About Hong Kong
Hong Kong means ‘Fragrant Harbor’ in the local Cantonese dialect, this collection of islands and inlets at the mouth of the Pearl River was the location of the first encounters between British sailors and Chinese fishermen. The area encompassing Hong Kong has been inhabited since Neolithic times, but a record of it been called Hong Kong did not occur until 1842 at the treaty of Nanking, signed at the end of the first Opium War between the British and the ruling Chinese Dynasty. The Brits unhappiness with Chinese trade restrictions had been a catalyst for the war and the treaty gave control of Hong Kong ‘in perpetuity’ to the British Crown as a duty free port. The British expanded their control over the Kowloon peninsula in subsequent wars and by 1898 they had obtained a 99 year lease over the ‘New Territories’ (a coastal chunk on the Chinese mainland). Hong Kong grew as a wealthy British colony, with a British educational system and a legal framework of open markets that made many colonists wealthy. The term Tai-Pan was coined for the wealthy ex-pats that ran the British trading houses and lived in palatial mansion up on Victoria peak. During the first half of the 20th century, some of the most important Tai-Pans in Hong Kong were run by men of Scottish descent (the term Tai-Pan is still used today, but it’s applied to any tycoon, regardless of nationality).
The Japanese invaded Hong Kong in 1942 during World War II and installed a brutal occupation that lasted until 1945 when the British took Hong Kong back. With the proclamation of the People’s republic of China in 1949, many foreign corporations based in Shanghai and Guangzhou moved their headquarters to Hong Kong and the heavy influx of refugees fleeing the new communist regime, helped Hong Kong recover the population that it had lost during the war and propelled it into becoming a world class manufacturing and trade hub, with one of the busiest ports in the world. In 1984 the Governments of the U.K and the People’s Republic of China signed the Sino-British declaration that would return Hong Kong to Chinese rule by 1997. Hong Kong runs as a special autonomous administrative region within the People’s Republic of China (one Country, two systems) and the ruling Communist party in Beijing has promised to maintain Hong Kong’s autonomy and its economic and political freedoms for at least 50 years. Hong Kong has evolved into a world class financial services hub as manufacturing moved to the Chinese mainland.
Getting Around:
Hong Kong is served by Hong Kong International Airport and has an airport express rail line that will drop you off in Hong Kong Island in approximately 24 minutes. Once you arrive you can take the Iconic Star Ferry for its famous dash across the bay, offering the best views of Hong Kong Harbor. The docks also offer several ferry’s to Macao and to mainland China, you can even take a Macao ferry right from the airport, bypassing Hong Kong Customs. A railway line also connects Hong Kong to Shenzhen, on the Chinese mainland, please note that most visitors need a visa to enter the People’s Republic but not Hong Kong or Macao. Take the Double Decker Trams within the city or ride the subway. Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities on Earth; get an Octopus card, valid in all of Hong Kong’s MTA trains and trams. Take the tram to the top of Victoria’s Peak for the best night views of the colorfully lit skyscrapers. A Hong Kong map purchased on your visit will help get around the city easily.
Things To Do:
Shop till you drop, Hong Kong has some of the most spectacular shopping malls in Asia, with prices for luxury goods that are lower than in Europe. Colorful street markets abound and Dim sun eateries are the order of the day. But Hong Kong is not all skyscrapers and shopping; it has many beautiful beaches and un-spoilt hikes, especially in Kowloon and in the south of Hong Kong Island. It even has Hong Kong Disneyland near the airport. Enjoy an evening drink in the Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai districts, with many bars on the top of business buildings, offering a million dollar view as well as drinks.
You can rent a car which is managed by people with extensive experience in hospitality services. They take you to the most exclusive destinations of the city and making your trip the most memorable one.
Hong Kong Climate:
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical, monsoon influenced climate. There are four distinct seasons in Hong Kong. Hong Kong weather is hottest from June-September where the temperature ranges anywhere between 26 °C and 34 °C with 60–70% humidity during the day and higher at nights, Hong Kong is normally hit by monsoon during summers and early autumns. Autumns are normally sunny with less rainfall and it is often considered to be the pleasant months as the weather is warm and reduced humidity. Winters are normally cool and the early winters experience dry weather but later part of the months gets very cold. It is unlikely to snow in Hong Kong as the temperatures very rarely reach the sub-zero Celsius. The chances of rainfall are higher during spring season and the humidity levels are slightly higher than in autumn.
Hotel Accommodation:
Hotel Accommodation in Hong Kong is very expensive due to the high property prices. These high prices of Hong Kong hotels are however compensated with impeccable hospitality services.