Saturday, January 9, 2010

Hong Kong Facts

Situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea,[8] it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour. With land mass of 1,104 km2 (426 sq mi) and a population of seven million people, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.[9] The city's population is 95% ethnic Chinese and 5% from other groups.

According to Emporis, there are 7,650 skyscrapers in Hong Kong, putting the city at the top of world rankings.[114] The high density and tall skyline of Hong Kong's urban area is due to a lack of available sprawl space, with the average distance from the harbour front to the steep hills of Hong Kong Island at 1.3 km (0.8 mi),[115] much of it reclaimed land. This lack of space causing demand for dense, high-rise offices and housing, has resulted in 36 of the world's 100 tallest residential buildings being in Hong Kong,[116] and more people living or working above the 14th floor than anywhere else on Earth, making it the world's most vertical city

Hong Kong has a highly developed transportation network. Over 90% of daily travels (11 million) are on public transport,[125] making it the highest percentage in the world. The city's rapid transit system, MTR, has 150 stations, which serve 3.4 million people a day.[128] Hong Kong Tramways, which has served the territory since 1904, covers the northern parts of Hong Kong Island and is the only tram system in the world run exclusively with double deckers. Hong Kong Island's steep, hilly terrain calls for some unusual ways of getting up and down the slopes. It was initially served by sedan chair, steeply ascending the side of a mountain.[132] The Peak Tram, the first public transport system in Hong Kong, has provided vertical rail transport between Central and Victoria Peak since 1888.[133] In Central and Western district, there is an extensive system of escalators and moving pavements, including the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, the Mid-Levels escalator.

While we are there, we must do the following:
Take a Ride on a Junk
These fantastically crafted boats once clogged the harbour, sail down memory lane with the last one left.

Take a Trip on the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator
An amazing feat of engineering that climbs halfway up a mountain.

Snap the Famous Hong Kong Cityscape from the Peak
The iconic skyline, as snapped a million times, but never better than when seen up close.

The Top Five Tailors in Hong Kong
Get suited and booted by the world’s finest tailors.

Dig in to Dim Sum
A feast on wheels, enjoy spring rolls, shrimp buns and barbequed pork.

Share in afternoon Tea


1 comment: