TOURISM GROWTH IN HONG KONG

HONG KONG

Global financial turmoil impacts Hong Kong travel and tourism

The travel and tourism industry was badly affected by the global financial crisis in general in 2009, especially international tourism. Hong Kong saw a decline in arrival numbers and travel accommodation value sales in 2009. Visitors have to think twice before undertaking travel, often choosing a budget tour or short haul trip if they decided to travel. The effect of the H1N1 flu pandemic was not so enduring compared to the financial crisis, with business recovering from the former in three months.

China the main source of inbound tourism for Hong Kong

Despite the decrease in the number of tourists from the international market, Hong Kong tourism saw a rise in incoming tourist receipts in 2009 because of the increase in the number of Chinese tourists, especially through the Individual Visit Scheme. Hong Kong travel and tourism is expected to recover over the forecast period as the economy recovers. Apart from leisure travel, there will also be more business travel through the closer economic relationship between Hong Kong and China.

Government incentives help to boost tourism growth

Hong Kong is not passively waiting for an improvement in international tourism, the government and private tourism associations have made great efforts to develop Hong Kong into ‘Asia’s world city’. The Hong Kong Tourism Board, as the national tourism association, has been leading the Hong Kong tourism industry with international promotions and different marketing tactics, such as the Symphony of Lights and the Wine and Food Year, which attracted large numbers of international tourists to Hong Kong. Additionally, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is now promoting Hong Kong’s small and medium enterprise capabilities. It organises approximately 350 exhibitions annually, which have become the window showcase for a variety of products and attracted international business travellers.

Internet transactions gain popularity

Most tourism categories in Hong Kong, including travel retail, car rental, spas and travel accommodation provide online services for international travellers. With increasing global internet coverage, online travel transactions represent an increasing trend because of the time and cost savings possible.

Positive outlook

Hong Kong travel and tourism is expected to recover over the forecast period as the economy recovers. Arrivals, incoming tourist receipts and travel accommodation are expected to show growth over the forecast period. Over the forecast period, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will continue to attract more Chinese tourists due to their high spending power. Additionally, the Hong Kong government will continue to develop its local cruise tourism industry with the aim of becoming a regional cruise hub over the forecast period. The continuous efforts made by the Hong Kong Tourism Board will help to push Hong Kong travel and tourism to the next level over the forecast period.

ARTICLE ON FUTURE TOURSM

The Future of Hong Kong Tourism

By Jane L. Levere Tourism in Hong Kong has suffered dramatically in the wake of the government handover last summer, and subsequent economic turmoil in Asian countries that normally generate almost three-fourths of its business. As of late winter, arrivals were down 25% year over year, as they were in the second half of 1997. With tourism Hong Kong's number two source of foreign exchange, local travel interests are not sitting back and taking the downturn lightly. Rather, they are coming up with a wide variety of new marketing plans and promotions, the latter largely price-driven, to stimulate traffic. The centerpiece of the various campaigns is a new marketing program, launched in April, by the Hong Kong Tourist Association. Developed in conjunction with BBDO, the campaign's tagline is, "We are Hong Kong, city of life." According to HKTA executive director Amy Chan, the campaign "focuses strongly on Hong Kong's key attraction as one of the world's top travel destinations-the extraordinary diversity and energy of Hong Kong and its people, and their way of life." The campaign was created after extensive consumer research showed that market perceptions about Hong Kong had deteriorated. "Some misconceived concerns-over Hong Kong's identity, for example-were largely beyond the industry's control. And Hong Kong had lost its ability to compel visitors to come here urgently. This and the misconceptions about Hong Kong's vitality, international atmosphere, diversity of attractions and value for money, could be tackled and addressed by a new campaign," explained Lily Shum, HKTA's general manager of marketing communications. The HKTA plans to run its new advertising on TV and the Internet and in print publications, rolling it out globally by mid-1998. The budget is over $13 million. Travel suppliers are also aggressively tackling the downturn, particularly Hong Kong hotels, many of which are creating special packages or setting special rates to fill up guest rooms. The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong has come up with "Grand Deal" rates which include a discounted room, free shuttle service and use of the gym, and late check-out. It has also created special packages for meeting and incentive groups, and with its sister hotel, the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, special rates for long-stay guests. Shangri La is taking $50 off room rates at its two hotels, the Kowloon Shangri-La and the Island Shangri-La, while the Peninsula is using the celebration of its 70th anniversary as an excuse to set a special rate: guests paying a standard room rate for two nights receive a third night for $70. Like the Hyatts, the Peninsula also has created a discount program for extended-stay guests. And with an eye to business travelers, its sister hotel, the Kowloon, has put together a package that combines breakfast and in-room Internet access with 400 Mileage Plus frequent flyer miles. The Regent Hong Kong is targeting both business and leisure travelers. Packages for business travelers feature services like airport transfers, free pressing and mobile phone usage, and meeting room space. For vacationers, it has created two-night packages that focus either on dining in its fine restaurants or on a "romantic escape," with a bottle of champagne, breakfast in bed and four-course dinner, among other amenities. Mandarin Oriental is similarly targeting the leisure segment with several vacation packages, including one with champagne, fruit and flowers and a free bed for a child in the same room. Price also is the driver for Pacific Delight Tours, a leading tour operator specializing in the Orient. According to director of marketing Gerry Kerr, bookings for the company's Hong Kong-only tours have fallen 12% since May 1997, right before the handover. To jump-start this business, Pacific Delight created a $715, eight-day, six-night vacation package, which includes air fare from the West Coast. "We always have good promotional rates to Hong Kong, but these are exceptional, at least $200 lower than they've been in some time," Kerr said. Marco Polo Hotels is taking a slightly different tack, reported Barbara Corbine, director of sales and marketing in North America. In an effort to stimulate cruise-related business, earlier this year the company brought a group of cruise line executives to Hong Kong to show off its Hong Kong Hotel, near the harbor. Corbine also said Marco Polo has been running fam trips for travel agents and corporate travel managers "to reaffirm our belief that Hong Kong is still the dynamic center it's always been. There's been absolutely no change since the handover." Kent Hayden-Sadler, HKTA deputy executive director, hopes these various marketing initiatives will help Hong Kong turn around its fortunes in the not-too-distant future. "We expect to see Hong Kong in a positive growth situation again by the end of 1998. We hope growth for the whole year will be positive, because we expect the second half to be so much stronger," he said.

COMMODIFYING CULTURE AND TRADITIONS

Culture has become a commodity of some sort is undeniable, yet there is also a widespread belief that there is something so special about certain cultural products and events (be they in the arts, theatre, music, cinema, architecture or more broadly in localized ways of life, heritage, collective memories and affective communities) as to set them apart from ordinary commodities like shirts and shoes.

Tourism is the new favorite strategy for central city planners and is a central component of the economic, social and cultural shift that has left its imprint on the world system of cities in the past two decades. As a result, urban culture itself has become a commodity, and cities have a competitive advantage over suburbs. The most important group of travelers economically are those traveling on business, since these travelers spend the most. Globalization has greatly increased business travel, despite telecommunications, because decentralized production and outsourcing makes travel a necessity.

For those cities of the industrialized world, particularly those which have lost manufacturing, tourism has become the newest powerful transformation. It is the favourite strategy for local governments trying to develop their economies. This is because in many aspects the tourist economy resembles the manufacturing economy, in being able to employ people who do not have very high level of skills .The problem of the tourist economy is that it does not pay most people in it very well.  Eventhough tourism itself may be mass tourism, it is still part of the changing world, where the urban setting is much less dependent on its traditional industries than was the case in the past.

It is also a central component of the economic, social and cultural shift that has left its imprint on the global system of cities in the past two decades. So we have had this move toward the increasing importance of culture as a commodity as people are becoming more educated, as travel is becoming easier, as people are seeking places that are different.

With the help of the globalization,  technology has increased networking, increased travel, because even with e-mail, even with faxes, long distance telephone, and teleconferencing, travel is a necessity to maintain control.

In hong Kong, the culture venue such as Arts and Craft we displayed in a exhibition for free, but now they are charging to make money. Hong Past cultural heritage was showcasing their Arts and Crafts, their traditons, daily practices, cultural museum but now due to the westernised culture, Hong Kong have be influenced as well. They are also following the western concept to boom their tourism destination.

The world is becoming inter-connected through globalisation due to rapid changes in technology, mass media and communication.

The commercialisation of scientific and cultural activities through the increasing pressure conveyed through “funding mechanisms” to orient activity towards serving commercial rather than human interests.

MODE OF EDUCATION

The Hong Kong education system has been closely modeled on the one found in the UK.  This is hardly surprising since Hong Kong was administered by Britain from 1841 to 1997, when the former UK colony was handed back to China. nine years of compulsory schooling in Hong king, six in primary school and three in junior secondary school.

Kindergartens

Since 1997, there have been changes to a lot of kindergartens as a way of professionalising them.  Most of the changes have involved minimum teaching qualifications for both kindergarten teaching staff and principals.  As the government has also placed more emphasis on the importance of early childhood education, the curriculum in kindergartens has now been designed to provide a sound foundation for students.

Primary Education

The majority of local Primary schools in Hong Kong are Chinese medium and the primary curriculum covers a wide range of subjects including Social Studies, Science, Chinese, English Mathematics, Music, Art and Physical Education.

Students are allocated to Secondly schools through their performance in three examinations taken in Primary 5 and Primary 6.  Schools are extremely competitive and parents naturally have a strong preference for their child to be allocated to a top or higher band school.

Recently, primary school numbers have bee shrinking causing the closure of some schools and resulting in the need for some teacher redundancies.

Class numbers are traditionally much larger in Hong Kong than they are in Western countries.  An average class, in both primary and secondary school, would have over 35 students and can have as many as 45.  The shrinking enrollments have seen a lot of debate about smaller class sizes but so far the numbers of students in a class have not been greatly reduced.

Secondary Education

The first year of secondary school, known as Form or Secondary One, follows six years of primary education.  Forms 1 – 3 have compulsory attendance and in junior secondary, the learning is broader, without students choosing specific study areas.

The majority of local secondary schools became Chinese Medium of Instruction (CMI) after the Handover in 1997.

In Secondary 4, students specialize, usually choosing between the Arts (or Humanities) stream, the Commercial stream or the Science stream of study.  Mathematics, Chinese and English remain compulsory, as does Physical Education.

During Secondary 4 and 5, students prepare for the HKCEE (Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examinations) which they take in the final quarter of Secondary 5.  This is roughly equivalent to the GCSE taken in the UK. It is the results from the HKCEE which determine promotion to Form 6.

In Form 6, students prepare for the matriculation exams (the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations) which are taken half way through Form 7 – so the preparation for the exams takes about 18 months. Students need a pass (Grade E or above) in Chinese and English in order to have the minimum requirements to enter a local university.  Different entry requirements exist for different tertiary courses and a large number of students also apply to study abroad – usually after HKCEE or after HKALE.

HKCEE and HKALE are in the process of being phased out over the 2009-2012 period in favour of the Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).

International students rarely take the local public examinations.  Once the UK GCSE / A-levels were popular among many of Hong Kong’s International schools but now the International Baccalaureate (IB) is the becoming a much common programme at the diploma level.  Many country's International schools teach a syllabus from their own country. Students also might take the SAT or IELTS in order to gain entry to an overseas university. Several Direct-subsidy “local” schools with good reputations have also expressed an interest in offering the IB in the future and moving away from the local examination system. The government’s proposed new secondary curriculum (the 3+3+4) is thought to be one of the reasons for these schools moving towards the IB.

Tertiary Education

Tertiary education is important in Hong Kong.  There are eight universities here and several other tertiary institutions without university status. All the tertiary institutions offer a range of programmes including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, as well as Associate degrees and Higher Diplomas.

The number of places available for undergraduate degrees is substantially less than the number of students who actually fulfill the entry requirements for general admission to university.  Approximately 20% of the students who reach the required grades in the HKALE are not able to gain a place at a university.  For these students, studying an Associate degree or Higher diploma programme, which may lead to articulation with a degree course at a later date, is a popular option.  It is also sometimes possible for course transfers from a successfully completed Higher diploma or Associate degree into overseas degree programmes with some credit transfer to take place.

Of the Hong Kong universities, The University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have the best reputations. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has been developing a strong name in the area of Technology and Business.

In terms of post-graduate study, the trend for local Hong Kong people is to complete post-graduate qualifications abroad.  In terms of the post-graduate students at local universities, a significant number of them have come from Mainland China.

Adult Education

Life-long learning has become a popular catch cry from the government and certainly taking a course seems to be a common activity among the adult population.  The majority of the universities have schools which offer non-degree, adult learning courses and there are a range of other institutions as well, offering professional, general education and interest courses. Language courses, especially English, Mandarin and Japanese are common, and many adults study as a means of improving their prospects in the employment market.  The government has even established a scheme which enables adult learners to apply for course fee reimbursement for approved courses.  There is also the Open University of Hong Kong, run along similar lines to the UK one, which gives more people the opportunity to study for a degree.

GLOBALISATION

Globalization describes the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a global network of political ideas through communication, transportation, and trade.

Hong Kong has been variously described as a world or global city, which became integrated into the world economy relatively early. The strength of Hong Kong’s economy, the economic growth potential of the neighbouring East Asia region, its relative political stability, its status as a regional financial centre, and its international outlook certainly places Hong Kong in the ranks of world cities.

• Financial - emergence of worldwide financial markets and better access to external financing for borrowers. By the early part of the 21st century more than $1.5 trillion in national currencies were traded daily to support the expanded levels of trade and investment.  As these worldwide structures grew more quickly than any transnational regulatory regime, the instability of the global financial infrastructure dramatically increased, as evidenced by the Financial crisis of 2007–2010. From this we can see that Hong Kong financial status is improving.

• Economic - realization of a global common market, based on the freedom of exchange of goods and capital. The interconnectedness of these markets, however, meant that an economic collapse in one area could impact other areas. With globalization, companies can produce goods and services in the lowest cost location. This may cause jobs to be moved to locations that have the lowest wages, least worker protection and lowest health benefits. For Industrial activities this may cause production to move to areas with the least pollution regulations or worker safety regulations.

• Health Policy - On the global scale, health becomes a commodity. In developing nations under the demands of Structural Adjustment Programs, health systems are fragmented and privatized. Global health policy makers have shifted during the 1990s from United Nations players to financial institutions. The result of this power transition is an increase in privatization in the health sector. This privatization fragments health policy by crowding it with many players with many private interests. These fragmented policy players emphasize partnerships and specific interventions to combat specific problems (as opposed to comprehensive health strategies). Influenced by global trade and global economy, health policy is directed by technological advances and innovative medical trade. Global priorities, in this situation, are sometimes at odds with national priorities where increased health infrastructure and basic primary care are of more value to the public than privatized care for the wealthy.
• Political - some use "globalization" to mean the creation of a world government which regulates the relationships among governments and guarantees the rights arising from social and economic globalization.  ally, the United States has enjoyed a position of power among the world powers, in part because of its strong and wealthy economy. With the influence of globalization and with the help of The United States’ own economy, the People's Republic of China has experienced some tremendous growth within the past decade. If China continues to grow at the rate projected by the trends, then it is very likely that in the next twenty years, there will be a major reallocation of power among the world leaders. China will have enough wealth, industry, and technology to rival the United States for the position of leading world power
• Informational - increase in information flows between geographically remote locations. Arguably this is a technological change with the advent of fibre optic communications, satellites, and increased availability of telephone and Internet.
• Language - the most popular first language is Mandarin (845 million speakers) followed by Spanish (329 million speakers) and English (328 million speakers). However the most popular second language is undoubtedly English, the "lingua franca" of globalization:
• About 35% of the world's mail, telexes, and cables are in English.
• Approximately 40% of the world's radio programs are in English.
• English is the dominant language on the Internet.
• Competition - Survival in the new global business market calls for improved productivity and increased competition. Due to the market becoming worldwide, companies in various industries have to upgrade their products and use technology skillfully in order to face increased competition.
• Ecological - the advent of global environmental challenges that might be solved with international cooperation, such as climate change, cross-boundary water and air pollution, over-fishing of the ocean, and the spread of invasive species. Since many factories are built in developing countries with less environmental regulation, globalism and free trade may increase pollution and impact on precious fresh water resources(Hoekstra and Chapagain 2008).On the other hand, economic development historically required a "dirty" industrial stage, and it is argued that developing countries should not, via regulation, be prohibited from increasing their standard of living.
• Cultural - growth of cross-cultural contacts; advent of new categories of consciousness and identities which embodies cultural diffusion, the desire to increase one's standard of living and enjoy foreign products and ideas, adopt new technology and practices, and participate in a "world culture". e bemoan the resulting consumerism and loss of languages. Also see Transformation of culture.
• Spreading of multiculturalism, and better individual access to cultural diversity (e.g. through the export of Hollywood). Some consider such "imported" culture a danger, since it may supplant the local culture, causing reduction in diversity or even assimilation. Others consider multiculturalism to promote peace and understanding between people. A third position that gained popularity is the notion that multiculturalism to a new form of monoculture in which no distinctions exist and everyone just shift between various lifestyles in terms of music, cloth and other aspects once more firmly attached to a single culture. Thus not mere cultural assimilation as mentioned above but the obliteration of culture as we know it today. In reality, as it happens in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, people who always lived in their native countries maintain their cultures without feeling forced by any reason to accept another and are proud of it even when they're acceptive of immigrants, while people who are newly arrived simply keep their own culture or part of it despite some minimum amount of assimilation, although aspects of their culture often become a curiosity and a daily aspect of the lives of the people of the welcoming countries.
• Greater international travel and tourism. WHO estimates that up to 500,000 people are on planes at any one time. In 2008, there were over 922 million international tourist arrivals, with a growth of 1.9% as compared to 2007.
• Greater immigration  including illegal immigration.The IOM estimates there are more than 200 million migrants around the world today.Newly available data show that remittance flows to developing countries reached $328 billion in 2008.
• Spread of local consumer products (e.g., food) to other countries (often adapted to their culture).

ATTRACTIONS

Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area, with The Peak, Victoria Harbour and the Giant Buddha among the most awe-inspiring.

You'll be amazed by the diverse contrasts and close proximity of stunning cityscapes and soaring mountains, heritage sites and extensive green countryside.

THE PEAK

There's a reason why The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong: It is absolutely incredible! Looking down from The Peak you'll be amazed by the spectacular view of the surrounding city skyline, the world-famous Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, towering skyscrapers and peaceful green hillsides.

Getting there is an unforgettable trip. There's nothing in the world like the Peak Tram. Pulled by steel cables, the tram climbs 373 metres (about 1,200 feet). It's so steep that the buildings you pass look like they're leaning! Whether you're going up or coming down, you'll love this trip.

And now this fabulous vista has been further enhanced by the 2006 revitalisation of one of Hong Kong's most striking landmarks, The Peak Tower. Even more than before, it's a destination in its own right.

Once on The Peak, there are a number of locations providing magnificent views of the city below. For great continuous unfolding vistas, take the Peak Circle Walk or go directly to the Lugard Road Lookout for fabulous views over the harbour. There are more great vistas from the Lions View Point Pavilion and the viewing terrace at the Peak Galleria, as well as the Peak Tower Sky Terrace.

THE VICTORIA HARBOUR

Magical Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour is one of Hong Kong's greatest assets, a jewel that people marvel at, no matter how many times they visit the city. People come from all over the world to see and admire it.


Spectacular Harbour Views
Travel up to The Peak or visit the Avenue of Stars along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade for spectacular harbour views and to catch the magnificent A Symphony of Lights, featuring more than 40 Hong Kong's skyscrapers in a stunning multimedia extravaganza.

Starry Nights of Delight
There is no better way to capture the magic of the harbour than by taking a nighttime cruise aboard a ferry where you'll be able to enjoy A Symphony of Lights, the stunning multimedia show featuring more than 40 Hong Kong skyscrapers in a dazzling extravaganza.

Touring the Harbour
Victoria Harbour bustles with activity day and night. To experience the energy take a ride on the Star Ferry, a harbour cruise or a ride in a traditional Chinese junk.

THE GIANT BUDDAH

No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to the Giant Buddha which sits serenely atop Ngong Ping plateau amid the spectacular mountain scenery of Lantau Island.


The eyes, lips, incline of the head and even the right hand (raised to deliver a blessing to all), combine to lend great depth of character and dignity to this extraordinary statue.


The majestic figure of the seated Buddha was cast in China and took 12 years to complete. It was unveiled in December 1993 amid deeply religious ceremonies.


Visitors can climb more than 200 steps to reach the platform where the Buddha is seated.


Besides attracting Buddhists from all over Asia, the magnificent figure with its compelling presence almost instantly transformed the remote Po Lin Monastery with its devout monks into a must-visit on tourist schedules.



The Po Lin Monastery is set amid spectacular mountain scenery on the Ngong Ping plateau.

Besides admiring the massive statue there is also much to see and do at the monastery itself with its various figures of gods and other colourful manifestations of aspects of the Buddhist religion. You can even enjoy a vegetarian lunch.

From Po Lin Monastery it's a short walk to the Wisdom Path, an outdoor replica of the centuries old Heart Sutra, one of the world’s best-known prayers that is revered by Confucians, Buddhists and Taoists alike. The sutra is displayed on wooden pillars placed in the form of a figure "∞" to symbolise the idea of immeasurable splendour and infinity.

Not too far away is the culturally themed village of Ngong Ping, where you can enjoy a variety of attractions as well as indulge in a bit of shopping and dining. From here you can take a bus or taxi to explore other parts of Lantau Island, including the famous stilt houses of Tai O Village, the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland and the interesting village Mui Wo, near the ferry pier.

Ref: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/sightseeing-guide.html 

TRANSPORTATION

Getting Around

Hong Kong is small and crowded, therefore public transport is the only practical way to get around. Consequently, public transport is cheap, fast, widely used and generally efficient.

Railway

Light Transit Rail (LTR)

The MTR is clean, fast, safe and easy. It is one of the world's most modern subway systems. Though it costs a bit more than other forms of public transport, it is the quickest way to get to most destinations. Trains run every 2-4 minutes from 6am to 1am daily on three lines. Fares range from HK$5 to HK$15. If you plan on doing a lot of traveling, the Octopus Card offers excellent value on MTR, LRT, KMB, City bus and HKF ferries. Octopus Cards can be purchased from ticket offices or customer service centers in MRT, KCR East Rail and LRT stations, and certain ferry piers of the HKF.

For short trips, the MTR is not the best value. For example, if you want to cross the harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central, the MTR is about five times the price of the Star Ferry without the views and is only slightly faster. However, if your destination is further away, the MTR is considerably faster than a ferry or bus and about the same price.

City Transportation

The extensive bus system offers a bewildering number of routes that take you just about anywhere in Hong Kong. Most visitors use the buses to explore the south side of Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. Northern Hong Kong and Kowloon are best explored and well-served by the MTR.

In Central, the most important bus station is on the ground floor under the Exchange Square. From this station, you can catch buses to Aberdeen, Repulse Bay, Stanley and other southern destinations.

In Kowloon, the Star Ferry Bus Station is the most useful, with buses to the KCR station and points in eastern and western Kowloon.

Taxi

Hong Kong taxis are not too expensive compared to other major modern cities. With more than 18,000 cruising the streets, taxis are usually easy to flag down, except at bus stops and restricted areas where the curb is painted yellow. Taxis can also be difficult to flag during rush hours. Taxi fares start at around HK$15. If you go through any harbour tunnels, you must pay twice the toll as the driver's return toll has to be paid as well.

Many taxis have a card that lists the top 50 destinations in English, Cantonese and Japanese. This is useful as most drivers don't speak English. It's a good idea to have your destination written down in Chinese. If you leave something behind in the taxi or feel a taxi driver has ripped you off, get the taxi number and call the police hotline on 2527-7177.

Sea

Hong Kong's ferries are almost always faster and cheaper than the buses and provide fantastic photo opportunities. The Star Ferry crosses the harbour between Central and Kowloon, taking just 7 minutes. Ferries operate every 5-10 minutes. Adults over 65 years of age ride free and there are discounts for children under 12.

The HKF Company operates a number of useful ferries and hovercraft between Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. Hovercraft are twice as fast as conventional boats, more modern and more comfortable. The drawback is that they are not particularly smooth and when the weather is rough, hovercraft bounce considerably.

HKF also operates ferries to the Outlaying Islands of Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau islands. These ferries depart from in front of Exchange Square in Central. The piers are all clearly signposted. On weekends, there are a few ferries to Lantau and Cheng Chau from the Star Ferry terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. Fares are reasonable, except on weekends when the prices nearly double.

http://www.chinahighlights.com/hong-kong/transportation.htm

WHAT IS HK KNOWN FOR?

Hong Kong is famous as a global centre of trade and business and is a key player in the world of finance. Hong Kong is also famous for its food, culture and shopping offering designer clothing and electrical goods at much lower prices than the West. Attractions include The Star Ferry, The Peak Tram, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park and its famous skyline which attract most visitors.

Popularly known as a shopping haven, Hong Kong’s wide selection of malls and affordable night markets will rescue one from last-minute shopping woes, and help put special gifts underneath the Christmas tree.

Go to Mongkok in the Kowloon side and traverse the length of Tung Choi Street, also known as the Ladies’ Market. The Stanley Market on Stanley, a small fishing village in the southern district of Hong Kong, offers special items such as silk and Chinese artwork that make perfect pasalubong. For a ritzier shopping experience, the Tsim Sha Tsui Centre and Empire Centre in Southern Kowloon are favorites when it comes to cosmetics, accessories and fashion items.

When traveling with foodies, checking out Hong Kong’s delicious cuisine is the perfect way to have a holiday feast. Have a bite of Hong Kong’s culture at Tasting Hong Kong, an unassuming food shop and gallery in the Kowloon Peninsula. It not only offers world-renowned Chinese pastries, but also over 100 local delicacies to choose from. Check out their entertaining workshops and cooking demonstrations as well.

Drop by Lei Yue Mun, a well-known seafood district (also in Kowloon) with sumptuous dining choices. Come night time, unwind in the Central District’s urbanite hotels and various nightspots for some hot, delicious food and exquisite wine to keep warm amidst the chill.

For music aficionados, a ticket to the Gorillaz Escape to Plastic Beach Tour in Hong Kong can be the perfect early Christmas gift.

The kids (and kids-at-heart) will surely enjoy Walking with the Dinosaurs from December 22 to 27, also at the World Expo Arena. This £10 million show features 15 life-size dinosaurs, and has included Hong Kong in its around-the-world production.

Bursting with colorful spectacles featuring favorite characters, Hong Kong Disneyland in Lantau Island is yet another must-visit for the holidays. The young-at-heart will have a memorable time catching the Disney yuletide extravaganzas one after the other, from the big stage to the streets.

Another must-see holiday spectacle is the annual WinterFest, which transforms the skyscrapers and malls in Statue Square in the Central District into a winder wonderland.

Witnessing Hong Kong’s New Year countdown is another much-awaited highlight. Gather around the Hong Kong Cultural Center in Tsim Sha Tsui or along Victoria Harbour to get the best view of the pyrotechnic spectacle. Watch as fireworks and special light shows shoot off from Hong Kong’s major buildings in synchrony and welcome 2011 with a bang.

Fortunately for travelers raring to experience the holidays in Hong Kong, Cebu Pacific flies direct from Manila, Cebu and Clark. Touted as one of Asia’s fastest-growing airlines, Cebu Pacific offers year-round Go Lite fares as low as P2,299 making it possible for groups of friends and families to experience Hong Kong.
Ref: http://wikitravel.org/en/Hong_Kong 

RELIGION

Hong Kong has a multicultural population with Chinese, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Hindus, each with their own set of beliefs and philosophy. The Chinese have three primary religions, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, each with separate teachings and axioms that have made their way into belief systems throughout their long histories.

Ancestor Worship

The Chinese people believe that a person has two souls. The first soul is created during conception and continues to stay in the grave with the corpse when the person dies. Hence, ancestor worship is very important.

Buddhism
Buddhism originated from India, and not from China, although it is one of the main Chinese religions. Traders and monks who traveled from India over the Silk Road only introduced it to China at the beginning of the first century.

Taoism
A man named Laozi, who was an archivist for the Chinese government, created Taoism in the 6th Century. Taoism is based on the concepts of 'tao' (the way or path), and 'wuwei' (passivity).

Confucianism
Confucianism has been a major hallmark of Chinese culture for more than 2,000 years. Whether it is a religion in the strictest sense or just a philosophy of living remains controversial. Confucianism was popularized in the northern regions of China from 571-479BC. The founder, Confucius, was equalized with the heavenly god in 1906 and worshipped as a deity.

ARTS AND CRAFTS IN HONG KONG

Hong Kong and Macau are the two Special Administrative Regions in the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong is located in the southeast coastal region of China. The Pearl River Delta lies beside Hong Kong. The southern region of Hong Kong borders the South China Sea and the Guangdong Province is its northern neighbor.

When the name Hong Kong comes, the first thing that comes to mind is its arts and crafts. Since the prehistoric era, the arts and crafts of Hong Kong have contributed much to the export of China.

Hong Kong is a city that has the mixture of both Eastern and Western flavor. Various ancient artifacts of Chinese tradition still exist in the city. Some of the special forms of arts and crafts in Hong Kong include embroidery works, porcelain works, jade products, brocade, carpet making, different types of carvings such as woodcarving, bamboo carving, ivory carving and so on.

Again, the art of carving is also very popular tradition in Hong Kong, China. Different types of materials like wood, bone, jade, rock; bamboo and many more things are used for this process. Though, these arts and crafts are practiced all over China, Beijing is specially known for its jade carvings. This category of carving was originated during the Ming Dynasty.

Another very famous art form is the 'scissor-cuts', which is an art of cutting papers and decorating them. This form of art was originated in the rural areas of China. 'Scissor-cuts' is in fact an art of the women. The women of the rural areas involve in this creative work just prior to the Lunar New Year. They make different types paper cuts in various colorful shapes like fruits, flowers etc and then decorate their windows with those.

 

Hong Kong is home to various industries based on arts and crafts. However, embroidery and brocade industries dominate the city. Not only in Hong Kong, but also in the whole of China these industries are spread all around.

Ref:http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shopping/Chinese-arts-crafts-stores.html