CITY INFORMATION
Countries | Hong Kong | WHERE TO GO
where to eat | where to shop | nightlife | diving
Historical Attraction
Clock Tower: This 44 metre tall clock tower used to be part of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus. The construction of the Tsim Sha Tsui terminus started in 1912, and the clock tower was added in 1915. The original building was subsequently unable to handle the large volume of passengers and the government decided to relocate the terminus to a larger building in Hunghom. When the terminus was demolished in 1978, the tower was retained and it has since become a Hong Kong landmark. Add: Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui     Legislative Council (Legco) Building: In the midst of some formidable modern architecture stands the neo-classical structure of the Legco Building. The Goddess of Justice above the main entrance dates back 1912 when the building was originally opened as the Supreme Court. In the early 1980s the Legislative Council took over occupancy. Many of the Legislative Council meetings are open to the public, which is a great way to get a look inside this old colonial beauty. Check out the Legco website to see what is on and then call during office hours to reserve a seat. Add: 8 Jackson Road, Central, Ph: 852 2869 9399	Old Government House: Built in 1855, and extensively redesigned during the wartime occupation by the Japanese, Government House has been home to 25 British governors until 1997. Today, it is used for entertaining VIPs, and for fund-raising events. Government House is closed to the public, but it throws open its doors for one Sunday in March every year, allowing the populace an opportunity to view the gardens filled with beautiful azaleas. Alternatively, the 46th floor of the The Bank of China Tower is a great place for a birds-eye view of this monument to Hong Kong's colonial history. Add: Upper Albert Road Central
Museums
Hong Kong Heritage Museum: This new museum of history, art and culture opened in December 2000 and is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. There are 12 exhibition galleries built around open courtyards, giving the appearance of a traditional Chinese palace. Galleries are dedicated to the history and culture of the New Territories, Cantonese opera, Chinese culture and contemporary Hong Kong art and design. Programmes are also provided to engage visitors in educational experiences. Add: 1 Man Lam Road Tai Wai, Ph: 852 2180 8188; 2180 8180     Hong Kong Museum of Art: This is the city's largest museum of Chinese art and the art collection includes oil paintings, drawings and etchings, as well as lithographs of old Hong Kong. There are seven exhibition galleries displaying Chinese antiquities, Chinese fine arts, historical pictures and contemporary Hong Kong art. Two special exhibition galleries show international art collections. Also on display is the famous Xubaizhai collection of Chinese painting and calligraphy. Add: 10 Salisbury Road Tsim Sha Tsui, Ph: 852 2734 2167	Flagstaff House Museum of Tea: The well-known Flagstaff House Museum of Tea aims to exhibit one of Hong Kong's surviving examples of colonial architecture, as well as the history of tea in China. It does a better job of the latter, as the museum's interiors do not contain furnishings or decorations of the period that the house was first occupied in. Instead, you will find an admission-free exhibition of the history of tea, including a stunning collection of precious tea ware, located in the scenic midst of Hong Kong Park between Central and Admiralty. Add: Hong Kong Park, Cotton Tree Drive, Admiralty, Ph: 852 2869 0690
Temples
Causeway Bay Tin Hau Temple: Built by the Tai family in the early 18th century, this temple honours Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea. According to legends, this Hakka family used to go to Causeway Bay to gather grass. One day some family members found a Tin Hau statue amongst the rocks near the shore. The family made a shelter for the statue and the shrine became popular with boat people. Since then, a proper temple has been constructed, which barring renovations, is still largely in its original form, although land reclamation has robbed it of its harbour-front location. Add: 10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay     Hollywood Road Man Mo Temple: This mid-19th century temple, dedicated to the Gods of Literature (Man) and Military (Mo), is located at the corner of Hollywood Road and Ladder Street. The temple complex is divided into three units: the temple is in the left-hand unit. Two house-shaped antique chairs, stored inside the temple, were used to carry the two gods during festival processions. Hanging from the ceiling are incense coils, each with small red tag declaring the name of the worshipper who donated the incense coil. Anyone wanting a glimpse into the future can try shaking chim (fortune) sticks, a strong local tradition. Add: Hollywood Road Sheung Wan, Ph: 852 2540 0350	Ching Chung Koon: Built in 1949, the Taoist temple complex of Ching Chung Koon is dedicated to Lu Sn Young, one of the Eight Immortals, and two of his disciples. The temple contains many valuable treasures, including a collection of more than 4,000 books on Taoism and Chinese history, lanterns from Beijing's Imperial palace, and a collection of miniature bonsai trees and several lily ponds. The temple also includes a home for the aged. Add: Tsing Lun Road, Tuen Mun, Ph: 852 2461 1019     Tai Wong Temple: Back in the early days of Hong Kong's life as a colony, Queens Road followed the shoreline and this lovely old temple was situated on the harbour front. Land reclamation has changed the shoreline a great deal since then and the temple is no longer visible from the waterfront. Never the less, the temple is still worth a look as a vibrant reminder of Hong Kong's Chinese heritage. Incense fills the interior, which features the usual glowing red and gold draperies. Intricate Shek Wan pottery figurines on the ridge of the roof add to the traditional decorations. Add: Queens Road East Wanchai
Fun Days Out
Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park The Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park is on the north coast of the Sai Kung peninsula, and is located in a sheltered bay less affected by pollution than most of Hong Kong's waters. It therefore has a nice crop of corals and a decent showing of fish. Fishing is prohibited, but non-destructive activities like snorkelling or underwater photography are allowed. The beach is secluded and relaxing. To get there, the easiest thing is to take a taxi from Sai Kung. Remember to arrange a time for the driver to return and pick you up. Add: Hoi Ha Wan Sai Kung Peninsula, Ph: 852 2792 7365     Ocean Park: This park features a full-fledged amusement park with the popular Dragon Roller Coaster, Ferris wheel and other thrills; a marine park with a Shark Aquarium; and a Chinese cultural village with temples, pagodas and traditional street displays. The star attraction though has to be the theme park's two very adorable pandas. A great way to start the day's amusements is by ascending via cable car to the headland. Add: Ocean Park Road Aberdeen, Ph: +852 2552 0291	Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens: Located near the Old Government House, the Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a popular place for parents to bring their children on the weekends. The gardens are divided into two main areas: plants and aviaries in one area and animals in the other. Although the zoo is not that big, it is one of the world's leading centres for captive breeding of endangered species, and thus is worth visiting. It is also a great place to take pictures of the kids with the various spotted, striped and feathered animals on show. Add: Albany Road Central, Ph: 852 2530 0154     Water Skiing: There are lots of places to water ski around Hong Kong. Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, Stanley, and the south end of Lamma are all popular spots. Of these, Deep Water Bay is perhaps the most accessible and features the excellent Deep Water Bay Speedboat Company, who charge around HK$580 per hour. Beginners are welcome and both single and double skis are available. Their offices, located in a funky old Chinese junk, are hard to miss. Add: Deep Water Bay Speedboat Company, Ph: 852 2812 0391