Hong Kong, the city that is more recently known as “the good, the bad and the ugly”, was just a small fishing village more than 100 years ago. It has developed rapidly into a world-renowned metropolis and has become the third-largest financial center and the seventh-largest shipping center. A miracle in the history of development. In the first Opium War in 1842, the British occupied Hong Kong. After the Chinese and British parties signed the “Nanjing Treaty”, Hong Kong Island was ceded to Britain. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to China and became the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (HKSAR). Under “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of autonomy, retains the original capitalist and legal systems, and continues to enjoy judicial independence, free trade, and freedom of speech.
In the 80s, Hong Kong became an international financial center and its economic achievements rank among the top ten in the world. The official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English. Hong Kong is a prosperous city that combines multiculturalism and religion. Many people think that Hong Kong’s prosperity is inseparable from British rule. This erroneous view has affected the mainland’s perception of Hong Kong, and it has also affected the Hong Kong people’s incomplete view of Hong Kong’s historical status.
Cuisine
There are a lot of Cantonese-style restaurants in Hong Kong. Local specialties include milk tea and frozen lemon tea. Hong Kong milk tea is also called stocking milk tea because it is percolated in a stocking-like filter. The brew is smooth and creamy in texture.
Dim sum is one of the most popular foods in Hong Kong. Steamed shrimp dumplings, siu mai, cheung fan, spring rolls, and noodles with beef balls or fish balls are often served in local traditional restaurants too. Cantonese meat and fish balls differ from their Western counterparts in texture. Wonton noodles and stir-fried beef noodles are the most common types of noodles in Hong Kong.
Also, snacking in Hong Kong is a diverse business. Spoil your tastebuds around the city for a truly unique experience in your new chapter in life Hong Kong travels in 2020.
Views
Within the natural beauty and scenery, there are outlying islands, quaint villages, sandy beaches, and undulating mountain paths. Life’s a beach in Hong Kong; you can experience the surfers catch waves and parties gather around sunset barbecues. Like Big Wave Bay Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, etc.
There’s a truly serene rural world within a hiking boot’s throw of Hong Kong’s downtown. A “dragon’s back”, deserted beaches, volcanic landscapes, feng shui woods, and remote temples await your discovery. Some of the best views are on the Peak’s Circular Walk, which winds around the highest point on Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong Wetland Park is a world-class ecological park that’s a fantastic spot to enjoy some of Hong Kong’s unique flora and fauna. The Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden located on the slopes of one of Hong Kong’s highest mountains (Tai Mo Shan). You could spend hours wandering around the farm.
Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier is also one of the most popular spots for everyone to take a walk at night. Every night at 20:00, you can go to the coastal area outside of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui or the waterfront promenade of Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.
Hospitality
The good
Some more traditional Chinese residents in HKSAR are very helpful and friendly. These mostly include the elderly from the islands and countryside close to the border of mainland China. If you need any directions, they are the people to ask.
The bad
Hong Kong is super unaffordable. And for a not-so-good reason. Since Hong Kong is so small, it is easily controlled by a handful of tycoons. That includes most of the real estate market. That being said, apartments, hotels, and even restaurants are extremely expensive. You will probably need to share a table with strangers – unless you seek dirty looks from the owner. You may even not be welcome at all, or get thrown out, if you aren’t willing to share tables in the more “high-end” establishments.
In terms of accommodation, most apartments and hotels offer cage-like rooms, where the prices are still very steep – even compared to Western standards. Sadly, though, most of the locals have no choice but to endure what has become known as “shoebox apartments” due to the room sizes not being suitable for any human.
And the ugly
The younger generation is somewhat more interested in upholding the local status quo in that brands, friends, and esteem are very important. Unfortunately, the education system in Hong Kong is extremely weak, so many have to resort to gangsterism, albeit a modernized version. The level of English spoken in Hong Kong is also much worse than that of mainland China. So don’t expect any help or useful advice from the youngsters.
History
Hong Kong’s history has had multiple cultural characteristics, geographical advantages for colonization, and too much free space. Its narrow localism and unhealthy literary mentality, or irrationality to act to blindly resist China and reject aliens, could be one of its greatest threats.
After centuries of Chinese influence and 150 years of colonial rule, Hong Kong has a flourishing art scene which consists of jazz ensembles, orchestras, film festivals, and street market operas.
So, as you can see, Hong Kong boasts the good, the bad and the ugly. However, it is up to you decide whether the scenery is worth it, or whether the elitist culture and unnecessary expense is the straw that broke the camel’s back.
