Talk

Cantonese is the language spoken by 90% of the people in Hong Kong. Though Hong Kong is a former British colony, the degree of English proficiency is limited among non-professionals such as restaurant workers. However, most taxi drivers, street vendors, etc. are fluent enough for sufficient communication. English is fluently spoken among the business community and at tourist destinations such as hotels and certain restaurants.

Most Hong Kongers are not fluent in Mandarin, but can comprehend it to a certain degree. Mandarin proficiency is increasing, especially after the reunification with the mainland.

All official signs will contain English, some of them contain English only. Most shops and restaurants will also have English signage, though don't expect this from the more local or obscure establishments.

See

See the stunning Island skyline seen from Kowloon. Take the Peak Tram (http://www.thepeak.com.hk/), a train line going to the highest point on Hong Kong island for a great view of the natural landscape in stark contrast with the city (if it's not too cloudy). The tram also makes a few stops, so it's possible to go half-way and hike the winding roads on the sloping geography. Follow the signs from Central Station to find the Peak Tram. Also worth seeing are the parks near Central station, the Memorial Gardens, Statue Square and the Chater Gardens for a refreshing break, as well seeing the Cenotaph for the fallen soldiers of WWII. City hall is also nearby. A ten minute-walk away from Central is the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/hkzbg/en/index.php), a small, free zoo with reptiles, primates, a jaguar, and rare and endangered birds and plants. Across from the World Trade Center near Causeway Bay, is the historical Noon Day Gun, deemed thus because it is fired off every day at noon. To access the Noon Day Gun enter the underground tunnel between the World Trade Center and the Excelsior Hotel and follow the signs.

Local life

The most effective way to know how Hong Kong people live is to experience the local life of an ordinary Hong Kong resident.

Traditional heritage

There are many traditional heritage locations throughout the territory.

• Kowloon Walled City Park  in Kowloon (http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/kwcp/en/index.php)
• Hong Kong Heritage Museum  in New Territories (http://www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/)
• Tsang Tai Uk  in New Territories (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkwalks/ta_walk_walk4.jhtml)
• Che Kung Temple  in New Territories (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkwalks/ta_walk_walk4.jhtml)
• Man Mo Temple and Fu Shin Street Traditional Bazaar  in New Territories (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/touring/hkiidistricts/ta_dist_taip3.jhtml)
• Po Lin Monastery and the Tien Tan Buddha Statue. To reach the Buddha statue, take Lantau bus #23 from MTR Tung Chung station or Lantau bus #2 from Mui Wo ferry pier. The "Big Buddha" is 26.4 m tall and is the World's largest outdoor bronze Buddha. Open:10AM to 6PM. While entry to the statue is free, there is an entrance fee for the museum. A snack at the vegetarian restaurant costs HK$23, a normal meal HK$60, while a deluxe meal will put you back HK$100. A cable car from Tung Chung should be up and running by the beginning of 2006.

Museums

There are a variety of museums (http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/cs_mus_lcsd.php) in Hong Kong with different themes.

Nature

Hong Kong is not all skyscrapers, and it's worthwhile to go to the countryside, including the country parks (http://parks.afcd.gov.hk/newparks/eng/country/index.htm) and marine parks (http://parks.afcd.gov.hk/newmarine/eng/index.htm).

• Lantau Island is two times as big as Hong Kong and is well worth checking out if you want to get away from the bright lights and pollution of the city for a spell. Here you will find open countryside, traditional fishing villages, secluded beaches, monasteries and more. You can hike, camp, fish and mountain bike, amongst other activities.

Theme parks

• Hong Kong Disneyland, the first in China, opened on September 2005 on Lantau Island.
• Ocean Park (http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/f_index.html) is a spectacular attraction of Hong Kong. Marine biodiversity in the Atoll Reef and Shark Tank just as breathtaking as Sea World of San Diego, and thrill rides will satisfy children and adults alike. However, it is often full of tourists from mainland China, some of whom are lacking in manners and are loud and noisy.

Singapore is a microcosm of Asia, populated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and a large group of workers and expatriates from all across the globe. A famously authoritarian state with fines for unlikely things like not flushing toilets, Singapore has a partly deserved reputation for boredom, but "the Switzerland of Asia" is for many a welcome respite from the poverty, chaos and crime of much of the continent.

On the plus side, Singaporean food is legendary, with bustling hawker centres and 24-hour coffee shops offering cheap food from all parts of Asia, and shoppers can bust their baggage allowances in shopping meccas like Orchard Road and Suntec City. In recent years some societal restrictions have also loosened up, and now you can bungee jump and dance on bartops until 6 AM, although alcohol is very pricey and buying chewing gum still requires a doctor's prescription. Casinos will be opening up in about 2009 as part of Singapore's new Fun and Entertainment drive, the aim being to double to number of tourists visiting and increasing the length of time they stay. Watch out for more loosening up in the future.

 Districts

Singapore is a small country on a small island, but with over 4 million people it's a fairly large city.

Bugis and Kampong Glam — Bugis and Kampong Glam are Singapore's old Malay district, now largely taken over by shopping.