Smart Travels 香港篇—1

Hi, I’m Rudy Maxa, venturing to the shores of Asia and one of the world’s most thrilling destinations. We’re about to discover why great travel experiences are made in Hong Kong. Next up, it’s Hong Kong, on Smart Travels.

Smart Travels is a grand tour of the world’s great destinations, the people, places, and unique local flavors. Now, tips, trips, and secret places on Smart Travels Pacific Rim.

When you catch your first glimpse of Hong Kong and the skyline unfolds above the harbor, your heart is sure to beat a little faster. No doubt about it, there’s something exciting here. From futuristic skyscrapers to incense-filled temples, from hoards of shoppers to bobbing wooden boats, the many faces of China are revealed in this dramatic Pacific Rim city.

Hong Kong is a magnificent balancing act, effortlessly juggling east and west, past and present, commerce and mysticism. Although it was a prized colony in the British Empire until 1997, Hong Kong is firmly rooted in Chinese culture.

This city anchors on the southwest corner of China. We’ll explore the downtown core that straddles Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. Then we’ll escape the crowds as we visit Sai Kung Park, Lantau Island, and some historic sites in the New Territories.

Westerners find Hong Kong an easy introduction to Asia. Arriving at the city’s ultramodern airport, you’ll quickly discover that all signs here, as well as in the city, are in both English and Chinese. And most businesses cater to English speakers.

To begin, we’ll hit Hong Kong’s number one tourist attraction – the tram that climbs Victoria Peak. This is the world’s steepest funicular railway and it feels like it.

Smart Travels 香港篇—2

Before the tram was built, a ride up to the peak meant a three-hour trip by sedan chair. By 1888, the tram had reduced that time to about seven minutes.

In the early days of colonial rule, before air-conditioning and refrigeration, the British discovered they could get relief from the heat by living up here on the top of Victoria peak.

Only society’s upper crust was allowed to build houses at these lofty heights. To this day, some of Hong Kong’s most expensive homes are here. For visitors like us, the lookout provides magnificent views of the city and harbor. Wong Tai Sin is Hong Kong’s most popular Taoist temple. It was named after a legendary shepherd who acquired a powerful art of healing. Chinese temples are typically built with red pillars, golden roofs, and multicolored carvings.

Hong Kong escaped the religious repression that spread through communist China during much of the 20th century. While many temples were destroyed on the mainland, hundreds here remained intact.

Traditional Chinese religious practices often weave together elements of Taoism, Buddhism and other ancient belief systems, something the Chinese don’t find incompatible. There’s no special day set aside for worship. People simply stop by a temple whenever they want to pay their respects or feel the need for spiritual guidance.

Tao essentially means the way of the universe. Taoists believe that there are many different gods who actively intervene in daily life. Believers try to honor the gods with incense and other offerings in order to attain good fortune. Since Taoists believe in luck, you’ll often find fortune tellers at these temples. They might read palms and study facial features, as well as consult astrological birth charts and fortune cards.