Hong Kong Travel Guide for Indians
Hong Kong was wrested from China during the opium wars with the help of Indian soldiers and was in British possession for about 156 years; it was ceded back to China in 1997.
Hong Kong’s main attraction is its tax-free shopping and mega malls that exhaust even seasoned shopaholics. Listed below is a list of other activities and attractions you can indulge in when you tire of shopping.
The Peak is 1,300 ft high and offers panoramic views of the city, but that’s not the only reason to visit. Half the fun is going there by the Peak Tram which climbs at a dizzying incline. There’s an observation deck at the top but if you want to see more, take the 3.5 km Peak Circular Walk.
The Big Buddha, locally known as Tian Tan Buddha is 34 meters high and I think it promotes health and physical exercise since you need to climb 268 steps to get to it. Next to Tian Tan Buddha is the Po Lin Monastery and close by is the Ngong Ping Village which serves delicious vegetarian Buddhist meals.
Lan Kwai Fong – or LKF is where you head on Friday / Saturday if you’re in a mood to party. With over ninety bars and restaurants packed with locals, expatriates and tourists; all looking for a good time.
Avenue of Stars is a tribute to the Hong Kong film industry, the Kung fu craze and actors Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and great directors like John Woo. Their sculptures adorn the waterfront offering great selfie opportunities to you and the kids.
Ladies' Market, Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon is for when the funds run low and shopping still gotta be done. Here you can hone your bargaining skills with the finest and re-evaluate your purchases at leisure.
Happy Valley Racecourse was built on what was swampland in 1845. Races take place here on Wednesdays and are open to all. Another racecourse, established more recently is the Sha Tin Racecourse which opened in 2009. Games of chance are hugely popular with the Chinese and both race courses are crowded on race days.
How about a Junk Package? If you like to throw a party there’s a lot on offer; Jaspa’s Junks offers you a party for $750 per person, minimum package $10,500. Viking’s is doing something similar for $5,500. Hong Kong Yachting will moor three boats together and surround them with a custom built fence to keep drunk guests from falling overboard. Their junk package starts at $850 per person.
Hong Kong has a year-long sale and the rush of visitors never abates. The majority of tourists come from mainland China, so to get better deals, plan ahead. By booking early you will get you better rates and discounts and by visiting www.buyforex.com your foreign exchange problems will be solved. EbixCash World Money multi-currency card is valid world over and can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs.
