Whether you decide to take a tour or take city by storm on foot or even from the window of a car, though we think it would be a shame to miss out on hands-on interaction, there are some attractions that you can’t miss.

Primary means of travel around Hong Kong include the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) which spiders out all over the city, trams, which are a more leisurely way to travel but also to take in the city, city buses, ferries, including the famous Star Ferry which goes back and forth between Central Hong Kong and Kowloon, and taxis which are relatively cheap compared to other large cities such as New York or Sydney.

Also note that the local currency is the Hong Kong dollar, which as of 2010 is at an exchange rate of about 7.76 HDK for 1 USD. However, payments are frequently made with Octopus Cards for small purchases, rather than cash.

A further consideration is the time difference between Hong Kong and Europe, or even the USA and Canada. It is practical to plan to spend at least a week, preferably two, to be able to enjoy it to its fullest. Nobody wants to be dead tired on their vacation.

The Peak – The Peak deserves its fame due to the stunning, panoramic views it provides of Hong Kong Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, and all of its surrounding greenery. It can be reached by the Peak Tram, an adventure in itself as you can watch the city descend below you as you climb the 1200 feet up the mountain. The Peak Tower was built in 2006 which is an architectural masterpiece that offers an even more Olympian view of Hong Kong. As a side note, during the day the view is serene and peaceful, but at night it is spectacular.

Hong Kong National Geopark – This is located in the New Territories and was opened as recently as November 2009. It includes various landforms that have attracted tourists and local residents since its opening. Three of its most worth visiting places are:

High Island consists of coastal volcanic rocks in which you can see amazing geological phenomena such as natural faults and interesting curved formations. Many travel magazines and websites have named it one of the top three attractions in Hong Kong.

Double Haven was formed as the result of floods thousands of years ago that left very interesting land formations, coves, twisted rock, and indented shores.

Port Island contains rocks that date back millions of years ago and are the most ancient rocks in Hong Kong. They are most known for their red and beige coloring, fossils, and the sedimentation as the island slopes toward the sea.

Shopping – Many of the high end stores can be found by the Hong Kong bayside, while the best open-air markets with more inexpensive goods (some of them counterfeit so be cautious) are located in Kowloon.

Giant Buddha – The Tian Tan Buddha is located in the Po Lin Monastery at the peak of the Wisdom Path. Buddhism is an important part of Hong Kong culture and this particular statue is the world’s tallest Buddha, located outdoors, in the world. It is made of bronze and sits in a meditative position, with the signature raised right hand. It was finished as recently as 1993. Thousands of people climb the 268 steps each year to see Hong Kong’s most notable Buddha. Nearby is also the replica of the Heart Sutra, a Confucian prayer written on pillars arranged in an infinity symbol, to represent the idea of eternity.

Golden Bauhinia Square – One of the most photographed locations in Hong Kong this square in the middle of the Wan Chai district holds a golden statue of the Bauhinia blakeana, a flower which is native to Hong Kong and is widely cultivated in the Botanical Gardens. It is also a historical place where Hong Kong was handed back to China in the 1990s and the Special Administrative Region was later established. Be sure not to miss the flag ceremony that occurs at 8:00am each morning or the fireworks on holidays.

Pearl River Delta Tours – The Pearl River Delta is one of Hong Kong’s quickest growing economic regions and a lot of manufacturing takes place here. The Delta spans 9 administrative regions, including Hong Kong. In recent times the national government has taken steps to clean up the river and surrounding seas as well as to strengthen labor laws so that the economy can continue to flourish. The Renminbi only continues to strengthen as the dollar weakens. You can see the results of this growth on the tour and it is one of the most interesting attractions that the country as to offer, as it spans across not only the SAR but also the more communist parts of China.

By http://www.hong-kong-bank-account.com