Posts Tagged ‘Hong’

Exploring Hong Kong, Amazing Varieties of Attractions

Hong Kong, officially known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a part of the Guangdong Province, and is one of the China’s two special administrative regions, another being Macau.

In other words, Hong Kong is a thriving metropolis where modern western lifestyle is combined with ancient as well as traditional Chinese culture. Until the 19th century, Hong Kong was just a sleepy fishing village, which later saw tremendous changes when it became a colony and was under the British till it was handed over to China in 1997.

Occupying an area of about 1099 square kilometers and located on the south east coast of China, Hong Kong is now regarded as a gateway to the country, and serves as a center of international transportation, commerce, and communication. Hong Kong is made up of four sections such as Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the Outlying Islands, and the New Territories.

When comes to attractions and things to do, Hong Kong provides endless options, which at the same are also unique. For instance, the Victoria Harbor that separates the glass towers of the island and the bustling streets of Kowloon Peninsula is one of the most magnificent waterways of the world. Perhaps the greatest of all the attractions in the city would be Victoria Peak, otherwise known as the Peak. Until the opening of the Peak Tram in 1880, the only way to reach the Peak was via walking or by taking a potholed ride in a sedan chair.

An interesting thing is that the Peak Tram is still in operational and taking a ride in it is a great way to enjoy the breathtaking vistas of Hong Kong Island as well as the Kowloon Peninsula. Attractions in the Peak also include the Peak Tower, which is a shopping center with a remarkable terrace, from where you can enjoy the magnificent views of whole of the island.

Another not to miss attraction in Hong Kong is Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront, an awesome promenade, a stroll along which would be a great way to savor the incredible beauty of the place. Must-visit attractions in the city also include Temple of Ten Thousand Buddha, where to reach you will have to climb about 400 steps; Tian Tan Buddha, which is the largest statute of seated Buddha in the world; Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which has on display an amazing selection of antique Chinese artifacts; and Sam Tung Uk Museum, which is in the center of Tsuen Wan in the New Territories.

A visit to Hong Kong would not be complete without taking a tour to destinations such as Disneyland and Ocean Park, whose facilities are an eclectic mix of entertainment and education; Repulse Bay, which is much famed for its white 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 has something for everyone. For instance, for culinary enthusiasts, the city boasts of a mind blowing array of restaurants serving delicacies like chicken lo mein, dim sum, Tong Cho oysters, tofu, and Peking duck.

Further, Hong Kong is a haven for shopping, with shops and stalls in such destinations as Stanley Village Market, from where a variety of branded items can be shopped at bargain prices. Likewise, if you are flower lover, then head to flower market, where a unique selection of flowers and plants can be seen. Further, a visit to the Bird Market would be an excellent option for bird lovers. Also, while your stay at Hong Kong, take a tour to the fish market in the city, which boasts of aquariums consisting of exotic fish varieties. Above all, exciting as well as lively is the nightlife of the city, which is primarily concentrated around the twin districts of Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong.

With these amazing varieties of attractions, it is not a wonder why tourists from across the world flock to this wonderful destination. Hence, the city has accommodation choices to cater to every type of travelers. If you are well healed, then you can go for such accommodation options that are attached with high facilities and comforts. Even these hotels provide superb facilities in the form of excellent fitness rooms and award winning spa treatments. There are also some hotels providing services of expert nutritionist which helps to develop healthy as well as sumptuous menus for guests.

A Holiday Hub In Hong Kong

Hong Kong, a territory in Southern china, is one of the most notable financial capitals of the world. The city is well known for its expansive skyline as well as for its natural setting the city has also become a cultural hub. The city boasts a cosmopolitan culture where the east joins hands with the west. Hong Kong is regularly visited by a number of business tourists who come to the city to attend business meetings and conferences. Apart from that, the city is also a well known destination for leisure tourists who want to see this amazing city with elaborate skyline and beautiful natural setting. There are a number of Hong Kong hotels where both the business tourists as well as leisure tourists can have a comfortable accommodation.

Whether you are a business tourists or a leisure traveler you are sure to find a wide range of Hong Kong Hotels according to your budget and preferences. There is a wide array of luxury hotels in Hong Cong where you can get all the luxurious modern amenities along with oriental hospitality. But if you do not want to spend much on accommodation you can also opt for any of the cheap hotels in the city. In any of the budget hotels in Hong Kong you are sure to have a comfortable stay with all the necessary amenities. You can also opt for discount hotel booking and save some money. You will also find a good number of business hotels in the city that offer a number of specialized services to the business tourists in the city.

As Hong Kong is a well known tourist destination you need to make an early hotel booking. With the modern technology, hotel booking worldwide has become an easy task. Now you can opt for online hotel booking sitting at the cozy comfort of your home.

If you want to have a close look at the culture and traditions of Hong Kong then the Hong Kong museum for arts is the place to go. The middle Kingdom is a place where you can see a prominent Chinese influence with Chinese temples, shrines, palaces and street scenes. It is almost like a little China at the heart of Hong Kong. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is also a great place to visit. You will see Lord Buddha in different postures and shapes in this monastery.

A trip to Latau Island is a delightful experience for any marine lover. Here you can see the pink dolphins diving in the bay. Another popular tourist destination for the lovers of the water kingdom is Ocean Park, the giant oceanarium situated at the Lowlands Gardens. If you love to beat the heat with some water sports then Water World is the ideal destination for the same. If you love to have some fun with your favorite animated characters, then you are sure to have a great time at Hong Kong Disneyland. For the outdoor activities you should head straight to Lamma Island. If you love shopping then the central district in Hong Kong is the ideal place for you. The area houses a number of shopping malls and market areas. The vast skyline of the city is also one of the popular attractions among the tourists.

While visiting Hong Kong do not forget to visit these amazing places. You are sure to make some of the most memorable moments of your life at Hong Kong.

Travel Hong Kong: 12 Must See Places

Hong Kong features a diverse mixture of characters as a result of long British occupation and a great Chinese influence. As a state of China, Hong Kong provides a good introduction to who ever wants to know more about China without entering the mainland plus a venue for more attractions with western culture and Asian spirit.

1. Hong Kong Museum of Art – Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong’s culture and history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, and lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).

2. Hong Kong Disneyland – The newly open and the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun and excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA.

3. Victoria Peak – Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher and take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.

4. Lantau Island – Travel Hong Kong and take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.

5. Ocean Park – Travel Hong Kong and visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you and your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda and butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef and shark aquariums are found, and Headlands amusement park where you can go and take a ride with cable cars and roller coasters.

6. Water World – Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, and water slides.

7. Middle Kingdom – A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, and palaces only at Middle Kingdom.

8. The Central district – If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls and several Western designer and signature boutiques are located.

9. Lamma Island – If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.

10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) – Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses and colors.

11. Hong Kong Space Museum – See what’s in store for you in the future at Hong Kong Space Museum. The complex offers hundreds of displays ranging from telecommunications, robotics, energy, computers, and physics with hands on experience that will keep you interested.

12. Wet Market – In Hong Kong, everything is fresh. And when they say fresh, they mean it. If you happen to travel Hong Kong to visit a friend or someone you know, come along when they go to wet market where the freshest among freshest seafood are for sale.

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.

You must visit to Hong Kong

Hong Kong features a diverse mixture of characters as a result of long British occupation and a great Chinese influence. As a state of China, Hong Kong provides a good introduction to who ever wants to know more about China without entering the mainland plus a venue for more attractions with western culture and Asian spirit.

1. Hong Kong Museum of Art – Located at 10 Salisbury Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is open to anyone who wants to take a glimpse of Hong Kong’s culture and history through its large collection of over 14,000 items ranging from calligraphy, paintings, Hong Kong treasure, art objects, antiques, and lithographs. The museum is open from 10:00am-6:00pm daily except Thursday (public holidays not included).

2. Hong Kong Disneyland – The newly open and the first ever Disneyland in Asia offers total fun and excitement for the whole family. The park is divided into four major attractions: Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Main Street, USA.

3. Victoria Peak – Soaring 1810 feet above sea level, the Victoria Peak is premier destination for tourists who want to take a birds eye view of downtown Hong Kong, Kowloon, and Victoria Harbour. Go another step higher and take a 10-minute hike to the actual Victoria Peak.

4. Lantau Island – Travel Hong Kong and take a cruise around the waters of Lantau Island and watch pink dolphins that only live in this waters.

5. Ocean Park – Travel Hong Kong and visit Ocean Park. This is one Hong Kong attractions where you and your kids will have a great fun. The park is one big oceanarium containing Lowlands Gardens where pandas live, goldfish pagoda and butterfly house are located, Marine Land where atoll reef and shark aquariums are found, and Headlands amusement park where you can go and take a ride with cable cars and roller coasters.

6. Water World – Travel Hong Kong with kids would never be so much fun without taking a plunge on Water World. Enjoy wave pools, play area, and water slides.

7. Middle Kingdom – A miniature China that houses Chinese shrines, street scenes, temples, and palaces only at Middle Kingdom.

8. The Central district – If you travel to Hong Kong because you love to shop, you better go to the central Hong Kong district where big shopping malls and several Western designer and signature boutiques are located.

9. Lamma Island – If you want to see a different Hong Kong, try Lamma Island. It hosts several outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. And if you love to taste fresh Hong Kong seafood in great dining ambiance, Lamma Island is still the preferred place to go.

10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Sha Tin) – Located at New Territories, the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery features Buddha in different poses and colors.

11. Hong Kong Space Museum – See what’s in store for you in the future at Hong Kong Space Museum. The complex offers hundreds of displays ranging from telecommunications, robotics, energy, computers, and physics with hands on experience that will keep you interested.

12. Wet Market – In Hong Kong, everything is fresh. And when they say fresh, they mean it. If you happen to travel Hong Kong to visit a friend or someone you know, come along when they go to wet market where the freshest among freshest seafood are for sale

Recreation While on Your Shopping Trip to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most famous tourist cities, but it is also a good place to go for recreation in East and Southeast Asia. It is has had a worldwide reputation as one of the world’s best places to shop. This makes sense since there are no sales taxes and almost no taxes at all, and it is one of China’s busiest ports, right next to the ShenZhen Special Economic Zone and the many factories in GuangDong Province. Products from around the world may be bought there at competitive prices. Business people from all over the world come to conduct business with people in Hong Kong and mainland Chinese.

It is known as the “gateway to China,” and the Chinese made products that are sold are cheaper than comparable goods that you would find in your local malls back in your home countries. With all this hustle and bustle and money exchanging hands, is there another way to have fun other than by strolling in the malls and bargaining with shop owners? There are plenty of recreational opportunities in Hong Kong.There are plenty of fun places to go, interesting things to see, and fun things to do in Hong Kong and much of this fun is free or inexpensive. Hong Kong has some of the best natural recreation areas in the region, good museums, zoos and parks that are free or inexpensive, amusement parks, an inexpensive transportation system including a cheap ferry system, lots of English language churches, and there is the fun and adventure of seeing and mixing with people from all over the world. So though Hong Kong is known as a good place to shop, to me the recreational activities is what makes Hong Kong enjoyable.

Looking at the market situation from an economic standpoint, from the many luxurious malls and stores, from all the thousands of small shops and boutiques, and from all the people hawking merchandise at tourists on the streets, there is plenty of competition to keep prices down. Labor costs in Hong Kong are still much lower than in the most of the world’s developed economies. It sits on one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, and products from all over the world are sold by merchants who have come to live there from all over the world. People from around the world go there to shop, have holidays, and enjoy the clean environment, scenery, resorts, hotels and restaurants. But if you are tired of business and shopping, people in the region looking for a place to get away from people, enjoy natural activities like hiking and swimming in a clean ocean, enjoy real Western food and enjoy some English language films or English friendly cultural activities, Hong Kong is sort of unique. This is what I found about Hong Kong. It is also interesting to watch all the world cultures merge, and see the people from all over the world.
Natural Recreation

The Chinese SAR (Special Administrative Region) of Hong Kong is covered with hills and mountains. It is wonderful to take a train or bus from the border and see green tree covered hills that seem empty. These mountains and hills are fairly steep, and until recently people have left much of the region of Hong Kong undeveloped. Especially, the region of the New Territories is still largely undeveloped. About 40% of Hong Kong is protected in 23 parks, including three marine parks and one marine reserve. Hiking trails, waterfalls, clean swimming spots and places to fish, lakes, rivers and some of Asia’s best beaches are within walking distance from the modern rapid transit train stations, and are often empty or have few visitors each day. As one person reported, “We hardly met a soul on our hikes.” Some of Asia’s best beaches and natural ocean areas are empty, but easily accessible. The 10 tallest mountain peaks all have hiking trails. Books and trail guides are easy to find in book stores and information kiosks. So for those who want to stroll or to go swimming or hiking, these still empty places in Hong Kong may be among the best places to go in East Asia.

As an example of a quick natural excursion from a ritzy mall, when I am on Hong Kong Island I like to take a 20 or 30 minute walk through the new IFC Mall that is one of Hong Kong’s most deluxe and arrive at a narrow road that climbs through a wooded park up Victoria Peak, rise above the high rises, and once reaching the top, see the great views on both the city side and the seaward side of the peak. If you really want to shop, there are two more malls to shop in on the top of Victoria Peak! Along the way, near this road is one of the coolest zoos I have ever seen, partly because it is free. I accidently walked in, trying to find my way up the hill one day, and found myself facing strange animals in cages. I thought I was in a small park, such as Chinese like to build to sit in, but found myself in one of the coolest zoos I’ve ever seen because it was clean, quiet and contained mainly primates, some of which I have never seen.

If you want to take this walk to the zoo or up Victoria Peak, the IFC Mall can be reached from Tsim Sha Tsui area of Kowloon aboard the Star Ferry. After a 12 minute walk on the covered walkway from the ferry terminal, you’ll be in the IFC Mall. But you may have to ask directions. One thing I’ve found strange about both China and Hong Kong is how there are few signs giving directions. The mall is large and spread out over several huge buildings. From the side of the IFC that faces the mountain, you can follow more covered walkways, escalators and stairs that lead up to the road that ascends up the hill. It is difficult to find the road because there are no clear signs, but people may give directions. Next to this park is the free small zoo called the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. It is worth seeing. I describe it more below.

The hike though the park to the top of Victoria Peak takes about 35 or 40 minutes. It passes through woods, and there are places to sit along the way if you are tired. It is fairly quiet in the park, and usually only a few people, mainly foreigners, may be found walking along the road. At the top there is a mall called the Peak Tower. There are coffee shops including a Starbucks for refreshments, and there are many restaurants with views from the top of the peak. There actually are two peaks at the top of Victoria Peak with good views. The other peak is about a 15 minute walk away. From the first peak next to the malls, you can see the ocean and the shoreline from the ocean side of the island. From the second peak, there is a good view of the bay and city below. At night, the city lights are a spectacle (see my picture, taken during the day). The mall area is served by a tram, and there are buses and taxis available if you want a ride.

The city from Victoria Peak

Museums

It was really cool and fun visiting 3 museums and seeing an “Imax” movie called “The Alps” at the Space Museum this summer with some friends – all in one day. We went on the day the museums are free, so the Science Museum was crowded with kids. The museums in Hong Kong are inexpensive and interesting. Ticket prices range from 10 to 25 HKD which is only about 1.2 to about 3 US dollars. On Wednesdays, entry is free. If you are in Kowloon or Tsim Sha Tsui, the best museums are within walking distance. For busy shoppers, within easy travel distance of the busy shopping districts of Central on Hong Kong Island and of Tsim Sha Tsui are four of Hong Kong’s best museums and the Hong Kong Cultural Center.

The Museum of Art houses about 15,000 exhibits. Its focus is to preserve Chinese artistic heritage. The collection includes an impressive display of antiques, and it includes many works of art from ancient China. It also has an extensive calligraphy section.

The Hong Kong Space Museum is next door to the Museum of Art. It is a distinctive white dome shaped building. There are two collections and a large and sophisticated “Omnimax” or “Imax” style movie theater. The theater projects movies on the very large screen which is actually the roof of the building, and the audio is broadcast simultaneously via headphones in English, Cantonese, Mandarin and Japanese. The Hall of Space Science collection is on the first floor, and the Hall of Astronomy is on the second floor. The space science collection features mainly Chinese astronomical instruments and charts, early Chinese rockets that were used as weapons, and rockets that were invented in the West during the last two centuries. It also includes a mockup of the American Space Shuttle cockpit that is very interesting because it is realistic and huge. The Hall of Astronomy collection instructs visitors on the solar system, stars and universe. There is also a small collection of meteorites. Some of the exhibits in the museum are interactive. It is a place to go if you like science or want to learn about the history of astronomy or space flight, or if you simply want to see an exciting super screen movie.

Like I said, I visited this Space Museum this summer. The recreations of Chinese rocket weapons were interesting. And I was amazed at the size of the Space Shuttle cockpit. It is like a jetliner, but it doesn’t look very big on TV. The dome-screened “Imax” movie threatre was really a wonderful place to be. It was clean and quiet, and I was tired. But to view the movies, people have to lie down on the chairs that are more like beds. It was really cool. I was impressed by the scenery of the Alps, and the great music. The movie touched me. It was about a climber whose father had died climbing this same peak when he was a kid. It was really moving. He accomplished his life-long dream and burden to get to the top of it.

The Science Museum is about a 25 minute walk away. It is another place to go to learn about science. It is especially a fun place for kids and for adults who like to play because most of the exhibits are interactive. There is a hall of mirrors and a sports fitness test area for example. The hall of mirrors is fun to walk through. The fitness test area was the most fun part of the museum for me. But I suggest go when there aren’t so many kids. The lines were quite long on the “free day” when I visited.

The Hong Kong Museum of History is next to the Science Museum. It has interesting “real-life” displays of Hong Kong at various times, including the British Colonial era and the Japanese invasion. There is an interesting walk-through geology and natural history exhibit. The Museum has collected about 2,800 rock and mineral specimens from the around the territory, and there are over 750 specimens of shells from local beaches. The Museum has also acquired over 1,600 animal specimens, including mammals, birds and butterflies. I liked the historical displays about Hong Kong’s recent history, but I thought that the first part of the museum with the displays of Neolithic people on a beach and the recreations of prehistoric animals and etc. was kind of hokey.

The Hong Kong Cultural Center is a large building next to the Space Museum. When I walked inside, I was struck by the huge unused space. There is a concert hall that seats about 2000 people, a theatre that seats about 1700, and a small studio theatre than can seat almost 500 people. World famous orchestras and musicians perform there. At the entrance, is a model of the whole center.

Recommended Hong Kong Travel, Hong Kong tours, Hong Kong hotels.

A Day at the Races in the Heart of Hong Kong

Hong Kong has often been compared to Singapore for its booming economy, shopaholic population and its technology loving multitudes. An Asian city that is bereft of the organized chaos that is Bangkok or the cultural overdose of South Asian giant India, Hong Kong is known for its west-oriented values, neatly manicured streets and MRTs. Hong Kong to many in the region at least is at first a food loverâ??s paradise owing to its culturally diverse and adventurous populace. Home to such well-known attractions as Victoria Peak, Big Buddha and Hong Kong Disneyland, this vibrant city is also where the shopping district Mongkok, Lamma Island and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is located. But thereâ??s more to Hong Kong than itsâ?? towering sky scrapers, abundant food courts and trendy nightclubs. Even a decade after it was handed over by the British to mainland China, Hong Kongâ??s image is synonymous with a modern day metropolis that is fast paced with an ever-growing appetite for the finer things in life. And it seems though the British rule over this island nation seems to have receded in to the backdrop, its cultural influence has left an indelible mark on the countryâ??s social landscape. This is why Hong Kong is renowned as a horse racing hotspot in Asia. As an equestrian sport that has captivated the world for centuries, horse racing finds its origins in the Chariot races of Ancient Rome. A permanent fixture in Norse mythology, horse racing was the sport of royalty, who sped across palace grounds on thoroughbreds to the cheers of Noble men. Coupled with gambling from its inception, horse racing today remains a sport of the elite although unlike centuries past, the average traveller can also have a stake in the winning steed of his choice. Famed for its adrenaline rushing, nail biting atmosphere, horse racing was first conducted in Hong Kong during British winters. But looking at the Hong Kong populationâ??s insatiable appetite for the sport it is difficult to trace its roots in the countryâ??s colonial past as horse racing is ardently followed by locals of all stature. The Hong Kong racing calendar culminates in the Hong Kong International Races which consist of five events that attract horse racing enthusiasts from around the world. Home to two top-notch race courses, Happy Valley and Sha Tin Racecourse, the betting process in the venues are generally handled in a pari-mutuel system. Described as one of the regionâ??s premier race courses Sha Tin Racecourse can host up to 83,000 people at a time and also has the longest Diamond Vision screen at 70.4 metres width and a height of 8 metres. Built in 1978, the thrilling atmosphere of a day at the races is best experienced here while the Happy Valley Racecourse has offered night racing from 1973 onwards. As the nationâ??s first race course, Happy Valley is now home to a state of the art track and live horse races broadcast. Come September and all of Hong Kong is buzzing with horse racing fever as the annual horse racing tour is about to commence. Running through till July these are marked months on racing loverâ??s calendars as the spectacle of this refined sport captivates locals and tourists alike. For those who are interested in learning of the history of this much loved sport, visit the Hong Kong Racing Museum where the past is revisited with unmatched fervour. Pleasantly situated, Hotel Jen is an excellent Hong Kong Island hotel located close to the race tracks. Charming and comfortable this cosy rest is a premier tourist hotel in Hong Kong

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