May 27th, 2011
First Time Visitor Guide to Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a city full of contradictions; a city that was ruled for so long by the British but now under the control of China once again. This means that it mixes the East and the West more than any other area of Asia, and that it is a perfect place for those that have never visited South East Asia to begin their journey. As with most cities, there are a number of places where one should start and also a number of sights and attractions that are unmissable here.
When one lands in Hong Kong for the first ever time, the first thing they will notice is just how modern the city is. It has towering skyscrapers and many bustling businesses, all of which make this city the economic hub of South East Asia. Once the visitor explores further into the city though, they will find a number of traditionally Chinese offerings, all of which make the city so unique.
Probably the most Chinese part of this city is the food that can be bought there, and it is food that the new traveler will be looking for first. While there are a number of fancy restaurants around, for a real taste of food here head to one of the roadside stalls, which all sell food that a resident would eat. Not only is it cheap, but it’s also hugely tasty as well! Seafood is a favorite here, so lovers of fish will thoroughly enjoy their stay from a culinary perspective.
After eating, the next step is to find a hotel to stay in – unless one has already been booked in advance. There are a huge amount of places to stay in this city, so one should have no problem in finding a hotel to suit their finances and needs. Just remember though – if taking a taxi don’t listen to the driver’s advice on places to stay; they could well be getting commission for getting customers through the door.
When it comes to places to see, the most popular attraction is the Tian Tan Buddha, which is located above the Po Lin Monastery. This huge statue is the biggest seated Buddha statue in the world and weighs in at a monstrous 202 tonnes. Visitors should take the opportunity to immerse themselves in the spiritualism that this statue evokes, as well as marvel at the craftsmanship that was needed in order to build it.
For those traveling with children, Ocean Park is somewhere that is unmissable. It is a huge theme park that is still the most popular destination in the whole city, even despite the arrival of a Disney competitor near its doorstep. The rides and attractions here have all been revamped and the park has even invested in four giant pandas, which are very rare both in the wild and in captivity. Redevelopment is still on going, meaning that mores rides are being added on a monthly basis.
So, for the first time traveler to Hong Kong there is a huge amount to see and do. The fact that flights to Hong Kong have come down in price so much recently makes this jewel of Asia even more attractive now than it has ever been.





