Until the early 1970s the Star Ferry - founded as the Kowloon Ferry - was the only way to make the journey between Hong Kong island and the Kowloon peninsula and back. Hong Kong Island to the mainland and back. Today it’s still the only way to make the journey if you want to travel in style and see everything Victoria Harbor offers. 

Though there are now train tracks and tunnel enclosed roads, the Star Ferry continues to offer locals and visitors a quick, but delightfully scenic trip. It takes only about 10 minutes across the water from Hong Kong Island’s Central district to the main tourist area in Kowloon or Tsim Sha Tsui and other areas nearby. Continue Reading

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Hong Kong being itself an island, there are others less well known but equally worth a visit. Lantau Island, facing the South China Sea and home to the famed giant Buddha statue and exquisite Po Lin Monastery, is the central starting point for visits to these historical treasures.

Lantau Island itself houses much more than the Po Lin monastery and famous Tian Tan Buddha. A short bike ride from the monastery is Mui Wo, located at Silvermine Bay. This location was named after the 19th century silver mines that provided wealth for some and hope for others. Though the Silvermine Cave where most of the digging took place is now sealed off for safety reasons, the area still offers much to see. The peaceful coastal waters and many trails aside lush greenery make the side trip well worth the effort. Continue Reading

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While many large cities have skyscrapers that offer a view from the top, Hong Kong gives its visitors Victoria Peak with its 1,810 feet (552m), higher than any existing skyscraper.

Thanks to the cooling sea breezes of the East China Sea and the humid, hot summers the mountainside is alive with near-tropical vegetation. And if you have a sharp eye you will occasionally pick out some of the many animal residents of the area, as well.

Looking down, you can get an expansive view of the ultra-modern city and the ancient harbor Victoria Harbor, always buzzing with the departure and arrival of ships that carry passengers and goods to and from China to every port on the globe. Continue Reading

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Like many international metropoli composed of immigrants, Shanghai is a bustling boom town. But whereas Manhattan grew explosively in the 19th century, Shanghai is experiencing that phenomenon now.

Rapidly becoming a world economic powerhouse, there is more construction occurring in Shanghai than anywhere else on Earth. Hundreds of cranes daily swing girders over the streets as the inhabitants (approaching 20 million) speed by below. Continue Reading

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