Hong Kong travel guide: overview

Few cities ignite the senses as much as Hong Kong. Dynamic, prosperous and self-confident, the city's appeal is as strong as ever.

Hong Kong pulsates with the visual energy of a fireworks display. It vibrates to the sound of a dim sum restaurant in the peak hour. Sometimes chaotic, fascinating, mysterious, endlessly thrilling and parts possessed of an amazing alternative beauty, this is a place that falls the strongest emotions.

People in Hong Kong

The energy is fueled and inspired by constant immigration from China, from elsewhere, 7,000,000 souls in Asia and from the four corners of the world at the same time focused on top dollar and the bottom line in an area rather smaller than the English county of Berkshire and less than half the size of the State of Rhode Iceland.

Cosmopolitan yet integrally Chinese are by Hong Kong residents what defines written on their business cards. Off duty, they can go shopping, play tennis and basketball courts perched on top of skyscrapers, or pinball their way between the bars and clubs crammed hugger-mugger in the numerous entertainment areas; everyone here is only too aware that the time of the winged chariot not so much hurry near as overtaking on the inside lane.

One country, two systems

Since the handover in 1997, Hong Kong has a special administrative region (SAR) of China, play a key role in the spectacular growth of the Chinese economy, although it clearly remains from the mainland: the "one country two systems" promise to work clear, despite the concerns and protests over certain issues. Within this framework, Hong Kong strange, cosmopolitan mix of Chinese and Western, and prosperity continue to thrive.