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Pleasure of the Countryside
If you are a nature lover, Hong Kong has lots to offer. In recent years, the Government has enhanced Hong Kong’s nature nursing and education, and has established many facilities for educating the public and protecting natural habitats. In addition to parks, zoos, gardens and country parks, the Hong Kong Wetland Park was established to demonstrate the diversity of our wetland ecosystem. The park has also become the home of Pui Pui – the alligator that has attained celebrity status in Hong Kong.
Along our seacoast, four marine parks and one marine reserve have been designated. Thanks to these marine parks, precious true mangroves have been preserved. Of the eight true mangroves recorded in Hong Kong, six are located in the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.
If you like to walk, there are some walking routes that take you to different locations in the city. The ecotours [Chinese version only], hiking trails and family walks offer different hiking routes around Hong Kong. If you look carefully, you may find many species of animals and plants on any of these routes. Make sure you check HKNature net before you start your hike because you would not want to miss seeing any rare species of animals and plants.
It is also wise to check the weather forecast ahead of time and the latest weather in different parts of Hong Kong. To ensure a happy hike and avoid any incidents that could ruin your journey, read the guide for hikers and tips on prevention of heat stroke. Nature publications published by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Friends of the Country Parks are good references for countryside activities.
Other than these facilities and parks, there are camping sites and mountain bike trails across Hong Kong. When visiting the countryside, please remember to bring along your mobile phone. There is never 100% mobile network coverage in country parks, so it is a good idea to bring along countryside maps and find out more about staying in touch in country parks.
Fun in the City
Do you have overseas friends or relatives visiting Hong Kong but do not know where to go? Here is a tip: most tourists coming here to look for two things - dining and shopping. After all, these are what keep tourists coming back to Hong Kong.
After a good meal and a day of shopping, the real Hong Kong tours begin. Hong Kong has 18 districts. Local tours will introduce different walking routes for tourists to explore the city. Tourists can also discover more themselves by following the Hong Kong walking routes. It’s a great way to explore the city, experience local life and have fun in the 18 districts.
Events make the city a popular tourist destination. In 2005, the biggest event was the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. It offers visitors hours of fun – putting it at the top of every tourist’s must-see list.
“A Symphony of Lights” which has been awarded the world’s “Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show” by Guinness World Records, is also one of the major tourism projects in the city.
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