Backpacking Information on Hong Kong

HONG KONGPerhaps, one might just look at how Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of thecinema's martial arts elements have infiltrated
People's Republic of China is multifaceted with itsHollywood, and vice versa. The Hong Kong
Cantonese and British influences that undeniably creategovernment is a major supporter of world cultures
appeal to both Easter and Western audiences. Uponfusion for the greater part, as the city becomes a
first impression, Hong Kong dares not intimidate with avenue where cultures can meet.
travel scene that can't be more welcoming, despite itsLANGUAGE
strict organization. The blinding neon signs, theCANTONESE CHINESE is the lingua franca of the
deafening calls of vendors, or the seductiveregion, the Chinese that is spoken in Guangdong, just
gastronomic aromas, what better and morenorth of Hong Kong. ENGLISH is also the official
convenient invitation could there be. Hong Kong has alanguage of the multicultural city due to British
worldwide repute of being a shopper's haven withinfluences, thus, signs and media are also conveyed in
streets teeming of shoppers daily who are there forEnglish as they are is in Cantonese. However, the city's
one and one reason only-the bargains. The odd smellsportrayal of its high level of English is contrastive to
of grilled unusual parts might throw you off in thefacts and statistics with only 3.1% of the population
middle of shopping, but it is all part and parcel of theable to use English communicatively, whereas the
experience.35.9% other speakers know basic English. Restaurant
Still and all, a brand new tourist crowd is blossomingcrews and shop assistants in main tourist areas might
and enjoying Hong Kong's fresh features such as itseven speak no better. This is due in part to the
blissful traditional and fusion cuisine. Besides becominginefficiently receding quality and learning of the Queen's
a food destination, there are novel developments withlanguage over the years with the handover of the
its nature tourism industry that creates about this newBritish to China.
Hong Kong perspective. Even so, the water city needRELIGION
not its greatest asset Big Brother Jackie to promoteHong Kong is an avenue for religious freedom
the small city, for it is without a shadow of a doubtmaintaining an eclectic mix of local religions and with
larger than life.carefree respect to the minority- that is Christianity.
GEOGRAPHYSuch strict adherence is carved on the constitutional
The Water City's 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) total area isdocument of Hong Kong, the Basic Law, and not
laid out on the coordinates 22 15 N, 114 10 E in Eastmeant to be broken. The 90% of HK's population
Asia. The hilly and mountainous terrain still maintains itspractices Buddhism-Mahayana, Taoism, and
sleep slopes, with 30% reserved as eco-parks andConfucianism; the 10% are Christians of a near-equal
nature reserves and just less than 25% of the entiredivision between Protestants and Roman Catholics,
landmass developed and urbanized. Hong Kong'sand a small parcel are of other Christian sects and
highest point is the Tai Mo Shan at 958 metres aboveworld religions such as Hindus, Sikhs, etc.
sea level, and the South China Sea, on the other hand,ATTRACTION
is the lowest point, 0 metres. Bad tidings come withWith a multitude of places from the HK Island, the
environmental concerns of raging land reclamation,Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories, there is
rapid urbanization, hill fires and increased pollution,too the unheard of 254 offshore islands that if a
particularly deadly smog, aggravated by its naturaltraveller would care to step out the threshold will
geography and the profuse number of skyscrapers.realize there is more to see and do than stuff your
Nothing can kill its charm to tourists anyway.tummy and empty your wallet with franchises. The
CLIMATEoceanariums and parks are sure-ball attractions, but
Hong Kong is a vacation spot for most ASEANfor backpackers who have had their share of the
nationals especially from January to March for itsurban life is HK's best kept secret: nature trails. To the
slightly cooler and relieving temperatures, while others100% urbanised population, these are free and sweet
render October to December as ideal for its warmthtreats because campsites are at no cost- a rarity. To
and shine. Hong Kong's humid subtropical climatethe backpacker, this is another world, where the
attributes to its fairly pleasant weather. Winters arelandscape, mountains and beaches are sparkled with a
naturally cold from 9°C to 24°C; summers are hotgenerous amount of beauty and magic. Victoria Peak
and wet from 26°C to 33°C; autumns are sunny;is also one way to get a view of the mainland's terrain.
and springs are salubriously favourable to all sorts ofLantau Trail, Hong Kong Trail, Maclehose Trail, Wilson
travellers.Trail are literally priceless to enjoy Hong Kong's
PEOPLElandscape. On the other hand, Shek O, Big Wave Bay,
One of the most densely populated areas in the world,and Repulse Bay offer the enigmatic views of the
ranking 4th with 7,055,071 Hongkongese orseas.
Hongkongers stuffed like pie filling in aFOOD
space-challenged crust. Out of these fat stats, theHK's fusion cuisine is one of the sure-hit attractions to
Chinese make up 95% of this demographic, with thewhat is a country of eastern and western influences;
5% constituted by other nationalities, the majority beingat least that's how visitors feel with the warm steamy
the Filipinos. "Live long, Live in Hong Kong" some say,whiff of heaven in the air. Nevertheless, Hong Kong's
for longevity is enjoyed by its locals, especially women,honest representation and interpretation of traditional
with the life expectancy average of 82 years (andregional Chinese cuisine has gained its "food
84.41 years for women).destination" prestige. And with a raving "eat-out,
The Hongkongers are totally urbanised and civilizedtake-out" culture that is bigger than any other country,
definitely sans the odd behaviours, setting them apartdining is an experience that is fair and friendly on the
from mainland Chinese. Therefore, as no spitting iswallet- if you stick to local restaurants that is. To look
allowed, the advantages are clean streets with no riskout for are Big Brother Jackie's favourite creamy and
of stepping on goo.delicate egg tarts or savoury cha xiu bao and Dim
CULTURESum restaurants where food is picked, plucked, and
"East meets West"- the tag that best describes HK'splunked on your table. Delicacies like snake meat are
culture, since Chinese traditions incessantly persist thealso famous in HK's specialty restos that are especially
culture in the midst of its speedy urbanisation, just likepacked and tight during winter.
how feng shui affects modern structure designs.