| Hong Kong has one of the highest population densities in the world. One would expect an apocalyptic congestion at street level doubled by strong pollution. However, this was not the case. How does that work? Urban planning experts could say. One thing I know is it was very relaxing to be some 300 meters above everything and just enjoy the views. So we went to all observation platforms available, on Hong Kong and Kowloon.
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| This is the Ocean Park. Nice rides, nice aquariums and nice setting.
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| Being away the focal point, Lantau island is even more relaxing. There is a very long and spectacular gondola ride. Magnificent views!
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| Not too many fishermen are left in today’s Hong Kong. Some of them are crowded inside 2 fishing villages on the Lantau island.
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Other Hong Kong attractions
Peak tram
Earlier transport methods up the Victoria Peak (such as humans or animals hauling cargo or passengers up the hill) proved unfeasible so in 1888 this funicular railway was inaugurated, opening the area for development. Today it is an important tourist attraction, allowing unobstructed and spectacular views of the surroundings.
Hong Kong
| Such a big surprise was Hong Kong for us! One of the few cities we visited so far where, after being there for 6 days, we had to leave without having covered everything we wanted to! First thing to notice was that, despite being one of the most densely populated places in the world, it was way more relaxing than other areas in China. Factors contributing to this might be better air quality, good balance between green and developed areas, good citizen manners, state of the art public transport as well as the numerous attractions. |
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| The business signing hanging above the streets is for sure a Hong Kong trademark. But the buildings themselves are unique too. From the bottom climbing up the stairs, one could find a fine Swiss watch store, few restaurants, a hotel, a small manufacturing business, another hotel, some residential floors, a backpacker’s hostel, few offices and so on. A small city within 4 walls! |
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| This is the famous Hong Kong race course situated in the Happy Valley district of the Hong Kong island, surrounded by high rise apartment buildings. |
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| This is the Hong Kong island as seen from the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade in Kowloon (on the continent side). The far plane behind the illuminated buildings is the famous Victoria Peak, the prime real estate area of the region. |
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| A special feat is the historic double decked trams. Never seen such thing before. The 2 axle vehicles have no bogies causing lots of rumbling and shaking! |
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Xiamen (Fujian)
| The next stop was Xiamen, in the Fujian province. This is less known tourist destination, visited mainly by Chinese. We saw only 2 or 3 Westerners there. Many tours have certain Taiwnese islands as destination but we went only to the nearby Gulangyu Island, a former international settlement dominated by Western architecture. |
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| All restaurants presented the ingredients in such fashion. |
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| Not all inhabitants are lucky enough to enjoy the tropical lanscape. |
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| The main reason of stopping in Xiamen was to visit some traditional mountain villages nearby. |
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Such terraces we haven’t seen since North Vietnam, which was actually not too far. |
| The most interesting feature of this area are the Tulous, circular and fortified structures where communities of up to 80 families used to live before the arrival of apartment buildings. Quite an unusual sight, also listed as UNESCO world heritage site! |
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Museums: Postal and Communist Party
| A postal system existed in China, under various forms, beginning with year 1600BC. However, such systems were inconsistent and usually reserved for official use. Modern post arrived in China in 1861, when the British Post established in Shanghai a branch to service the businesses. Other Western post services followed suit, and soon the “Guest post” system was established. Since this was seen as a violation of sovereignty by China and an opportunity for illicit trade, by 1922 they were disbanded, after requests by the Beijing government. |
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| Not too far is the site (today a museum) of the first conference of the Communist Party of China, held in the French Concession in July 1921. Being such a sacred place, photography was prohibited, but I was able to snap a picture of these children during an oath ceremony. |
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| Apparently unimpressed by Mao’s struggle, a group of teenagers are enjoyin modern technology just outside of the museum. |
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