Stunning. Like Los Angeles, Miami and Tokyo all rolled into one, Hong Kong is an amazing maze of culture and future. And it's one you'll want to get lost in. Translating a crossing of Shibuya neon with the glow of Times Square on New Years, vibrant isn't even the word. We're going to need a bigger dictionary. As if you take a boat across Hong Kong's harbour and view this cities skyline until the sun goes down and the electric bill goes up you know you're about to change your desktops screen saver. Just make sure the ship you set sail in looks like something out of 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' to really get the feel of this Far East treat. But anchor your day to night stay on shore for a couple of hours, as around 8.00pm you'll be hit with a light and music show that takes strobe effects to a whole new level. And as the skyline of skyscrapers sing as iPhone's ping you'll want more than a picture or a video. This vivid view evokes a feeling that can't be described of quantified on social media posts and likes. Like the ball dropping on 0:00, January 1st above that old Coca Cola sign you just have to be there. Or square.
On the opposite end of the spectrum and bay like the Tsim Sha Tsui, martial arts legend Bruce Lee bronzed promenade on this other side, the Central Waterfront Promenade offers a quieter, calmer alternative view of the cityscape. Perfect for yoga, meditation, reading or even a romantic picnic. And after dark on this boardwalk that leads to an amusement park and wonder wheel, the light show seen from across, but actually performed here minus the music booming across the sea makes for an experience that is surreal but...to want for a better 'Notting Hill' reference...nice.
But for a view that can't be beat in this city. Let alone any city in the world it's time to take a tram like a morning commute up the hills of San Francisco. And the Victoria Harbour peak tram that takes you to the top of the city will take your breath away like Berlin...and we aren't talking about the altitude. But as you make it to the summit, don't stop there. As light to dark the best place to get a picture isn't bodied behind all the selfie sticks and extended arms, pushing and shoving at the peak in celebrity like camera crowds where the view below is the movie and rock star. You ever been to the Louvre in Paris and tried to get a picture of the Mona Lisa? It's not like that Beyonce and Jay-Z video. It's truly ape####! And this is like that times ten...penned in to one area with a death drop for your phone over the edge. Instead why not walk one of the many trails that circumfrence this peak, skyline and the even more beautiful mountains that surround it? This makes for a real pilgramage explore that feels truly earned. And what you see is like nothing else in this crazy city. And the calmed vibe it will leave you with is as reenergizing as it is refreshing. Some cool mountain air away from the skylines smog? Now that is what can't be beat.
But walk the beats of these streets and you will see even more worth your camera lens in this city surrounded by steel and glass pillars. But with all these man made structures and artificial light it's good to get some nature for the soul. Especially after walking the Golden Mile of neon inviting bars and simmering stalls of delicious street food all night. And a hidden gem in the business end of this city is Hong Kong park and its waterfall walkways and even a fountain you can actually walk into and see the water cascading from inside. Perfect to cool off in the insect buzzing Summer heat that will leave you looking like you've been in a fountain the moment you leave your hotel lobby. There's even an official Olympic Square and if that wasn't enough a tea museum in Hong Kong Park which if you're British is basically everything.
There's so much in this city in the way of shops, restaurants and coffee houses in miles of malls that offer views worth paying for with each floor you hit. The wonder of Wan Chai even features a spectator stand of big basketball courts and soccer turf, side by side for all your sporting needs. No wonder Hong Kong is surrounded by so many apartment blocks for as high as the eyes can almost not see the sky. Everyone wants a piece of this place. And that's natural. But it's also natural to want to get away from that and find some peace and real Chinese culture and history. And that's where you should take a tour through this lands traditions. And whilst you can visit Ocean Park, Cheung Chau, the Lamma Island or even Hong Kong's Disneyland (O.K...that's not traditional), on the coast there's nothing like the beach beauty of the Repulse Bay. But if you want to take it higher then get out of town and take the Ngong Ping cable car to the Po Lin Monastery to the Lantau Island and ascend the steps to see the grand Tian Tan Buddah and pay your respects to this monument of Hong Kong and the Buddhist religion if you will. Nothing in this chrome and neon city that touches the sky with electric metal will leave you in more awe.
This city truly has it all and so much more they have to grow up towards the clouds. So much so 7.4 million people inhabit the fourth most densely populated place on earth where everything is only an hour away on train. But don't let that intimidate you. For all the people that's here and all that can be done in 60 minutes, HK is waiting for you. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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