>> What to see

Aberdeen
About 200 years ago the Aberdeen Bay in Hong Kong was a paradise for pirates. It is on the southern shore of Hong Kong Island, which was once also the house of Tankas who lived in boats, it is famous for its floating restaurants. Today it is a port full of junks, sampans, water taxis (kai do), cruise boats and yachts,, the bay has become a picturesque place from which you can observe how living on boats is. Tourists can enjoy classical tours of the bay in traditional sampans, lasting half of an hour, and then the cuisine of Hong Kong can be an extraordinary experience in the famous Jumbo Folating Restaurant.
It is situated at nr.73 by Stanley (passing by the picturesque Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay).

Causeway Bay
It is one of the most important shopping areas for tourists, together with Central and Tsim Sha Tsui areas. In this area there are also many big Japanese stores. The new shopping centres are at Causeway Bay, instead of Central, with the mega trading centre Times Square and its nine floors.

The Bank of China building
An example of the incredible modern architecture of Hong Kong is the building of the BoC which has for long time been the highest building in Hong Kong, and now it has been overcome by many others. You cannot be admitted to the top of the building, where the conference centre is situated. But it is possible to go up to the 55th floor where the view is spectacular.

Central District
The Central district is the business area of Hong Kong and many of the most elegant shops and boutiques are situated there. In the winding alleys you can find many little shops selling clothes and accessories which are popular among local people and tourists. This district also houses another architectural wonder of Hong Kong, the building of the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank. Another famous building is the Jardine House which was once one of the highest buildings in Asia.

Deep Water Bay / Repulse Bay
One of the many beaches of Hong Kong. The quality of its water is not one of the best ones, but the view is wonderful and you can also find there a Chinese temple and a recreational centre.

A helicopter tour
It is a spectacular and unique way to go sightseeing around the city. The view of Hong Kong is impressive. You can fly around the bay and look at the skyscrapes of the Central, the bays and beaches and fly over the magnificent islands, to look at the indented coastline and the traditional cultivations in the New Territories. Visit the website: www.heliservices.com/hk for information.

The Cultural Centre in Hong Kong
In 1989 the Prince Charles and the Princess Diana officially opened this centre which is situated near the terminal of the Star Ferry. It houses a concert hall with 2100 seats, the Big Theatre, the Studio Theatre and an art library. It also houses the Museum of Art of Hong Kong which has got six exhibition rooms. Exhibitions of international artists are accompanied by free recitals held in the afternoon, which makes it a place for everyone, apart from any budget. It is situated at 10 Salisbury Road, Hong Kong.Tel: +852 2734 2009. www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Culturalservice/HKCC/index.html

Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Meant for preserving the history of Hong Kong, its art and cultural tradition. It is situated in Sha Tin and houses a permanent exhibition on the New Territories, a gallery devoted to history, performances of the Cantonese opera in Hong Kong and the Children's Discovery Gallery (for children) with cultural and natural history itineraries and with an exhibition about how toys are made. Theme exhibition galleries exhibit a variety of artistic styles, the traditional Chinese wooden stamps, prints and comics of Hong kong included. It is situated at  1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories. Tel: +852 21808188. www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk

Hong Kong Art Museum
It is one of the biggest museums in the city and it is the ideal place for spending some hours. It is near the Cultural Centre in Hong Kong and houses some of the most important old art pieces of the dynasties Han, Ming and Qing. Two special exhibition rooms house international works, keeping pace with the global artistic trends. Opening times: 10.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Closed on Thursdays (holidays excepted) and the first two days after the Chinese New Year’s Day. It is situated at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2721 0116. www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/

Museum of the History of Hong Kong
It is an exhibition about the large and dynamic history of Hong Kong. Big efforts have been made for collecting, preserving, processing, studying and exhibiting objects of the culture of Hong Kong linked to the archaelogy, history, ethnography and natural history of Hong Kong and the south of China. The permanent exhibition ranges over 600 years of history of the city. It occupies an area of 7.000 square metres. It is situated at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: + 852 2724 9042. www.lscd.gov.hk/hkmh

Hong Kong Racing Museum
This museum has got eight galleries and an exhibition on the cinema, which tells the history of the success of horse races in Hong Kong. Starting from 1840 this museum outlines the history of horse races up to the modern one made of high- tech and record takings and bets. Here you will know all the history of the famous trainers and jockeys, what makes a horse a champion, and how the race course was built on a land made out of water. It is situated at 2F Happy Valley Stand, Happy Valley, Hong Kong Island. Tel: +852 2966 8065. www.hkjc.com/english/museum/mu02

The Museum of Space in Hong Kong
Explore the last frontier, learn everything about astronomy and space technology at the Museum of Space. It is particularly famous for its Space Theatre, one of the biggest planetariums in the world; There are showings on stars every day with the Sky show, Omnimax offers incredible film shows on a big screen. It is situated at the: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Complex, 10 Salisbury Road . Tel: + 852 2721 0226. www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Space/index.htm

Science Museum
Learning has never been so amusing! The Museum of Science is a permanent exhibition for over 500 collections of objects 80% out of which are practical and offer a view on the wide range of subjects linked to science. The exhibition covers a lot of scientific and technological areas including robotics, transports, virtual reality and others. The middle of the Museum is represented by the Energy Machine 20 metres high, which once it has been activated, produces a variey of spectacular audiovusual effects showing the different forms of energy. It is situated at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: *852 2732 3232. www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Science

Hong Kong Park
The Park of Hong Kong covers 8 hectares in the Central quarter and is an extraordinary example of advanced plan being in harmony with the natural landscape. A further attraction is the water which has been used as leitmotiv and connects the different aspects of the park with falls, streams, lakes and cliffs derived from artificial rocks. Here you can also find the Museum of the Tea Sets and the Centre of Visual Arts, besides an aviary with tropical birds and plants. A tour in this park can be a very nice experience. The park is situated near the tram station of Victoria Peak.

Zoological and Botanic Garden
It is situated on the northern side of the Victoria Peak and lies over an area of 5,6 hectares. Founded in 1871, its space is divided into two parts by Albany Road, but it is well connected to the city by the underground. The eastern side is known as the Old Garden with a children recreation ground, the aviaries, the jaguar’s cage, the greenhouse and the Fountain Terrace Garden. In the New Garden, to the west, there are mammals and reptiles. It is situated at Albany Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2530 0154.
Kowloon Park
This park is 14 hectares large, it is a green oasis in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui. It once housed the barracks for the English and Indian troops. The attractions of this park include a lake with birds, an aviary, a labyrinth, the Chinese Garden and a courtyard with ficus trees (Banyan). The Sculpture Walk is an area in the open air which houses the works of local sculptors, among them there is the very beautiful bronze statue of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi. The scupltures are lighted at night. This park also houses the Museum of the History of Hong Kong.

Lantau Island
Lantau is the largest island in Hong Kong and it also deserves a visit, it can be easily explored by bus. You can choose among many walking tours around the island and there are many tourist attractions such as the Monastery Po Lin. An alternative way to visit it is to hire a horse in the monastery. In Lantau you can find beautiful beaches.

Museum of the Lei Cheng UkTombs
This Museum houses a tomb dating back to 2000 years ago and it is one of the most charming places in Hong Kong. The four roomed tomb Han was found in 1955 and by it there is an exhibition of objects which were found during the construction of the area of Lei Cheng Uk. Researches on the writing and the content of its inscriptions on the bricks of tombs, led historians to fix the date of construction of the tomb between 25 and 250 B.C. It is situated at 41 Tonkin Street. Tel.+852 2386 2863. www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/en/lcuht.php

Macao
From Hong kong you can recah Macao by the Jetfoil ferry leaving from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry. Macao is situated about 65 km from Hong Kong and it is famous for its casinòs. The Portuguese language and architecture which characterize it at every corner, make it a very interesting place to visit. The remains of the cathedral and of the old fortress are worth visiting, together with a large number of historical sites. Macao has got its own currency, the pataca, which has got almost the same value of the dollar of Hong Kong. You do not need to change money into the local currency, you can use the HK$s. Do not forget that in Hong Kong you cannot have patacas changed.

The New Territories
If you are interested in the modern urban development, take the hydrofoil from the Central to the ferry station of Tuen Mun (information are available at the ferry boat station). Then take the Light Rail line Rail (KCR) and go to Yuen Long, if you are eager to know how the middle class lives in Hong Kong, and stop at one of the intermediate stations along the route. There are temples, parks and the Chinese University. Pay a visit at the art gallery by the Institute of the Chinese University.

Ocean Park
If you like cultural parks, you must visit it. It houses the”Water World”, a huge complex with swimming pools and other water activities. There are breathtaking descents into the water, shows with sea mammals and exhibitions. Do not miss the show Middle Kingdom which includes the traditional Chinese dances, conjuring tricks and acrobats. It is really spectacular! Take the cable way to go up the mountain of the Ocean Park for enjoying an extraordinary view. To get to it take the MRT to the Admirality Station or the City-bus directly leading to the Ocean Park. For further information visit the web-site: www.oceanpark.com.hk/

Sam Tung Uk Museum
This museum was declared national monument in 1981 and offers a charming look at the past of Hong Kong. Sam Tung Uk, which means “three rows of houses”, is an old restored rural village dating back to 200 years ago. The 2000 square metres of the museum include the ancestors’ room, two rows of the typical Chinese houses, an exhibition room and a reading room. Furnitures of the period are also exhibited, together with handicraft objects and farming equipments. It is situated at 2 Kwu Uk Lane, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel +852 2411 2001 . www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/english/branch.htm

Tsing Ma Bridge
The longest suspension bridge in the world for the traffic on the road and by railway. Situated at 2,2 km from it, this bridge is a part of the infrastructure of the international airport of Hong Kong, and it has become one of the main architectural characteristics of Hong Kong. Nearby there is the Lantau Link Visitors Centre with the Viewing Platform, a wonder of engineering from which you can enjoy a panoramic view.

Tsim Sha Tsui
It is one of the main areas in Hong Kong, where you can find hotels, restaurants, trading centres and everything a big city can offer. Along Granville Road you can find the outlets of a lot of trademarks selling clothing items at discount prices. In the area there is also the Cultural Centre of Hong Kong, The Museum of History, the Park of Knowloon, the Ocean Terminal/Ocean City/Harbour Centre, the Star Ferry and the Victoria Harbour.

Victoria Harbour
The easiest and cheapest way to visit Hong Kong lsland and Knowloon is by the Star Ferry. There are also cheap tours to go sightseeing the bay. Cruises take place in the morning, at sunset and at night. Another excellent place from which to admire the bay is at Tsim Sha Tsui East. The New World Center is situated where the walk along the bay starts, by walking you can reach Tsim Sha Tsui East and Hing Hom where the station of Kowloon KCR is situated. You can visit the site of Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong for taking panoramic photos.

Victoria Peak
You can enjoy a magnificent view of Kowloon and Hong kong from this peak (if it is not foggy or raining). You can take the tram leading to the peak and then walk along the ring road leading to the top of the mountain.