Today we got up early and were ready for Marc's big tour that he planned using "THE BOOK". (This book was a collective purchase and has every sight and event that any tourist would want to see in Hong Kong, and has been a huge asset to our exploring!)
Marc highlighted some of the major points of interest in Central Hong Kong and we took the whole day to see everything...
1. Western Market:
This market is located near the Central MTR station, and has a few restaurants and many silk vendors. We did not find many vendors that we liked, but the building was architecturally beautiful.
2. Man Mo Temple:
There was an awesome market just before this temple. This was the second temple we had seen, and there were a lot of incense that were coiled in the temple which made the temple very fragrant, but also very hot. We later learned that these are bought by different families. The family buys the coil, and puts a piece of paper with the family's names on it, and then burn the incense as good luck and good fortune for the family members.
3. Longest Escalator in the World: We were somewhat surprised when we got to the escalator and discovered it was not a continuous escalator and we still had to climb some stairs to get to the top of the escalator. Every block there was an exit from the escalator to get back down to street level. Along the way, we found SoHo and the Jamai Mosque.
4. Jamia Mosque: This is an Islamic mosque near SoHo.
5. SoHo: South of Hollywood Road, or SoHo, is a great area with bars, restaurants, salons, and more! (Minor foreshadow: We will find out that we LOVE SoHo!)
6. Hong Kong Botanical Gardens and Zoo: Right in the middle of all of the hustle bustle of the city is this beautiful botanical garden and zoo. We were able to see some of the Lemurs, birds, lions, and snakes. The view of the city from below the canopy of trees was unique and great for pictures.
7. Government House: which was recently restored to be where the governing family lives, similar to the US White House. Previous families had not lived here, which apparently caused some animosity in Hong Kong, but the current governing family has moved back in.
8. St. John's Cathedral: This is a catholic church in the middle of Hong Kong's financial district. Less than 10% of Hong Kong practices Christianity.
9. Top of Bank of China: We were able to go to the 43rd floor of the Bank of China to get a view of the city.
10. Hong Kong Park and Tea Museum: We did not spend a lot of time in the park, but there is an Olympic exhibit, and several other exhibits in the park. There is also a tea museum and tea room. We were excited to go in the middle of this fountain to take a neat picture (and go through the water after a full day of walking through the heat and humidity.)
11. Longest Painting in the world: This painting is located in the Shangri La Hotel. The painting is 16 stories tall and is a Chinese mountainous and water scenery.
12. The Peninsula: The oldest and one of the most exclusive hotels in Hong Kong. The lobby has several stores - Tiffany, Gucci, and Rolex to name a few.
13. Hong Kong Symphony of Lights: Every night the Hong Kong skyline has magnificent lights, and at 8 PM you can watch a laser light show to classical music from the opposite side of Hong Kong Island. It was a great ending to our day of exploration!
This market is located near the Central MTR station, and has a few restaurants and many silk vendors. We did not find many vendors that we liked, but the building was architecturally beautiful.
2. Man Mo Temple:
There was an awesome market just before this temple. This was the second temple we had seen, and there were a lot of incense that were coiled in the temple which made the temple very fragrant, but also very hot. We later learned that these are bought by different families. The family buys the coil, and puts a piece of paper with the family's names on it, and then burn the incense as good luck and good fortune for the family members.
3. Longest Escalator in the World: We were somewhat surprised when we got to the escalator and discovered it was not a continuous escalator and we still had to climb some stairs to get to the top of the escalator. Every block there was an exit from the escalator to get back down to street level. Along the way, we found SoHo and the Jamai Mosque.
4. Jamia Mosque: This is an Islamic mosque near SoHo.
5. SoHo: South of Hollywood Road, or SoHo, is a great area with bars, restaurants, salons, and more! (Minor foreshadow: We will find out that we LOVE SoHo!)
6. Hong Kong Botanical Gardens and Zoo: Right in the middle of all of the hustle bustle of the city is this beautiful botanical garden and zoo. We were able to see some of the Lemurs, birds, lions, and snakes. The view of the city from below the canopy of trees was unique and great for pictures.
7. Government House: which was recently restored to be where the governing family lives, similar to the US White House. Previous families had not lived here, which apparently caused some animosity in Hong Kong, but the current governing family has moved back in.
8. St. John's Cathedral: This is a catholic church in the middle of Hong Kong's financial district. Less than 10% of Hong Kong practices Christianity.
9. Top of Bank of China: We were able to go to the 43rd floor of the Bank of China to get a view of the city.
10. Hong Kong Park and Tea Museum: We did not spend a lot of time in the park, but there is an Olympic exhibit, and several other exhibits in the park. There is also a tea museum and tea room. We were excited to go in the middle of this fountain to take a neat picture (and go through the water after a full day of walking through the heat and humidity.)
11. Longest Painting in the world: This painting is located in the Shangri La Hotel. The painting is 16 stories tall and is a Chinese mountainous and water scenery.
12. The Peninsula: The oldest and one of the most exclusive hotels in Hong Kong. The lobby has several stores - Tiffany, Gucci, and Rolex to name a few.
13. Hong Kong Symphony of Lights: Every night the Hong Kong skyline has magnificent lights, and at 8 PM you can watch a laser light show to classical music from the opposite side of Hong Kong Island. It was a great ending to our day of exploration!
No comments:
Post a Comment