Fodor's Hong Kong

by Fodor's Travel Publications

Overview

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Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. With cutting-edge architecture, chic restaurants, and hip hotels alongside ancient temples, outdoor markets, and hole-in-the-wall dim sum joints, Hong Kong is an intoxicating destination. Whether travelers are stopping over on the way to another destination or spending a week in the city, this full-color guide will inspire them to experience all that Hong Kong has to offer. This travel guide includes: · Dozens of full-color maps plus a handy pullout map with essential information · Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks · Major sights such as Dragon's Back Trail, Wong Tai Sin Temple, Victoria Harbour, Chi Lin Nunnery, and Ocean Park · Side Trips from Hong Kong including Macau, Southside, Lantau Island, and the new territories · Coverage of Central Hong Kong and Kowloon

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101878194
Publisher:	Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	06/09/2015
Series:	Full-color Travel Guide , #24
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	1,050,195
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel advice for every stage of a traveler's trip. We hire local writers who know their destinations better than anyone else, allowing us to provide the best travel recommendations for all tastes and budget in over 7,500 worldwide destinations. Our books make it possible for every trip to be a trip of a lifetime.

Read an Excerpt

Destination: Hong Kong

When you fly to Hong Kong, try to get a window seat, as the landing will take your breath away.

When the plane begins its descent, you will probably still be out over the gray South China Sea. As you approach the coast of China, you'll see a few small, rocky islands, tiny fishing boats, and sailboats in the channels leading into Hong Kong Harbour -- the most spectacular harbor in the world.

Hong Kong is Cantonese for "fragrant harbor," a name inspired either by the incense factories that once dotted Hong Kong Island or by the profusion of scented pink <i>Bauhinias,<i> the national flower (whose representation has recently replaced colonial insignias). Beneath the modern veneer of skyscrapers and high fashion, Hong Kong is deeply rooted in ancient Chinese traditions -- more so, in many ways, than China, which destroyed much of its heritage over the three decades following the Communist revolution. For these reasons, the Hong Kong Chinese feel a mixture of pride and wariness about unity with the mainland.

Hong Kong is a dazzling melee of human life and enterprise. From the harbor the city's latest architectural wonders stand against a green-mountain backdrop, while on the other side of the island beaches and quieter villages slow the pace considerably. Moving clockwise, beginning with the harbor districts, Western and Central are two of the liveliest areas, full of markets, other shopping, restaurants, businesses -- you name it. South of these, Midlevels, with its agglomeration of apartment towers, and Victoria Peak rise above the din of downtown. Wanchai, the next district east, was once of ill repute butnow the preferred locale for an upscale night on the town. After that is Causeway Bay, another shopping haven. North Point is on the northeast corner; its principal tourist offerings are a market and a ferry pier. Shek O lies at a distant remove on the southeastern peninsula, a pleasant village with a beach for an afternoon's escape.

There are splendid beaches all over the area, some of which are well maintained by the government and served by lifeguards. Repulse Bay is a sort of Chinese Coney Island. Around the corner is the smaller and less crowded Deep Water Bay; Turtle Coveis isolated and beautiful; Shek O's Big Wave Bay has a Mediterranean feel; and among New Territory and Outlying Island beaches, Pak Sha Chau has lovely golden sands, while Lo Sho Ching is popular with local families.

Hong Kong has the best shopping in the world, if you work at it. Although the thought of crowded streets, mind-boggling choices, and endless haggling can be daunting, no place makes big spending easier than this center of international commerce. Even self-declared nonshoppers are tempted to part with their money, and some have admitted to enjoying the experience. The variety of goods is astonishing: international designer products, expensive treasures, handcrafted folk items from all over Asia. Just as remarkable is the physical array of places to shop, from sophisticated boutique-lined malls to open-air markets and shadowy alleyways.

Table of Contents

	On the Road with Fodor's
	Don't forget to Write
	Smart Travel Tips A to Z
	Destination: Hong Kong
	From China to China
	What's Where
	Pleasures and Pastimes
	New and Noteworthy
	Fodor's Choice
	Festivals and Seasonal Events
	Exploring
	Hong Kong Island
	Kowloon
	The New Territories
	The Outer Islands
	Dining
	Lodging
	Nightlife and the Arts
	Sports and Outdoor Activities
	Shopping
	Side Trip to Macau
	Exploring
	Dining
	Lodging
	Nightlife
	Outdoor Activities and Sports
	Shopping
	Macau A to Z
	Side Trips to South China
	Exploring
	South China A to Z
	Portraits of Hong Kong
	Impacts and Images by Jan Morris
	Doing business in Hong Kong by Tim Healy
	Books and Periodicals
	Index
	Maps

Editorial Reviews

Fodor’s is pitched a few notches higher….aimed at a fairly discerning traveler with an appetite for background and the occasional surprise.” – New York Times

“The Fodor’s guides are notable for their ratings of sights, restaurants, shops, accommodations and attractions.” – Chicago Tribune

“In terms of comprehensiveness of coverage, the very accessible format, and the enthusiastic tone, this series remains one of the best on the market.” – Booklist

“Fodor’s super-informative guidebooks are known for accuracy and attention to detail.” – Sacramento Bee

“Fodor’s can help you plan the perfect adventure.” – Arizona Republic

From the Publisher

Fodor's guides cover culture authoritatively and rarely miss a sight or museum.

National Geographic Traveler

The king of guidebooks.

Newsweek