Hong kong’s many charms

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If you thought that Hong Kong had lost its lustre after becoming a part of China, think again. The cluster of islands is as vibrant and enticing as ever and continues to wow visitors with its land-sea-sky visual treats.

The aroma of food, be it Continental, Chinese or Indian, emanating from eateries, particularly those lined up along the Stanley Waterfront, acts as a magnet to food lovers. Similarly, nightlife is vibrant and bar hopping at Lan Kwai Fong (LKF) and the SoHo area in Central is a must.
The best season to visit, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is autumn (September-November), with its pleasant breeze, plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperature. In February, when this correspondent visited Hong Kong, the premier airliner Cathay Pacific, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board showcased some must-see places during the trip.

Double decker delight
The best way to explore “Asia’s World City” is on these open-top double-decker buses. Visitors to Hong Kong and Kowloon can safely use these buses and forget the worry of arranging for transport. The buses are hop-on, hop-off and one can get off at a convention and exhibition centre at Wan Chai, SoHo or at LKF to experience the nightlife.

Ngong Ping 360
The excitement of visiting the world’s largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue by Asia’s longest cable car culminates into contentment after exploring the Ngong Ping village. It is a dynamic tourism experience — a combination of experiencing the 5.7 km cable car journey (around 25 minutes) and an impressive culturally themed village.

The Peak
Famed to be a concrete jungle with a high density of population and scarce living space, Hong Kong is dotted with skyscrapers, some 80-100 storeys high. For the first time in the trip, visitors who had till then bent backwards to get a glimpse of the tip of the skyscrapers could actually look down at them from The Peak. The highest viewing terrace in Hong Kong is 1,300 feet above sea level. If the scenic beauty from the top is a delight, journey to The Peak in one of the oldest funicular tram car is breathtaking.

Madame Tussaud’s
The celebrity-inspired attraction features 100 local and international life-size wax figures of celebrities. While the ever-smiling Jackie Chan welcomes you into Madame Tussaud’s, other celebrities ranging from Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga and iconic personalities from Mahatma Gandhi to Chairman Mao and our own Big B greet you.