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| Saturday, 13 September 2003 |
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Holidaying Hong Kong style Shirajiv Sirimane in Hong Kong Hong Kong has been known for its business activities and shopping which goes on even after midnight. However with the turn of the century the government has added a series of tourist attraction to draw more visitors.
Many visitors to Hong Kong are first fascinated with the new airport, which is said to be the first international airport in the world that has been built on an artificial island. The visa on arrival policy is the most encouraging factor specially for the Asians, unlike in most cases where one has to wait in agonising queues forwarding many documents to obtain visa in advance to enter most of the countries. The first historic site that meets the visitor is the world's largest suspension bridge built to link the airport to the main land. While gazing the wonders of modern day engineering one could see that the people in Hong Kong have not forgotten the age-old mode of transport, water and is still using it efficiently. Even today timber is transported to the capital via the river and most of it stacked on water. In addition to great shopping, sumptuous dining, fascinating culture and heritage the recent tourist attractions like the Madame Tussaud's wax museum and the Ocean Park are must for a tourist. Legendry personalities like Vincent Churchill, Hitler, Charlie Chaplin, Princes Diana and Royal Family are made in a life size form in wax and it is with great difficulty that one finally understands that these figures are not real. Ocean Park is one of the biggest entertainment complexes of its kind in Asia. Its reef aquarium, giant pandas, roller coasters, Kid's World and Discovery of the Ancient World combine to offer a fun-filled day. The Convention & Exhibition Center is one of Hong Kong's defining landmarks, with its distinctive curved three-tier roof and vast expanse of glass walls creating a dramatic vista. From The Peak's summit, visitors can gaze down on the jungle of skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour, where ferries and pleasure junks glide by. At night, the whole area becomes a dazzling spectacle of lights. Repulse Bay is one of the most accessible and picturesque beaches on the south side of Hong Kong Island. Every day many local and tourist visit this popular place to take a dip in the ocean and cool themselves. Market shopping is a fascinating part of the Hong Kong's experience. The Ladies' Market in Mong Kok is ideal for inexpensive fashion items and at Yau Ma Tei's Temple Street Night Market offers a wide range from T-shirts to electronics. Stanley Market is a delight for shoppers, filled with stalls, shops and innovative restaurants Hong Kong is emerging from an economic downturn that began with the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and was exacerbated by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in early 2003. As Hong Kong moves forward after the SARS outbreak it is worth noting that all their fundamental strengths and advantages remain intact, and will underpin their future growth and development in the years ahead. As Hong Kong is an all-year-round destination the most popular time to visit is from the middle of September to the end of February, when the weather is cooler. Millions of tourists flock to experience Hong Kong's wonders every year and the number of Sri Lanka tourist arrivals to Hong Kong are on the increase. Hong Kong is situated off the southern Cost of China and spreads out over about 1,100 square kilometres, which include 260 outlying islands. The British controlled it for many years and in 1997 June 30th the country was returned to China. Today it has a one-country two system administrative policy which means that there is no change of life style for residents and visitors in Hong Kong. |
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