June 30 – July 3 : Hong Kong

Hong Kong was a British colony until 1997 when it was officially handed back to China. It then became a “special administrative region” of China, with its own currency, immigration regulations, and government for the next 50 years. In recent years, there have been a number of violent clashes between Chinese law enforcement forces and protesting Hong Kong residents, as the boundaries of Hong Kong’s independence from mainland China are interpreted quite differently by both sides. In 2047, Hong Kong will likely be absorbed by China anyway.

How to get to Hong Kong from Bandar Seri Begawan

There are direct flights from BSB to Hong Kong, but they tend to be quite expensive. One might consider flying via Kuala Lumpur, which is cheaper, even if it requires two flights. Additionally, one can enjoy KL once more and its gloriously illuminated twin towers.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong, which means “fragrant harbor,” is a busy metropolis with about 7.5 million citizens. It is mostly located on the island of Hong Kong, the mainland part of Kowloon, and several other surrounding islands, of which Lantau is the biggest.

Tall skyscrapers paint the picture on both sides of the harbor with Victoria Hill on HK Island offering splendid views over the city. The streets are lined with small Chinese shops, food stalls, laundry shops, and more. Some parts, like HK Central, boast a more international vibe, with Western and different Asian cuisines. HK is connected by a very effective network of subway trains which even allow crossing the channel between the island and the mainland part of it.

Things to do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a huge city with so many options. Here are just a few of the more touristy ones:

Visit Kowloon. Roam the streets all the way up to Mong Kok or even beyond.
Visit the more modern part of the city on Hong Kong Island.
Take the cable car up to the viewpoint platform on Hong Kong Island and enjoy the splendid view.
Ride the Central-Mid-Level Escalators, the longest (800 m) outdoor automatic escalators in the world.
Visit Hong Kong Central and stay for its buzzing nightlife in Lan Kwai Fong.
Visit one of the many museums. I am not a big fan of modern art but the M+ museum in southwest. Kowloon was surely impressive.
Visit Lantau Island with the giant Tian Tan Buddha and/or Hong Kong Disneyland.
If your onward journey does not lead you to Macau, consider doing a one-day trip to there! The ferry takes about 1 hour, and there are departures every 30 minutes from HK Central terminal.
Try street food in Temple Street, Kowloon.

Click on one of the pictures to open the Hong Kong gallery :