Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Choose Your Package.....
•	Disney Land Day Tour Package
•	Disney Land Over Night Tour Package

Introduction
Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest international business centers and ports. It is Asia’s most populated nation. The city is vibrant and filled with excitement and lined with skyscrapers and much to do. There are theatres to see the opera, comedies and dramas that you all love to do. With so many restaurants and some of them floating on the water you will have your choice of wonderful places to dine. There are many museums too to keep your cultural interests stimulated to their fullest. Hong Kong’s English name is derived from two Chinese characters, ’heung’ & ‘gong’, which translates as ‘fragrant harbour’.

Hong Kong

Originally this was the name of a small settlement near Aberdeen, the main fishing & commercial port on pre-colonial Hong Kong Island. Many historians suggest that Hong Kong’s Chinese name was inspired by its export of incense. Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula, the New Territories & more than 260 Outlying Islands.

Climate
Climate - Hong Kong's climate is sub-tropical, tending towards temperate for nearly half the year. During November and December there are pleasant breezes, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Many people regard these as the best months of the year. January and February are more cloudy, with occasional cold fronts followed by dry northerly winds. It is not uncommon for temperatures to drop below 10 C in urban areas. March and April can also be very pleasant although there are occasional spells of high humidity. Fog and drizzle can be particularly troublesome on high ground which is exposed to the southeast, and air traffic and ferry services are occasionally disrupted because of reduced visibility. May to August are hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, particularly during the mornings.

Afternoon temperatures often exceed 31 C whereas at night, temperatures generally remain around 26 C with high humidity. There is usually a fine dry spell in July which may possibly last for one to two weeks, or for even longer in some years. September is the month during which Hong Kong is most likely to be affected by tropical cyclones, although gales are not unusual at any time between May and November.

Transport

Transport - In Hong Kong it is pretty simple to get around because the area has one of the world's most safe, efficient and affordable public transportation systems. You can travel throughout the area by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram. Hong Kong also has the world's longest escalator. The Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System has three moving walkways. There are 20 elevated walkways too.

Escalators

You may also rent a car in Hong Kong, although it is very difficult to get around the area if you are not familiar with it.Since most public transport does require payment in exact change you may purchase an Octopus Card. This includes access to the buses, minibuses, trains, ferries, the Peak Tram, and some taxis. Now what is even better is that you can also use it at some fast food restaurants and convenience stores. With this system the fare is automatically deducted. In order purchase a new Octopus card there is a refundable HK$50 deposit. At the end of your stay you will receive any leftover amount on the card. You can see the most of the area by purchasing one the Octopus cards.

Culture & Cuisine - The Cultural Aspects of Hong Kong are so diverse you will just love seeing and experiencing their way of life. We advise that you take in as many of the cultural areas that are available to see that you can. The Cantopop and Cantonese opera are quite popular and you should take in as many of these shows as you possibly can. With all the theatres you will have much to choose from. Be sure to call ahead to see what is playing while you are in the area and get tickets as soon as possible before they are sold out.

There are plenty of special events that occur all year through and you will want to take advantage of them while you are there.There are very many wonderful restaurants with Cantonese cuisine and many others to choose from. Eating will be your favorite pastime with all there is to choose from. We suggest you do enjoy as many of these restaurants as you possibly can. There is all of this and a whole lot more. You will enjoy so much of the area that you will want to return again and again.

Stanley Market

Shopping – When it comes to serious shopping, Hong Kong can offer unsurpassed variety & choice, from Chinese arts & antiques, medicine & herbs, silk & carpets to jewellery to electronics & computers. The stores & malls are open seven days a week & many may stay open late. Stanley Market has historic fishing lanes jam-packed with vendors selling Chinese paintings, handicrafts & furniture, silk, curios & a wide variety of Hong Kong souvenirs. Man Wa Lane is the place to find a Chinese ‘chop’ –

stone stamps engraved with their owner’s name in Chinese characters. It is also a good place to pick up fine calligraphy brushes & name cards. There are numerous shopping centres in Kowloon such as The Amazon, The Sun Arcade, etc factory outlets along Granville Road & in Mong Kok & open air markets such as Temple Street Night Market, Ladies’ Market, Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, Flower Market, Jade Market, Goldfish Market, etc. In Hong Kong Island Central & Admiralty are renowned for brand name luxury goods.

The Western is a handsomely renovated Edwardian building filled with Chinese handicraft stores & fabric shops. Causeway Bay is a popular shopping & dining area. Further east, Hong Kong’s largest purpose-built shopping complex can be found at Cityplaza. It comprises of several department stores, an ice-skating rink & other entertainment facilities, as well as an enormous range of shops.

Must See & Do

Disneyland

Hong Kong has it all and you will see why so many people love to live there and love to visit returning over and over again to enjoy all there is to do and see in the city. There is plenty of wonderful people that will keep you entertained all during your visit. Enjoy getting to know the culture of the city and learning all about the people and there ways. Have fun during your stay in Hong Kong and we know you will be one of the many who return again and again to visit. Soon, a new era of Disney magic and tradition begins with the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Disney Land

Discover a magical kingdom of thrilling adventures, storybook journeys and beloved Disney Characters. Stay amidst the magic in two enchanting hotels offering unique shopping, imaginative dining and family recreation — all delivered with the style and service for which Disney is renowned. Share the Disney tradition where a lifetime of memories awaits your arrival. The magic forever begins September 12, 2005!

Victoria Peak

You will definitely want to go to Victoria Peak and have dinner. Most people recommend going at night and having dinner. While you are there enjoy Victoria Harbour where you will enjoy some very beautiful beaches and extraordinary views of the city. The Star Ferry is a popular way to travel across the harbour.

On the journey you will see some very beautiful parts of the city and the cost is relatively inexpensive. For another interesting ride try The Peak Tram. It was built in 1888 and climbs the slope of Victoria’s Peak. The almost vertical ride is 10 - 15 minutes from the Peak Tram Station and it operates between 7 am and midnight daily.

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is a great family place to spend an entire afternoon seeing all that it has to offer. The Ocean Park is a fun filled amusement park that features the Dragon Roller Coaster as well as many other great rides to fill your day with fun. The 40,000 sq. ft. Snoopy’s World is the second outdoor Peanuts playground in the world with the largest outdoor model of Snoopy. Then there is the Teddy Bear Kingdom, the world’s first indoor amusement park dedicated to teddy bears.

Teddy Bear Kingdom

The Shek O is home to some of Hong Kong’s most wealthiest people. There are restaurants for your dining pleasure as you walk among the mansions. The Lan Kwai Fong is the place to go if you like nightclubs and such. You will find many of the most popular pubs located in this area. The Mid-level Escalator is a free ride and it is the longest escalator (outdoors and covered) in the world that takes you around certain parts of Hong Kong.

Lantau, one of the 260 Outlying islands of Hong Kong is steeped in history & blessed with magnificent mountains & fine beaches. A direct bus route serves its most popular destination, the Po Lin Monastery where, atop a magnificent flight of 262 steps, sits the 199 ton, 85 feet high Giant Buddha, the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha visible far out at sea (and Macau on a clear day)

Lantau Temples

Another notable aspect of Hong Kong is its fascinating temples. The Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon & the New territories, are fine examples of rural Chinese Architecture. In Kowloon two renowned temples are the Sik Sik Yeun Wong Tai Sin temple & the Chi Lin nunnery. The former attracts worshippers of all three traditional Chinese religions – Taoism, Buddhism & Confucianism. The latter, a multi-million dollar construction was made without any nails – only wooden doweling & brackets – resulting in a living museum of the Tang Dynasty

The Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre is a fantastic museum. There is plenty to see and admire in this one. Make sure that you make time to visit it. Another fine museum in the area is the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum. The Hong Kong Museum of Art is another one that is worth taking the time to visit so be sure that you do.

You will also wish to see the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and all that it has to offer, too. Inside this fabulous museum you will learn so much about the Hong Kong area and its culture. It is truly a treat. Be sure to take in the University Museum and Art Gallery. For all the inquisitive minds out there you will want to experience the Science Museum, which has interactive exhibits.

At the Hong Kong's Cultural Center you will be able to see a variety of performing arts. This is one of the most up-to-date facilities in the world. There is a Concert Hall, Grand Theatre, Studio Theatre and an exhibition gallery.

Dress up and go in style and visit the shops, restaurants and stop in for a drink at one of the bars. Call ahead for a listing of which shows are playing while you are in the city and book your tickets well in advance. The Space Theatre at the Hong Kong Space Museum is where there is an Omnimax with great films and Skyshows. This is another wonderful night out in the area. The AMC Theatres shows many good films also. You will want to call ahead for dates and times of shows.

Space Musuem

By enjoying the restaurants in the area you can make a whole wonderful night out. If you are in the area during the month of November you will wish to see the Hong Kong Folk Festival. A part of the island is turned into a musical and food exhibition with plenty of great performers. The Hong Kong Food Festival is held in August and is a great time for all. The Chinese New Year is also a fantastic event in the area and it occurs New Years Day.

Conditions for International Departures (FAQs)