At a height of 552 meters (1,811 feet), Victoria Peak is Hong Kong's highest point and one of the most visited of the island's many attractions. The Peak, as it is locally known, boasts spectacular views of the city's glimmering skyline, punctuated by towering skyscrapers and backed by the bustling Victoria Harbour. By night, the view transforms into a glittering sea of vibrant lights. A walk around the Peak reveals further scenic vistas over the greener Western parts of Hong Kong Island, and a visit to the viewing platforms at the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria is a must.
One of the top museums in town and also free of charge for its permanent exhibits, Hong Kong Museum of History chronicles 400 million years of this island's history. That is indeed a massive amount of time to explore and understand. Spread across eight galleries, this bi-level repository is like stepping on a time-travel machine. Dioramas, multimedia exhibits and graphic panels give insight into the topography, nature, culture, history and growth of Hong Kong. With thousands of objects creating a storyline that is exciting and engaging, there is probably no other museum in the city that is as comprehensive as the Hong Kong Museum of History. They also have special exhibitions at times. However they have an entrance fee to it.
The Cat Street Gallery is committed to exhibiting the best of international contemporary and modern art by both established and emerging artists. The Cat Street Gallery opened in November 2006 in it's first home in Cat Street with a group show of Australian artists including David Bromley and recent Archibald Prize winner Guy Maestri and held various exhibitions before moving to 222 Hollywood Road in February 2008. The Cat Street Gallery is a bit different. Nestling amidst the cold store meat packers and coffin shops of downtown Hollywood Road. Vibrant, edgy and mercurial, it is a gallery that likes to make a noise.
One of Hong Kong's star attractions and one of the deepest container ports in the world, Victoria Harbour is shielded on both sides by stunning skylines – an army of towering skyscrapers and Victoria Peak on one side, and the Tsim Sha Tsui shoreline on the other. Everyday, hundreds of ferries, tugs, junks, speed boats, and barges chug up and down the shore, carrying people and cargo, only pausing for typhoons. The history of this iconic harbor dates back to the times of the First and Second Opium Wars, when China faced defeat at the hands of the British, promptly rendering Hong Kong a British colony. Christened Victoria Harbour after the Queen of England, the harbor's critical position on the South China Sea, wedged between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, facilitated a thriving trade economy which largely impacted Hong Kong's imminent development. The harbor, a natural landmark that straddles both the past and future of Hong Kong's progress, is a spectacle at night. It comes alive with a permanent light and sound show that features an enchanting dazzle of lasers, synchronized music, and twinkling buildings.
One of Hong Kong's oldest theme parks, Ocean Park also holds the distinction of being one of Asia's biggest theme parks. Boasting to take up the size of about 174 football fields, this massive parkland has something for everyone! A hodgepodge of an oceanarium, amusement park, marine park, and animal park, it is spread across two zones: the summit and the waterfront. These are further segregated into thematic areas. For the wildest rides, such as The Flash, The Mine Train, and Raging River, The Summit is the place to go. It is also where you will find the Polar Adventure. Get to know animals from both the poles of the earth. Meet the adorable giant pandas at The Waterfront. This is where all the fun lies. Furthermore, get up close to marine mammals in this part of the park. Fun, educational, and exciting, Ocean Park will keep you wanting for more. The timings differ seasonally, so please check the website.
Although mainly a small village with a traditionally Chinese community ambiance, Shek O is also home to some of Hong Kong's wealthiest families, who live in luxurious mansions perched along the headland. A number of restaurants and cafés within the village and along the sandy beach offer refreshments in relaxing open-air surroundings, making this one of Hong Kong's most popular seaside destinations. Adventurous travelers can attempt to climb the rocky cliffs, or head north to Big Wave Bay for surfing and paragliding. A half-hour drive from Central, Shek O displays a different side of Hong Kong.
A great way to get a different view of Hong Kong is to go sailing. For a unique experience, you can charter a junk, a traditional Chinese sailboat usually distinguished by a flamboyant red sail which are still seen around Victoria Harbour. Saffron Cruises runs charter tours around Aberdeen and the harbor. A crew is provided to operate the junk but there is no tour guide, so it is best to look at a map and figure out exactly where you would like to go.
Located in shop G3 in the Chinachem Hollywood Centre on Hollywood street, Connoisseur Art Gallery features many diverse styles of paintings. It aims to popularize contemporary Chinese artists like Ran Jie and Jia Juanli but also exhibits internationally acclaimed Swedish artist Dorina Mocan. Because of the gallery's popularity, works featured here will soon become famous, making this a perfect place for up-and-coming artists to show off their work. Its shows best illustrate the variety and vigor of Chinese paintings. Visitors who enjoy Chinese paintings will definitely find Connoisseur interesting.
The Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple occupies a fairly large plot on Queen's Road East, the main thoroughfare of the Wanchai district. This temple dates back to 1901 and was constructed to meet the needs of the Sikh community in Hong Kong by the Sikh members of the British Army Regiment who were stationed in Hong Kong at that time. The temple, which was developed and expanded over subsequent years, suffered much damage during World War II but was rebuilt with the help of donations. Today this Sikh temple features a peaceful and tranquil main prayer hall, a courtyard, a dining room, a kitchen and various other rooms that are used for the wide array of classes offered by the temple, which are available to everyone. -Anjeeta Nayar
At a height of 552 meters (1,811 feet), Victoria Peak is Hong Kong's highest point and one of the most visited of the island's many attractions. The Peak, as it is locally known, boasts spectacular views of the city's glimmering skyline, punctuated by towering skyscrapers and backed by the bustling Victoria Harbour. By night, the view transforms into a glittering sea of vibrant lights. A walk around the Peak reveals further scenic vistas over the greener Western parts of Hong Kong Island, and a visit to the viewing platforms at the Peak Tower and Peak Galleria is a must.
One of the top museums in town and also free of charge for its permanent exhibits, Hong Kong Museum of History chronicles 400 million years of this island's history. That is indeed a massive amount of time to explore and understand. Spread across eight galleries, this bi-level repository is like stepping on a time-travel machine. Dioramas, multimedia exhibits and graphic panels give insight into the topography, nature, culture, history and growth of Hong Kong. With thousands of objects creating a storyline that is exciting and engaging, there is probably no other museum in the city that is as comprehensive as the Hong Kong Museum of History. They also have special exhibitions at times. However they have an entrance fee to it.
The Cat Street Gallery is committed to exhibiting the best of international contemporary and modern art by both established and emerging artists. The Cat Street Gallery opened in November 2006 in it's first home in Cat Street with a group show of Australian artists including David Bromley and recent Archibald Prize winner Guy Maestri and held various exhibitions before moving to 222 Hollywood Road in February 2008. The Cat Street Gallery is a bit different. Nestling amidst the cold store meat packers and coffin shops of downtown Hollywood Road. Vibrant, edgy and mercurial, it is a gallery that likes to make a noise.