For the next two days, we'll be visiting Hong Kong. On the third day, we'll be flying back home. In the morning, we leave Macau and take the ferry across the Pearl River estuary to the island of Hong Kong. For Friday afternoon, we get to explore Hong Kong on our own (perhaps a "Big Bus" tour), maybe walk the streets, or find something else to do.
For Saturday morning, we've signed up for the formal Hong Kong City tour which includes a boat trip to Hong Kong Island, a visit to the Stanley Market. The afternoon is free to do as we please. We'll have to search out some interesting restaurants for lunch and dinner. A chance to experience some new Oriental cuisine, perhaps.
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| The Districts Of Hong Kong |
Overview
Hong Kong is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, the other being Macau. It is situated on China's south coast and is almost surrounded by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, making it a "peninsular" city. It is known for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. With a land mass of 1,100 square kilometres (426 square miles) and a population of 7 million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Hong Kong's population is 94% ethnic Chinese and 6% from other groups. Hong Kong's Cantonese-speaking majority originate mainly from neighbouring Canton province (now Guangdong). Many of these residents fled from China to Hong Kong to escape wars and Communist rule from the 1930s and into the 1960s. Here's an historical recap of the growth of Hong Kong.
- 1842 - Hong Kong Island - Central, East, South Regions
- 1860 - Kowloon Island
- 1800 - Lantau Island & Outlying Islands
- 1899 - New Territories
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| Hong Kong Waterfront |
Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839–1842) when Hong Kong Island was first ceded to Britain in perpetuity. This was followed by the British leasing the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and the New Territories in 1898. It was occupied by Japan during the Pacific War (1941–1945), after which the British resumed control until 1997, when China resumed sovereignty. The region espoused minimum government in the economy during the colonial era. This time period of free unterprise under British rule greatly influenced the current culture of Hong Kong. It is often described as the place where "East meets West". Their education system used to follow the British system until reforms were implemented in 2009.
Under the principle of China's "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has a different political system from mainland China. Hong Kong's independent judiciary functions under a common law framework. Hong Kong Basic Law, its constitutional document, stipulates that Hong Kong shall have a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign relations and military defence. The Basic Law governs its political system. Although its government is based on a multi-party system, a small-circle of the electorate controls half of its legislature. The head of the government, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, is chosen by an Election Committee of 400 to 1,200 members. This situation will change after the first 20 years under Chinese sovereignty - until 2017.
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| Hong Kong Skyline |
As one of the world's leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist-style economy that is characterised by low taxation and free trade. Its currency, the Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world. The lack of space has caused demand for denser construction. As a result, the city has developed into a centre for modern architecture and is the world's most vertical city.
Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. The dense space has also led to a highly developed public transportation network with a rate exceeding 90% - the highest in the world. Hong Kong has numerous high rankings in various aspects. Its economic freedom, financial and economic competitiveness, quality of life, corruption perception and Human Development Index are all highly ranked. According to estimates from both UN and WHO, Hong Kong had the longest life expectancy of any region in the world. Hong Kong also has the highest average IQ score in 81 countries around the world.
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| Hong Kong - Nathan Road |
The name "Hong Kong" is an approximate phonetic rendering of the pronunciation of the Cantonese or Hakka name meaning "fragrant harbour". Before British control in 1842, the name referred to a small inlet between Aberdeen Island and the south side of Hong Kong Island (now known as Aberdeen Harbour or "Little Hong Kong"). This was one of the first points of contact between British sailors and local fishermen.
Archaeological studies indicate that humans were present in Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok area from 35,000 to 39,000 years ago, and in Sai Kung Peninsula from 6,000 years ago. In 214 BC, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, conquered the Baiyue tribes in Jiaozhi (modern Liangguang region) and incorporated the territory into imperial China for the first time.
The earliest recorded European visitor was Jorge Álvares, a Portuguese explorer who arrived in 1513. After establishing settlements in the region, Portuguese merchants began trading in southern China. At the same time, they invaded and built up military fortifications in Tuen Mun. Military clashes between China and Portugal led to the expulsion of the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. The Haijin order banned maritime activities, prevented contact with foreigners, and restricted maritime shipping. In 1661–69, the territory was impacted by the Great Clearance ordered by Emperor Kangxi. This resulted in the forced evacuation of the coastal areas of Guangdong with 16,000 persons being driven inland. When the evacuation order was rescinded in 1669, 1,648 of these evacuees returned. However, the area that is now Hong Kong had become a large wasteland.
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| Hong Kong - Star Ferry |
In 1685, Kangxi became the first emperor to open limited trading with foreigners. This started with the Canton territory. He also imposed strict terms for trades such as requiring foreign traders to live in restricted areas, staying only for the trading seasons, banning firearms, and only making payments with silver. The East India Company made their first venture to China in 1699. The region's trade with British merchants developed rapidly soon after. In 1711, the company established its first trading post in Canton. By 1773, the British reached a landmark 1,000 chests of opium being imported into Canton with China consuming 2,000 chests annually by 1799.
In 1839 the refusal by Qing Dynasty authorities to import opium resulted in the First Opium War between China and Britain. Hong Kong Island was occupied by British forces on 20 January 1841 and was initially ceded under the Convention of Chuenpee as part of a ceasefire agreement between Captain Charles Elliot and Governor Qishan. However, the agreement was never ratified due to a dispute between high-ranking officials in both governments. It wasn't until 29 August 1842 that the island was formally ceded in perpetuity to Britain under the Treaty of Nanking. The British established a crown colony with the founding of Victoria City the following year.
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| Hong Kong - Wong Tai Sin Temple |
In 1860 after China's defeat in the Second Opium War, the Kowloon Peninsula and Stonecutter's Island were ceded in perpetuity to Britain under the Convention of Peking. In 1894 the deadly Third Pandemic of bubonic plague spread from China to Hong Kong resulting in an estimated 50,000–100,000 deaths.
In 1898 under the terms of the Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, Britain obtained a 99-year lease of Lantau Island and the adjacent northern lands, which became known as the New Territories. This lease ended in 1997. Hong Kong's territory has remained unchanged to the present. During the first half of the 20th century, Hong Kong was a free port serving as a major merchant and naval port of the British Empire. The British introduced an education system based on their own model The local Chinese population had little contact with the European community of wealthy tai-pans as the latter settled near Victoria Peak.
Japan invaded Hong Kong on 8 December 1941 - four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. The Battle of Hong Kong ended with British Anzac, and Canadian defenders surrendering control of the colony to Japan on 25 December. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, civilians suffered widespread food shortages, rationing, and hyper-inflation due to the forced exchange of Hong Kong currency for Japannese military notes. Through a policy of enforced repatriation of the unemployed to the mainland throughout the period, and because of the scarcity of food, the population of Hong Kong dwindled from 1.6 million in 1941 to 600,000 in 1945 when the United Kingdom resumed control of the colony.
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| Hong Kong - Kowloon |
On 1 July 1997 the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred from Britain to the Peoples Republic of China officially ending 156 years of British colonial rule.
For the next two days, we're free to wander the streets of Hong Kong. However, we've signed up for a guided tour. What we'll see........ well....... we don't know. But we'll soon see, eh!?
Hotel - Hong Kong l'Hotel Nina Tower
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| Hong Kong l'Hotel Nina |
Tomorrow we take our tour of Hong Kong starting off with a trip to Victoria Peak...... or simply......"The Peak".
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