Chater Road which is also named after him.

Cheung Kong Park is a small park located in the Central district of Hong Kong Island and named for Li Ka Shing's corporate empire. The park is privately maintained by the Li owned holding company, but is open to the public. The park consists of ponds and cascades with benches for visitors to enjoy the scenery.

Blake Garden (traditional Chinese: 卜公花園), also known as Blake Gardens, is a small urban park in Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island. The park is named after Sir Henry Arthur Blake, a former British Governor of Hong Kong.

Historic background

In 1894, the bubonic plague broke out in Hong Kong. Because of the dense population and deplorable sanitary condition, Tai Ping Shan area was the most plague-stricken place. Hence, the buildings in the area was bought and demolished by the Government. The area worst affected by the plague was redeveloped. Blake Gardens[1] and the Old Pathological Institute (now Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences) were built here. In the garden there is plaque commemorating the outbreak of the bubonic plague in 1894.

Choi Sai Woo Park (traditional Chinese: 賽西湖公園) is a park located near the top of Braemar Hill at Braemar Hill Road, Hong Kong. The park serves as a social hub for the neighbourhood. Choi Sai Woo Park's opening hours are 7am - 11pm.

Historic background

The park was named after a former reservoir, Choi Sai Woo, which was formerly located in the park.

According to the Commemorative Plaque by in the park, the reservoir was built by Taikoo Sugar Company Limited in 1894; it was the largest and the last of the five private reservoirs built by the company. During the drought and bubonic plague outbreak started in 1894, the reservoir once supplied water to Tai Ping Shan District. It was filled in by Li Ka Shing to create the current park site. In World War II it was the scene of bitter fighting as the Japanese advanced to split the defence of Hong Kong into two: East and West.

Harcourt Park or Harcourt Gardens (Chinese: 夏慤花園) is a small urban park in Admiralty, Hong Kong. The park is located next to the Hong Kong Police Force's Headquarters and named for Admiral Cecil Harcourt.

Hong Kong Park is a public park, located next to Cotton Tree Drive, in Central, Hong Kong, China.It covers an area of 80,000 m² and is an example of modern design and facilities blending with natural landscape.

History

Part of the site was known as Cantonment Hill in early colonial days in 1841. At the upper part of the former location of the Victoria Barracks, built between 1867 and 1910, the barracks were handed to the government in 1979, which turned the area into the present park. Hong Kong Park was open to public in May 1991. It covers an area of 8 hectares and is an outstanding example of modern design and facilities blending with the natural landscape.

Victoria Peak Garden (traditional Chinese: 山頂公園) is a Chinese style garden, managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It was once an alternate home for the Governor of Hong Kong. The residence, Mountain Lodge, has been demolished, but the park remains as an attraction at the Peak.

It is a vantage point which captures an over 300 m high angle shot of the magnificent view of the Victoria Harbour and an exotic night scene of Hong Kong. The original landscape remains in the garden. Unlike most of the public parks in Hong Kong, dogs and other pet animals are allowed in the garden.

Victoria Park (traditional Chinese: 維多利亞公園) is a public park in Hong Kong, named after Queen Victoria. It is located in Causeway Bay, in the north of Hong Kong Island, between Causeway Bay and Tin Hau MTR stations. It is part of the Eastern District, along the border with Wan Chai District. Victoria Harbour is in the north of the park, while Hong Kong Central Library locates in the south. In the early 2000s the park underwent a major revamp.

Hong Kong weather in summer (June - August) can seem like swimming through soup. The sun beats down, the air is laced with humidity and shirts become tissues to stop sweat. Locals, walking around in the heat during lunchtimes look like they have just completed a marathon. Added to this misery is the constant threat of summer showers, thunderstorms and Hong Kong typhoons. Summer weather in Hong Kong is best avoided, unless absolutely necessary.
Clothes

T-Shirts and shorts; although those who easily burn in the sun may want to consider long sleeves, and if not, very high factor sun cream. Raincoats are useless, as the sun will melt you and it like a candle, pick up an umbrella in town.
Facts and Figures

The temperature averages at 28 for much of the summer and even at night doesn't drop significantly. Rainfall can be extremely erratic, but on average you can expect 80-100mm

Like an unwanted hitch-hiker accompanying spring's warmer weather, is a raft of rain and showers. Spring weather in Hong Kong (March - May), can bring wonderfully warm days with clear blue skies, or it can bring apocalyptic downfalls, resulting in black rainstorm warnings. Humidity is also relatively mild. Try and check the weather ahead of time, where possible, to find a clear patch.
Clothes

Goggles and a snorkel might be the best advice - but seriously, some effective waterproofs are a must, as well as shorts and t-shirts for warmer days and sweaters for evenings.
Facts and Figures

Temperatures rocket through the spring, starting at around 20, (68) until they hit the 30s (86) towards summer. Rainfall is equally spectacular, with an average of 90-120mm through the season.
Month by Month Links

Find out exactly what to expect from the spring weather with out month by month guide, including advice and average temperature and rainfall.This can be helpful in planning exactly what you need to pack

Winter weather in Hong Kong (Mid-December - February) is noticeably cooler than the city's other seasons, it is nevertheless mild. Snow is unheard of in Hong Kong and frost occurs only one once or twice a year. Crisp, clear days, with little rain, do make winter a viable time to visit Hong Kong. Seemingly, the locals don't notice that it isn't really winter outside, and will wrap themselves up like Polar Bears regardless.
Clothes

Sweaters will be needed for most days and a light jacket or coat for evenings. Despite the locals, gloves and scarves are only needed by those particularly susceptible to the cold.
Facts and Figures

Temperatures never plummet to the bone chilling and you can expect 17C or 63 F. Rainfall is reasonably uncommon in winter, averaging 30-40mm
Month by Month Links

Find out exactly what to expect from the winter weather with our month by month guide, including advice and average temperature and rainfall. This can be helpful in planning exactly what you need to pack and in planning your activities

We start with Hong Kong weather in fall (September - Mid-December), as this is firmly the best time to land in Hong Kong. During fall, humidity is low, while temperatures are warming and skies are bright. Autumn is the best time for outdoor activities, and to stroll around and enjoy the city, with summer being far to hot. Fall weather in Hong Kong is also the most predictable, with sudden changes in the weather unlikely.
Clothes

T-Shirt and shorts weather for most of the season, although you're advised to bring a sweater for evenings, especially towards the end of the fall.
Average Temp and Rainfall

The average temperature during fall is 24C or 75F. Rainfall is very light with few rainy days, especially towards the end of the year. 20-30mm

Hong Kong Tourism Board
Level 4, Hong Kong House
80 Druitt Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: +61 2 9283 3083
Fax: +61 2 9283 3383
Email: sydwwo@hktourismboard.com
Web site: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/australia

Hong Kong Tourism Board
Hong Kong Trade Centre
9 Temperance Street, 3rd Floor
Toronto ON M5H 1Y6
Telephone: +1 416 366-2389
Fax: +1 416 366 1098
Email: yyzwwo@hktourismboard.com

Queen Mary Hospital ATM Centre
Queen Mary Hospital, G/F Main Entrance, 102 Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong    

University of Hong Kong ATM Centre
Podium of Haking Wong Bldg., University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong