Hong Kong sparkles

Some people and places have the grit, the gift and the generosity to remain great. A decade after launching into a new era and a new formula of governance, Hong Kong is a greater metropolis than ever before. History made Hong Kong and now Hong Kong is making history.

Today, Hong Kong celebrates the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) under the unique ‘One Country, Two Systems’ formula, never before seen anywhere in the modern world. It was considered the quietest, smoothest transition in contemporary politics. The reunification has grown from an untested idea into a living, breathing reality. The duality of being a part of China and a part of the world, is what is magical about the place. Hong Kong has undoubtedly continued to build and enhance the legacy it inherited.

In the spirit of celebration, Hong Kong will hoist its flag and commence a series of events that will bring its people together. Four hundred and sixty events are on the boards for celebrations that commenced in April and will go on till December. Amidst the fanfare that will engulf the whole region, the highlights today will include parades, carnivals and pyrotechnics that will culminate in a ‘Symphony of Lights’ – a spectacular fire-works display over the night skies of the scenic Hong Kong harbour.

With the focus on youth, the launch kicks-off a series of youth exchange programmes with Mainland China and Macau. Apart from open forums; art, photography and design competitions, tree planting and greening day campaigns, marathon walks and educational tours to Mainland China - the Big Celebration Party will see ten thousand youth set off from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, China to join hands in a mass celebration. Over 1000 youth will travel to Beijing to learn about Beijing’s plans for the Olympics in 2008. In a ‘10,000 Mile Friendship Trek’ 400 youngsters from Beijing and Macau will visit Hong Kong to study its social and economic advancement.

Visiting Hong Kong exactly ten years after my first visit, I joined a group of Out-bound Travel Agents invited to join in the spirit of celebrations on a tour of the region’s finest tourist attractions and a ‘Meet the People’ programme carefully planned by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB). I was amazed at what I saw during this fleeting visit. The impressions I felt have been with me long after I left the shores of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong visitor arrivals have topped the 25 million mark in 2006 registering the highest ever figures. Arrivals dipped to an all-time low in the mid and late 90’s as the world opted to wait and watch how two totally different systems would gel together. It suffered the ill-effects of the Thai baht collapse and the Korean economic downturn sparking an East Asian financial crisis. Then came the Avian Flu and the SARS virus, reducing confidence levels to a minimum but these are now totally under control. Hong Kong has been resilient to come out of it all.

A sense of security, order, discipline and economic prosperity in a lively yet culturally rich atmosphere pervades the region. It has retained its cosmopolitan and international feel and grown into an even more diverse place to live. Once the domain of western expatriates, Hong Kong has now gone global with diverse communities making it their second home. In essence it is very Chinese with more than a hint of western influences and standards.

The National Geographic names Hong Kong as a ‘must-visit’ travel destination and ‘One of the 50 places to visit in a lifetime’. Hong Kong tells the world to come, discover the ‘soul’ of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has it all. Connecting Hong Kong island, Kowloon Peninsular, Lantau, the New Territories and 200 islands is a public and private transport system that is on par with the best in the world. From laid-back romantic tram rides to fast underground rail systems, ferry services, city and open-top buses for sight-seeing, railway, airport shuttle services, double deckers, charter coaches, taxis and limousines - all make the transport grid.

To take part in the living culture of Hong Kong, HKTB has created the Cultural Kaleidescope Programme for visitors, giving a special opportunity to appreciate and get an insight into its everyday life – a unique way to experience Asia’s World City.

Aboard the last authentic Chinese Junk – the Duk Ling, you’ll navigate through the luxury cruise ships in the Hong Kong harbour for a 360 degree view of the city’s impressive skyline. Originally owned by Chinese fishermen, the Duk Ling is typical of the junks that sailed Hong Kong’s waters for hundreds of years.

You can indulge in a Tai Chi class to learn the graceful movements that help to balance the ‘yin’ and the ‘yang’ for both mind and body of this traditional Chinese practice. Hong Kong is making this beguiling, healthful art easily available to its visitors. It’s a familiar sight to see Chinese, Europeans, and Asians performing Tai Chi either at the Sculpture Court or at the Peak Tower rooftop’s viewing terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui. Kowloon Park becomes the perfect open-air venue for the Sunday Kung Fu lesson, an ideal place for the whole family to spend an afternoon. Members of the public are invited to try their skills and the instructors are only too happy to show the way of KungFu.

The practice of Feng Shui, meaning ‘wind and water’ plays a significant part in designing one’s home or office. The age old Chinese belief that cosmological influences affect our lives, Feng Shui helps to identify the good effects of living in harmony with natural elements. Thousands, both Chinese and foreign visitors attend these lectures to get a better understanding of how to live close to nature but yet live in an affluent environment.

Other traditional knowledge Hong Kong wishes to share with its visitors are the secrets of the Chinese ceramic and porcelain ware specially of the Ming and Quing dynasties. You can learn the intricacies that go into brewing and drinking Chinese Tea, identifying diamonds, pearls and jade, Chinese cake making, the basics of Chinese medicine and Chinese opera to make your trip all the more memorable at no cost.

If you are a museum buff, you can choose from 26 museums that tell the stories of modern history, Chinese art forms, culture and science. Most children in the Asian region are yet to experience the magic of the Hong Kong Disneyland and Asia’s foremost Oceanarium in the Ocean Park.

Quite contrary to the perception that Hong Kong is a concrete jungle, 70 per cent of Hong Kong is lush green vegetation, yet to be explored. Forty per cent of it has been dedicated to country parks. A total of 200 islands dot the Hong Kong waters.

You can venture out to see Hong Kong by rail or even by foot. Wear your best walking shoes, get hold of one of five Walking Route Maps and see Hong Kong by foot – a very pleasant way to sense one of the cleanest cities in the world. World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report-2007 ranked Hong Kong as the number one city in the world for Best Health & Hygiene and Asia’s most attractive environment for developing travel and business tourism.

The Architecture Walk offers a wealth of building influences that will explain the evolution of the city. Taking in sights such as the Central Police Station, the Fringe Club and the French Mission building, your tour host will explain special characteristics that make the structures unique in history. Against the apartment blocks that thrust skyward, these historic buildings create a dramatic contrast and balance.

A leisurely stroll through the exotic day and night markets will not only offer bargains but give you an insight into the lives of the Hong Kong people. The weather is just right for strolls and safe enough for late evening walks along any dark alley, with a reputation to be one of the safest cities in the world. Hong Kong also has some of the trendiest and classiest night spots in Asia. The buzz starts with the happy hour at trendy night districts of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai (most famous of all), Lan Kwai Fong, SoHo on Hong Kong island and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. They say, a place to fit every mood – sophisticated wine bars, pubs, night clubs and hostess bars.

A romantic tram ride can be a laid-back, inexpensive, fun way to see Hong Kong. You can go from west to east and see the residential areas or witness the hustle and bustle of the central, Wan Chai or the shopping area of Causeway Bay.

On July 1, 1997, ten years ago, the world watched as Hong Kong underwent a seismic moment in history, transforming itself from a country to a region in mainland China. Many left Hong Kong for good, but others who stayed on realised that there is no other metropolis that can match the efficiency and the drive that is evident in the spirit of Hong Kong. Some say there is no smarter place to live than Hong Kong.

Its economy and infrastructure facilities have never been more advanced, the rule of law prevails, there is almost zero corruption and business practices maintain a high level of transparency. Hong Kong must have been blessed with truly far-sighted, honest leaders to achieve the miracle that it is today.

Hong Kong has become one of the world’s most successful markets. Looking into the future, the Mainland and Hong Kong see closer trade and economic relations with the enhancement of the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement which will make further opportunities available as the Mainland markets open. Commissioning of infrastructure projects that join the regions include the Shenzhen River Regulation Project, commissioning of the Hong Kong – Shenzhen Western Corridor enhancing HKSAR’s status as a business, trade and logistics hub in the Pearl River Delta, further expanding trade with the southern Mainland. Another addition is the opening of the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line expanding the capacity of cross border railway. Hong Kong truly reflects its slogan ‘Asia’s World City’.