Hong Kong is a city with a split personality. One that enchantingly combines ancient traditions with modern technology, making it a tourist's delight.

Hong Kong is a city that at first glance conforms to every big city stereotype you can think of. Giant skyscrapers looming over crowded markets. Bicycles, competing with speeding cars for space on the road. Roadside hawkers selling their wares outside giant department stores. Efficient urban transport systems that carry millions of people from one end of the city to the other. However, all you'll see is this facade, if you don't scratch at the surface and discover a world of wonder that lies below.

Carved mammoth tusk!

To begin with, Hong Kong isn't a city by itself. It's a combination of the twin cities of Hong Kong and Kowloon, along with an agglomeration of 236 magical islands. So, as you can imagine, there's a lot even the most jaded traveler can discover on every visit. But for first timers too, Hong Kong proves to be one of the most delightfully surprising cities in the world.

Hong Kong is a city with a spectacular location. Nestled between the South China Sea on one hand and extensive mountain ranges on the mainland, the city offers a tourist the best of both worlds. In fact, around 40% of the 1070 square kilometers covered by the City has been reserved for parks, forests and recreational areas! The city has 21 parks, which offer you a chance to walk about in the midst of nature, cycle, ride or even have a picnic or two. All this, within the immediate vicinity of the city itself.

The best way to get a quick fix on the lay of the land in Hong Kong is to take a ride up to the top of the Ocean park Tower. The viewing platform rotates as it ascends 200 metres, giving you a spectacular view of the city and its environs. Ocean Park incidentally is the biggest amusement park in South East Asia. So if you're looking for a thrill, this is the place to be. Try riding The Dragon and you'll understand the real meaning of the term 'adrenaline rush'. The Dragon is the largest, highest, meanest, scariest roller coaster this side of the Equator and its three loops are horrifying enough to make you scream for mercy! Sounds like great fun, doesn't it? Once you're back on the ground, you can eyeball a shark in the Park's unique walk-through Shark aquarium. For kids of all ages, there are dolphin and sea lion shows, apart from other, less terrifying rides and games. And right next to Ocean Park, there's Water World, with its water rides, slides, fountains and waterfalls, among a host of other wet, wet activities to thrill you. So, don't forget to carry your swimsuit!

Wishing Tree

Hong Kong's culture hinges on its all-pervasive Chinese influence; best seen at the Middle Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom is a mini-city, that has full scale replicas of Chinese pagodas, temples and pavilions, which takes you through 13 dynasties or over 5000 years of China's development. While you're wandering around the Kingdom, you'll get to see how paper used to be made thousands of years ago, while acrobats and magicians enthrall you with their tricks.

And, with so many Gods to appease, it's not surprising that the city is dotted with temples. The oldest one being the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Street. The temple, set back form the road behind an imposing gateway, is dedicated to the Gods Man and Mo. Man is the God of literature and civil servants, while Mo is the God of war and policemen! A giant, 150 year-old brass bell is sounded at every prayer session, just in case the Gods are taking a nap and don't hear the people's entreaties! Other temples like the Tin Hau Temple, the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Ching Kung Koon Temple and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (with 12,800 statues of Buddha lining the walls) are also worth a visit. However, if you're planing to visit the Monastery, be prepared for a climb. It's perched above a flight of 400 steps. Then again, no one said that paying one's respects had to be easy!

Just like any other city…

After one has risen spiritually, let us now rise to the very top of the world- as far as Hong Kong goes, at least. Take the 110 year-old Peak Tram to Victoria Peak. The ride is spectacular, both during the day and after dusk. The Tram trundles upwards, clearing the tops of apartments at an amazing angle. You almost feel as though you are leaving the world behind. At the top, you can sit back, nurse a cup of coffee or even have a full-fledged meal, as you enjoy one of the most panoramic views in the world. Alternatively, if you take the ride at night, the lights of Hong Kong and the island on Tsim Sha Sui, seem to wink mischievously, on either side of the Harbour. You can even stroll along Lugard Road and do a little shopping as you take in the view, before you come down to earth.

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