Hong Kong is a great place to visit for tourists to Western Asia. This country is the Chinese culture, but with a heavy Western influence, so the culture shock is less than step off the plane in Myanmar or Cambodia. Hong Kong is small and urban, so it can see most of the highlights in a few days by walking around the island by foot or using public transport. This guide will show you how. Traveling to the New Territories is recommended if you’re planning to spend more than a weekend in Hong Kong, or prefer to spend your time in a more natural environment visiting beaches and forests.

Attractions
A trip to Hong Kong is just not complete without a cable car ride to Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island. It costs about twenty U.S. dollars roundtrip per person, and is well worth the cost. The cable car travels from the Tung Chung MTR subway station to the peak of Lantau Island, and the ride is quite spectacular, especially when there are low-lying clouds. At the peak is the monastery where you will find a temple and monks residing, and adjacent is the largest outdoor sitting Buddha statue in all of Asia. Give yourself a few hours for this trip, and make sure you have a good pair of shoes on, as the stairway up to the Buddha statue is quite long.

During your trip to Hong Kong, you need to spend a moment at Victoria Harbor. The best place to enjoy the dazzling view is from the Kowloon waterfront looking over towards Hong Kong Island. The iconic skyline makes for a fantastic photo. A great place to enjoy the view during the evening is from the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel in Kowloon where you can enjoy a drink and a snack while taking in the lights.

Shopping
Many people visit Hong Kong to shop. If brand names like Gucci and Louis Vuitton are what you are looking for, then you will not be disappointed. However, many visitors prefer to visit the markets where haggling is commonplace and knockoffs are available. There are numerous markets throughout Hong Kong but the two biggest are the Temple Street market and Stanley Market. The third option is Nathan Road in Kowloon, but you will mostly find camera shops and tailors offering to stitch you a suit.

The Temple Street Night Market is the biggest market in Hong Kong and the most popular. Here you can find all kinds of knock-offs and small trinkets and memorabilia at a reasonable price. The market is just south of the Yau Ma Tei MTR station in Kowloon along Portland Street, a couple of blocks West of Nathan Road. Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island is similar, but a bit smaller, and runs during the daytime. Most tourists leave with something or another, but travelers who have been around Southeast Asia and have visited the higher quality night markets in Thailand and Cambodia will be a little disappointed with what is available in Hong Kong.

Transportation
When you arrive at Hong Kong airport, you might feel naturally inclined to jump into a taxi to enter the city. Do not do this. Take the Airport Express train instead. There’s a ticket agent outside of baggage claim and the platform for the train is connected to the airport so you do not need to step outside. However, once you are in the city, the taxi is not a bad transportation option for short distances. The drivers are honest and the taxis are easily identifiable by their red and white colors.

The best way for a visitor to get around Hong Kong is by ferry or subway. The subway system is extensive and clean, and can take you to most parts of the island that are worth visiting. The ferry is the most scenic and enjoyable way to travel across the harbor between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Star Ferry is the popular company that has operated in Hong Kong for over a hundred years, and their iconic green and white ferry boats depart to most destinations every ten minutes.

If you have always been interested in China, you may want to consider visiting Hong Kong. This great city is located on China’s southern coast, in Mandarin, this name means “fragrant harbor”. Hong Kong boasts the reputation of having one of the most beautiful skylines in the world and one trip there will confirm that. A visit to any large city presents the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities from museum visits to night clubbing but remember that you will need a passport to accomplish international travel.

If you decide to travel to Hong Kong, the dates of your travel should be arranged to coincide with one of the many Chinese festivals available to enjoy. These festivals create a unique opportunity to really experience the Chinese people and culture. Some of the best known events include the Chinese New Year, the Man Literary Festival, the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

A visit to Hong Kong provides an unlimited list of things to do and see. One very unusual experience can be had by visiting Dialogue in the Dark. At this attraction, visitors are treated to the diverse environments of Hong Kong in complete darkness. Rather than using your eyes, you put the rest of your senses into action for a very unique experience. Another wonderful place to visit is the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Here you are treated to an experience with Chinese art in a building resembling a Chinese temple while providing a breathtaking view of Hong Kong.

The culture and spiritual heritage of China come alive in a visit to the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas. This location immerses the visitor into the religion of a great number of Chinese people. The grounds are filled with foliage and trees that host a large number of monkeys. There is also the opportunity to sample delicious Chinese delicacies. A visit to a traditional Chinese fishing village will also provide a glimpse into how the people of that area really exist.

When you think of Hong Kong, you might have the misconception that it is totally built up but there is actually 70% of this metropolis that remains undeveloped. Because of this, tourists are treated to beautiful natural landscapes and scenery. Numerous parks as well as the number of islands off the Hong Kong coast provide a great get away from the hustle and bustle of city life if that is what you seek. While camping, hiking or fishing can be enjoyed, if you visit Lantau Island, you will also be able to see the Chinese White Dolphin, a rare and beautiful animal.