Central, on Hong Kong Island, is where colonial Hong Kong started its life from, back in the 1840s, and where some of the city’s most glitzy skyscrapers and swish shopping malls currently stand. As a matter of fact, the area sometimes looks like a showcase of the world’s leading architects…

Naturally, unless you are staying at one of the hotels nearby, you will start your visit to “Central” from either MTR-Central or the Star Ferry Pier.

* Two IFC Tower – Just between the ferry pier and the Airport Express Station, is currently the city’s tallest skyscraper, although it is soon going to lose its supremacy to the upcoming International Commerce Centre in Kowloon. Soaring to a height of 415 m, this contemporary obelisk-shaped megatower is possibly Hong Kong skyline’s most striking feature. It was architected by Cesar Pelli, the famous Argentinian born architect who is behind the Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia, and attracted some controversy at the time, as it breached the Metro-plan guidelines not allowing new buildings to cut Mount Victoria’s ridge-line, when seen from different key points along the harbour, including Tsim Sha Tsui’s waterfront esplanade.
* Rising to 346 m, The Center is Hong Kong’s fourth tallest skyscraper, and one of the only highrises in the city that is entirely steel-structured, with no reinforced concrete core. Other than its unique polygonal circumference, “The Centre” is particularly distinguished for its neon-lights-arrangement, comprising almost 10,000 neon tubes in different colors, which turns the building into one of the most prominent features of the “Symphony of lights” show. There is a skylobby on the 42nd floor, which serves as an observation deck.
* HSBC Hong Kong headquarters building (or simply HSBC Building) stands across the road from Statue Square and features a classic example of Hong Kong’s modern architecture, combining contemporary design with traditional Feng Shui philosophy… Designed by famous British architect, Norman Foster, this 180 metres tall building has a module design, consisting of five steel modules with no internal support structure. It was the most expensive building in the world by the time it was completed, in 1985, worth roughly HK$ 5.2 billion. Tip: Take the escalator to the 1st floor and see the building’s colossal atrium…
* Bank of China (BOC) Tower, just a stone’s throw from HSBC Building, is one of the metropolis’ most familiar towers and can be seen from almost every point around Victoria Harbour and the city. Rising to a height of 315 meters, this architecturally mesmerizing skyscraper was the tallest building in Hong Kong and Asia until 1992, as well as the first building outside the USA to break the 1,000 ft. mark. Designed by the famous sino-american architect I.M.Pei, Bank of China Tower is supported by five steel columns at its corners, and triangular frameworks that zigzag between these columns and transfer the weight of the structure, creating many unique angles that make the tower looks different, when seen from different positions… When its construction was completed, back in the late 1980s, the tower’s sword-like shape was pointing directly at HSBS Main Building and the management of Bank of China was criticized for “cutting” HSBC’s good Feng Shui… Fortunately enough, the Cheung Kong Center was erected in between the two towers and the “Feng Shui conflict” was brought to an end… There is a small observation point on the 43rd floor, that is open to the public, but visits to the main observation deck on the 70th floor are by appointment only.
* The Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery, in Murray Road Multi-storey Car Park Building, opposite Bank of china Tower, showcases the planning and infrastructure projects of the Government of Hong Kong, using interactive displays, touch screens and other hi-tech devices and fun methods… One of the gallery’s main highlights is the “Infrastructure Walk”: An 18.5 meters long 3D-model of Hong Kong with video screens, highlighting different development projects across the territory.

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s most popular travel spots, and it’s not surprising why. It is a magnificent tourist destination, located on the Pearl River Delta, in the northern province of Guangdong. The major hub of finance and trade – Hong Kong boasts of a liberal economy. History has it that the area was once a colony of the Britain till 1984, when the British handed it over again to China. Although, a part of China, the region maintains and enjoys a free market. Attractions in the area range from breathtaking cityscapes, mysterious temples, and colonial buildings to superb museums, parks, and gardens. Most revered as well as the oldest temple in the city is the Man Mo Temple, which is devoted to the deities of literature and war.

Found inside the temple are a range of figurines, depicting other deities. Further, the temple is believed to have been once served as the local court of law. Another prominent temple in the city is Wong Tai Sin Temple – a Taoist shrine, which is much famed across the South East Asian, European, and American countries. Built in traditional-style Chinese architecture, the temple’s highlights are grand red pillars, golden roof ornamented with blue friezes, yellow latticework, and colorful carvings. Apart from these, Hong Kong is home to more than 400 Buddhist temples, such as the Chi Lin Nunnery and Po Lin Monastery.

No visit to the region would be complete without taking a tour to the Victoria Peak, also known as the Peak, featuring the oldest mode of public transport – The Peak Tram, which is in operation since 1888. The Peak Tram is considered the fastest way to reach the Peak. The Peak’s attractions also cover the Peak Tower – a shopping center with an impressive terrace, from where one can enjoy the magnificent views of whole of the Hong Kong Island. Housed within the Peak Tower is Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, boasting of more than 100 superb wax likenesses of world leaders, sport people, and other eminent people.

The Giant Buddha is perhaps the most popular of the region’s destinations. An outdoor seated statue made of bronze – Giant Buddha is the tallest seated statue in the world. With a height of 34 mt, the statue weighs more than 250 tonnes. In order to reach the statue, one has to climb 268 steps. Ngong Ping 360 -a cable car climbing to the Chinese village of Ngong Ping from Tung Chung – is considered one of the best ways to reach the statue. Hong Kong is sometimes referred to as the”Movie Capital of Asia” with its attractions such as the Avenue of Stars, whose highlights are commemorative plaques, eloquent milestones, handprints of movie celebrities, cabins with movie memorabilia, a soaring Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, and a life-sized statue of Bruce Lee – a well-known kung-fu star.

Other must-see destinations in the area are Disneyland and Ocean Park, providing an eclectic mix of entertainment, education and conservation facilities; Repulse Bay, which is much favored for its sandy beaches and sub-tropical backdrop; and Golden Bauhinia Square, which marks the most prominent occasion in the history of China, ie, the return of Hong Kong by the British and the establishment of the city as the Special Administrative Region on 30 June 1997. The city is one of the best places to dine in, with an array of restaurants, serving mind-blowing cuisine such as dim sum, tofu, chicken lo mein, oft shell crab meat, Tong Cho oysters, and Peking duck. The city is also a real shopper’s paradise, with countless number of shops in such happening areas as Stanley, a coastal area dotted with shops and pubs, and Causeway Bay Hong Kong and Wan Chai Hong Kong.

For bird lovers, a visit to the Bird market, selling and showing birds, would be a great option. Likewise, take a tour to the city’s fish market, boasting of aquariums with exotic fish varieties. In addition, there are excellent options available for flower lovers, with an expansive flower market, which stand out for its unique selection of flowers and plants. Above all, worth mentioning is the city’s vibrant nightlife, which is mostly concentrated around the twin districts of Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong. Hong Kong is fairly expensive compared to other Asian travel destinations, but it is well worth it. To save on accommodations, you may choose to stay in dormitories. You can also eat budget meals instead of going to fancy restaurants.