The Penninsula Hongkong

Salisbury Road, Kowloon

In the very heart of Kowloon's shopping, business and entertainment district, close to the underground railway system, the historic Star Ferry and the Kowloon-Canton Railway.

Hotel Information
Check-in time: 12.00 / Check-out time: 12:00
Property Style: Business
Number of room(s): 300
Category:
Date opened:
Last renovated:
Local currency: HKD
Contact name:

Hotel Facilities
Safe Deposit Boxes, Front Desk
Concierge Desk
Full-service Business Center

Room Facilities
Non Smoking Rooms available
Alarm clock
Refrigerator
Electricity 220 V
Newspaper delivered to room
Coffee maker/tea service
Air conditioning
International Direct Dialling (IDD) Telephone
Satellite Television
Cable Television
Radio
Movies/Videos
Movies/videos, pay-per-view
Video Player
High-speed Internet Access
Safe
Minibar
Shoe cleaning facilities
Iron and ironing board available
Hair Dryer

Hotel Concourse Hong Kong

22 Lai Chi Kok Road, Mongkok, Kowloon
Hong Kong

Hotel Information
Check-in time: 12.00 / Check-out time: 12:00
Property Style: Holiday Hotel
Number of room(s):
Category:
Date opened:
Last renovated:
Local currency: HKD
Contact name:

Hotel Facilities
Safe Deposit Boxes, Front Desk
Concierge Desk
Full-service Business Center

Room Facilities
Non Smoking Rooms available
Alarm clock
Refrigerator
Electricity 220 V
Newspaper delivered to room
Coffee maker/tea service
Air conditioning
International Direct Dialling (IDD) Telephone
Satellite Television
Cable Television
Radio
Movies/Videos
Movies/videos, pay-per-view
Video Player
High-speed Internet Access
Safe
Minibar
Shoe cleaning facilities
Iron and ironing board available
Hair Dryer

Century Harbour Hotel

508 Queen's Road West, Western District, Hon
Hong Kong

Hotel Information
Check-in time: 12.00 / Check-out time: 12:00
Property Style: Holiday Hotel
Number of room(s):
Category:
Date opened:
Last renovated:
Local currency: HKD
Contact name:

Hotel Facilities
Safe Deposit Boxes, Front Desk
Concierge Desk
Full-service Business Center

Room Facilities
Non Smoking Rooms available
Alarm clock
Refrigerator
Electricity 220 V
Newspaper delivered to room
Coffee maker/tea service
Air conditioning
International Direct Dialling (IDD) Telephone
Satellite Television
Cable Television
Radio
Movies/Videos
Movies/videos, pay-per-view
Video Player
High-speed Internet Access
Safe
Minibar
Shoe cleaning facilities
Iron and ironing board available
Hair Dryer

Panda Hotel Hong Kong

3 Tsuen Wah Street, Tsuen Wan Kowloon, Hong Kong

Hotel Information
Check-in time: 12.00 / Check-out time: 12:00
Property Style: Holiday Hotel
Number of room(s): 1026
Category:
Date opened:
Last renovated:
Local currency: HKD
Contact name:

Hotel Facilities
Safe Deposit Boxes, Front Desk
Concierge Desk
Full-service Business Center

Room Facilities
Non Smoking Rooms available
Alarm clock
Refrigerator
Electricity 220 V
Newspaper delivered to room
Coffee maker/tea service
Air conditioning
International Direct Dialling (IDD) Telephone
Satellite Television
Cable Television
Radio
Movies/Videos
Movies/videos, pay-per-view
Video Player
High-speed Internet Access
Safe
Minibar
Shoe cleaning facilities
Iron and ironing board available
Hair Dryer

Hong Kong Festivals

Festivals add events more color and exuberance to Hong Kong's lively streets. Quite simply, being in Hong Kong during a major Chinese festival is the experience of a lifetime. Festivals occur throughout the year, so you may be lucky enough to see one during your visit. In addition, there are many special events throughout the year. Here are some of the highlights.

Birthday of Tin Hau (April 16)
On the birthday of Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, fishermen decorate their boats and gather at her temples to pray for good catches during the coming year. Beyond the traditional rites at the temple, parades with colorful floats and lion dances take place. There is an organized tour to see the celebrations and visit a century old Tin Hau Temple.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival (April/May)
Celebrated on the 8th day of the fourth lunar month every year, the Bun Festival is one of Hong Kong's most colorful festivals and an important event for all Cheung Chau Island resident. It is Pak Tai, a Taoist deity known as King of the Underworld, to whom boat people, fishermen and island residents pray for protection against evil spirits.

Lion DanceGiant Bun Towers, each measures 16 meters tall, covered with layers of pink-and-white lotus paste buns, will be greeted outside the Pak Tai Temple in honor of the deity. A parade of dragon dances, lion dances, unicorn dances and acrobats will wind through the grand stand and the narrow streets on the island.

The stars of the parade are youngsters who dress in costumes with heavy make-up and are tied to an intricate system of rods and wires and float above the heads of the crowd. To experience the island life and the Bun Festival celebrations, a special tour is designed to enable visitors to visit the two most popular outlying islands of Lamma Island and Cheung Chau Island.

Dragon Boat Festival in Hong KongDragon Boat Festival (June 25)
One of Hong Kong's most exciting festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of a Chinese hero Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest against a corrupt government in the 3rd century B.C. Legend says that in their attempt to rescue him, townspeople beat drums and threw dumplings into the sea to keep the fish away from Qu Yuan's body.

Today, to symbolize the rescue attempts, people eat dumplings, swim in the river and teams race elaborately decorated dragon boats to the beat of pounding drums and the roar of the crowds. Check out the venues of the dragon boat races held along the coastal areas of Hong Kong.

Hungry Ghost Festival (September 2)
It is said that ghosts roam the world every year for a lunar month. Local festivals feature elaborate parades with food offerings and small roadside fires, where believers burn paper money to appease the restless spirits.

Mid-Autumn Festival (October 1)
The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the harvest moon and is a special time for children and families, who take colorful lanterns to parks, beaches and hilltops to gaze at the moon. The Fire Dragon dance is an important celebration.

Hong Kong Chinese New YearChinese New Year (February 12)
The celebrations of the Chinese New Year offer a fascinating look into traditional Chinese culture. From a spectacular parade to traditional flower markets, the Chinese New Year celebration is one you'll never forget.

Spring Lantern Festival (February 26)
Held on the 15th day of the lunar new year, this festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. colorful lanterns in traditional designs decorate market stalls, homes, restaurants and temples.

Best of Hong Kong

With its exhilarating fusion of cultures, its engaging people and unparalleled natural beauty, Hong Kong is like no other place in the world. Adventure to remote islands with intriguing, century-old Chinese traditions.

Explore spectacular museums, galleries and historical monuments. Find divine inspiration in a traditional Buddhist temple. Experience the contagious energy of the city, mingle with the people in a colorful local market or a boisterous Chinese festival.

For a unique cultural experience, head to the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden, the favorite gathering place for Hong Kong's songbird owners. for sweet scents and exotic, fortune-bringing flowers and plants, stop by Hong Kong's colorful Flower Market.

Bring home a beautiful memory of Hong Kong from the Jade Market. Located in Yau Ma Tei, the Jade Market features 450 stalls selling all types, shapes, sizes and prices; open daily from 10am - 3:30pm. No matter what you choose, Hong Kong is an experience you will never forget. Here are a few of the insider recommendations.

HONG KONG ISLAND

Hong Kong
Take a classic Hong Kong trip on the historic Peak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak. The steepest funicular tramway on the planet, the Peak Tram will thrill you with its dazzling 1300-foot climb into the sky.

After an exhilarating near-vertical, eight-minute ride on the 112-year-old tram, you'll feast your eyes on the breathtaking panorama of the vibrant harbor, serene mountains and spectacular architecture by icons such as I.M. Pei and Norman Foster.

High above the city, on the "back of the Dragon," Victoria Peak offers visitors a multitude of entertainment, dining and shopping options and is the perfect place to embark on one of several nature trails.

STAR FERRY
View Hong Kong's magnificent skyline from the harbor aboard the Star Ferry. The Star Ferry, over a century old, remains the most spectacular ferry rides in the world. The ferry between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui takes only eight minutes, and offers picturesque memories that will last a lifetime. Don't forget to pick up a Star Ferry and Tram Pass.

A four-day Visitor Souvenir Ticket can be obtained at the upper deck entrance of the Star Ferry Pier, and is valid for unlimited travel on Hong Kong Tramways and Star Ferry's franchised services for four consecutive days.

Hong Kong Aberdeen 
Home to the fishing community, take a sampan ride to see the fishing boat and daily activities aboard the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant.

TAI CHI IN THE PARK
Take one of our free Tai Chi lessons and experience the graceful, meditative martial art that locals practice daily. A gentle form of exercise, Tai Chi, also known as "shadow boxing," can be practiced by people of all ages.

Kowloon: Every Tuesday and Wednesday (from November to March), 8:00-9:00 a.m. on the Waterfront Promenade, Tsim Sha Tsui East (outside the Hong Kong Cultural Center, Piazza C).

Hong Kong Island: Every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday except January 26, 2001 (until end of March 2001), 8:15-9:15 a.m. in the Garden Plaza, Hong Kong Park.

REPULSE BAY
One of Hong Kong's most popular tour destinations, Repulse Bay is beautiful, ever-evolving, sandy beach with two tall statues of the Goddess of Mercy (Kwun Yum) and the Goddess of Heaven (Tin Hau).

STANLEY MARKET
Stanley Market is an extravaganza of stalls and shops interspersed with some of Hong Kong's newest and most innovative restaurants. The stock changes constantly - depending on what the factories are churning out at the time. By the bay, there is a row of restaurants in laid-back ambience.

TIN HAU TEMPLE
Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, holds a special place in Hong Kong's heart, thanks to the territory's maritime history. This ancient, imposing temple once stood alongside a foreshore causeway linking the coastal areas. It is now well inland, adjacent to Victoria Park.

KOWLOON

CHI LIN NUNNERY Only recently opened, the 35,880 square foot Chi Lin Nunnery in Kowloon is a fascinating blend of simplicity and grandeur. A Buddhist retreat, it was constructed along Tang dynasty lines, and successfully bridges nearly 1,500 years of construction methods, such as using wooden pegs, rather than nails, throughout its seven linked halls and temples.

The nunnery gardens are a beautiful example of classical Chinese design, creating the illusion of infinite space within a limited area, and offering visitors a serene environment.

TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET
Find bargains galore in this lively open-air bazaar.It opens at 2 p.m. and is busiest from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Merchants specialize in inexpensive men's clothing, novelty items, luggage and watches, and other merchandise. Fortunetellers, palm readers and, sometimes, Chinese opera singers, make the market a fascinating street theatre.

NEW TERRITORIES
Venture out to the New Territories to see unspoiled land dotted with ancient villages and fishing harbors, duck farms and fish ponds, all characterized by a sense of harmony with nature. Scenic coastlines and hills have been preserved within a territory-wide network of national parks Giant Bronze Buddha in Hong Kong

ENCHANTED WISHING TREE
Make your wishes come true. In Lam Tusen, near Tai Po, is the Enchanted Wishing Tree. Laden with wishes written on bright red paper, it appears to be covered in crimson flowers. Scribble your dreams onto red slips of paper tied onto an orange with string, then toss them in the air. Tradition holds that if your paper charm catches on the tree, your wish will be granted.

OUTLYING ISLANDS
GIANT BRONZE BUDDHA
Be sure to visit Po Lin Monastery's outdoor, 202-ton Giant Buddha. At 26 meters high, it is the world's largest, seated, outdoor, bronze of Buddha. Perched atop a magnificent flight of steps, it is visible from as far away as Macau on a clear day.

Hong Kong Sightseeing

Man Mo Temple
This is the oldest temple in Hong Kong.
At the junction of Ladder St. and Hollywood Rd.

Tiger Balm Gardens
Grottoes and pavilions filled with statues and models.
Open 9am to 4pm daily.
Take the No 11 bus from Central

Victoria Peak
Sightseers should take the opportunity to go to the top of the peak at night to see the lights of Hong Kong from above.
Take the Peak Tram from Garden Rd. up behind the Hilton Hotel.

Zoological and Botanical Gardens
Rich collection of hundreds of species of animal and plant life. Robinson Rd. overlooking Hong Kong Central.

PARKS

Kowloon Park
This complex houses a park and an aviary as well as a garden with ponds, streams and a lake.
Located off of Nathan Road.

Pok Fu Lam Country Park
Popular for its panoramic vies, walking paths and picnic spots.
Located at the top of the Peak Tram at Victoria Peak.

Victoria Park
In addition to the beautiful scenery, the park offers numerous recreational activities. Located just beyond the highway overpass at the end of Gloucester Road.

MUSEUMS

Planetarium and Space Museum
Numerous exhibits of space, including a theater that runs shows about space travel.
Open from 10:30am on Sundays; from 2pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; and from 1pm Saturday. Closing time is at 9: 30pm. Adjacent to the Star Ferry Pier, Kowloon side.

Hong Kong Museum of History
Exhibits covering Hong Kong's history, from prehistoric times to modern-day Hong Kong.
Open Monday through Thursday and Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday and holidays 1pm to 6pm.
Haiphong Rd., Kowloon

Museum of Arts in Hong KongHong Kong
Museum of Art
Five floors of artwork designed by local and foreign artists.
Closed Thursdays.
City Hall, Hong Kong Island, Northside.

Fung Ping Shan Museum
A huge collection of Chinese antiques, along with colorful paintings and fine handicrafts.
Closed Sundays.
Hong Kong University
Hong Kong Island, Northside

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Interesting displays, all relating to the serving of tea.
Within Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Island, Northside

TOURS & CHARTERS
There are countless tours in Hong Kong that will take you just about anywhere. Booking is possible through the HKTA (Hong Kong Tourist Association), travel agencies, large hotels or from the tour companies themselves.

For HK$10, the HKTA Official Guidebook (updated monthly) is a good information source. Many hotels offer this book free of charge with their logo on the cover.

Overseas offices:
548 Fifth Ave., Suite 590
New York, NY 10036

333 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60601

361 Post St., Suite 404
San Francisco, CA 94108

10940 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1220
Los Angeles, CA 90024

SHOPPING
Shopping in Hong KongShopping is typically better on the Kowloon Peninsula, but there are still a number of places worth shopping at on the Island.

Landmark Building
Peddler St. and Des Voeux Rd.
Central

Hollywood Road and Cat Street in Central have flea markets where you can find interesting bargains and antiques.

Ladder Street is filled with stalls offering crafts, fabrics, flowers, electronics and practically everything imaginable.

China Products Company, Causeway Bay
19-31 Yee Wo St.

New World Shopping Centre, Kowloon
Located next to the New World Hotel.
This center contains boutiques, restaurants, tailors and other specialty shops in addition to the Tokyo Department Store.

Ocean Terminal-Ocean Centre
Hong Kong Hotel-Harbour City, Kowloon
Located next to the Star Ferry terminal.
This complex is easily one of the world's largest, with hundreds of shops, stores and restaurants. A moving sidewalk takes shoppers to Ocean Terminal and Ocean Centre, which connect with the Hong Kong Shopping Arcade.

China Products Company
Causeway Bay
Some of the best buys in Hong Kong can be found in these Chinese-product stores, which are open every day of the week.
19-31 Yee Wo St.,
488 Hennessy Rd.,

Wing On
Large department store with Western goods.
173 Des Voeux Rd. Central


Sincere
Western department store with fixed prices.
83 Argyle St. Kowloon

Lane Crawford
Prestigious yet expensive department store.
70 Queen's Rd. Central

Nathan Road, Kowloon
This street runs north and is packed with shops of every description imaginable. A multitude of streets containing a large variety of merchandise run off of Nathan Road.

Kansu Street Jade Market
Yaumatei
Follow Temple Street to Kansu and make a left to reach this market. Jade pieces of all shapes, sizes and values may be purchased here.

SPORTS

Royal Hong Kong Golf ClubRoyal Hong Kong Golf Club, nine-hole golf course at Deep Water Bay .

Squash can be played at several locations including:
Hong Kong Squash Centre
Public courts are available here, a passport is needed for booking.

Harbor Road Indoor Games Hall

Tennis courts are available through private clubs. A limited number of public courts are available, and they must be booked well in advance.
Victoria Park .
Bowen Road .


Sailing is available only to members of yacht clubs, with reciprocal rights to the one in Hong Kong.
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

For scuba diving information, contact:
Bunn's Divers Institute
188 Wanchai Rd.
Hong Kong Island


Horse Racing
Races are run from September through May by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club at the Happy Valley race course.