Jutting up on a rocky island in southeast China, the neon-clad skyscrapers of downtown Hong Kong have been described both as a beacon of capitalism and an explosion of rampant consumerism. Shopping junkies will gleefully agree with both estimations.
There’s simply no greater concentration of competitively priced shops on earth than in the dense cluster of buildings crowding the northern shore of rocky Hong Kong Island and the southern tip of Kowloon across VictoriaHarbour. But beyond the city’s glittering contemporary façade, lies a rich Chinese Heritage that has infused this dynamic destination long before it reverted back to China in 1997 after more than 150 years of British rule.
It’s precisely that clash of fast-paced modernity with time-honored traditionalism that makes the city and its outlying NewTerritories such a rich and fascinating place.For a breathtaking introduction to the city, take the Star Ferry across the harbour from the Central district, with its financial institutions and other traces of the British colonial past, to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, where a smattering of cultural attractions like the Cultural Centre and Museum of Art compete with a dense concentration of shops, restaurants, and hotels for attention.
You can also hop on one of the colorful double deck trams that ply the dense streets of Central and Wan Chai for a heightened perspective on these districts or ride a tram to the top of VictoriaPeak for spectacular views over the top of the dazzling skyline. Take a leisurely stroll down the lush southern face of the Peak to AberdeenHarbour for a meal in one of the floating seafood restaurants that have made the area famous.
Some of the most fascinating sights in Hong Kong can be found down its tightest lanes and alleys such as Bonham Strand, with shops specializing in Chinese herbs and remedies; Ko Shing Street, with its dried fish, snakes and just about anything else you can imagine; Cat Street, with its antiques, jewelry and other collectibles; and Tai Ping Shan Street, with its cluster of tiny Taoist temples. The great spiraling coils of incense in the 150-year old Man Mo Temple, meanwhile, are one of the classic sights of the city.
Outside the city proper, the New Territories of Hong Kong are actually spread out over some 250 plus islands spanning nearly a thousand square kilometers, a region packed with verdant mountains and valleys, ancient walled villages, and secluded beaches. All of these are easily accessed by an efficient combination of ferries, buses, trains and subway lines.
One of the most popular destinations in the area is Macau, known as the Las Vegas of the East for its gaming industry but also a colorful destination for non-gamblers lured by the wine, food and distinct cultural flavor leftover from its days as a Portuguese colony.LantauIsland, meanwhile, is home to the 200 ton bronze Tian Tan Buddha seated outside Po Lin Monastery, the largest temple in the entire region, as well as numerous parks, trails and beaches.
United offers daily flights to and from the new Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which first opened on Chek Lap Kok Island in 1998. Book your next flight to or from Hong Kong onunited.comand find out how to earn bonus miles when you stay at any Mileage Plus partner hotel or dine at any Mileage Plus partner restaurant in the city. For vacation packages to Hong Kong including air and accommodation, visitUnitedEscapes®.
