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China Information » Places in China » Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Places in China: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Travel to Hong Kong is much like going to a foreign country. Although it is Chinese and made up of ninety-five percent Chinese people who have a strong love for China in their hearts, the clear presence of many foreign people and strongly foreign businesses makes Hong Kong one of the most international cities on the planet.
It resembles other world city-states such as Singapore in that it is largely a city although there are small islands making up a part of the administrative region. Hong Kong is one large island plus some mainland area in addition to two hundred sixty outlying islands.
Nearly seven million people make up the local population. They occupy the small area of 1100 square kilometres. Thus, it is a crowded city. Strong tourist elements add to the number of people inside Hong Kong at any one time.
The special administrative region has existed since 1997 when the British government turned Hong Kong over to China after one hundred fifty years of British rule. Although now a part of China, Hong Kong has its own laws and civil service. There are many evidences of the century and a half of British governorship of Hong Kong, some of them in the architecture of Hong Kong and Kowloon Peninsula. As well, British influence is seen in the popularity of cricket matches, afternoon tea and rugby games in Hong Kong.
Parts of Hong Kong, particularly on the tip of Kowloon Peninsula in the Tsim Sha Tsui maze of streets, are places to find great bargains on a great variety of items. It has been claimed that the TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) is home to more shops selling a greater variety of items per square metre than any other world location.
Hong Kong's international airport handles a tremendous number of passengers each year and is one of the world's most modern airports.
Tourism has been boosted by developments on The Peak, the mountaintop overlooking Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. There are several tourist attractions on The Peak including restaurants, a wax museum and other novelties. The railway up and down The Peak is an exciting attraction in itself.
Other areas of Hong Kong have attractions for tourists. Disney Land, an eighty-five foot outdoor sitting bronze Buddha, Ocean Park Amusement Park and great eating places all vie for the tourist income.
Although Hong Kong is usually considered to be a maze of high-rise buildings, there are areas of more quietude such as beaches, coastline and trails for hiking. The parks in Hong Kong are generally well-kept and quite pleasant.
Weather in Hong Kong is generally not extreme except when a typhoon approaches the region. Winters are quite mild although summers tend to be hot with high humidity. The region is considered to be sub-tropical.
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