Joanna James
A mix of east and west, Hong Kong has much to offer travellers heading to this cosmopolitan destination. Here are some interesting facts that offer insights into some of its key features and what you can look forward to experiencing.
Hong Kong is not made up of one or a few islands, but more than 250! Most of these islands are uninhabited and offer amazing getaways too. Of course, there are inhabited island worth visiting as well such as Lantau Island; it features the famed Big Buddha statue (or Tian Tan Buddha), the stunning Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride and Hong Kong Disneyland. Other islands one can visit include Peng Chau, Lamma and Cheung Chau.
While many will associate Hong Kong with a bustling city landscape, it is home to 24 country parks set aside for nature conservation; what's more, three-quarters of this destination is in fact, dedicated countryside! From national parks to mountain ranges there is much to explore amidst idyllic backdrops; those into hiking can look to try trails such as the Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau trails.
While you may think of places like New York has having an abundance of skyscrapers, it is Hong Kong that has the most amount of skyscrapers on the planet! It has more than 350 of such towering structures with the 484 metre-high International Commerce Centre being the tallest of its skyscrapers. In case you're wondering, second on the list is Shenzhen in China followed by New York and Dubai respectively.
Inaugurated in May 1888, the Peak Tram service was the first of its kind in Asia. Initially, this service linked five intermediate stations and covered 1,350 metres; the carriages were constructed from varnished timber and accommodated 30 passengers. Today, the historic Peak Tram which is easily accessible from properties such as Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong offers an unforgettable ride to the top of Victoria Peak where stunning vistas await.
Every night at 8:00pm, Victoria Harbour hosts the Symphony of Lights, one of the most stunning sound and light shows in the world. The show, which lasts for 10 minutes, incorporates over 40 buildings and skyscrapers on either side of the harbour and features lasers, LED screens, searchlights, music and more. The best vantage points for this spectacle include Golden Bauhinia Square within easy reach of hotels in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and boats traversing along Victoria Harbour at that time.
The main spoken language in Hong Kong is Cantonese and not Mandarin as some may assume; the latter is spoken in mainland China though it is, of course, used here to a lesser extent. While both are Chinese languages, they sound quite different too. That said, due to colonial and trade influences, many people in Hong Kong also speak good English since it is taught in schools and travellers should not have an issue with communication.
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