Hong Kong Island

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Hong Kong - The Fragrant Harbour!

The Chinese characters for Hong Kong (pronounced "Heung Gong" in Cantonese) mean "fragrant harbor" or "incense harbor". The name was originally applied to what's now known as Aberdeen Harbor--a small harbor on the south side of Hong Kong Island across from the island of Ap Lei Chau. (Aberdeen is still called "Heung Gong Tsai" in Cantonese by the Chinese locals.) Incense grown north of Kowloon was stored around Aberdeen Harbor for export before Victoria Harbor (now the Internationally most recognized harbor representing Hong Kong) was developed. Hong Kong is still fairly "fragrant" - but it's mostly the aroma of salt-spray mixed in with a bit of the scent of numerous restaurants, flower stalls, and markets (and, of course, diesel fuel other exhausting fumes). From where I was exploring on the island, it was mostly a mildly pleasant smell.... exotic in many different ways.

This Squidoo lens is an attempt to share some of the cool things I've found out about Hong Kong during my travels there!
Morning First Glimpse of Hong Kong Island (and Bank of China Tower) Across the Harbor from Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui District

Morning First Glimpse of Hong Kong Island (and Bank of China Tower) Across the Harbor from Kowloon's Tsim Sha Tsui District 

Hong Kong City and Hong Kong's Victoria Peak in Background as Seen from Kowloon

Hong Kong City and Hong Kong's Victoria Peak in Background as Seen from Kowloon 

Using the Star Ferry is Only One of the Ways to Get to Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island's Central Pier BuildingHong Kong's Central Pier is where the popular and famous Star Ferries pull up after coming across the harbour from Kowloon. Other ways of getting here include the taxis and buses coming across the harbour tunnel or taking the Express Train under the harbour. From the pier on the Kowloon side you can see the skyline of Hong Kong Island. During the day, this view is impressive. At night, the view is positively inspiring!

I love going across the harbor (or harbour) by the Star Ferry -- the first time I rode one of these was in the summer of 1971. The last time I rode one of these was in December 2008. During all that time, they don't seem to have changed much. When I crossed in 1971, the harbour was festooned with many gray British warships, ferries, yachts, tankers, freighters, container ships, and lots of small boats of all sorts of shapes and sizes--it was amazing that they all seemed to move about without running into each other. In 2008, the warships were gone--although now the presence of People's Republic of China (PRC) gunships and patrol boats was obvious (every harbour requires a police force of some sort to maintain order, and Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour is no exception).

The other ways to cross the harbour to Hong Kong from Kowloon is by the transharbour tunnel by car or bus, or by one of the express trains. If you are out and about after midnight in Hong Kong or Kowloon, if you want to get across the harbour, you'll have to take the tunnel!

Good Info to Get You Up To Speed When You Visit Hong Kong!

If you don't see what you want here, click on one of the items below, then type a more specific keyword in the search box on the site.

Hong Kong Complete Residents' Guide by Explorer Publishing

Hong Kong Complete Residents' Guide by Explorer Publishing

The Hong Kong Explorer is like a manual for living, more...0 points

Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides: Hong Kong (Eyewitness Travel Top 10) by DK Publishing

Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides: Hong Kong (Eyewitness Travel Top 10) by DK Publishing

A better value than all the competition, these pocket more...0 points

Frommer's Hong Kong (Frommer's Complete) by Beth Reiber

Frommer's Hong Kong (Frommer's Complete) by Beth Reiber

Frommer's. The best trips start here. Experience a more...0 points

Insight Fleximap Hong Kong

Insight Fleximap Hong Kong

Hong Kong Insight FlexiMap features detailed regio more...0 points

Living and Working in Hong Kong: The Complete Practical Guide to Expatriate Life in China's Gateway by Rachel Wright

Living and Working in Hong Kong: The Complete Practical Guide to Expatriate Life in China's Gateway by Rachel Wright

Hong Kong has an unashamed reputation for hardcore more...0 points

A Modern History of Hong Kong by Steve Tsang

A Modern History of Hong Kong by Steve Tsang

From a little-known fishing community at the perip more...0 points

Hong Kong - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette by Claire Vickers

Hong Kong - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette by Claire Vickers

Culture Smart! provides essential information on a more...0 points

Hong Kong's Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Hong Kong's Mandarin Oriental Hotel 

Hong Kong's Convention and Conference Center as seen from a Star Ferry

Hong Kong's Convention and Conference Center 

Afternoon sun reflection on Hong Kong's tallest building (118-storeys): International Commerce Centre (completed in 2010)

Afternoon sun reflection on Hong Kong's tallest building (118-storeys): International Commerce Centre (completed in 2010) 

Hong Kong Goodies for Decoration or for Wearing!

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Additional Information About Stuff You May Find in Hong Kong!

Chinese New Year - Information on What This Is All About!
This Squidoo lens provides an amazing amount of information on what the Chinese New Year is all about this interesting time of the year and the customs that surround it.
Kowloon - The Land of Nine Dragons
Kowloon - across Victoria Harbor (aka Harbour) from Hong Kong Island. The Chinese characters for Kowloon mean "Nine Dragons"... this Squidoo lens provides information about this interesting area of China!
Lantau Island - Home of Hong Kong's International Airport (HKIA) and More!
This Squidoo lens provides information on Lantau Island - home of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the Hong Kong Disneyland, and the Po Lin Monastery and Great Buddha! Find information about Lantau Island here!
Hong Kong Space Museum
The Hong Kong Space Museum is physically in Kowloon in the Tsim Sha Tsui District. This interesting museum is only a few steps away from the Kowloon Star Ferry Terminal.
Hong Kong Hotels Causeway Bay Area Map
This map provides some description of the Causeway Bay Area of Hong Kong--provided by the Hong Kong Hotels.

Hong Kong by the Bay... eBay, That Is!

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Victoria Peak Tram to "The Peak" - The Building at the End of Hong Kong's Tram

The Peak - The Building at the End of Hong Kong's Victoria Peak TramTo go to "The Peak" (the end of the Victoria Peak Tram line on Victoria Peak), we took a double-decker bus from the Star Ferry terminal at Central Pier that made its way through Hong Kong City to the lower terminal of the Peak Tram. After getting off the bus (we rode on the top deck, of course), we bought our tickets for the scenic ride up Victoria Peak. For much of the ride, the tram moved along the rails at what seemed to be a 45-degree angle--even more sometimes.

The views from the tram were spectacular--both the vegetation along the tracks as well as the occasional view of Hong Kong City, Victoria Harbour, and Kowloon and the new territories in the distance.
A Hong Kong Park Viewing Tower as Seen from the Hong Kong Peak Tram

A Hong Kong Park Viewing Tower as Seen from the Hong Kong Peak Tram 

Hong Kong Peak Tram Upper Terminal Arrival-Departure Area

Hong Kong Peak Tram Upper Terminal Arrival-Departure Area 

Viewing Area just below the Hong Kong Peak Tram Station, Tram Coming Up to Terminal

Viewing Area just below the Hong Kong Peak Tram Station, Tram Coming Up to Terminal 

Rickshaws for Sale - Honest Joh's Rickshaw Emporium at Central Pier, Hong Kong (Just Kidding)

Rickshaws for Sale - Honest Joh's Rickshaw Emporium at Central Pier, Hong Kong (Just Kidding) 

Sights and SOUNDS of Hong Kong!

This section of the lens provides more than just the images--but also the sounds you may hear here!

Symphony of Lights (with Music) Hong Kong Harbour Laser Show
by MM2008MMUK | video info

30 ratings | 36,330 views
curated content from YouTube
Sunset View of the South China Sea from Hong Kong's Victoria Peak (The Peak) Tram Terminal

Sunset View of the South China Sea from Hong Kong's Victoria Peak ("The Peak") Tram Terminal 

Road from Hong Kong City around Island to Stanley Market

Road from Hong Kong City around Island to Stanley Market 

View of Stanley Market from the Taxi Drop-Off Point

View of Stanley Market from the Taxi Drop-Off Point 

Another View of Stanley Market, Hong Kong Island

Another View of Stanley Market, Hong Kong Island 

Boat in Stanley Harbor, Hong Kong Island, at Sunset

Boat in Stanley Harbor, Hong Kong Island, at Sunset 

Quaint and Cozy Restaurant on Side Street of Stanley Market, Hong Kong Island

Quaint and Cozy Restaurant on Side Street of Stanley Market, Hong Kong Island 

Night-time View of Stanley Market Main Street, Hong Kong Island

Night-time View of Stanley Market Main Street, Hong Kong Island 

Hong Kong and Area as Told in Stories

Fiction based on the facts (and mythology) surrounding the area

Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester

Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester

This is the story of four people whose intertwined more...0 points

Tai-Pan by James Clavell

Tai-Pan by James Clavell

Dirk Straun, a pirate, smuggler, and ruthless indi more...0 points

Noble House by James Clavell

Noble House by James Clavell

The setting is Hong Kong, 1963. The action spans s more...0 points

Historic Government Building, Downtown Hong Kong City, Hong Kong Island

Historic Government Building, Downtown Hong Kong City, Hong Kong Island 

Night View of Hong Kong City, Hong Kong Island

Night View of Hong Kong City, Hong Kong Island 

Hong Kong Skyline Lightshow as Viewed from Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Terminal)

Hong Kong Skyline Lightshow as Viewed from Kowloon (Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Terminal) 

Ni Hao! If You're Dropping By, Say "Hi!"

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Fascinating History of Hong Kong! 

A Modern History of Hong Kong

Amazon Price: $20.69 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

This book has a lot of old and rare photos and narratives about the history of Hong Kong--great for any history buff or for those wanting to better understand the culture of this fascinating South Asian Island!

Guide to Hong Kong! 

Hong Kong (City Guide)

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

From a book originally written in German, this English translation describes all sorts of attractions and sites in this interesting city/island.

From the folks who always have the best photography and stories! 

National Geographic!

National Geographic Traveler: Hong Kong, 3rd Edition

Amazon Price: $13.10 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

This book combines the amazing capabilities of the National Geographic photographers with the stories of well-traveled writers to create this compendium of Hong Kong experiences. Perfect if you really want to KNOW the place before you go there!