Hong Kong is located in the south of China - on Hong Kong Island, Liantao, Kowloon Peninsula and another 234 small islands. It is washed from the south, east and west South China Sea. In the north, Hong Kong is adjacent to the province Guangdong. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, that is, in fact, it is a city-state with its own laws and money. Even outwardly, it is not very similar to Chinese cities, especially since Hong Kong people are more willing to speak English than Chinese.

Hong Kong has another name - Hong Kong. Trade, industry, and the film industry are thriving in Hong Kong, and the port of Hong Kong is one of the three largest ports in the world. It is not surprising that Hong Kong is the richest city in China, based on GDP per capita.

By the way, in terms of population, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities on the planet. Moreover, due to the unevenness of settlement in the metropolis, there are areas where up to 54,000 residents live per square kilometer. And in the Mang Gok region this figure is even higher - 140,000 people!

But don’t let travelers be intimidated by so many people. Tourists in Hong Kong will have a unique opportunity to see the harmony between ancient Chinese traditions and the Western way of life. Here you can choose a holiday for every taste: beaches, amazing excursions, tea ceremonies, limitless shopping and ancient martial arts.

Climate and weather

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with cool winters and hot, humid summers. In winter, the air temperature at night sometimes drops to +10 °C, and during the day it is quite comfortable - +20...+22 °C. But due to the fact that in Hong Kong houses there is basically no heating, it can be cool at night.

In spring, both temperature and humidity increase. The mercury rises to +27 °C and the humidity reaches 82%.

At the end of May, summer arrives and air humidity reaches 100%. Coupled with an average temperature of +33 ° C, this leads to strong stuffiness. At this time the rainy season begins. Typhoons and stormy winds often occur.

Autumn begins at the end of September. This time is characterized by clear sunny days, humidity drops to 72%, and rain gradually subsides. It's best to plan your trip to Hong Kong in the spring or fall, when inclement weather is unlikely.

Nature

Hong Kong is located on hilly terrain. The highest point in the vicinity of the city is Mount Taimoshan(958 meters). There are countless bays and beaches on the coast. It would seem that Hong Kong should amaze with its urban landscapes, but for many travelers, a real discovery is the fact that 70% of Hong Kong's territory is rural areas, where green valleys and tropical forests await tourists. Magnolias, azaleas, 90 varieties of orchids grow here, and the forests are home to wild pigs, deer, monkeys and many species of birds.

Attractions

Hong Kong is a city that never ceases to amaze. There are so many interesting things to see here that one trip is unlikely to be enough to see all the sights.

Tourists usually consider it their duty to visit Victoria Peak, named after the English Queen Victoria. This is a hill (552 meters above sea level), which offers stunning views of the city. Popular from man-made heights tower peak: there is an observation deck at a level of 428 meters, from where you can also admire the local beauty.

The hallmark of modern Hong Kong is its skyscrapers. Here are three must-see buildings: Hongkong Bank headquarters(one of the most expensive buildings in the world), Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center(a skyscraper with a very original shape), as well as the Bank of China tower with a triangular glass roof that changes color depending on the time of day.

Hong Kong's gardens and parks deserve special attention. Hong Kong Park is a veritable green oasis in the realm of brick and concrete. There are dancing fountains, swimming pools, and an amphitheater. And the colorful abundance of flowers and trees will simply amaze you. A particularly scenic spot in Hong Kong - mountain garden victoria, decorated in Victorian style. And of course, hong kong botanical garden And Kowloon Park- a Chinese garden of the 15th century - will not leave nature lovers indifferent.

There are a lot of museums in Hong Kong. The largest of them are Cantonese Heritage Museum, Chinese Revolutionary Sun Yat-sen Museum, Hong Kong History Museum, Medical Science Museum, Police Museum, Tsui Art Museum, Art Museum, Madame Tussauds, Hong Kong University Museum and Art Gallery. There is even a Horse Racing Museum and a Teaware Museum. By the way, on Wednesdays, visiting museums is free.

Nutrition

Hong Kong can rightfully be considered the culinary center of Asia. There is a diversity of culinary schools here that few cities can rival. In the city (and this is according to the most rough estimates) there are at least 11,000 restaurants offering cuisine from different countries of the world. Thai, Indonesian, Malay and Japanese cuisine can be found everywhere, as well as various styles of Chinese cuisine. Historically, Hong Kong cuisine has absorbed English traditions: there are many places where you can order a sandwich with milk, and also come for five o’clock tea.

The most famous Hong Kong dish is dim sum- local dumplings served in bamboo baskets. No less popular are baolaobao pies and daan cakes with custard. Be sure to try such delicacies as shark fin soup, steamed lobsters, and swallow's nests.

Restaurants in Hong Kong usually have menus in English. In general, we advise you to choose establishments that have a QTS sign at the entrance, which indicates that the restaurant is accredited under the High Quality Tourism Services program. In such a restaurant you will always be satisfied with both the food and the service.

As for the cost of lunch or dinner, in Hong Kong you can easily find an establishment to suit any budget. There are luxury restaurants where the average dinner bill is $500 per person, and there are places where you can have a great meal for 50 times less.

But keep in mind that in the evenings all restaurants are crowded, so it is advisable to make reservations in advance. Tips are automatically included in the bill (10%), but this money does not necessarily go to the waiters, so if you liked the service, you can add more.

Accommodation

There are a lot of hotels in Hong Kong, and the hotel service here is not only no worse, but often even better than that of a similar status in Europe or America. The only thing that can upset a picky tourist is the compactness of the rooms: hotels usually do not occupy a very large area, so the owners have to “save” both on space and on the views from the window, from where one can often see a dull courtyard or the gray wall of a neighboring building. If the view from the window is a matter of principle, you should choose rooms marked Sea View or Harbor View.

Hong Kong 3* hotels will have decent service, good living conditions and a very reasonable price.

Four-star hotels are distinguished, first of all, by more spacious rooms with sea or city views, a swimming pool and a gym. The cost of services will already include transfer from the airport and back.

In hotels with 5* status, guests will receive high-quality service, but the cost of living will be appropriate. In hotels such as Intercontinental, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong,Peninsula, the price for a standard double room can be $400-500, and this is in case of early booking.

Entertainment and relaxation

Hong Kong is a place where a stay should not be limited to visiting museums, parks or shops. To feel the atmosphere of the city, you need to immerse yourself in the leisure time of its residents.

You can start your “immersion” with Tai Chi gymnastics, which Hong Kongers practice right in the city’s parks at 6-7 o’clock in the morning. This is one of Hong Kong's favorite sports and is worth getting up early for.

A fascinating activity for most foreigners is the tea ceremony, which is held in any tea store. Also, be sure to go for a traditional massage or watch a Kung Fu show in Kowloon Park, where you will also be offered a couple of free lessons in this ancient art. Active recreation enthusiasts can also spend time at the golf clubs or go hiking in protected areas and national parks.

Although Hong Kong appears to be an ultra-technological city of the 21st century, there is still room for beach holidays, and the beaches here are of a very high standard. True, if you don’t want to make your way to the sea through a crowd of vacationers, it’s worth visiting the beautiful and uncrowded beaches on the islands of Lamma, Chen Chau and Liantao.

When it comes to nightlife, Hong Kong never sleeps, as befits a metropolis. Almost all night in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, neon lights attract nightlife enthusiasts. Most of the night bars and clubs are located here. Discos, live music, karaoke - everyone will find entertainment to suit their taste. And romantic types will be interested in taking the Lei Yue Mun night cruise - a five-hour cruise along Victoria Bay, during which you can enjoy magnificent views of Hong Kong at night.

Purchases

Shopping in Hong Kong is a separate full-fledged entertainment that is unlikely to be included in one day. The advantage of shopping in Hong Kong is lower prices than in other cities in China.

As a rule, tourists in Hong Kong seek to replenish their wardrobe, purchase equipment and jewelry. Also popular are ivory and jade items, porcelain tableware, Chinese traditional clothing, tea and sweets.

First of all, you need to understand: without visiting the colorful street markets of Hong Kong, your trip will not be called complete. Ladies' Market is perhaps the most popular market in Hong Kong. This place is famous for cheap copies of famous brands (bags, watches, wallets). Not the most crowded in Hong Kong - Stanley market- is one of the most interesting for tourists: only it can boast such a variety of souvenirs. Among the markets that also deserve tourist attention are: antique market on Cat Street, market on Wan Chai street(one of the largest open markets), Costume Market(carnival, not business) and even Business Card Market. And for technology and fashionable gadgets at attractive prices, the best place to go is Gold Trade Gallery(you won’t find gold there, but computers of any kind). It is worth remembering that it is customary to bargain in markets.

Tired of markets, you can reorient yourself to shopping centers. There are also a great many of them in Hong Kong: this is a chic Pacific Place, And Times Square, And The Landmark, And Citygate Outlets, and incredible Discovery Park- a mixture of a park and a shopping center.

You can pay for purchases in shopping centers either in cash or by credit card. Keep in mind that Hong Kong has its own currency (Hong Kong dollar), and yuan is almost never accepted here. You can pay in yuan at the market or in small shops, but the exchange rate will not be in your favor. Therefore, it is best to exchange any currency for Hong Kong dollars, especially since there are a lot of exchange offices in the city.

Transport

Hong Kong is quite easy to navigate and navigate, as the transport system is well-organized to the smallest detail. By the way, traffic here is on the left. There are signs in English everywhere, so it's impossible to get lost. Travelers can travel by metro, bus, tram, ferry or taxi. Each type of transport has its own tariffs and tickets. If you are going to spend several days in Hong Kong, it will be more profitable to purchase an Octopus card, which you can use to pay for travel in all vehicles and not waste time buying a ticket. The card costs approximately $20.

The Hong Kong metro has 10 lines, including the Airport Express line, which allows quick access to the airport from the city center. The metro stations are clean and bright, all cars have air conditioning. The cost of a metro ride depends on the distance, type of line, day of the week and time of travel, the final price varies from $0.25 to $2. You can save money by purchasing a travel pass.

Buses in Hong Kong are mostly double-decker and air-conditioned. There are a lot of routes, so before you get on the bus, be sure to check the map where it goes.

The most “deserved” mode of transport in Hong Kong is the tram. Double-decker trams have been running around Hong Kong for over a hundred years. Hong Kong people affectionately call them “ding-ding.” By the way, the cheapest way to travel is by tram.

The funiculars, of which there are two in Hong Kong, deserve special attention. The first, rail, was opened back in 1888 and still allows you to climb Victoria Peak, the second is a regular cable car that can take you to the Buddha statue.

Taxis in Hong Kong come in three colors. Red color belongs to the “city” taxi, the most expensive. Green taxis are slightly cheaper, but they only operate in the New Territories, Disneyland and the airport. Blue taxis are the cheapest, but you can only catch them at the airport, Disneyland and Liantao Island. Taxi drivers in Hong Kong are required to serve the meter and give a receipt, and passengers must wear seat belts, even if they are sitting in the back seat.

Connection

There are many telecommunications companies in Hong Kong, competing fiercely with each other. Therefore, international telephone communication is very inexpensive, 100 minutes will cost an average of $4, you just need to purchase a SIM card. Calls throughout the country can also be made from pay phones that accept coins and calling cards.

Internet access is available both in hotels, restaurants, bars, and in Internet cafes, which are distributed everywhere. True, there are almost no open networks; you have to pay for access to the network. In hotels, the cost of Internet is usually very high. The best solution would be to purchase a local PCCW card for 24 hours for $2.5. It can be used in any area of ​​Hong Kong.

Safety

Hong Kong is quite safe, and despite the sad experiences of the past, the crime rate here is now one of the lowest in China. But this does not mean that you can completely forget about precautions. Be careful in crowded places, as theft and pickpockets are still the main problem for the police.

In the evenings it is better not to walk alone, as there have been cases of tourists being robbed. Keep valuables in the hotel safe, have photocopies of your passport and other important documents. Do not enter into conversations with people who offer you to buy something cheap or exchange currency at a favorable rate: most likely, they are scammers.

Tap water in Hong Kong is safe to drink without boiling, but if you find yourself in rural areas, it is better to buy bottled water.

You should know that there are sharks in the coastal waters of Hong Kong. So for your own safety, do not swim on wild beaches.

Business climate

Hong Kong deservedly has a reputation as a tax haven, since the tax burden on taxpayers here is the lowest in Asia and ranks 3rd in the world. There is no value added tax or sales tax. The territory of Hong Kong has free port status, which means that imported goods, with a few exceptions, are not subject to excise taxes and customs duties. Taxes also do not apply to dividends, interest income, capital gains and assets received by inheritance. At the same time, Hong Kong is not an offshore zone, which ensures a good reputation for its banking system.

The advantages of doing business in Hong Kong include the extremely low level of corruption in government bodies. It is also important that it is very easy to open a company in Hong Kong: the procedure takes no more than 4 days, no physical office is required, one representative (director or shareholder) is enough, who can be a citizen of any country. Companies only have to file financial statements once a year.

Investments from all over the world flock to Hong Kong; thematic exhibitions are held here in a variety of sectors of the economy and industry, which provides ample opportunities for establishing business connections and finding the right contacts.

Real estate

The Hong Kong real estate market is developing very dynamically and attracting foreign investors. However, real estate prices here are very high. The most prestigious area is Victoria Peak, where the most expensive real estate in the world is presented. However, distance from the center does not guarantee a decline in prices. A small house in a quiet area far from the center will cost $600,000-1,000,000. Of course, this does not mean that there is no affordable housing at all in Hong Kong, but demand has been exceeding supply for several years now, so all inexpensive real estate is sold out very quickly.

When purchasing a house or apartment in Hong Kong, you should remember that there is no right of private ownership of housing, but there is a right to lease for a period of 50 to 99 years. To purchase real estate, foreigners need to obtain a special permit from the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China.

Recently, Hong Kong authorities have been taking measures to combat rising property prices, which are associated with speculative sentiment among sellers. These measures apply to foreigners if they are going to get a loan to buy a home from a Hong Kong bank. Certain restrictions are introduced: the mortgage term cannot exceed 30 years, and the payer must have such a monthly income that the loan payment is no more than 40%.

When planning a trip to Hong Kong, keep in mind that Russian citizens do not need a visa if the period of stay in Hong Kong does not exceed 14 days and the purpose of the trip is tourism or a business visit. If you are going to visit other cities in China, you should apply for a Chinese visa in advance.

Smoking is prohibited in all public places in Hong Kong. Smoking is permitted only in special areas marked with a “smoking area” sign. The fine for violating the ban is so impressive that it discourages anyone from smoking: almost $200 for smoking in open places, and $500 if a smoker is caught with a cigarette in a closed public area. It is also prohibited to litter - again, punishable by a fine.

If you are going to give a gift to a Hong Kong person, be sure to pay attention to the packaging: it should be beautiful and tasteful. When presenting, give the gift with both hands - this is a sign of respect. Never give knives and other cutting objects (according to Chinese superstitions, this means a break in relationships), watches, straw sandals and scarves (associated with funerals). If you are invited to visit, we advise you to bring fruits, sweets or flowers (but not white or red) as a gift.

Hong Kong– a dynamically developing “state” within a state, playing an important role on the world stage. The ultra-modern city has a special status and, despite the high concentration of modern buildings, highways and industrial facilities, is of particular interest to travelers.

Being the state and capital of the district of the same name in Hong Kong, Hong Kong has a special status for the PRC, although it is difficult to find anything Chinese in it other than the large population.

Where is?

Hong Kong or, as it is called, Hong Kong is located on the Kowloon Peninsula, several islands (Hong Kong, Lantau, Lamma, Cheung Chau), and also owns about 262 small islands scattered throughout the China Sea.

Lantau is considered the largest island in Hong Kong, both in size and population.

Although most of it has not yet been explored due to the numerous mountains and hills, number of inhabitants per 1 sq.m. It's really impressive here (from 1000 to 3000). A significant part of the region is occupied by the Kowloon Peninsula and the northern coast of Hong Kong Island.

Every year, Hong Kong conquers even more land from the sea, so the country's territory increases slightly in size. Today its area, together with all the adjacent islands, occupies about 1104 sq. km.

Climate

Typical for Hong Kong subtropical climate with cool, as well as with hot, but humid.

In winter time The air warms up to +22°C during the day, and at night the air cools down to +10 degrees. In summer The thermometer column can show temperatures up to +33°C. The typhoon period lasts from May to September.

The former territory was reluctantly settled by people. Exiles were sent here, but the situation changed during the war between China and Japan.

The battle forced many of the country's inhabitants to rush here, so the population increased due to refugees.

In subsequent years, Hong Kong passed to Japan, then returned to Britain again, but in 1997 it was transferred to the PRC and turned into a special administrative region of the country.

Population

About 95% of Hong Kong residents are Chinese, people from Southeast Asia (Indians, Filipinos, Indonesians and Pakistanis) also live here. Most of the population inhabits Kowloon and Hong Kong, but according to statistics, only a third of the territory is occupied in this region, although about 7 million people live here.

Economy

Economically, Hong Kong is quite comprehensively developed. There is own industry, many shopping centers, restaurants, hotels and tourist sites are open. But most of the income to the treasury comes from maritime trade.

Transport

Hong Kong has its own metro, walking around the city Taxi, buses and two-story trams, and they run between the islands ferries.

Hong Kong is a unique region of China, a huge trading platform and an excellent tourist center for an exotic holiday.

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Is Hong Kong a city or a country? Where is Hong Kong?

Since 1997, Hong Kong or Hong Kong has been an autonomous region of China. In terms of economics and domestic politics, this administrative region copes well without Chinese interference. but foreign policy will remain with the PRC.

Hong Kong, or Hong Kong, is neither a capital nor a country. This is a kind of administrative center of China, in other words, just a city. Hong Kong is located in the southern part of great China, or rather in the southeast.

Here is Hong Kong on the map:

Now you will know what Hong Kong is like. The name of this admin. cent can be found, for example, on the Aliexpress website, since parcels are sent via Hong Kong. Personally, I have a question just about this)

Hong Kong is considered an administrative region of the People's Republic of China, as well as the financial center of Asia. This area is located in southern China and is a very highly developed center. The area consists of a city and islands. The word Hong Kong itself can be translated as a fragrant port.

We now very often use the services of China: buying a variety of goods. At the same time, China is a wonderful tourist country.

Many people think that Hong Kong is a separate country, or the capital of some country, but this is not so.

In fact, Hong Kong is an administrative region of China, or rather one city of the Republic of China.

So Hong Kong is just one city from China.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, abbreviated Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, one of the leading financial centers in Asia and the world.

Hong Kong is neither a city nor a country, it is something completely different, an administrative entity that arose on the site of a former British colony in 1997, when Hong Kong's lease from China expired. Since then, Hong Kong has formally been part of China, but retains very high independence and is very different from the rest of the country. First of all, the Hong Kong government is completely independent in all matters except defense and foreign policy. Hong Kong is still represented separately from China in many organizations and even acts as a separate team at the Olympic Games, albeit under the common flag of China. Hong Kong has two large islands and a small peninsula on the mainland, which have their own ministries of customs, economics, immigration and others. Hong Kong has a population of more than 7 million people, and English is still the second official language.



Hong Kong is the administrative center of China. Hong Kong has its own laws and its own government, let's say it's like a republic in the country. Hong Kong is also a very developed city that has good infrastructure and tourism. It is located in the south of China



Many people think that Hong Kong is the capital or a country, but no.

Hong Kong is not a country or a capital, but is a state city and the administrative center of the People's Republic of China, part of the country of China, and located on the southeast coast of China.

Until 1997, Hong Kong belonged to Great Britain. In 1997, Hong Kong was officially handed over to China. Now Hong Kong is one of the administrative regions of China, that is, in fact, it is a city that is one of the fastest growing cities in the People's Republic of China.

At the moment, Hong Kong has its own currency, its own government and laws, but is territorially part of China, according to the concluded agreement between China and the UK, which is valid until 2047.



Hong Kong is nothing more than the administrative center of China itself. without being the capital. In general, Hong Kong is a city in China and at the same time an administrative center located in the southeastern part of China.

The answer to the question What is Hong Kong - a city or a country is actually not as simple as it might seem at first glance. Hong Kong has its own money, passports, legal system (not quite Chinese), but the Chinese flags flying over the city and the administrative body appointed under strict Chinese control do not indicate complete independence.

Until 1997, Hong Kong was a colony of the United Kingdom and was governed by a governor. Today, Hong Kong is a special administrative region that is part of China.

The Basic Law of Hong Kong, as agreed between China and the UK, states that Hong Kong will retain its own currency (Hong Kong dollar), legal system and parliamentary system for fifty years. This means that Hong Kong is effectively a separate country within China.

I have been to Hong Kong several times and I can say that the city is somewhat different from the countries of Southeast Asia, first of all, in rather high prices and, secondly, in the standard of living and some... general discipline of the residents. For example, at a bus/tram stop, people line up to get inside. In general, the country is very interesting, you can read more about it here.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. It has one of the largest ports in the world, is one of the leading financial centers in Asia and the world, and represents a fusion of Eastern and European cultures. Hong Kong is also called Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is located in southern China, 32 km east of the mouth of the Pearl River and 135 km southeast of Guangdong Province. The city is washed from the west, south and east by the South China Sea. Hong Kong is separated from the mainland by a natural harbor. To the north, Hong Kong borders the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.

The Pearl of the Orient is the most common title used to describe Hong Kong. This city-state is sometimes called Asian New York. It’s difficult to call Hong Kong a Chinese city; it doesn’t look like a Chinese city, if only because almost all the residents speak English. At the same time, Hong Kongers, despite the colonial history of the city, never became British, but they still ceased to be Chinese.

Hong Kong is far from the largest city on earth, and not even the largest city in China - only (by regional standards) 7.5 million people. However, Hong Kong is an important destination in the financial world; National Geographic magazine calls Hong Kong "the third largest financial center in the world and the eleventh largest industrial zone." Hong Kong is famous for its gold and foreign exchange markets, trade, manufacturing, film industry and much more. By the way, the port in Hong Kong is the third largest in the world. More than 7,000 ships from all over the world arrive at the Hong Kong pier every year.

Hong Kong earns and spends money with an inexplicable gluttony: b O More Rolls-Royces per square kilometer than anywhere else.

However, Hong Kong also has another claim to fame: being the most populous city in the world. About 7 million Hong Kongers live on 1,106.4 square kilometers of land, with a population density of approximately 6,732 people per square kilometer. However, such statistics can be misleading since the city is unevenly populated. Only 10 percent of the area is inhabited, which means that on average there are more than 54,000 inhabitants per square kilometer! And in the Mang Gok region there are 140,000 people per square kilometer! And although Hong Kong has reclaimed a lot of land from the sea, there are still areas called “dangas” where people live in junks or boats.

Based: 1841
Square: 1,106.4 km 2
Population: 7,448,900 people (2018)
Currency: Hong Kong dollar
Language: Chinese, English
Official website: https://www.gov.hk

Current time in Hong Kong:
(UTC +8)

The majority of Hong Kong residents are Cantonese (95%), mostly speaking Cantonese. The country officially has two languages: Cantonese Chinese and English. Many Chinese have moved to the city from the mainland, especially Shanghai, as well as immigrants from India, Pakistan and Nepal, many of whom have lived in Hong Kong for generations. Recently, more and more immigrants from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand have been coming to Hong Kong, most of whom work as domestics. Moreover, Hong Kong is also home to a significant number of people from North America, Japan and Europe, making the city truly international. Although Hong Kong is legally part of China, the former British colony has its own laws. The country has all the rights and freedoms characteristic of a democratic state.

How to get there

Airplane

Aeroflot flies from Moscow to Hong Kong 4 times a week, the travel time is 9 hours 50 minutes.

A number of airlines also offer flights with connections in other cities, for example:

• "Emirates" (in Dubai),
• Qatar Airways (in Doha),
• Etihad (in Abu Dhabi),

as well as in Beijing, Bangkok, Delhi and other major hubs. Planes arrive at Chek Lap Kok airport.

Train

There is a daily train from mainland China to Hong Kong. The train consists of two parts: one departs from Beijing (26 hours), the other from Shanghai (24 hours). In addition to this rather long train, there are also commuter trains from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, and to Guangzhou.

Bus

The bus, paradoxically, is a good way to cross the border into mainland China without queuing. Hourly buses go to Guangzhou. There are also at least 6 bus routes that run between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

• Jordan, Kowloon District, bus departs from Scout Centre, Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (5 minutes walk from Jordan MRT).
• Mongkok, Kowloon departs from Portland Street, near Metropark Hotel Mongkok (departure from Prince Edward Hotel).
• Wanchai, Hong Kong Island departs from the Bus Station.
• Kuan Tong, Kowloon departs from the bus station and from the Kwun Tong Shopping Plaza.
• Tsuen Wan departs from the bus station (10 minutes walk from Tsuen Wan station).
• Kam Shen Road branches off to Western Railway Station.

Buses run every 20-30 minutes. Lok Ma Chau crossing - with 24-hour border crossing.

Helicopter and ferry

You can also use Macau International Airport, and if you're flying there, you can easily get there by ferry from Macau. Or even by helicopter. Company helicopter « Sky Shuttle operates short flights every 30 minutes from the Marítimo terminals in Macau to the pier in Hong Kong. The flight takes 16 minutes and costs about HK$3,000.

On foot

You can cross the border from mainland China to Hong Kong in Shenzhen. There are six checkpoints between Hong Kong and mainland China. Pedestrian crossings are: Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau. One of the crossings is located in the center of Shenzhen, the other at the railway station.

Visa to Hong Kong

Russian citizens do not require visas to visit Hong Kong for a period not exceeding 14 days. The purpose of travel must be tourism, transit, visiting friends or relatives, or a short-term business visit not related to making a profit in Hong Kong. You can read more detailed information in our special material “Visa to Hong Kong”.

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Travel notes, day 10

I’m talking about Hong Kong, so today we will talk not so much about the features of the city, but about the relations of this territory with China.

So, yesterday morning I left Guangzhou for Hong Kong. The train takes two hours. Pass the Chinese border and customs directly at the Eastern Station. Then two hours to Hong Kong, and again the border with customs. A first class ticket costs 170 yuan.

01. An interesting way to queue for boarding. Chinese trains board at a specific time. That is, approximately like our airplane. First, you wait in the waiting room, and then 10 minutes before departure everyone is abruptly let out. People are waiting in line with their suitcases! As I understand it, some trains have tickets without a seat, so it’s important to be the first to board the car.

02.

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04. Previously, there was Hong Kong Airport, one of the most dangerous in the world. But it was closed a long time ago, and now this territory is being built up.

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09. Hong Kong is a very bold city. In addition, it is cut by overpasses. Walking around the city is not always convenient, and if you have a stroller or suitcases, sometimes it is impossible to move around at all. But this is a very special case, I would not compare Hong Kong with other cities now. And don’t forget: there should be no off-street crossings!

10. Residents of Hong Kong, as well as our compatriots who often come here, are delighted with the Hong Kong metro. But it seems inconvenient to me. Clean, modern, trains run on time. But the network itself is small, you have to make a lot of transfers. With ground transport it is even worse. He is stuck in traffic jams, no dedicated lanes were noticed (perhaps they exist somewhere). And they really love these little buses here. They only have seats, there are a lot of them, a couple of times I saw a woman with a stroller trying to get on such a bus. It’s a pity I didn’t have time to film it, otherwise all the questions about why it was bad would have immediately disappeared.

11. Let's open the website of the leading newspaper in Hong Kong, South China Morning Post! It was once a very sophisticated Hong Kong newspaper, but then it was bought by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, after which it may not have completely lost its independence, but it began to regularly publish rather slippery articles in support of the communist regime. However, it is still one of the largest publications in Hong Kong and exists in both print and electronic form.

12. As soon as I opened the HK section (that is, Hong Kong news), what immediately caught my eye was that local residents have big problems with national identity. There are many articles about how Hong Kong people perceive themselves, whether they associate themselves with China, whether they consider themselves Chinese, and so on.

13. Here, written in 2014, during (Occupy Central) in Hong Kong. Then Hong Kongers practically ceased to consider themselves residents of China. Only 8.9% of participants in the corresponding opinion poll in Hong Kong said that they considered themselves Chinese. Almost a third considered themselves Hong Kongers, and the rest described themselves as “part Hong Kong, part Chinese” (or vice versa).

14. Since 1996, this was the 10th survey on the national identity of Hong Kongers. That is, such studies are carried out regularly, but their results are not always easy to predict. And here (from April 11) about the reason that young Hong Kongers do not like mainland China.

15. It is noted that the study was sponsored by a political party that is favorable to the PRC. 1,300 respondents in secondary schools were surveyed. Many of those who took part in the survey have either been to China (9 out of 10 people), or use Chinese applications, or can read simplified hieroglyphs (they are not used in Hong Kong, but are used in China).

16. The authors of the study make an interesting conclusion. Young Hong Kongers' identification problem is not due to lack of familiarity with China. They just feel that Chinese culture is alien to them.

17. 65% of respondents rated the similarity of the two cultures, Chinese and Hong Kong, as 5 or less on a 10-point scale. A lot of people, almost every 10th, gave a 0. That is, Hong Kongers believe that China is a completely different culture.

18. Of course, this is a problem for a country that wants to create a single market and a single political space.

19. We all remember that Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. Then a program was adopted called “One country – two systems”. She meant that two different regimes, pseudo-communist and capitalist-democratic, were to coexist for 50 years.

20. Don’t forget that more than 20 years have passed. In principle, we just have to wait a little; half the way has already been passed. But what happens next? How can Hong Kong integrate into China, given that the current younger generation does not see themselves as Chinese?

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22. And this is a huge construction site for a new station.

23. When it is completed, the Chinese-Hong Kong border will be here. The station and the tracks from here to China are being built on Chinese soil. That is, once you cross the border in the center of Hong Kong, you will formally find yourself in China.

24. Hong Kong is very different. In terms of the variety of buildings, it resembles New York. There are skyscrapers:

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26. There are old houses of different levels, they are dirty and gloomy. Pay attention to the signature Hong Kong feature - rounded corners of the facades.

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28. Real estate here is very expensive, and not everyone can afford to live in their own house. Some people have to spend the night under an overpass.

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30. Hong Kong homeless. This particular couple is from Thailand.

31. Basically, these are people who have sunk to the bottom, they literally live in a landfill that they have created around themselves.

32. Someone else's house. Although Hong Kong is far from being on an American scale.

33. Someone's living room.

34. And this is the most expensive housing. The house that stands on the hill above the others is the Opus Hong Kong residential complex, built in 2012 by architect Frank Gary. It consists of several twisted 12-story towers.

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38. Market

39. Prices in Hong Kong dollars. As in China, they indicate the price per pound (about 500 grams).

40. Fish are sold individually.

41. Fire

42. Before 1840, there was nothing in what is now Hong Kong except a few temples and villages. The history of modern Hong Kong began with the First Opium War: the British declared to China that the island of the same name now belonged to them. After some time, China had to agree to this.

43. From 1841 to 1997, with short interruptions - for example, during the Second World War, when Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese - it was a British colony. By the way, the Japanese administration partly contributed to the Sinicization of Hong Kong, because during World War II it massively resettled residents of mainland China here.

44. Somewhere in the early 70s, when China was returned to membership in the UN, the PRC began to hint that it was time for the British and Portuguese to return Hong Kong and Macau. It soon became clear that Hong Kong's transition to Beijing's rule was inevitable. In 1984, Thatcher signed a declaration in Beijing on the transfer of Hong Kong to China.

45. During the 1980s, tens of thousands of highly skilled professionals who feared the communist regime left Hong Kong - mainly to the United States, Canada and Australia.

46. ​​On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was finally returned to the PRC. In accordance with the principle of “One country, two systems”, proposed by Deng Xiaoping, Hong Kong (this is the Chinese name for Hong Kong) can maintain the capitalist system for 50 years, that is, until 2047. In addition, legally Hong Kong has enormous political autonomy. The Special Administrative Region is governed by the Chief Minister of Administration (something like a Governor-General), and Hong Kong also has its own Legislative Assembly. Hong Kong retains its own currency (Hong Kong dollar), an independent passport system and visa policy - it even has its own police force!

47. In theory, Hong Kong has no right except to conduct an independent foreign policy (and then with a number of reservations), and also trusts China with defense issues. But in fact, Beijing has almost eliminated this freemen.

48. The problem is that the Chief Minister of Hong Kong is appointed by a special elected committee from a huge number of deputies (800-1200). And the candidacies of these electors must actually be approved by Beijing. This means that the head of Hong Kong inevitably becomes a puppet of Beijing.

49. Many Hong Kong residents are very sensitive to attacks on the territory's political autonomy, arguing that Beijing is violating the Basic Law (an analogue of the Constitution agreed upon before the transfer of Hong Kong to the PRC). In Beijing, dignified party members are twirling their fingers at their temples and saying that they never even thought of anything like that!

50. This soft takeover does not only occur at the administrative level. Let's not forget that Hong Kongers are the "wrong" Chinese. They even speak a different language - Cantonese, which... From the point of view of official Beijing, this language is clumsy and not particularly needed: everyone should speak Putonghua, as is customary among decent communists of the North. By the way, in Western countries, Putonghua is denoted by the word mandarin, but in Russia, out of respect for China, the word “Mandarin” was somehow forgotten...

51. What else is China doing? Hong Kong is actively populating with immigrants from the mainland! The same thing that Israel is doing in the West Bank. As a result, more and more supporters of Beijing, the CCP and personally dear ones are settling in Hong Kong. Every year, a landing force of 50 thousand ideologically savvy immigrants from the Middle Kingdom lands in this capitalist cesspool.

52. The opposition free spirits are being diluted by patriotic people. Every year there will be more and more correct Chinese in Hong Kong, and fewer and fewer incorrect ones. This is also facilitated by the fact that Hong Kongers are very reluctant to reproduce. The city's population is growing mainly due to migrants: not only the Chinese, but also residents of almost all of Southeast Asia are happy to come here.

53. It is very likely that a few more decades will pass and the Hong Kong problem will disappear by itself. Some dissenters will assimilate, others will disperse to barbarian countries. Cantonese speakers will die out. Ridiculous riots with umbrellas will become a thing of the past, titans will stop shouting in the streets “Hong Kong is ours!”, and only the eternal Chairman Xi will look favorably on his subjects from the jade rostrum.

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55. The famous Hong Kong tram

56. This is the only tram system in the world where all the cars are double-decker! In addition to Hong Kong, double-decker trams can be found on the streets of Alexandria (Egypt) and Blackpool (UK).

57. This is not only a public transport system operating since 1904, but also a tourist attraction: double-decker trams attract foreigners.

58. The first tram cars in Hong Kong were the most ordinary. Double-deckers began to be produced on the line in 1912, when the ever-increasing flow of passengers required it. Well, then double deckers simply became a good tradition.

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62. Old ticket machines

63. New machines

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Tomorrow we will continue to walk around Hong Kong, and then to Moscow! I'll be in Krasnoyarsk soon - tell me what to look for?