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Hong Kong Travel Guide - with Wired Destinations
Hong Kong Travel Info - with Wired Destinations
Hong Kong Island History
In 1841 the Treaty of Nanking ended the Opium War and put Hong Kong under British rule. Later in the 1940s, Hong Kong was dominated by the Japanese invasion leading by Commander Sakai Takahashi. The invasion started 8 hours after the Japanese bombed the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The Japanese troops attacked Hong Kong from the mainland border, and the British army was forced to withdraw form the New Territories and Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong Island surrendered to the Japanese army on the 25th December, known to the locals as 'Black Christmas'.
After the US troops dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, the Japanese agreed to an unconditional surrender, ending the second World War in 1945. During the 1970s and 1980s, Hong Kong's economy developed at an amazing pace. The civil service system introduced by the British government played an important role in the economic boom of Hong Kong.
Getting around Hong Kong
 Hong Kong is an international air-traffic hub for the region. The most impressive international airport is the Chek Lap Kok (CLK) on the northern coast of Lantau, which is about 34 km from Central. The terminal is dotted with modern facilities, such as smoking areas, ATM's, phone, fax and the Internet. After the arrival to the airport, travelers will have easy access to many transportation choices, such as taxis, buses, limousines and private cars.
Hong Kong Island Rail
Hong Kong is quite easy to get around, with highly efficient public transport system. There are five efficient rail transits in Hong Kong – the Airport Express Line (AEL), Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Kowloon-Canton West Rail. Each runs from early morning to late at night and all are air-conditioned. The AEL link the airport with Hong Kong Island and takes only 25 minutes to travel.
Hong Kong Island MTR
A subway and train system, the MTR is the most convenient way of traveling in Hong Kong. The system covers the north shore of Hong Kong Island, east and west Kowloon and the north shore of Lantau Island. The MTR has interchanges at Prince Edward and Kowloon Tong stations with the KCR.
Hong Kong Island LRT
The LRT runs between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun stations in the New Territories.
Hong Kong Island KCR
The KCR runs from Hung Hom in Kowloon to the Mainland at Lo Wu. Hung Hom is the starting point for rail trips to mainland China as well.
Hong Kong Island Trams
The trams are operate in the northern area of Hong Kong Island and are recommended for those who want a leisurely and inexpensive ride to see the island. The route runs along the curves of the island and offers an extra loop to go into Happy Valley. The peak tram, which is a cable tram that takes visitors to Victoria Peak form Central district, is also available.
Hong Kong Island Ferries
The Star Ferry crosses the harbor between Central District and Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon daily. There are also fast and ordinary ferries from the Airport Express station on Hong Kong Island to the outlying islands, including Lamma, Lantau, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau.
Hong Kong Island Buses
Public buses offer a safe and cheap trip around Hong Kong Island. However, be aware that the route is fixed and a bit confusing due to the complex highway system.
Hong Kong Island Escalator
Hong Kong Island has the longest outdoor escalator in the world, which takes you from Central through Soho and to the residential areas of the Mid-levels.
The Central District is Hong Kong's defining image as there are numerous financial institutions, electric skyline and the heights of Victoria Peak, or known simply as The peak.
On the east of Central, there are two lively districts in which to indulge in the pleasures of dining, drinking, shopping and sightseeing. Wan Chai and Causeway Bay are among the city's most crowded and active districts, revealing the flavour of modern Hong Kong.
Besides the towering skyscrapers of the world of business and commerce in Central, the traditional Chinese way of life still can be found in Western District.
Hong Kong is divided into four main districts. The largest one, New Territories, in the north, Lantau Island to the west, Kowloon and Hong Kong Island to the east and southeast. The prime business district is situated on Hong Kong Island.
Hong Kong is a paradise for shopaholics. Hong Kong Island shopping malls, department stores, boutiques and the bustling open-air markets are nestled among towering skyscrapers.
Hong Kong Dining
Hong Kong is a gourmet's palate paradise. The city has probably the highest ratio of dining places per capita in the world. Hong Kong Island has the finest selection in the world of restaurants, offering gastronomic Cantonese, Chinese, Asian and International cuisine. Floating Restaurants are located in Aberdeen area of Hong Kong Island. This is the place to sample delicious seafood inside a huge boat.
Chinese Food is plentiful around Hong Kong. There certainly is a wide variety to choose from, such as peking duck, Chinese style BBQ, spicy noodles and dumplings. If you are a seafood lover, Hong Kong has countless restaurants that provide fish tanks outside and you can event choose the ones you like.
Some recommended restaurants include the 69 Shiang Hai in the center of Wan Chai. The restaurant is famous for its delicious dumplings and a fine selection of Chinese specialties. For European cuisine in Central, try the Amber Restaurant, or try the Dynasty Restaurant for excellent cuisine with a splendid view of the harbor.
Lan Kwai Fong is the most popular area for nightlife. It is one of many busy nightlife venues for Hong Kong's young and trendy, where modern food, funky bars, nightclubs, English pubs and snack shops are found. Visiting the area on Friday or Saturday night may be overwhelming as the streets are filled with enormous crowds.
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Hong Kong has some of the world's best hotels and many of the most expensive accommodations in the world. Business travelers tend to prefer the Central District Hotels on Hong Kong Island. Wired Destinations has the recommended Hong Kong Island Hotels with great discounts to complement your holiday on this charming, modern island. Also see our popular Hong Kong New Territories Hotels and Lantau Island Hotels. If your are looking for Kowloon Hotels, Wired Destinations provides serious Hong Kong hotel discounts and helpful recommendations for all Hong Kong Hotels, Tsim Sha Tsui hotels and Mong Kok hotels. Also see our Hong Kong Travel Guide for Hong Kong Travel Info and valuable facts on Hong Kong sightseeing and Hong Kong shopping. 
