Hong Kong is a place of contrasts: geographically, socially and economically. Although many Asian cities claim to be where East meets West, the former British Crown Colony is
probably the closest the world comes to the genuine article.
Travel to Hong Kong and scratch the cosmopolitan, high-tech surface and you'll discover vestiges of ancient China in Hong Kong's culture. Residents invariably live in two worlds: Skyscrapers and enormous shopping malls adjoin narrow alleys crowded with traditional vendors' stalls. Businesspeople use cell phones to consult fortune-tellers before making important decisions. Even as they are deeply into technology, they preserve ancient customs—particularly in regard to the correct feng shui of buildings. Only a few miles/kilometers away, farmers in sleepy walled villages in the New Territories tend their crops as they have for generations.
Perched precariously on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong—with its strategic deepwater harbor and proximity to Asia's most populous nation—profited as the capitalist gateway for the communist giant to the north. What was once a fishing village became one of the world's busiest international ports and business centers.
Hong Kong is a city of levels. At the top is Victoria Peak, on Hong Kong Island, from which mansions of the super-rich look out over the high-rise apartments of the merely affluent. Farther down the mountain are alleys and old tenements dotted with colorful balcony gardens. Living on the water itself are Hong Kong's boat people—fishing families who spend most of their lives on their boats.
Across the harbor on the mainland are Kowloon and the suburban New Territories, which were once Hong Kong's vegetable garden and now host Hong Kong Disneyland. Although the popular image of Hong Kong is a place where every square inch/centimeter of land is crammed with high-rise apartments and office buildings, in reality 38% of all land in Hong Kong is parkland or undeveloped greenery.
This is also a time of transition for Hong Kong. Tourists and businesses from next-door neighbor China increasingly fuel Hong Kong's economy. Hong Kong has become a popular shopping destination for Chinese visitors on a weekend jaunt or en route to or from Southeast Asia.
Cruise-ship visitors generally arrive at Ocean Terminal, on the western side of Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced chim-sa-choy) in Kowloon. The Ocean Terminal is adjacent to Harbour City, a 700-plus shopping complex that includes restaurants, cinemas and hotels. The cruise terminal is within a short walk of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre with its art and space museums as well as access to the MTR subway system, taxis and Star Ferry terminal. A Hong Kong Tourism information center is open in Star Ferry Concourse daily 8 am-9 pm. There is also a taxi rank. http://www.oceanterminal.com.hk.
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least expensive way to see the city, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions vary from cruise line to cruise line and are not included in the cost of your cruise.
Land visits from cruise ships will typically be short and sweet, long on shopping and light on sights. Excursions might include visits to Victoria Peak for a grand view of the city, a stop in Aberdeen to see its community of floating homes, a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland, and a chance to purchase souvenirs at the shops of either Tsim Sha Tsui or Stanley Market.
