President of Hong Kong. Is Hong Kong a city or a country? Where is Hong Kong? Public transport in the city
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
History of Hong Kong, geographical characteristics and climate of Hong Kong, color of Hong Kong, traditions, mentality and habits
Section 1. History of Hong Kong.
Section 2. Geography of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is located on the Kowloon Peninsula, washed from the west, south and east by the South China Sea, as well as on more than 260 islands, the largest of which are Hong Kong (the location of the supreme and financial center of the territory), Lantau and Lamma. To the north, Hong Kong borders the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in the Chinese province of Guangdong. Hong Kong is usually divided into three parts: Hong Kong Island itself, Kowloon and the New Territories.
History of Hong Kong
In 1997, the Hong Kong economy was seriously negatively impacted by the 1997 Asian outbreak, which hit many East Asian countries. That same year, the first human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus was recorded in Hong Kong. In 1998, after six years of construction, the new Hong Kong International Airport opened as part of the Central Airport Construction Programme. The project was part of an ambitious ports and airports strategy drawn up in the early 1980s.
In the first half of 2003, the SARS virus epidemic broke out in Hong Kong. Dong Jianhua - Chief of the Hong Kong Administration (1997-2005), was criticized and accused of mistakes in overcoming the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and failure to take proper measures in the fight against SARS. Also in 2003, the Dong Jianhua administration tried to pass Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Rule, which made it possible to violate the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people. As a result of half a million protest demonstrations, the administration was forced to abandon these plans. In 2004, during the same mass demonstrations, Hong Kong residents demanded the introduction of general elections for the head of the SAR in 2007. In March 2005, at the request of the Chinese leadership, Dong Jianhua resigned.
Immediately after Dong Jianhua's resignation, his deputy Donald Tsang took this place. On March 25, 2007, Donald Tsang was re-elected to a second term.
The earliest discovered human settlements on the territory of modern Hong Kong date back to the Paleolithic. The region was first incorporated during the Qin dynasty and served as a trading port and naval base during the Tang and Song dynasties. The first European whose visit to this region was documented was Jorge Alvares in 1513. After the opening of a branch of the British East India in Canton (Guangzhou), the presence of the British in the region began to grow.
From the beginning of the 19th century, the British began to actively import opium into China. In 1839, the Qing court banned opium, and launched the First Opium War against China. Hong Kong Island was first occupied by the British in 1841, and at the end of the war in 1842 it officially came under British control under the Treaty of Nanjing. A year later, the city of Victoria was founded on the island, and the territory received the official status of a crown colony (corresponding to the current “overseas territories”). In 1860, following China's defeat in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon Peninsula south of Boundary Street and Stonecutter Island were ceded to Great Britain in perpetuity by the Treaty of Beijing. In 1898, Great Britain took from China for 99 years the adjacent territory in the north of the Kowloon Peninsula and Lantau Island, which were called the New Territories.
Hong Kong was declared a free port to facilitate its role as a cargo transhipment base for the British Empire in Southeast Asia. In 1910, the Kowloon-Canton Railway opened, connecting Guangzhou and Kowloon. Its final station was located in the Tsim Sha Tsui area. The British education system was introduced into the colony. In the 19th century, the local Chinese population had little contact with the wealthy Europeans who settled at the foot of Victoria Peak.
During World War II, on December 8, 1941, the Japanese Empire attacked Hong Kong. The Battle of Hong Kong ended on December 25 with the defeat of the British and Canadian forces defending the colony. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, food shortages were common, exacerbated by the forced exchange of military currency. The population of Hong Kong, which was 1.6 million people before the war, had decreased to 600 thousand by 1945. On August 15, it capitulated, and Great Britain restored sovereignty over Hong Kong.
After the Second World War broke out in China, which led to a wave of new migrants from the mainland, Hong Kong's population quickly recovered. After the proclamation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, an even greater flow of migrants poured into Hong Kong, fearing persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. Many companies have moved their offices to Hong Kong from Shanghai and Guangzhou. The communist government pursued an increasingly isolationist approach, and in this situation Hong Kong remained the only channel through which contact between the PRC and the West was carried out. After China entered the Korean War, the UN imposed an embargo on the PRC, and trade with the continent ceased.
Thanks to population growth and cheap labor, textile manufacturing and others grew rapidly. Along with industrialization, the main engine of the economy became foreign markets. Thanks to growth, the standard of living has steadily increased. The construction of Sek Kip May Estate marked the beginning of a program to build public housing estates. In 1967, Hong Kong was plunged into the chaos of street riots. Influenced by left-wing protesters inspired by the protests that began on the mainland, the labor force turned into a violent uprising against the colonial government that lasted until the end of the year.
In 1974, the Independent Commission for the Prevention of Corruption was formed, which managed to minimize corruption in the state apparatus. Since China's reforms began in 1978, Hong Kong has become a major source of foreign investment in China. A year later, China's first special economic zone, Shenzhen, was formed close to northern Hong Kong in Guangdong province. The textile and manufacturing component of the Hong Kong economy gradually decreased, giving primacy to the finance and banking sector. After the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, it took Hong Kong authorities another 25 years to solve the problem of returning Vietnamese refugees to their homeland.
In light of the expiration of the lease of the New Territories in 20 years, the British government began to discuss the problem of Hong Kong's sovereignty with the Chinese authorities from the early 1980s. In 1984, the two countries signed the Joint Sino-British Declaration, according to which in 1997 the transfer of sovereignty over the entire territory of Hong Kong to the PRC was to take place. The declaration stated that Hong Kong should gain the status of a special administrative region within the People's Republic of China, which would allow it to maintain its laws and a high degree of autonomy for at least 50 years after the handover. Many Hong Kong residents were unsure that these promises would be kept and chose to emigrate, especially after the brutal suppression of student demonstrations in Beijing in 1989.
In 1990, the Basic Law of Hong Kong was approved, which was supposed to play a role after the transfer of sovereignty. Despite strong objections from Beijing, Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten has reformed the selection of Hong Kong's Legislative Council, democratizing it. The handover of sovereignty over Hong Kong took place at midnight on July 1, 1997, accompanied by a handover ceremony at the Hong Kong Center and Exhibitions. Dong Jianhua became the first Chief Minister of the Hong Kong SAR Administration.
Geography of Hong Kong
Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories, and about 260 small islands. The New Territories are adjacent to the north by the Kowloon Peninsula, and beyond their northern border is the Shenzhen River.
In total, Hong Kong includes 262 islands in the South China Sea, the largest of which is Lantau Island. The second largest and first in population is Hong Kong Island.
The name "Hong Kong" literally means "fragrant harbour" and comes from the name of an area in the modern district of Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island. Aromatic wood products and incense were once traded here. The narrow strip of water separating Hong Kong and the Kowloon Peninsula is called Victoria Harbor. It is one of the deepest natural seaports in the world.
Land border:
total: 30 km;
regional boundaries: China 30 km
Coast length:
Coastal claims:
territorial sea: 3 nautical miles
tropical monsoons; cool and damp in winter, hot and rainy in spring and summer, warm and sunny in autumn
Locality:
hilly and mountainous terrain with steep cliffs; plains in the north
deep sea harbor, feldspars
Land use:
cultivation of land: 5.05%;
cereal growing: 1.01%;
other: 93.94% (2001)
Land cultivation:
20 sq. km (1998, estimate)
Environment - current state:
water and air pollution due to rapid urbanization
Environment - international:
First Commercial Bank (USA)
Fleet National Bank (USA)
HSBC Bank USA (USA - UK)
United Commercial Bank (USA)
Chiba Bank (Japan)
Chugoku Bank (Japan)
Mitsubishi UFJ Confiding property and PC banking Corporation (Japan)
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (Japan)
Shiga Bank (Japan)
Shinkin Central Bank (Japan)
Iyo Bank (Japan)
Hachijuni Bank (Japan)
Industrial Bank of Taiwan (Taiwan)
Chinatrust Commercial Bank (Taiwan)
International Bank of Taipei (Taiwan)
Bank of Taiwan (Taiwan)
Cathay United Bank Company (Taiwan)
Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank (Taiwan)
Taishin International Bank (Taiwan)
E.Sun Commercial Bank (Taiwan)
Hua Nan Commercial Bank (Taiwan)
Taiwan Business Bank (Taiwan)
Bank Sinopac (Taiwan)
Chang Hwa Commercial Bank (Taiwan)
Bank of India (India)
State Bank of India (India)
Indian Overseas Bank (India)
Punjab National Bank (India)
Allahabad Bank (India)
Union Bank of India (India)
Canara Bank (India)
Axis Bank (India)
Corporation Bank (India)
ICICI Bank (India)
Bank of Baroda (India)
Baden-Württembergische Bank (Germany)
Bank of Nova Scotia (Canada)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Canada)
National Australia Bank (Australia)
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia)
Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (Australia)
Macquarie Group (Australia)
Banca di Roma (Italy)
Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena (Italy)
Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (Italy)
Intesa Sanpaolo (Italy)
ING Bank (Netherlands)
Rabobank (Netherlands)
Fortis Bank (Belgium - Netherlands)
KBC Bank (Belgium)
Svenska Handelsbanken (Sweden)
Philippine National Bank (Philippines)
Banco de Oro Unibank (Philippines)
Erste Bank Der Oesterreichischen Sparkassen (Austria)
LGT Bank in Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein)
Bangkok Bank (Thailand)
Bank Negara Indonesia (Indonesia)
National Bank of Pakistan (Pakistan)
Population of Hong Kong
During the 1990s, Hong Kong's population began to grow rapidly. As of the end of 2010, it was over 7 million people. About 95% of Hong Kong's residents are ethnic Chinese, with the majority being Cantonese, as well as Chinese ethnic groups such as Hakka and Chaozhou. Cantonese, a variety of Chinese spoken in neighboring China's Guangdong province, is the main language of communication in Hong Kong. The official languages of the territory are Chinese (no specific variety specified) and English. According to the 1996 census, 3.1% of Hong Kong residents said English was their language of daily communication, and 34.9% said English was their second language. Bilingual signs in Chinese and English are found throughout Hong Kong. Since the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, the influx of immigrants from mainland China has increased. The use of Putonghua, the official dialect of mainland China, has also increased. with the mainland economy has led to the need for people who speak Putonghua.
The remaining 5% are made up of non-Chinese ethnic groups, which, despite their small numbers, form very visible groups. Hong Kong's South Asian population consists of Indians, Pakistanis and a small number of Nepalese. Vietnamese who fled the war became permanent residents of Hong Kong. About 140,000 Filipinos work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong. There are also domestic helpers from Indonesia, and their number is constantly growing. Hong Kong's commercial and financial sectors also employ Europeans, Americans, Australians, Canadians, Japanese and Koreans.
Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries (dependent territories) in the world, with a population density of more than 6,200 people per km². The average number of births per woman is 0.95. This is one of the lowest rates in the world, well below 2.1 - the level needed to maintain a constant population size. Despite this, Hong Kong's population continues to grow thanks to an influx of 45,000 immigrants from mainland China each year. Average life expectancy in Hong Kong in 2006 was 81.6 years, the fifth highest in the world. Within the borders of Hong Kong is the most densely populated island in the world - Ap Lei Chau.
Hong Kong's population is largely concentrated in the territory's extremely densely populated core, consisting of Kowloon and northern Hong Kong Island. The population density in other parts of the territory is much less. Several million residents live unevenly in the New Territories, southern Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island. An increasing number of Hong Kongers are choosing to live in mainland Shenzhen, where prices are much lower, and commute to Hong Kong for work.
Age structure
0-14 years: 13.8% (males 498,771/females 454,252);
15-64 years: 73.5% (men 2,479,656/women 2,591,170);
65 years and above: 12.7% (men 404,308/women 470,529) (2005 forecast)
Average age:
general: 39.4 years;
men: 39.3 years;
women: 39.6 years (2005, forecast)
Nationality:
noun: Chinese/Hong Kong people;
adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
Ethnic groups: Chinese 95%, other 5%
As of 2006, 295 thousand Canadians lived in Hong Kong (the vast majority of them are ethnic Chinese), 112.5 thousand Filipinos, 88 thousand Indonesians, 60 thousand Americans (the vast majority of them are ethnic Chinese), 20, 5 thousand Indians, 16 thousand Nepalese, 13.5 thousand Japanese, 12 thousand Thais, 11 thousand Pakistanis and 5 thousand Koreans.
Religions: Selective mixtures of local religions 90%, Christianity 10%.
Languages: Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official.
Education and culture of Hong Kong
As a former British overseas territory, Hong Kong has largely retained the UK education system, in particular the English education system. At higher levels, Hong Kong has both the British and American systems. The University of Hong Kong, the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong, has traditionally been based on the British model, but in recent years has incorporated some features of the American model. The second-oldest Chinese University of Hong Kong follows the American model with a distinct British college system. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is based on the American model of higher education. Hong Kong has nine public universities, as well as several private universities. One notable example is Lingnan University in Thunmun District, which is the only university in Hong Kong that offers instruction in the seven liberal arts.
Public educational institutions in Hong Kong are supervised by the Department of Education of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR. The system includes optional three-year kindergartens, followed by compulsory six-year primary education and three-year lower secondary education; then an optional two-year upper secondary education culminating in the Hong Kong Educational Examination Certificate, followed by two years of preparation for the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations. In 2009-2012, it is planned to gradually introduce a new “3+3+4” system, consisting of a three-year first-level secondary school course, a three-year second-level course and a four-year higher education. Hong Kong also has universities offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and other higher and associate's degrees.
Hong Kong's leading educational institutions can be divided into three categories: public, subsidized and private institutions. The first category is the smallest; the largest number of educational institutions are subsidized, receiving assistance from the government and grants from charitable organizations, often of a religious nature. Typically these are Christian and Catholic organizations, but may also include Buddhist, Taoist, Islamic and Confucian organizations. At the same time, private educational institutions are often run by Christian organizations. Outside this system there are institutions within the direct system and private international schools.
Hong Kong is often described as where East meets West, reflected in its economic infrastructure, architecture, education and urban culture. On one street you can find traditional Chinese shops selling Chinese medicines, Buddhist incense or shark fin soup. But just around the corner you can see a cinema showing the latest Hollywood blockbuster, an English pub, a Catholic church or McDonald's. The official languages of the territory are Chinese and English, and bilingual signs are found throughout Hong Kong. Government agencies, the police, most institutions and shops conduct business in both languages. Although British rule ended in 1997, Western culture is deeply rooted in Hong Kong and coexists in harmony with traditional Eastern philosophy and traditions.
Hong Kong's cosmopolitan spirit is also reflected in the variety of cuisines available. The most popular are various types of Chinese cuisine, especially seafood, while there are many European, American, Japanese, Korean and other restaurants in Hong Kong. Local cuisine is also very popular, which can be found in chachangtheng and taiphaitong. Hong Kong people take food very seriously, which is why Hong Kong is a destination that attracts top chefs from all over the world.
Along with its status as one of the centers of world trade, Hong Kong is also a major exporter of entertainment products, in particular the martial arts genre. Several Hollywood celebrities are from Hong Kong, including Bruce Lee, Chow Yun-Fat, Jackie Chan. Hong Kong has also given Hollywood several outstanding film directors such as John Woo, Wong Kar-wai, Tsui Hark, Heping. Hong Kong films have also achieved international fame on several occasions, such as Chungking Express, Double Castling, Killer Soccer, Rumble in the Bronx and In the Mood for Love. Famous director Quentin Tarantino said in an interview that he was greatly influenced by Hong Kong action films. Hong Kong is also a major production center for Cantopop music. Many movie stars live in Hong Kong. Karaoke culture is part of Hong Kong's nightlife.
The Hong Kong Government supports cultural institutions such as the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, the Hong Kong Entertainment and Cultural Services Department subsidizes and sponsors foreign artists coming to Hong Kong.
Sights of Hong Kong
Tourism is an important part of the tertiary sector of Hong Kong's economy, which began to develop rapidly in the late 1980s and early 90s. The sharp increase in tourists from mainland China was due to the introduction of the Individual Travel Scheme in 2003.
In 2006, the total tourism-related value reached HK$117.3 billion. Tourist arrivals to Hong Kong in 2006 increased by 8.1% to 25.25 million tourists, below the Hong Kong Tourism Board's expectation of 27 million tourists. The number of visitors from mainland China exceeded 13.5 million. And in December 2006, the number of visitors exceeded 2.4 million, which exceeded the installation records by one month. International trade and financial services are one of the three main sources of income for Hong Kong.
In December 2006, Hong Kong had 612 hotels and holiday lodges with a total of 52,512 rooms. The average occupancy rate of all categories of hotels and tourist houses is 87% for the entire 2006. This is an increase of one percent compared to 2005, although occupancy in December 2006 was 7.4% compared to December 2005. In 2006, 62.7% of all visitors stayed one night or more, a trend reflecting Hong Kong's growing importance as a regional transport hub.
The Tourism Commission was established in May 1999 to promote the enhancement of Hong Kong as an international city in Asia for all visitors. A Tourism Strategy Group, consisting of representatives from the government, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and various sectors of the tourism industry, was established to advise the government on tourism development from a strategic perspective.
Victoria Peak
Stanley area
Repulse Bay
International financial center
Victoria Harbor
Aberdeen Harbor
LanQuiphone
Soho area
Ocean Park
Symphony of Lights
Including New KowloonHong Kong Art Museum
Avenue of Stars
Chungking Mansions
Clock Tower Hong Kong Cultural Center
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Hong Kong History Museum
Hong Kong Observatory Kowloon Park
Nathan Road
Ocean terminal
Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong Science Museum
Space Museum
Star Ferry
Wontaixin Temple
New territories
Including Hong Kong Outlying Islands Chekung Temple
Chhenchau Island
Disneyland
Hong Kong Heritage Museum Hong Kong Railway Museum
Hong Kong swamp park
Ngonping Pingsan
Tayou Village
Big Buddha
Tinkau Bridge
The Hong Kong entry quota for visitors from mainland China was abolished in January 2002. The number of travel agents authorized to organize tours has also increased significantly. Citizens from about 170 countries can visit Hong Kong without a visa for stays ranging from seven to 180 days. The Individual Travel Scheme (ITS) was introduced on 28 July 2003. The scheme is gradually expanding to cover Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing, Tianjin and nine cities in Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. In 2006, more than 6.6 million mainland residents entered Hong Kong under temporary detention facilities. This is 20.2% more than in 2005.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board continues to promote destinations for business and leisure travelers around the world through its Hong Kong Is Life, It's Love! (English: Hong Kong – Live it, Love it!). After opening in 2005 and being used on several new attractions, 2006 was declared the "Year of Hong Kong". The global marketing campaign uses a number of strategic promotions to demonstrate Hong Kong's new image and promote its "must visit" in 2006. A number of joint initiatives abroad are underway with Macau and nine provincial tourism bureaus.
Hong Kong is called the New York of Asia, although it has even more skyscrapers than the American metropolis. Hong Kong consists of the islands of Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories and a number of other small islands. In 1997, it was returned by Britain to China, after which Hong Kong was given special status within China. Hong Kong's cityscapes are stunning, especially in the evenings, but there is also plenty to see and visit.
Victoria Peak is the highest point in Hong Kong and offers wonderful views of the entire city. This attraction attracts millions of tourists every year. The best way to get to the very top of the Peak is to take a special tram that runs every 10-15 minutes from the city center. The trip lasts about 7 minutes. The last part of the journey is especially exciting, when the tram climbs the steepest slope. At the top of the Peak is a recently completely restored Peak Tower, shaped like a Chinese frying pan.
The observation deck of the tower offers the most beautiful view of Hong Kong, but the tower itself deserves no less attention: it houses numerous shops and restaurants, in addition, dance and music performances are regularly organized here. The tower also houses Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. All together it gives the impression of a big fair. On the Peak there is a playground for children (Mount Austin), near which there is a beautiful Victoria Peak Garden with a wonderful panorama of the Hong Kong port. For tourists who prefer an active lifestyle, there is a walking path around the Peak, along which you will admire constantly changing views of Hong Kong and the surrounding area. Along the way, you can relax at specially designated picnic areas.
Man Mo Temple is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong, built in 1848, just after Hong Kong Island came into British possession. Throughout the history of its existence, the temple was rebuilt several times. There are quite a few Man-Mo temples in China, built in honor of two gods: Man, the god of literature, and Mo, the god of war. In the Hong Kong temple you can meet both Buddhists, whose religion has no gods, and adherents of Taoism, who worship many gods. Once upon a time, the Man-Mo temple was a place for resolving conflicts: the disputing parties wrote their promises on yellow paper, and those who did not keep their promises were punished. After this, a chicken was killed, whose blood was supposed to be spilled on the paper with oaths, the paper was then burned.
There is a constant heavy smell of incense hanging in the temple. Visitors can light an incense stick themselves, and there must be three sticks: one for the past, one for the present and one for the future. At the entrance there are beautifully crafted wooden thrones in the form of small houses. During important holidays, figures of the gods Man and Mo parade through the streets of Hong Kong. Those who want to know their future can turn to the numerous soothsayers working at the temple. They make their predictions using a piece of bamboo containing sticks with numbers. The wand that falls out first metaphorically tells you what awaits you in the future. This ritual can interest even the most skeptic.
Wong Tai Sin Temple.
The Taoist temple of Wong Tai Sin was named after a shepherd who had the gift of healing and became a follower of Taoism at the age of 15. At 55, he achieved enlightenment and therefore immortality. Followers of Taoism believe that the spirit of Wong Tai Sin is capable of curing serious illnesses, as well as bringing happiness and prosperity, which is why the temple always has a huge number of visitors, especially on major holidays, such as Chinese New Year. The temple becomes especially crowded on the 23rd day of the Taoist 8th month, on the birthday of Wong Tai Sin. Visitors light incense sticks and, muttering quietly, make their deepest wishes. If your wish comes true, you must definitely return to the temple to thank the spirit. At the main altar hangs an image of Wong Tai Sin.
The modern building of the temple is not very old; it was built in 1973 on the site where in 1921 there was already one temple. It is a fine example of Chinese temple construction with red columns and a golden roof. The temple complex also includes the Nine Dragon Wall, made in imitation of the famous Beijing wall. Like other temples, Wong Tai Sin Temple employs many fortune tellers and also has a shop selling traditional Chinese medicines. There are beautiful Chinese gardens around the complex, in one of which, the Good Wish Garden, you can wish each other all the best.
Star Ferry.
The Star Ferry is a pleasant way to admire the views of Hong Kong from the water. Ferries operate between Hong Kong and Kowloon islands. During the trip, you will get to know the city from a completely different side. The view of the port and the skyline of Hong Kong are truly beautiful, which is why ferry rides are very popular among tourists. The first ferries from Victoria Harbor began operating at the end of the 19th century. They were somewhat smaller than today's, holding approx. 750 passengers. The upper deck of modern ferries is first class; air conditioning is installed here to relieve passengers from the heat. The ferry makes four stops: Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai and Hung Hom.
Today, there are other ways to get from Hong Kong Island to the Kowloon Peninsula, such as road tunnels or the subway, but the ferry continues to be wildly popular. Star Ferry transports approx. 70,000 passengers, which is 26 million people a year!
In Hong Kong you can find a wide variety of gastronomic establishments, but the main ones are restaurants of national cuisine. Local cuisine is characterized by a unique and sometimes unexpected combination of ingredients, which is what makes it so attractive in the eyes of gourmets. Rice and rice are actively used in preparing dishes; vegetables and seafood occupy a place of honor in the diet of local residents.
Rice flour is used to make delicious noodles, served with spicy sauces. It has become one of the most revered dishes among fans of oriental cooking. No less popular are dumplings and pastries, which guests will be offered to try in every restaurant. The method of preparing vegetable side dishes is very unique. They can not only be grilled and served fresh, but also marinated and salted in soy sauce.
As for meat dishes, you can often find game on the menu prepared in a savory way rather than the steaks and chops familiar to Europeans. What is used extremely rarely in national cuisine is dairy products. Local chefs prefer to cook even baking dough in water, and it turns out simply magnificent. Green tea remains the favorite drink of local residents; national restaurants and tea houses can offer more than a hundred varieties of tea. It is customary to drink it without; travelers usually order pies with fruit filling or soy cakes for tea.
You can try the best dishes of national cuisine in the Causeway bay restaurant, which will delight guests not only with a rich selection of culinary masterpieces, but also with the original design of the hall. Lan Kwai Fong Restaurant serves international cuisine. In the evenings there are often interesting entertainment programs and concerts. Fans of the exotic will prefer the Tsin Shai Tsui restaurant, whose menu consists exclusively of oriental delicacies.
Local residents are very sensitive to issues related to education. A person with a prestigious profession is respected by everyone here, and teachers are considered the wisest people. The indigenous people are prone to conservative views; they have a very hard time with any and respect the customs of their ancestors. Even the long-term influence of the West could not break the attitude of the indigenous people to their religion and culture. They adopted all the best from the Europeans, while maintaining spiritual values.
Public opinion is very important for city residents. Even people from poor families always organize magnificent celebrations, and weddings here are completely similar to royal ones, it is so important for people to arouse the admiration of others. Hong Kong residents are very superstitious, which is explained by the influence of old traditions and customs. They believe in fate, study numerology and believe that evil spirits can be the culprits of troubles and misfortunes. In every home you can certainly see religious attributes and talismans that are necessary to attract good luck. Many national amulets have become widespread in other countries, the most striking example being the “money” tree.
Throughout the year, Hong Kong hosts a huge number of interesting holidays, fairs and festivals. So, in February the Theater Festival starts - the holiday is full of bright events that take place literally every day. Fans of painting will enjoy the Arts Festival, which also takes place in February. Young artists present their works at the festival. As a rule, it ends, at which everyone can purchase the paintings they like. Gourmets should visit the Gastronomic Festival, which usually takes place in March. There are also more unusual celebrations in Hong Kong, the names of which speak for themselves: the Water Sprinkling Festival, the Lantern Festival and the enchanting Dragon Boat Festival are also popular among tourists.
A modern and crowded metropolis, Hong Kong never ceases to amaze its guests with a variety of historical attractions and cultural institutions. Vacationers will enjoy a walk through the Admiralty district, where they can see not only luxurious modern buildings, but also visit attractive restaurants and shopping centers.
Among the natural attractions, Hong Kong Park deserves attention. On its territory, in addition to exotic plants and flowers, you can see beautiful fountains and pools. There is also the famous Museum of Kitchenware, as well as an amphitheater. Man Monastery is located in the historical quarter of Hong Kong. This is a prominent religious landmark that was built to honor the ancient gods of literature.
A very interesting excursion to the Ocean Garden, during which you can not only see the rarest inhabitants of the deep sea, but also relax with the whole family in a beautiful water park. From an architectural point of view, the ancient St. John's Cathedral, the construction of which was completed in 1849, is interesting. The church was built during colonial times and is one of the most striking European architectural monuments. There is also an old botanical garden in Hong Kong, which was founded more than 150 years ago. Its territory is home to about 300 species of birds, as well as rare plant species.
A striking monument of modern architecture is the Peak Tower - a beautiful skyscraper housing a variety of shops, restaurants and bars. There is a large observation deck on the roof of the building, which offers an unforgettable view of the city and its surroundings. Another way to get a bird's eye view of the city is to climb Victoria Peak, which is the highest point in Hong Kong. The height of the peak is 552 meters; a railway funicular takes tourists to the top. At the top, in addition to several observation platforms, there are cozy restaurants with outdoor terraces and souvenir shops.
In 2005, the grand opening of the Hong Kong Disneyland amusement park took place; since then it has become a favorite family vacation spot not only for visitors, but also for local residents. A huge selection of attractions, colorful performances and characters from your favorite fairy tales - every visitor to the park will have an unforgettable journey into the world of fairy tales and fantasies. Tram rides are very popular among tourists, during which one can appreciate the grandeur of historical and modern architectural monuments, as well as natural attractions. Hong Kong is a real Mecca for shopping lovers. There are large shopping complexes and colorful open-air markets here, some of which are open even at night. Be sure to visit the Goldfish Market and Flower Market.
The prestigious Dragon-I club offers its guests an excellent dance floor, a beautiful outdoor terrace with a bar, an indoor bar with a wide selection of drinks and snacks, as well as several lounges for VIP guests. The Volar club is decorated in a futuristic style; fans of electronic music will enjoy relaxing here. The club often hosts themed parties, so you can hear music from other progressive genres here. The hallmark of the prestigious M1NT nightclub is a huge crystal chandelier, which visitors can see in the lobby. The decoration of the hall also deserves the highest praise. There are beautiful soft sofas, elegant tables, a colorful dance floor, and a large aquarium with sharks, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow.
1. Most local residents speak excellent English, so it is quite easy for vacationers to find a “common language” with the local population.
2. It is not customary to leave a tip in cafes and restaurants, but if you wish, you can reward the waiter with an amount of 5–10% of the bill. In taxis, it is customary to round up the bill to the nearest dollar.
3. Most large shopping centers and stores (map of shopping areas) are open seven days a week, but banks and other government agencies may be closed on Saturday and Sunday.
4. When visiting some religious attractions, photography and video shooting are prohibited. Also, travelers are not allowed to photograph strategically important objects: a train station, airport, bridge and other special buildings.
5. It is best for tourists to keep their ID with them at all times; a driver’s license can be an alternative to a passport. Checks are often carried out on the streets of the city, in this way the city authorities are fighting illegal immigrants.
6. In the city you cannot smoke in places where large numbers of people gather, near large government and cultural institutions. At the same time, there are designated smoking areas near all major shopping malls, restaurants and bars.
7. Hong Kong has a well-developed public transport system; you can get to all attractions of interest by bus and subway (map of metro stations). To make traveling even easier, you can purchase a city map showing bus routes.
8. One of the most popular souvenirs that travelers bring from their trips is tea. In local shops, expensive varieties of tea are recommended to be purchased only by those who are really well versed in the types of drink.
Take a taxi and for 2-3 USD get to the zero mile - the Hong Kong government building (Legco Building), built in the colonial style. Why in Colonial? Because just recently Hong Kong was a colony of Great Britain, and in 1912 this building was built by the British. The Hong Kong Government House is a unique historical monument reminiscent of the city's colonial past.
From here you can walk to the tallest building on the island - the second tower of the International Financial Center (IFC 2) - an international commercial complex. Its height is 412.8 meters, 88 floors. And here there are some surprising moments: the 14th and 24th floors are not here, because in the local dialect these numbers are pronunciated close to the phrases “definitely dead” and “easy to die.” The number 8, on the contrary, promises happiness. The upper floors of the building are much higher than the already mentioned Victoria Peak. The skyscraper is located along the coastline of Hong Kong.
Here you can board the Star Ferry, which will take you to mainland Hong Kong - Kowloon. Turning right after leaving the ferry, you will find yourself on the world-famous Avenue of Stars - an analogue of the Hollywood Alley of the same name, opened as planned by the Hong Kong Tourism Commission in 2003. Along the entire length of the alley we can read the names of the most famous people from all over the world.
Symphony of lights - you can't miss it
From here you will definitely pay attention to the laser show “Symphony of Lights” - the most exciting and famous laser show in the whole world. It takes place in the business center of the city, connecting the walls and roofs of twenty skyscrapers simultaneously with bright rays. The show takes place every day at 8 pm.
Most likely, here you will have to end your trip to Hong Kong: the day is coming to an end. But believe me, such a day will be the most eventful and memorable of your life: you have visited all the most famous places in the city. After all, there are few places where you can see so much beauty in 24 hours. This is what distinguishes Hong Kong from many cities, even the most popular among tourists.
61. Hong Kong skyscrapers
Sources
Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia, WikiPedia
hong-kong.ru – Portal about Hong Kong
orangesmile.com – Orange Smile
countries.turistua.com – The best search for tours
Hong Kong– a dynamically developing “state” within a state, playing an important role on the world stage. The ultra-modern city has a special status and, despite the high concentration of modern buildings, highways and industrial facilities, is of particular interest to travelers.
Being a state and the capital of the district of the same name in Hong Kong, Hong Kong has a special status for the PRC, although it is difficult to find anything Chinese in it, except for the large population.
Where is?
Hong Kong or, as it is called, Hong Kong is located on the Kowloon Peninsula, several islands (Hong Kong, Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau), and also owns about 262 small islands scattered throughout the China Sea.
Lantau is considered the largest island in Hong Kong, both in size and population.
Although most of it has not yet been explored due to the numerous mountains and hills, number of inhabitants per 1 sq.m. really impressive here (from 1000 to 3000). A significant part of the region is occupied by the Kowloon Peninsula and the northern coast of Hong Kong Island.
Every year, Hong Kong conquers even more land from the sea, so the country's territory increases slightly in size. Today its area, together with all the adjacent islands, occupies about 1104 sq. km.
Climate
Typical for Hong Kong subtropical climate with cool, as well as with hot, but humid.
In winter time The air warms up to +22°C during the day, and at night the air cools down to +10 degrees. In summer The thermometer column can show temperatures up to +33°C. The typhoon period lasts from May to September.
The former territory was reluctantly settled by people. Exiles were sent here, but the situation changed during the war between China and Japan.
The battle forced many of the country's inhabitants to rush here, so the population increased due to refugees.
In subsequent years, Hong Kong passed to Japan, then returned to Britain again, but in 1997 it was transferred to the PRC and turned into a special administrative region of the country.
Population
About 95% of Hong Kong residents are Chinese, people from Southeast Asia (Indians, Filipinos, Indonesians and Pakistanis) also live here. Most of the population inhabits Kowloon and Hong Kong, but according to statistics, only a third of the territory is occupied in this region, although about 7 million people live here.
Economy
Economically, Hong Kong is quite comprehensively developed. There is own industry, many shopping centers, restaurants, hotels and tourist sites are open. But most of the income to the treasury comes from maritime trade.
Transport
Hong Kong has its own metro, walking around the city Taxi, buses and two-story trams, and they run between the islands ferries.
Hong Kong is a unique region of China, a huge trading platform and an excellent tourist center for an exotic holiday.
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Hong Kong (Hong Kong)- special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. Hong Kong is located on the Kowloon Peninsula, bordered to the west, south and east by the South China Sea, and more than 260 islands. To the north, Hong Kong borders the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in the Chinese province of Guangdong.
Hong Kong is usually divided into three parts: Hong Kong Island itself, Kowloon and the New Territories.
Hong Kong Airport
Hong Kong International Airport Chek Lap Kok Airport or Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong hotels 1 - 5 stars
Hong Kong weather
The climate of Hong Kong is subtropical, monsoon. The cool and dry winter lasts from December to March. Spring and summer in Hong Kong are hot, humid and rainy, autumn is warm, sunny and dry. Such different climates at different times of the year are explained by the different wind directions characteristic of each season. In summer and early autumn, tropical cyclones (typhoons) can pass through Hong Kong.
Hong Kong language
Official language: Chinese
English is widely used.
Hong Kong currency
International name: HKD
The Hong Kong dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 HK$ in four different designs, as well as coins in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents.
There are no currency restrictions in Hong Kong, any currency is freely traded and purchased, although when purchasing with Hong Kong dollars you can get a number of price advantages and discounts.
You can exchange currency at exchange offices in banks (usually the best rate), airports, large stores and most hotels. Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted everywhere, and the ATM network is very extensive.
Visa
Facilitated entry regime
Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong for a period not exceeding 14 days. The purpose of travel should be tourism, transit, visiting friends or relatives, a short-term business visit not related to making a profit in Hong Kong.
Customs restrictions
The import of foreign currency is not limited (declaration is required). Up to 1 liter is imported duty free. alcoholic products, perfumes - no more than 60 ml. and eau de toilette no more than 250 ml. (packaged), tobacco products - no more than 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams. tobacco
The import of weapons (including stun guns and gas cartridges), pornography, counterfeit products, drugs and poisons is prohibited. Some medications, antibiotics, flammable and explosive substances and items are imported only with appropriate permission from local authorities. Valuables (photo and video equipment, jewelry, etc.) must be indicated in the entry declaration; upon departure, the declaration must be presented again. It is prohibited to export valuable items and works of art without a store receipt confirming the legality of the purchase.
Import of animals
The import of animals (even in the case of transit) is permitted only if you have the appropriate documents (valid for 90 days) from local border veterinary control services, as well as a veterinary certificate issued by the relevant veterinary services of the Russian Federation no earlier than 4 days before departure.
Mains voltage
Tips
Office hours
Most banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.00-17.00 with a lunch break from 13.00 to 14.00 and on Saturdays from 9.00 to 12.30-13.00.
Most stores are open from 10.00 to 20.00, large trading houses often continue to work until 21.00-22.00. Many retail outlets are also open on weekends.
Photo and video shooting
Photography in temples and museums is either prohibited or an additional fee is charged for it. The fees for using video cameras are much higher or filming is not allowed at all. Photographing strategic objects (airport, train station, dam, bridge, etc.) is prohibited.
Restrictions
From July 1, 2009, Hong Kong introduced a ban on smoking in public places, including restaurants, bars and even public toilets. In addition, restrictions on smoking on the streets will be tightened - entire “tobacco-free areas” already exist on the island.
Safety
In Hong Kong, you must always carry identification (passport, driver's license, etc.) - immigration authorities often conduct document checks to detain illegal workers and immigrants with expired visas.
Code of the country: +852
Geographic first level domain name:.hk
Emergency numbers
Police, ambulance, fire and emergency services - 999.
– Here it is the future, look, there behind the veil! - Hello everyone, friends, “Heads and Tails. Megacities” is with you. - And we are in the metropolis of megacities - Hong Kong. Infrastructure, technology, highways, skyscrapers, everything is heading upward. Only Olya is closely pressed to the ground by everyday desires for wealth. – You know what, Anton. Let's do this, in Hong Kong I will have tops, like in a fairy tale. And you have roots. - Eagle! - Tails! - Olya, give me the tops. Good luck with the roots. “They might come in handy too, well, probably, ah.” Hong Kong is a metropolis that seems designed to surprise. Did you know that Hong Kong means “fragrant haven”? Why are there more skyscrapers here than in New York? And that Hong Kong has the longest escalator in the world and that it is against the law to spit here? And did you know that skyscrapers in Hong Kong are built with holes to make it easier for dragons to fly? Did not know? Then don't switch for the next 48 minutes. The most famous space explorers: Belka, Strelka, Yura and her. Tesla! Anton. Welcome to the car of the future! Left side traffic. There are two most popular ways to get from the airport to the city. The first is a double-decker bus. The drive is almost an hour. And the second is express. The drive is only 24 minutes. Yes, the express train is 8 and a half dollars more expensive than the bus. BUT he has a lot of bonuses! There are fewer people. Purely. It rushes without stopping. Saves 40 minutes and can take you to the very center of the city. And if you need to go to Hong Kong Island, then the express will take you there too. Tesla Model Es is one big electronic gadget. Instead of all the buttons there is one tablet. You move your finger over it and control the entire machine. Tesla's main super ability is that it can drive without a driver. Tesla can read markings, road signs and traffic lights! We heard that there was a recent case when a driver fell asleep at the wheel, and Tesla was fleeing a police chase at a speed of 112 kilometers per hour! And Tesla is an excellent conversationalist and assistant. She will tell you what the weather is like, the dollar exchange rate, find any address and phone number - even the creator of Tesla himself! What is this! In general, with such bells and whistles, there’s no better car to show off! There's Tesla. And there's Tesla. Tesla again. Look, Teslas are everywhere. And there’s Tesla... Cool, I decided to stand out by taking Tesla. And then what? Tesla too? It's TESLA on the streets of Hong Kong. Tesla runs on electricity, so it produces no emissions. For this, the Hong Kong authorities canceled the tax on the purchase of Tesla, which almost doubled the cost of the car. In other words, the markup was removed by 100 percent! So everyone raked in these Teslas until the shop closed. Hong Kong is the most vertical metropolis in the world. The sky of Hong Kong is held up by 7,685 giants made of concrete and glass! I have never experienced any kind of ardent love for the concrete jungle, but here you look and you are shocked by everything you see. There are more skyscrapers here than in any other metropolis in the world. I'm shocked - these are fifty-story residential buildings. I live on 7 and I’m happy, like it’s high, the view is good, but here it’s fifty stories high. 8 million people live in Hong Kong. But there is catastrophically little space for them to live. The only option to resettle everyone is to build tall candles. The largest number of people above the 14th floor live here. And real estate prices here are terribly high. Are you ready to hear this number? 1 square meter of living space in Hong Kong costs 30 thousand dollars!!! It's like a one-room apartment in Kyiv. Due to the lack of land, apartments here are an incredible luxury! For 800 thousand US dollars you can buy a little room like this with a window. Your feet will be in the neighbor's hallway. And a private house with a plot is generally some kind of unattainable space. The most expensive house is also located in Hong Kong on Victoria Peak. It has four rooms and a swimming pool and costs only 446 million US dollars. [roar] Hey, our producer fell! I wonder who is buying all this? Hong Kong is home to sixty-four billionaires. Nobody even counts how many millionaires there are here. The salary of janitors in Hong Kong is $1,100. Cashier - $1800 per month. These people have already accepted that they will never be able to buy their own home. Now in Hong Kong they are building micro-houses from concrete pipes with a diameter of two and a half meters. There will be a micro shower and a micro bedroom. You can buy such micro-housing for 15 thousand dollars. In general, Hong Kong is a unique metropolis. It's not even a city. The correct name is the special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. This is such a laconic name. Hong Kong and mainland China are, although one country, two completely different systems. It has its own currency, banking system, laws and rules. The language and cuisine are also different from mainland China. Even in appearance, Hong Kong people do not look like ordinary Chinese. They are taller, their skin is lighter and their eye shape is different. And what kind of girls are there? How else is Hong Kong different from China? I'm telling you. Driving here is on the left. Facebook, YouTube and other American social networks are allowed here. Everyone here speaks English. And there is no death penalty here. And imagine, Chinese from the mainland cannot simply enter Hong Kong. They need to get a visa! Oh look, this is the famous Hong Kong double-decker tram. Such trams exist only in Hong Kong and two other cities. Oleg, let's go for a ride, let's go for a ride, shall we? My! Man, I was actually the first to stand. Clear in front! This is the best place to travel on this tram. There is an anthill below, people are running, jumping, rushing around. And you're just watching it so condescendingly. How beautiful it is! Double-decker trams have been crisscrossing Hong Kong for a hundred and ten years! It is also interesting that the stops are designed at such a height that in the event of an emergency, passengers on the second floor will be able to evacuate without breaking their legs. Listen, this is an amazing form of transport, here the mood rises in a matter of seconds. This is just wonderful, a visual tour for little money, I’m delighted! In Hong Kong, wealthy tourists stay in skyscraper hotels. I will be staying at the legendary Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Just a second. Many people call me an ill-mannered bastard. Not at all, slander. Let me invite you to a joint fashion show in the best city hotel in the world, according to the authoritative Forbes magazine “Mandarin Oriental”. Only after you. Did you see how gallant I was? The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, by the way, the very first hotel of the global luxury chain, has everything a rich man needs. Elite shopping. Traditional Chinese Medicine Spa. There is a barbershop where a millionaire’s beard will be trimmed in style, and a millionaire’s hair will be styled. And then they will go to relax in one of the hotel's 10 bars and restaurants. But first the rich man checks into a room! - Now I will show you your suite. - Senkyu. Mr. Denny Lai is the hotel's most experienced employee. He has been here almost from the very beginning and welcomes only VIP guests. - How many years have you been working here? - It's 1947. - Wow, that’s half a century! - You must have seen a bunch of VIP guests! - Oh yes, I accompanied members of royal families, first politicians and world stars to their rooms. Mr. Lai escorted me to the room, which costs 110 thousand hryvnia per night. - Welcome! - Wow. And it's fun here! - If you need anything, let me know and I will instantly fulfill your wish! - Thank you! This room is stylized as the London photo studio of the famous British photographer Lord Patrick Lichfeld. There are pictures of him everywhere. Lord Lichfeld was the most sought-after photographer of the last century. He was the only one Princess Diana entrusted to photograph her wedding. Collectors still buy even unsuccessful photographs for $12,000 apiece. Among all these stars, only one black and white photo is missing. And here is some kind of photo studio. Well, who am I to argue with my upbringing. I was told not to go, I won’t go. Everyone thinks that Hong Kong is one big metropolis. But this is not so - it is divided into several parts. Mainland - everything here is old and traditional. Ostrovnaya - there are new high skyscrapers and mountains. And there are many smaller islands with small villages. We've already admired the skyscrapers, let's go look at old Hong Kong. There are no glass high-rises in the Mong Kok area and billion-dollar transactions are not made here. Here they dry clothes on old balconies... Here the Chinese characters dazzle your eyes... Here they pray to the Buddhist gods... Here they cook dumplings in a bamboo steamer and go to the goldfish markets. The Chinese believe that fish bring money and prosperity because the word “fish” in Chinese sounds like “prosperity.” Look at the fish, what it is!! The Chinese give each other goldfish for any occasion, but the main reason is housewarming. They buy this plastic bag with water and a fish inside. And they go to visit. The tradition is beautiful, but the implementation is not the most humane. For normal existence, a small fish needs 30 liters of water. How many do you think there are here? The fish don't have enough oxygen. They forget to feed them and they just die. The smell of decaying animals, fish, frogs. Look, an aquarium fish is swimming in a puddle. She needs to be saved somehow. How to save her? Do you have any container? Maybe a can? Can I buy a glass from you? What is the price? - Take it for free. - Thanks a lot! I'll save the fish! Fish! Fish in water! See, this is what could have happened to you. I need to give you a name. I'll call you puddle. Little fish, don’t be afraid, we will find a way to help you. Either I will find you a home or new friends. - Do you have an aquarium at home? - Yes, I don’t even have a home here. - And you? - Also no. Who wants a goldfish? I'm giving it away for free! I pulled the fish out of the puddle and am looking for a home for it. Please take her! Will you pick it up? Hooray! I'm happy! Come on, we'll take it, we have a big aquarium at home. Thank you! You are best! Oleg, I lost the fish! To eat at one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong, Meng Wah, I just need to ride the elevator. This hotel has not one, not two, but three Michelin-starred restaurants. I chose Cantonese cuisine for lunch. Looks like origami. -Can you surprise me? - Certainly. Chinese cuisine consists of 8 regional cuisines. Cantonese is a cuisine of southern China. It is famous for its delicious seafood. - And here’s a surprise for you from the chef - pickled jellyfish! - What can people eat jellyfish? - Of course, we eat everything that floats in the water, except for submarines! – I admit, I already have negative experience of eating marine fauna, namely stingray with a tarnished reputation. It was like eating a public toilet. Therefore, I am a little compromised and extremely confused. But I'll try. It smells like spices. Spices with onions and sesame seeds, which interrupts the main smell of meat. I'm going to try now. Where's the meat? There are veins here. Apparently, in order to give the jellyfish some kind of taste, it is simply soaked in spices and on top of the onions, so I don’t feel the taste of this creature at all. Pain in the eyes, in the heart, in the stomach. Jellyfish is a local delicacy. There is no fat in the slippery sea reptile, so Hong Kong people make salads, noodles from jellyfish, and ice cream is made from jellyfish protein. The consistency and feel are very similar to chicken cartilage and, in principle, if you put red pepper and onions in there, it will be the same. You don't have to buy jellyfish. Otherwise, I know you, now run to the nearest supermarket. For a budget tourist, food in Hong Kong is no less strange. What do you think this is? Oranges in mulled wine? You guessed wrong! These are eggs boiled in Pu-Er tea! Do you think this is fried cheese? Wrong guess again! These are radish pies. Does this look like shrimp in batter to you? And again no! These are chicken feet in sweet and sour sauce. Do you think this is miso soup? No! This is the famous Chinese dish “Gui-guodong.” The Chinese consider this dish a “beauty potion” - it reduces inflammation on the skin and makes it soft like a baby. Gui Guodong is served at traditional eateries in the Mong Kok area. Not for everybody. - What is this jelly made of? - This jelly is made from turtle, look! - From a TURTLE???? - Well, yes! Turtle is very good for the skin! I'm like Anton! Don't worry, this jelly is not made from turtle meat, but from the broth in which its shell was cooked! I'm eating turtle! It is recommended to eat turtle jelly with honey to neutralize the bitterness. It’s better with honey, but now with every spoonful I look at that picture. Phew, my blood pressure has gone up. First, the turtle shell is boiled for many hours. Then all kinds of herbs and medicines are added there. This jelly tastes like a bittersweet cough syrup with eucalyptus and licorice root. It’s just as if another liter of linden honey had been poured into it. No, I’m about to puke and I won’t touch a spoon. In Hong Kong, you can travel through time and space without any quantum leaps. You get out of the electric car... you find yourself next to your grandmother, who is performing a very strange ritual. [speaking Chinese] I absolutely agree with you. It is impossible to live on a pension alone. Between the Wanchai and Causeway Bay areas, grandmothers sit under an overpass and do something strange. They hit the brick with a slipper. These grandmothers are witches. They are called here “cursers” of villains. This grandma will protect you from haters. It is enough to write the name of the villain on a piece of paper and she will beat the crap out of him with a slipper. I’m rich, now I’ll go through the entire list. Give me more papers. So, how does witchcraft work? They give you special villainous pieces of paper and you write the names of people or some phenomena that bother you. So that’s the first thing I’m dissatisfied with. Second. I’m also annoyed by haters, the dollar exchange rate, pension reform, roads, football and Olin the stylist. Well, I walked around the top. I agree, I want to drown it more, but it will come up. The ritual begins. Grandmother reads a conspiracy over the sacred fire... And then the grandmother gives the offenders a spanking with a magic slipper! Oh, how much strength do you have? You say my eyes are always red? Don't you like my hat? Did you eat a turtle? Can’t put two words together? All! So. Naturally. We logically put this into the tiger. The Chinese consider the Bai-Hu tiger to be a sacred fighter against evil spirits. The tiger needs to be appeased with a piece of fresh pork. And then both the tiger and the offenders are burned. In addition to the fact that they hit your haters with a slipper, they also apparently remove all the negative energy from you with such a ritual. All in a furnace of resentment! Sorry, I forgot about the main part of the ritual. Exchange of money. The spirits say it's not enough. It all looks, of course, stupid and childish, but if it works, it’s the best investment of 12 dollars in my life. 365 days a year at 8 pm Hong Kong shows tourists a show - “Symphony of Lights”. Everyone says that the best place to watch the show is from Tsim Sha Tsui Bund. But by 8 o’clock there are tons of people there! That’s why I’m renting out a secret place to you – the roof of the Harbor City shopping center! What makes me most happy is that I now have, one might say, a VIP viewing platform, but I didn’t pay anything for this. [music] The show lasts 15 minutes. It involves 47 skyscrapers, lasers, LED screens, spotlights, and everything that can shine! You know, I look at all this flickering and flashing future, and I understand that Hong Kong is absolutely like my unusual cocktail. Everything was mixed up in him. And technology, and traditions, and the past, and the future. Hong Kong has been showing this kind of performance for 15 years. During this time, much more spectacular competitors appeared in the world. In order not to lose face, the Hong Kong authorities every year buy new equipment worth millions of dollars and illuminate new buildings. But still, somehow it doesn’t catch on. You know, this is certainly interesting, but it seems to me that a light show is a very loud name. I would never go for money, but for a free show it will do! Let's go online and see how much housing costs in Hong Kong? Hotels – start from $80! Hostels - from $18, but these are beds in a 6-bed room in an old house. But the incredible happened - free housing appeared in Hong Kong. True, it is located on another island and this is a campsite. But anyone who has been to Hong Kong will understand that this is a real sensation and we are obliged to tell you about it. Hong Kong includes 263 islands. There are islands where only foreigners live, and on the contrary, there are only Hong Kongers. There are even islands where refugees from Africa live. And my campsite is located on Lantau Island - the largest island in Hong Kong. And here it is - my first camping in my life - “Pui O”! - Where do they give out tents here? - We have our own. - Hello, where did you get your tent? - You brought your own! It turned out that at the campsite they only give you free a place for a tent, a place for a barbecue and a toilet. All with tents, and I took a sleeping bag, but I don’t have a tent. - I have a strange question for you - do you have a second tent? - No, we have one. - Thank you, sorry . Oooh, it's rubbish. - Can I spend the night with you in your tent? I'm young!, I won't cause you any trouble! - No, no, I'm here with my family. - Can I spend the night with one of you? I I don’t snore. - Are you alone? - Yeah, alone. - I’ll give you my tent and spend the night with my brother. - Seriously? - Yes. - Can I spend the night in it? God, thank you! I have such joy inside me. I didn’t expect , that someone would respond and I already thought that I would just sleep in a sleeping bag. Hood. Good night. I have slept in a tent, but on the seashore in Hong Kong among strangers - never. And I’m not even scared. How incomparable this is. This is something you can watch and watch, I think I fell in love. Well, where did you go, where did you go? It's dark there! Hong Kong is also beautiful. Good night. This is what I understand, good morning! Warm! This is such a beautiful place and morning that I could spend two days here. But I have to go to Hong Kong. 3 445 901, 3 445 902, 3 445 903 ... Ocean Park is one of the most visited attractions in the world. From 5 to 7 million people per year. So, wait, I didn't count you. Ocean Park combines an amusement park and a zoo. In one part of the park there are swings and carousels for any vestibular system. Very... good... attraction.. It even has the world's first virtual reality attraction, where you fly through the jungle and lava bombs fall on you. There is also a slide for the fearless - “Book of Horrors”! Life has become simpler, I have become a little lighter. When you get angry on the rides, you need to go to the animal part of the park to calm down. There is an aquarium where you can see funny walruses! There is an ice pavilion where you can see king and chinstrap penguins. I told you that the park is very huge. Boy! Which way is Hong Kong? But the biggest stir is caused by pandas! Well, here she is! Here! Panda! Panda! Look at the circles under her eyes, as if she is also the host of Tails. Panda... No, not like that. (affectionately) Paaanndaaa is the cutest animal in the world... No, these are not candies or kozinaki. It's just that pandas are so cute that even their waste products are not disgusting. A short audio phrasebook for communicating with a panda. If you want to make friends with a panda, say... [panda sound] If you want to play with a panda, say... [panda sound 2] If you want to attack a panda, in China it's a life sentence, actually. Oh, these are red pandas, look! Yes, yes, there are not only big black and white pandas in the world. But these are also little red pandas. There are only 2 and a half thousand of them left in the world. If the big panda looks more like a bear, then the small panda looks like a raccoon with a long tail. Do you know what 2 things unite small pandas and giant pandas? Both have a 6th finger. Both of them eat bamboo. That's it... We are actually an educational travel show. Panda cannot be bought. Panda can only be rented for 10 years. The rental price is $1 million per year. All zoos in the world rent pandas from China. And if a panda cub is born there, it also belongs to China. What, we are all more knowledgeable and knowledgeable? On Sunday morning in Hong Kong, I noticed something strange. Hundreds of women are sitting on the ground outside. Some sleep wrapped in rags, others sit on oilcloths like homeless people. At first glance, it may seem like a huge pile of refugees, but if you look closely, you can see good clothes, a good phone, and delicious food. In fact, these are just governesses, because according to the law in Hong Kong, children under 11 years old cannot be alone at home. And they hire governesses. From the Philippines, from Malaysia, from Bangladesh. Governesses live with families 6 days a week. They take care of the house and children. And on Sunday the governesses have a day off while the family spends time together. Women correspond on the Internet and agree where they will meet. This Sunday, Indonesian women had a picnic on a bridge in the Mong Kok area. Malaysians gathered on the pier and held a Zumba master class! And Filipinas occupied one of the central streets on Hong Kong Island and staged a parade in honor of the Philippines! With traditional music... Dancing.. The men dressed up in traditional “Bahag” costumes, which cover only the intimate parts of the body. Imagine how many Filipinos there are here, that there is a Philippine festival here in Hong Kong. There are 150 thousand Filipinas working in Hong Kong! - Why do you choose Hong Kong? - The salary of a governess in Hong Kong is 3 times more than the salary of a teacher in the Philippines - $550 per month. And the closest flight here is from the Philippines - only two hours. - There is a stereotype that governesses from the Philippines take their husbands away from their families. This is true? - Who told you that?! No. We take care of their children and earn money to feed our children. I have a husband and twins. I need to help them, and not take other people’s husbands away. While Hong Kongers build their careers, I work 20 hours a day - cooking, cleaning, shopping and raising their children. Filipinas have been working in Hong Kong families for decades and do not see their husbands, how their children grow up, how they go to university and how they have children of their own. Therefore, every Sunday for Filipinos is a holiday when you can feel like you belong among your own. Treasure hunters. In order to find a bottle in Hong Kong you will need to come down to earth. But believe me, it's worth it. Find the coordinates: Ocean Park, Marriott Hotel, road, bump stop. A bottle with 100 dollars is hidden behind a metal box. Good luck! Hong Kong was founded by Europeans and is inhabited by Asians. Therefore, they are like Yin and Yang, combining opposites. There is a concrete jungle here. And the jungle is natural! There are ultra-modern gadgets here.. - There is Tesla on the streets of Hong Kong. They run alongside road veterans. Here in skyscrapers, bankers conduct deals worth billions. And here, under the bridge, grandmothers tell fortunes using slippers. - How much strength do you have? This is probably what a real megacity should be like. - I got rid of the fish! - I'm young! - I became a little lighter. - Where is the meat? - Hurray! - Are we becoming more and more knowledgeable? Guy, which way is Hong Kong? [sing songs in Chinese] - Never sing, okay? - How good! It's so quiet and beautiful here. - Don't thank me. But during these two days, for the first time I met the most charming and beautiful creature in this world. Olya, I saw a panda! - Ah...Yes... Pandas are very cute. Such good ones. Yes.. And I saved the fish. She was swimming in a puddle, I was walking, saw her and saved her. How beautiful Hong Kong is after all. From the first second it amazes you with its mood to the depths of your soul and you understand that you have fallen in love and will never stop loving this city. What kind of people are here, what kind of landscapes are here. [singing in Chinese] Friends, we will meet you in the next metropolis. Bye! [singing in Chinese]
IN China There are many languages, most of which use a common hieroglyphic script. That is, the meaning of words written in hieroglyphs is clear to speakers of different languages, but these words sound completely different.
One of the languages of China is Yue, common in the southeastern province Guangdong. It is different from the official language of China - Mandarin and is known to Europeans under the name “Cantonese”; it is the one that is most often used in Hong Kong.
Name " Hong Kong" comes from reading the Yue spelling 「香港」 ( hyungkon). The name literally means “Fragrant Harbor” and was historically applied to one of the bays of Hong Kong Island and the villages in it. The British who captured the island named it Hong Kong, through the English the name passed into other languages, including Russian.
The same name read in official Chinese (Mandarin) sounds like Hong Kong, therefore, when designating Hong Kong as a Chinese region, it is often called Hong Kong.
The full name of Hong Kong is 香港特別行政區 - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in Cantonese " hyeonkon takpit hanjinkhoy", in Mandarin " Hong Kong Tebe Xingzhengqu».
Following the English spelling in two words ( Hong Kong), in Russian there are dictionary erroneous spellings: Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong or hyphenated Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong etc.