My family and I moved to Hong Kong in 2010. We lived there for two years, up until this June (2012). Living there showed us how beautiful the world is. I have included a few things that helped me to learn to love Hong Kong. It’s a beautiful place, open and waiting for tourists. They will find it easy to travel because of it being English-friendly. Americans beware! Hong Kong people speak British English. For example instead of saying “line up,” they will most likely say, “Queue up.”
Hong Kong has many tourist attractions, but these are some of my absolute favorites. Mong Kok Lady’s Market, Ocean Park, Victoria Harbor, and Victoria Peak are fun places an entire family can enjoy.
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Mong Kok Lady’s Market is a culture filled shopping market. Here bartering for fun Oriental things like fans, paintings and fancy chopsticks can be made a breeze with a few easy steps. Remember, only pay about a third of what they say-they overprice things. Act like a local, they drop prices for those that live there. Don’t be afraid to walk away, sometimes it makes them change their mind, and if it doesn’t, there is always someone else who sells the same thing cheaper. Ocean Park is an amusement park full of fun things. For those who don’t enjoy exciting rides, they have an amazing aquarium, a dolphin show, jellyfish exhibit, pandas, and monkeys. Just before closing, there is an amazing water show with awesome special effects. Victoria Harbor is a beautiful harbor with a unique scent. Hong Kong in Chinese, Xiang Gong, means fragrant harbor. For a scenic route across the harbor, take the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui and back. If time is more valuable the MTR train is much faster. In the evening at 8:00, there is a lightshow with music called The Symphony of Light. On Kowloon side in Tsim Sha Tsui, there is a viewing area with the music near the Avenue of Stars and The Hong Kong Culture Center. On Hong Kong Island, there is Victoria Peak, a building on a mountain. It gives a gorgeous view of Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon cityscapes. It also has many fun shopping areas and Western restaurants. The Peak also has a Madame Tussauds wax museum. The most fun way up the mountain is The Peak Tram. For families with younger children, riders of the Peak Tram can sometimes get a little pushy. For those who would rather not take the tram, there is also a bus up the mountain.
The best hotel in Hong Kong is Noah’s Ark. Noah’s Ark, located on Park Island, is a life-size replica of the real Noah’s Ark. It has nice rooms for large groups or families. You have to pay separately for the ticket to the museum and park. The museum is fun for those of all ages. It is an educational adventure through the time of Noah. Across the street is a park with a nice hike, and right outside, is a beautiful beach with a view of the suspension bridge running over Park Island. Before travelers leave they should check out Noah’s Ark’s gift shop, which has reasonable prices.
Hong Kong opened my eyes and showed me that the world is so much bigger than my city . It taught me to love travel and adventure outside of the US. After living in Hong Kong and traveling to the surrounding countries, I don’t think I could live the same quiet life again.
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