Hong Kong 香港

Finance Central By HKmPUA. Sourced via Flickr under All rights reserved.

Hong Kong Special Administration Region (香港特別行政區), is located in the south of the People's Republic of China in the Peal River delta area of the South China Sea. It consists of a number of islands and the mainland Kowloon peninsula. It has only one land border to the North with Guandong (Canton) Province It is only a short distance by sea to Macau, China's only other Special Administration Region. The island of Hong Kong was taken over from the Chinese, initially by the Dutch, and then by the British, during the 18th Century. The Opium wars between Britain and China resulted in Britain obtaining a lease to expand Hong Kong, deeper into the New Territories of the Kowloon Peninsula. In 1997, at the end of the 100 year lease, the whole of the Hong Kong territory was returned to China. The Chinese instituted a system of "One Country, Two Systems." This created China's first Special Administration Region in Hong Kong. As a result, Hong Kong is highly autonomous with its own government and laws, distinct from that of the rest of the Peoples Republic. Hong Kong maintains its own Immigration and Custom controls and travel between the SAR and the mainland requires the same documentation, checks and procedures as traveling to a foreign country.

Tourist Attractions

Below is a list of tourist attractions in Hong Kong:

Victoria HarborLocated between Hong Kong main island and Kowloon. Anywhere on the waterfront. The quintessential view of Hong Kong is of Victoria Harbour surrounded by the skyscrapers of the city and mountains behind. You haven't seen Hong Kong if you haven't seen Victoria Harbour. Generally free but boat cruses cost from 50 HKD upwards.

AberdeenAberdeen, South District, Hong Kong, China. For those who want to get out of the urban jungle, Aberdeen, just a short drive from Central, offers traditional Chinese village life on house boats.

Lantau Island (Dàyǔ shān): The easiest way to get to Lantau island is by MTR. Alternatively, Frist Ferries operates from Hong Kong Central to Mui Wo on Lantau island. Ferry tickets cost from 6.50 HKD upwards. The largest island in Hong Kong SAR is a sparsely populated leisure paradise, away from the biz of the city.

Avenue of StarsTsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. Near to Tsim Sha Tsui East MTR station in Kowloon. A promenade along the Kowloon waterfront near to Tsim Sha Tsui East MTR station. It is basically a copy of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where various stars of the silver screen have hand prints made into the concrete of the pavement. This location is open 24 hours a day. The Avenue of Stars is free of charge.

Bank of China Tower

Cheung Chau Island

HK Convention and Exhibition Centre

Hong Kong Arts Museum10 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. On the Kowloon waterfront near the Space Museum and the Avenue of The Stars. Go to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station. Phone: 852 2721 0116 ‎. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturdays 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Closed on Thursdays. Admission is $10 HKD but free on Wednesdays.

Hong Kong Disneyland ParkLantau Island, Hong Kong. The easiest way to get there is by MTR. The park has it's own station, Disneyland Resort Station. You need to change trains at Sunny Bay on the Tung Chung line. Phone: +86 852 1830830. A little bit of the magic of Disneyland in China. Hong Kong Disneyland is the oldest theme park in Hong Kong. It's also the smallest of all the Disneyland parks in the world. Regular admission HK$295 (US$38/£19) adults, HK$170 (US$22/£11) seniors, HK$210 (US$27/£14) children.

Hong Kong Equestrian Federation6/F., Central Complex, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Shatin Race Course, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong In Shatin town in the New Territories. Phone: 852 2966 5078. The Hong Kong Equestrian Foundation holds various Equestrian events throughout the year. These include Horse Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. The highlight events are international calader which includes the F.E.I. World Jumping Challenge, the F.E.I. World Dressage Challenge and the F.E.I. World Children’s Jumping Competition.

Hong Kong ParkIn Central District, next to the High Court building and behind the Pacific Shopping Centre. Phone: 852 2521 5041. Right in the centre of Central Hong Kong, there is a space, between the skyscrapers, where trees and grass grows. This is Hong Kong Park. A great place to relax in the middle of a busy day shopping or working. The park is surrounded by many of Hong Kong's tallest towers making it a place of stark contrasts. Modern buildings juxtaposed with the natural forms of trees, bamboo and flowers. Open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm every day. Free

Hong Kong St. John's CathedralGarden Road, Central, Hong Kong. Just downhill from the lower station of the Peak Tram. Up hill from Cheung Kong Park in Central District. Phone: 852 2523 4157. The Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist is the Anglican cathedral for Hong Kong. St. John's Cathedral, which opened for service on Sunday, 11 March 1849, is the oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in Hong Kong, and the oldest Anglican church in the Far East.

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical GardenCotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong Just uphill from the Peak Tram station and St. John's Cathedral in Central District. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Garden is located in Central district behind Government House. It is a conveniently located large park right in the middle of Hong Kong's most crowded area.

Kowloon Walled City ParkTung Tau Tsuen Road, Hong Kong Located about 500m south of Lok Fu MTR station. Phone: 852 2716 9962. Kowloon Walled City was once famous. This ancient walled village was a no man's land created when Hong Kong was signed over to the British. Kowloon Walled City was retained under Chinese control even though it was entirely surrounded by British lands. The British had no authority there so it became a haven drugs, gambling and prostitution. By the 1990's it had developed into a high rise slum where some 30,000 lived in an area of just 90 by 100 metres. In 1992, the inhabitants were re-housed. A small park now covers the site. Some remains of the older buildings can still be seen in the corner of the park. Entry is free.

Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

Lamma Island

luen wo market

Madame TussaudsThe Peak Tower No. 128 Peak Road The Peak, Hong Kong The best way to get there is is by the Peak Tram from Central district. There is a combo discount ticket that includes the Peak Tram and Madame Tussauds. This costs $185 HKD for adults and $95 HKD for kids.. Several bus routes also go here. Originally a key London attraction, Madame Tussauds has branched out and now has it's wax work museums all over the world. Here you can view life size models of the rich and famous. If you ever wanted to have your photograph taken next to President Obama or Michael Jackson, this is your chance. Since this is the Hong Kong branch of Tussauds, the stars have a distinct Chinese preference but there will still be plenty of international faces that you will recognize. Open from 10:00am - 10pm daily (last admission: 9:45pm). Entry costs $160 HKD for adults and $90 HKD for children.

Mai Po Nature Wildlife Natural Reserve

Man Mo Temple126 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong. Phone: 852 2540 0350 ‎. A popular temple in Central Hong Kong near to the Soho district. Of note are the many coiled incense burners hanging from the roof that are particular to the south of China. Entry is free.

Ocean ParkOcean Park, Aberdeen, Hong Kong On the south side of Hong Kong island in Aberdeen. Busses run from Central. Phone: 852 3923 2323. Hong Kong's largest theme park, Ocean Park, is located on the south side of Hong Kong island, in the town of Aberdeen. The park is a major tourist attraction including zoo animals, aquariums, dolphin shows and amusement rides. The kids will love it. This large park will easily consume a full day. The site is split over two areas on opposite sides of a mountain. To travel between the two areas, you must either take the underground train ride or the cable car ride. The main attraction in the park are the Giant Pandas and the Red Pandas that are in the north area of the park. Open from 9am. Admission is $250 HKD for adults and $125 HKD for children.

Repulse Bay

Sam Tung Uk Museum

Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island

Space Museum

Stanley Market

Tai Fu Tai in Suntin

Tai O

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Tsing Ma Bridge

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island

Tian Tan Buddhist TemplePo Lin Monastery, Ong Ping, Lantau Island It's highly recommended that visitors take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride which gives a spectacular way to access this temple. For those scared of hights, you can take Bus No. 23 at the bus station outside Tung Chung MTR. Phone: 852 2985 5248. Tian Tan Temple, also known as The Big Buddha is one of the largest statues in China and the largest bronze Buddha statue in the worlds. It is situated on the top of a hill near Ngong Ping village. From the platform at the base of the statue, you can get spectacular panoramic views of North Lantau Island Park, the mountains and the sea. Open everyday from 10 am to 5:30 pm.

Ngong Ping 36011 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong The cable car station is just a few hundred yards from Tung Chung MTR station on Lantau Island. Phone: 852 3666 0606. Ngong Ping 360 is a spectacular cable route that runs from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping village offering visitors spectacular views of North Lantau Island Country Park. Though not for people with vertigo, this is an extra special event that shouldn't be missed. At the destination point of Ngong Ping village, there are a selection of tourist shops, restaurants and cafes. Just along the road a little is the Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Big Buddha which are worth the trip in themselves. Open weekdays 10:00am - 6:00pm and weekends 9:00 am - 6:30pm. A oneway ticket costs $80 HKD. There are a wide variety of ticket options with a return journey plus the shows at Ngong Ping village coming to a combined price of $176 HKD per adult. Discounts apply for children and senior citizens. Check the website for full ticket details.

Tung Chung Fort

Trappist Haven Monastery (Xidu Huishen Le Yuan): Access by footpath only. Begin at Nim Shue Wan in Discovery Bay and walk towards Mui Wo. The Monastery is half way between the two. Located in the quiet of Lantau island, the Roman Catholic Trappist Monastery is a little known attraction away from the crowds and noise of Hong Kong. Dating to 1952, the monastery is only accesable by foot, over the mountains, or by ferry. Visitors wishing to sample the monastic life are welcome and there is a guest house for overnight stays.

Lantau North Country Park

Lantau South Country Park

Po Lin Monastery

Discovery Bay

Lantau Trail

History

Image via Wikipedia

Human settlement in the area now known as Hong Kong dates back to the late Paleolithic and early Neolithic era, but the name Hong Kong (香港) did not appear on written record until the Treaty of Nanking of 1842. The area's earliest recorded European visitor was Jorge Álvares, a Portuguese explorer who arrived in 1513.

In 1839 the refusal by Qing Dynasty authorities to import opium resulted in the First Opium War between China and Britain. Hong Kong Island became occupied by British forces in 1841, and was formally ceded to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking at the end of the war. The British established a Crown Colony with the founding of Victoria City the following year. In 1860, after China's defeat in the Second Opium War, Kowloon Peninsula south of Boundary Street and Stonecutter's Island were ceded to Britain under the Convention of Peking. In 1898 Britain obtained a 99-year lease of Lantau Island and the adjacent northern lands, which became known as the New Territories.

During the first half of the 20th century, Hong Kong was a free port, serving as an entrepôt of the British Empire. The British introduced an education system based on their own model, while the local Chinese population had little contact with the European community of wealthy tai-pans settled near Victoria Peak.

In conjunction with its military campaign in World War II, the Empire of Japan invaded Hong Kong on 8 December 1941. The Battle of Hong Kong ended with British and Canadian defenders surrendering control of the colony to Japan on 25 December. During the Japanese occupation, civilians suffered widespread food shortages, rationing, and hyper-inflation due to forced exchange of currency for military notes. Hong Kong lost more than half of its population in the period between the invasion and Japan's surrender in 1945, when the United Kingdom resumed control of the colony.

Hong Kong's population recovered quickly as a wave of mainland migrants arrived for refuge from the ongoing Chinese Civil War. With the proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, more migrants fled to Hong Kong in fear of persecution by the Communist Party. Many corporations in Shanghai and Guangzhou also shifted their operations to Hong Kong. The colony became the sole place of contact between mainland China and the Western world, as the Chinese communist government increasingly isolated itself from outside influence.

As textile and manufacturing industries grew with the help of population growth and low cost of labour, Hong Kong rapidly industrialised, with its economy becoming driven by exports, and living standards rising steadily. The construction of Shek Kip Mei Estate in 1953 marked the beginning of the public housing estate program, designed to cope with the huge influx of immigrants. Trade in Hong Kong accelerated even further when Shenzhen, immediately north of Hong Kong, became a Special Economic Zone of the PRC, and established Hong Kong as the main source of foreign investment to the mainland. The later decades of the 20th century saw the economy shift from textiles and manufacturing to mainly services-based, as the financial and banking sectors became increasingly dominant.

With the lease of the New Territories due to expire within two decades the governments of the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China discussed the issue of Hong Kong's sovereignty in the 1980s. In 1984 the two countries signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing to transfer sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997, and stipulating that Hong Kong would be governed as a special administrative region, retaining its laws and a high degree of autonomy for at least fifty years after the transfer. The Hong Kong Basic Law, which would serve as the constitutional document after the transfer, was ratified in 1990, and the transfer of sovereignty occurred at midnight on 1 July 1997, marked by a handover ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Hong Kong's economy was affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1997 that hit many East Asian markets, and the lethal H5N1 avian influenza also surfaced that year. After a gradual recovery, Hong Kong suffered again due to an outbreak of SARS in 2003. Today, Hong Kong continues to serve as an important global financial centre, but faces uncertainty over its future role with a growing mainland China economy, and its relationship with the PRC government in areas such as democratic reform and universal suffrage.

People and Culture

The population density per district varies from 783 (Islands) to 52,123 (Kwun Tong) per sq. km. Before the combination of Mong Kok and Yau Tsim districts in 1995, Mong Kok District had the highest density (~120,000 /km²). The following figures come from the 2006 Population By-census. Note that the median monthly per capita income is deduced from the median monthly domestic household income, the average domestic household size and the labour force.

Residents of Hong Kong are sometimes referred to as Hongkongers. The territory's population reached 6.99 million in 2006. Hong Kong has a fertility rate of 0.95 children per woman, one of the lowest in the world and far below the 2.1 children per woman required to sustain the current population. However, the population in Hong Kong continues to grow due to the influx of immigrants from mainland China, approximating 45,000 per year. Life expectancy in Hong Kong is 81.6 years as of 2006, the sixth highest in the world.

About 95% of the people of Hong Kong are Chinese by ethnicity, the majority of which is Cantonese or from linguistic groups such as Hakka and Chiu Chow. The remaining 5% of the population is composed of non-ethnic Chinese forming a highly visible group despite their smaller numbers. A South Asian population of Punjabis, Sindhis, Indians, Pakistanis and Nepalese are found. Some Vietnamese refugees have become permanent residents of Hong Kong. There are also a number of Europeans (mostly British), Americans, Australians, Canadians, Japanese, and Koreans working in Hong Kong's commercial and financial sector. Most British left after handover to China in 1997.

Hong Kong's de-facto official language is Cantonese, a Chinese language originating from Guangdong Province to the north of Hong Kong (of which Hong Kong was part before British colonial rule), and is spoken by 95% of the population as a first language. English is also an official language, and according to a 1996 by-census is spoken by 3.1% of the population as an everyday language and by 34.9% of the population as a second language. Signs displaying both Chinese and English are common throughout the territory. Since the 1997 handover, an increase in immigrants from mainland China and greater integration with the mainland economy have brought an increasing number of Mandarin speakers to Hong Kong.

Religion in Hong Kong enjoys a high degree of freedom, guaranteed by the Basic Law. 90% of Hong Kong's population practises a mix of local religions, most prominently Buddhism (mainly Chinese Mahayana) and Taoism. A Christian community of around 600,000 exists, forming about 8% of the total population, and is nearly equally divided between Catholics and Protestants, although other, smaller Christian communities exist including the Nontrinitarian Latter-Day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses. There are also Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Bahá'í communities. Concerns over a lack of religious freedom after the 1997 handover have largely subsided, with Falun Gong adherents free to practice in Hong Kong, and the Anglican Church and Roman Catholic Church each freely appointing its own bishops, unlike in mainland China.

Most Hong Kong ethnic Chinese people naturally lean toward eastern culture, because demographically they are the majority. Many, though, have adopted western ways with substantial numbers still adhering to Chinese traditions. On various social aspects, the bottom-line Chinese values of "family solidarity", "courtesy" and "saving face" carry significant weight in the culture. Heavy influence is derived from Cantonese culture from the neighbouring province of Guangdong. There are also substantial communities of Hakka, Fukien, Teochiu and Shanghainese people. On the contrary, people have long been referred to by their origin in China. Overall the background of Hong Kong Chinese born after 1965 can be classified as westernised, since they have been influenced by liberal western cultural symbols

Languages

Cantonese is the most widely spoken language in Hong Kong. Since the 1997 handover, the government has adopted the "biliterate and trilingual" (兩文三語) policy. Under the principle, Chinese and English must both be acknowledged as official languages, with Cantonese being acknowledged as the de facto official spoken dialect of Chinese in Hong Kong, while also accepting the use of Standard Mandarin.

Superstition and beliefs

Despite the relatively modernised way of life, Chinese superstition still plays an integral part of the culture. Concepts like Feng shui are taken quite seriously. Expensive construction projects often include the hiring of consultants, that are believed to make or break a business. Other objects like bagua mirror are still used regularly to shield evils. Numbers in Chinese culture also play a role in people's everyday life. Numbers like "4" (because of its similarity to the Chinese word for "(to) die") are avoided when possible by believers. Other rituals like not using scissors on Chinese New Year are still around.

Holidays

There are some distinctive holidays celebrated by Hong Kong as part of the eastern culture, not participated in the west except in select overseas Chinese communities. The most well known is Chinese New Year, which occurs after every regular New Year. Other events include Dragon Boat Festival where zongzi is made by the millions at home as part of the tradition. Dragon boats also compete for regional awards. Mid-Autumn Festival is another highly celebrated event with massive purchase of mooncake around Chinese bakery shops.

Pop culture

Music: Cantopop has dominated and become synonymous with local music culture since its birth in Hong Kong. While many other forms of music exist, Cantopop still enjoys mass popularity. Yet, the global influence of Mandarin has been changing the style. Mandopop from Taiwan and China is fast gaining ground. Most artists are essentially multilingual, singing in Cantonese and Mandarin.

TV Dramas: Besides from the staple of TVB dramas, citizens also watch a lot of dramas from Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The most notable is Korea's Dae Jang Geum. Its 2005 broadcast on TVB was extremely popular. On the night of the series' finale the streets were unusually quiet due to people staying at home to watch the finale.

Celebrity: Hong Kong can be described as "gossip mad". The personal lives of singers, actors and celebrities in general are popular conversation topics and tabloid material. Hong Kong's thirst for gossip is not only limited to local celebrities, but celebrities from Taiwan, Japan and to a lesser degree Korea and Mainland China, are also welcomed. Many gossip magazines are also in circulation and one of the most notable/notorious sections is the "HD Reality" section. Introduced after the implementation of HD broadcasting, the section shows HD photos of celebrities and rather truthfully analysis of their attractiveness/unattractiveness. Naturally the section is very popular.

Food

Food holds an important place in Hong Kong culture. Restaurants are available in a level of convenience and variety unmatched by anywhere in the world. The fusion of east and west makes Hong Kong unique, especially in the close proximity where one can find any style any time. From dim sum, da been lo, fast food, to the most rare of delicacies, Hong Kong carries the reputable label of "Gourmet Paradise" and "World's Fair of Food".

Fashion

In Later-19th century, the Victorian fashion vogue by British influence.

Shopping

Hong Kong is well identified by its materialistic culture and high levels of consumerism. Shops from the lowest end to the most upscale pack the streets in close proximity. The mild weather, low tax and convenience makes Hong Kong a premiere international shopping centre. Some popular shopping destination include Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Causeway Bay.

Cinema

The industry has been one of the most successful worldwide, especially during the second half of the 20th century. It remains prominent despite a severe slump starting in the mid-1990s. Martial artists and stars such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee are known globally, especially in Chinese settlements overseas. Many have transitioned over to Hollywood, including Chow Yun Fat and John Woo. Hong Kong cinema has received international recognition for directors as Wong Kar Wai.

Mass media and publishing

Hong Kong has two broadcast television stations, ATV and TVB. The latter, launched in 1967, was the territory's first free-to-air commercial station, and is currently the predominant TV station in the territory. Paid cable and satellite television have also been widespread. The production of Hong Kong's soap drama, comedy series and variety shows have reached mass audiences throughout the Chinese-speaking world. Many international and pan-Asian broadcasters are based in Hong Kong, including News Corporation's STAR TV. Hong Kong's terrestrial commercial TV networks, TVB and ATV, can also be seen in neighboring Guangdong Province and Macau (via cable).

Magazine and newspaper publishers distribute and print in numerous languages like Chinese and English. The printed media, especially tabloids but also broadsheet newspapers, lean heavily on sensationalism and celebrity gossips. While the practice is criticised, it continues to sell papers. The media is relatively free from government interference compared to that of mainland China, and newspapers are often politicised; some show skepticism toward the Chinese government in Beijing.

Manhua

Manhua are Hong Kong based comic books that have provided an avenue of expression long before the arrival of television. While readership has fluctuated throughout different decades, the art is one of the most consistent in terms of providing highly affordable entertainment. Manhuas are regularly available at news stands in most street corners. Characteristics of Old Master Q, Chinese Hero and many others have undoubtedly showcased Chinese artwork and stories. Japanese manga have also been translated and fused into local manhua libraries.

Animation

While Hong Kong has had an endless supply from Japanese anime and US Disney animations, China has been trying hard to revitalise the industry. Hong Kong has made contributions in recent years with productions like A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation and DragonBlade. Most notably, companies like Imagi Animation Studios located directly in the territory are now pushing 3D-CG animations into the market.

Cantonese opera

Cantonese opera is one of the major categories in Chinese opera, originating in southern China's Cantonese culture. The art carries a national identity that goes as far back as the first wave of immigrants to arrive from Shanghai in the 1950s. Sunbeam Theatre is one of the places that hold the tradition. Like all versions of Chinese opera, it is a Chinese art form involving music, singing, martial arts, acrobatics, and acting.

Performing arts

Hong Kong has different kinds of performing arts, for example, drama, dance, music and theater. Hong Kong is also home to the first fulltime comedy club in Asia, The TakeOut Comedy Club Hong Kong.

Sports

With limited land resource available, Hong Kong continues to offer recreational and competitive sports. Locally sports in Hong Kong is described as "Club Life". Internationally, Hong Kong have participated in Olympic Games, and numerous other Asian Games events. Major multipurpose venues like Hong Kong Coliseum are found. Others include regular citizen facilities like Macpherson Stadium.

Martial Art

Martial arts in Hong Kong is accepted as a form of entertainment or exercise. Tai chi is one of the most popular, especially among the elderly. Groups of people practise the motions in every park at dawn. Many forms of martial arts were also passed down from different generations of Chinese ancestry. Styles like praying mantis, snake fist and Crane are some of the more recognised. The atmosphere is also distinct as people practice outdoor in peaks next to ultra modern high rise buildings.

Leisure

When not at work, Hongkongers devote much time to leisure. Mahjong is a popular social activity, and family and friends may play for hours at festivals and on public holidays in homes and mahjong parlours. The image of elderly men playing Chinese chess in public parks, surrounded by watching crowds, is common. Other board games such as Chinese checkers are also enjoyed by people of all ages. Among teenagers, shopping, eating out, karaoke and video games are common, with Japan being a major source of digital entertainmment for cultural and proximity reasons; there are also popular local inventions such as Little Fighter Online.

In the past, Hong Kong had some of the most up-to-date arcades games available outside of Japan. Negative associations were drawn between triads and video game arcades. Nowadays, soaring popularity of home video game consoles have somewhat diminished arcade culture.

Outdoor activities such as hiking, barbecues and watersports are also popular due to the local geography.

Chess is run by the Hong Kong Chess Federation.

Gambling

Gambling is popular in Chinese culture and Hong Kong is no different. Gambling is legal only at three established and licensed institutions approved and supervised by the government of Hong Kong: horse racing (in Happy Valley and Sha Tin), the Mark Six lottery, and recently, football (soccer) betting.

Games like mahjong and many types of card games can be played for fun or with money at stake, with many mahjong parlours available. Movies such as the 1980s God of Gamblers have given a rather glamorous image to gambling in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club provides a major avenue for horse racing and gambling to locals, mostly the middle-aged. The club was established in 1844 by the British, with the first racecourse being built in Happy Valley. The club closed for a few years during World War II due to the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. In 1975, lottery Mark Six was introduced. And in 2002, the club offered wagerings for soccer world championship games including the English FA Premier League and the World Cup.

Industry

Hong Kong is one of the world's leading financial centres. Its highly developed capitalist economy has been ranked the freest in the world by the Index of Economic Freedom for 15 consecutive years. It is an important centre for international finance and trade, with one of the greatest concentration of corporate headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region, and is known as one of the Four Asian Tigers for its high growth rates and rapid industrialisation between the 1960s and 1990s. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange is the sixth largest in the world, with a market capitalisation of US$2.97 trillion as of October 2007, and the second highest value of initial public offerings, after London. The currency used in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar, which has been pegged to the U.S. dollar since 1983.

The Government of Hong Kong plays a passive role in the financial industry, mostly leaving the direction of the economy to market forces and the private sector. Under the official policy of positive non-interventionism, Hong Kong is often cited as an example of laissez-faire capitalism. Following World War II, Hong Kong industrialised rapidly as a manufacturing centre driven by exports, and then underwent a rapid transition to a service-based economy in the 1980s. Hong Kong matured to become a financial centre in the 1990s, but was greatly affected by the Asian financial crisis in 1998, and again in 2003 by the SARS outbreak. A revival of external and domestic demand has led to a strong recovery, as cost decreases strengthened the competitiveness of Hong Kong exports and a long deflationary period ended.

The territory has little arable land and few natural resources, so it must import most of its food and raw materials. Hong Kong is the world's eleventh largest trading entity, with the total value of imports and exports exceeding its gross domestic product. Much of Hong Kong's exports consist of re-exports, which are products made outside of the territory, especially in mainland China, and distributed via Hong Kong. Even before the 1997 handover, Hong Kong had established extensive trade and investment ties with mainland China, and its autonomous status now enables it to serve as a point of entry for investment flowing into the mainland. At the end of 2007, there were 3.46 million people employed full-time, with the unemployment rate averaging 4.1%, the fourth straight year of decline. Hong Kong's economy is dominated by the service sector, which accounts for over 90% of its GDP, while industry now constitutes just 9%. Inflation was at 2% in 2007, and Hong Kong's largest export markets are mainland China, the United States, and Japan.

As of 2009, Hong Kong is the fifth most expensive city for expatriates. Hong Kong is behind Tokyo, Osaka, Moscow, and Geneva but beats Zürich. Last year, Hong Kong was ranked sixth, and in 2007, Hong Kong was ranked fifth.

Geography

Hong Kong is located on China's south coast, 60 km (37 mi) east of Macau on the opposite side of the Pearl River Delta. It is surrounded by the South China Sea on the east, south, and west, and borders the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province to the north over the Sham Chun River. The territory's 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) land area consists primarily of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories as well as some 260 other islands.

As much of Hong Kong's terrain is hilly to mountainous with steep slopes, less than 25% of the territory's landmass is developed, and about 40% of the remaining land area is reserved as country parks and nature reserves. Most of the territory's urban development exists on Kowloon peninsula, along the northern edge of Hong Kong Island and in scattered settlements throughout the New Territories. The highest elevation in the territory is at Tai Mo Shan, at a height of 958 metres (3,140 ft) above sea level. Hong Kong's long, irregular and curvaceous coastline also affords the territory with many bays, rivers and beaches.

Despite Hong Kong's reputation of being intensely urbanised, the territory has made much effort to promote a green environment and recent growing public concern has prompted the severe restriction of further land reclamation from Victoria Harbour. Awareness of the environment is growing as Hong Kong suffers from increasing pollution compounded by its geography and tall buildings. Approximately 80% of the city's smog originates from other parts of the Pearl River Delta.

Situated just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Hong Kong's climate is humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa). Summer is hot and humid with occasional showers and thunderstorms, and warm air coming from the southwest. It is also the time when typhoons are most likely, sometimes resulting in flooding or landslides. Winter weather usually starts sunny and becomes cloudier towards February, with the occasional cold front bringing strong, cooling winds from the north. The most pleasant seasons are spring, although changeable, and autumn, which is generally sunny and dry. Hong Kong averages 1,948 hours of sunshine per year, while the highest and lowest ever recorded temperatures at the Hong Kong Observatory are 36.1 °C (97.0 °F) and 0.0 °C (32.0 °F), respectively

Hong Kong is subdivided into 18 geographic districts for administrative purposes, each represented by a district council that advises the government on local matters such as public facilities, community programmes, cultural activities and environmental improvements. There are a total of 534 district councils seats, 405 of which are elected, while the rest are appointed by the Chief Executive and 27 ex officio chairmen of rural committees. The government's Home Affairs Department communicates government policies and plans to the public through the district offices.

The 18 districts can be split into three areas, often used for statistical purposes. Hong Kong Island is the original 1842 colony, and contains Hong Kong's financial core on its northern coast. Kowloon is to the north across Victoria Harbour, the southern part of which was ceded in 1860. The much larger New Territories and the Northern portion of Kowloon (New Kowloon) with the exception of Kowloon Walled City were the final addition to Hong Kong's territory in 1898.

Hong Kong has a unitary system of government, no local government exists since the two municipal councils were abolished in 2000. And as such there is no formal definition for its cities and towns.

Transportation

Hong Kong has a highly developed transportation network, encompassing both public and private transport. Over 90% of daily travels (11 million) are on public transport, making it the highest percentage in the world. The Octopus card, a stored value smart card payment system, can be used to pay for fares on almost all railways, buses and ferries, and also for parking and purchases at convenience stores, supermarkets, and fastfood restaurants.

The city's rapid transit system, MTR, has 150 stations and serves 3.4 million people a day. A tramway system, serving the city since 1904, covers the northern parts of Hong Kong Island and is the only tram system in the world run exclusively with double deckers. Double-decker buses were introduced to Hong Kong in 1949, and are now almost exclusively used, with single-decker buses remaining in use for routes with lower demand or roads with lower carrying capacity. Most normal franchised bus routes in Hong Kong operate until 1 am. Public light buses run the length and breadth of Hong Kong, through areas where standard bus lines cannot reach or do not reach as frequently, quickly, or directly.

The Star Ferry service operates four lines across Victoria Harbour and has been in operation for over 120 years, providing a panoramic view of Hong Kong's skyline for its 53,000 daily passengers. It is considered one of the city's most treasured cultural icons and has been rated as one of the most picturesque ferry crossings in the world. Other ferry services are provided by operators serving outlying islands, new towns, Macau, and cities in mainland China. Hong Kong is also famous for its junks traversing the harbour, and small kai-to ferries which serve remote coastal settlements.

Hong Kong's steep, hilly terrain calls for some unusual ways of getting up and down the slopes. The Peak Tram, the first public transport system in Hong Kong, has provided vertical rail transport between Central and Victoria Peak since 1888 by steeply ascending the side of a mountain. In Central and Western district, there is an extensive system of escalators and moving pavements, including the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, the Mid-Levels escalator.

Hong Kong International Airport is a leading air passenger gateway and logistics hub in Asia and one of the world's busiest airports in terms of international passenger and cargo movement, serving more than 47 million passengers and handling 3.74 million tonnes of cargo in 2007. It replaced Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon in 1998, and has been rated as the world's best airport in a number of surveys. Over 85 airlines operate at the two-terminal airport and it is the primary hub of Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, Air Hong Kong, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express.