In September of 2011 I went to Hong Kong for a visit. I went to sort of relax and take in the local culture, so I did not visit a lot of the tourist sites, I wanted to get a feel for real Hong Kong . I love Hong Kong . It is really one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Since it consists of mountainous islands, the buildings are built on different levels and there are plenty of areas which are devoid of any construction at all. It makes it a very green city and one can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, and also enjoy the beauty of nature at the same time.
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| Hong Kong Tram |
I took the train from Guilin , to Shenzhen, then crossed the border into Hong Kong . Once in Hong Kong , I checked into my hotel and decided that I wanted to ride the old trams from one end of the line to the other. The trams, which have been in operation for over 100 years and are still very popular with locals and visitors. They run on electricity supplied from wires above the tracks, making them environmentally friendly as well. The trams cost 2.30 Hong Kong Dollars, whether you go one block, or ride them all day, making them also one of the most affordable modes of transportation in Hong Kong . Their style is classic and they offer a really great way to see the city. They run east to west on the north side of Hong Kong Island . From Kennedy Town to Shaukeiwan, the entire length, takes about an hour and a half. The trams are double decker.
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| Hong Kong's Star Ferry |
Both of these traditional modes of transportation should not be missed when visiting Hong Kong . They are a really lovely way to take a moment to sit down, feel a bit of Hong Kong culture first-hand, and get off your feet.
On my second day I spent most of the day in Hong Kong Park . It is a lovely park. The main reason I went was for the Teaware Museum located inside it. It is located in the Flagstaff House, which was the home of the Commander of the British Forces and is the oldest example of British-styled architecture in Hong Kong . The museum has a wonderful collection of ancient tea ware. The park is huge and has a gigantic bird aviary. I do not know how many storeys tall it is, but it is huge! There are elevated walkways, so you are able to walk at the height of the tree-tops to see the birds. It is really impressive. There are also lots of benches inside to sit and enjoy the birds and natural vegetation. The park does a lot for children and families on the weekends and would be a great place to take a family.
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| Flagstaff Tea Museum Exhibit |
On my third day I visited the giant Buddha on Lantou Island . I decided to take the ferry to the island.I like boats and water, so for me, it is the nicest way to travel around Hong Kong . The ferry is cheap and convenient. Once I got to Lantou Island , I took the bus to the Giant Buddha. It took around an hour to get there and the road is very curvy, so I would recommend motion sickness pills for those who need it. There is another way to the island for those who do not wish to spend the time to take the ferry and bus. There is a cable car from Tung Chung. There is a subway station there. The Buddha is part of a huge complex and a large temple is being built at the site. The Buddha is incredible! It is really beautifully designed and looks very peaceful. The Giant Buddha can be reached via 250 steps. The views from the Giant Buddha are quite spectacular. If you buy a ticket to go inside the Giant Buddha, you get to see a relic of The Buddha, and get a free water and ice cream, which are really quite a wonderful treat after climbing all those stairs. The trip is really worth it.
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| Lantau Giant Buddha |
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| Lantau Cable Car |
After visiting the Giant Buddha, I wanted to take the cable car back. It is the longest cable car I have ever taken. It takes quite a long time, but it is worth it because the views are quite wonderful. It also passes the airport and gives bird’s eye views of that. The cable car ends at Tung Chung and I then took the subway back to Central on Hong Kong Island .
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| Kowloon Local Shopping Area |
On my fifth day, I headed home. I had a lot of fun in Hong Kong , as I always do. Next time I want to bring my family and take my daughter to Disneyland .
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To see more photos of my Hong Kong trip
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