Posts Tagged ‘District’

The Sky is the Limit at Hong Kong?s Captivating Central Business District

Spread across 1100 square metres of a prime trading hotspot, Hong Kong is a Westerner’s dream of an Asian city. Singular, independent and thriving, Hong Kong is at once associated and disassociated with its Chinese heritage. An eastern city with a decidedly western ambience and cultural preference, it enjoys a global reputation of being a financial and a tourist Mecca for the masses.

A food connoisseur’s dream come true, Hong Kong is not only the home of Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland and the Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery, it has also one of the most vibrant central business districts in all of Asia.

As the political and economical epicentre of the island, the Hong Kong business district is also where Government Hill, Legislative Council Building and Far East’s oldest Anglican cathedral are also located. With a myriad of historical constructs in residence, the business district also plays hosts to some of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks such as the iconic Bank of China Tower, the International Finance Centre and the towering HSBC building.  Originally part of Victoria City, the central business hub is located on the northern shores of the island. Having served as a bustling capital since colonial rule the city is best viewed from the Central Pier or aboard the Star Ferry.

With its fair share of funky neighborhoods, visitors really should stroll down Hollywood Road , Cotton Tree Drive Street and Soho, Hong Kong to get a true feel for the colour and diversity this futuristic landscape has on offer. Other points of interest include the Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui, stunning Causeway Bay, Stanley Street Market and the Temple Street Night Market. Connaught Road Central with its neon lights and sky-piercing building is breathtaking sight while the Galleria, Prince’s Building, Citibank Tower, the  Entertainment Building and the AIG Tower also scamper for attention in this modern day metropolis.

The island nation’s best shopping centres are also situated along the city’s central business district and visitors will find luxury items and global brands galore at locales such as Pacific Place, the Landmark, Causeway Bay Shopping Area, the IFC Mall and Sogo. Lined with the town’s premier restaurants, cafes and bars, a food and wine connoisseur will hardly be disappointed at the choices available to them at the CBD.

Must-visit landmarks in the CBD include the Hutchison House, Alexandra House, Jardine House and The Centrium in addition to The Cenotaph and magnificent City Hall. Not just a hotbed of financial giants and skyscrapers, Hong Kong ‘s central business district also houses a number of stunning churches including the First Church, Church of Scientology and  the Union Church as well as several captivating Buddhist temples as a testament to the country’s all- inclusive approach to cultural identity.

Knee deep in MRTs, minibuses, trams and trains, the Hong Kong central business district is one of the most accessible areas in the entire island. Best explored on foot, the sights and sounds of its breathtaking landscape are just as intoxicating as its cultural diversity.

Eaton Hotel Hong Kong is perfect for travellers who are looking for hotels in Kowloon that gives easy access to the Central Business District of Hong Kong.  Comfortable and luxurious it enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the premier hotels in Hong Kong.

The Lake District Lakes

There is in fact only one piece of water that is officially a lake and that is Bassenthwaite Lake 3 miles from Keswick. All the other bodies of water are either a “mere” or “water” for example Windermere and Ullswater or a tarn which means a small body of water.

There are 20 major lakes of which the largest and busiest is Windermere. Windermere is a thriving tourist destination with an excellent choice of Windermere bed and breakfast venues but there are many hotels Windermere has to offer too. Windermere the town is located 1.5 miles from the lake but Bowness-on-Windermere sits right by the lake swarming with boats, tourists and tours. At nearly 11 miles long, Windermere can fit a lot on it including 14 islands. The speed limit of 10 miles per hour maximum has caused some controversy but of course it has also pleased some people. Another very fascinating fact is that in the heavy rain of January 2005, Windermere rose by nearly a meter overnight. That equates to an extra seventeen thousand litres of water!

The next largest lake is Ullswater in a different part of the county but which offers a much quieter experience. Ullswater is set amongst some of the largest mountains, the main one being Helvellyn, the Lake District’s 3rd largest. The Ullswater Steamers operate on the lake so not only does this area appeal to walkers, but also some sightseers for the spectacular views and quiet lake.

Derwentwater is the 3rd largest lake and offers a very good choice of Lake District guest house venues surrounding it and is located just a mile from Keswick which is a haven for walkers. Derwentwater is only 3 miles long which is significantly smaller than the Windermere and Ullswater.
The deepest lake is Wastwater, being 79 metres or 258 feet deep. At the end of Wastwater at the head of the Wasdale valley are some of the highest mountains in the Lake District, Scafell Pike (which is the highest), Great Gable and Lingfell. The Screes is a mountain that catches the eye on wastewater. It measures 2000 feet from top to base but 200 feet of it is below the surface of Wastwater. The view towards Scafell Pike from the other end of Wastwater, won Britain’s Favourite View in the ITV programme last year.

It is not just the size of the Lake District that attracts tourists but the density of the area. No other National Park in the UK has the amount of fells and lakes so it is truly special and should be visited by everyone.