Hong Kong Travel Photography and Picture Guide | China SAR | Asia

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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
		Victoria Harbour: Hong Kong is said to have the most beautiful harbor in the world, and I see no reason to disagree with it. The famous Star Ferry still crosses the beautiful harbor, ferrying thousands of passengers a day for a mere 25 cents.
		Star Ferry: I used to make my way down to the harbor around sunset, where I was rewarded with views like this. For such a large city (6 million people), it can be quite peaceful at times. (Large version coming soon)
		Hong Kong Streets: The streets of Hong Kong are an eclectic jumble of trams, taxis, buses, trucks, and pedestrians. They are also surrounded by numerous noodle shops, Chinese medicine stores, and street markets that give Hong Kong a unique flavor.
		Tiger Balm Gardens: As a city which is known internationally for its stunning architecture, I was surprised to find a place with such horrible architecture as the Tiger Balm Gardens. Donated by an eccentric businessman, the gardens look like a giant pile of melted crayons.
		Tiger Balm Gardens: I was quite intrigued by this tiger, as he seemed to have a life of his own...
		City University: I took classes at the City University of Hong Kong, one of the city's four main universities. The school was quite interesting as it was one colossal building that contained just about everything. My favorite part was the cafeteria, which had a family of birds living in it and would fly around while you ate.
		The Peak: Hong Kong is know around the world for its famous peak, which is much cooler than the city and gives spectacular views of the surrounding area, especially at night.
		Subway Sardines: You haven't experienced Hong Kong until you ride on the subway at rush hour, which is quite an experience. Personal space is an afterthought as you are literally pushed onto the car by subway workers. Don't try this at home...
		Tim Sum Village: Near the bottom of this photo you will see a cluster of maroon-roofed buildings. This is Tim Sum Village in Tai Wai, where I lived while studying in Hong Kong. The apartment was cramped and I stayed in a bunk bed, but it was home and I loved it!
		Home Sweet Home: This is the alleyway that led to my apartment. Five of us shared this apartment, which consisted of three rooms, a kitchen / bathroom, and a roof. Although it was really small, it was quite large for Hong Kong standards.
		Tai Wai: Once a small farming village, the Tai Wai / Shatin area of Hong Kong now has a population of almost one million people. The area I lived in contained a high rises, a small amusement park, and a shopping district complete with small restaurants and Park N' Shop, my favorite grocery store.
		Central District: (Left) The Central district contains the most expensive real estate in the world, so each building is as much a work of art as anything else. The building on the left is one of the few colonial buildings left, while in the center is the world-famous Bank of China. To the right is the new Cheung Kong Center, where I worked. Po Lin Monastery: (Right) Hong Kong is also home to the world's largest outdoor sitting Buddha. It is very high up in the mountains, and when I visited it I couldn't even see it through the fog. This is one of the many statues that surround it.
		Festival Walk: (Left) Connected to City University is Hong Kong's largest mall, Festival Walk. I walked through this mall each day to get from the subway to the university and always marveled at the spectacular architecture. Pagoda: (Right) If you look between the massive office buildings you will find little relics that remind you that you are in fact in China. I love the simplicity of this pagoda, which I found in the gaudy Tiger Balm Gardens.
		Internship: (Left) Besides my studies, I also held an internship at Lovely White Durrant where I was an intellectual property associate. I basically made copies and helped prepare court documents. It wasn't that exciting, but gave me an interesting look at international law.

Map of Hong Kong: See a map of Hong Kong with related statistics

Hong Kong Travel Information: Lonely Planet Destination Guide: Lonely Planet's guidebooks are second to none. Go here to read their on-line edition

South China Morning Post: Hong Kong's leading English language newspaper

City University of Hong Kong: Where I spent five of the greatest months of my life

Lovell White Durrant: Look where I perfected my filing and photocopying skills...

Cheung Kong Center: One of the most modern buildings in the world and where I worked in Hong Kong. Take the virtual tour!

Hong Kong: City of Life: Hong Kong's official travel site

Cage Homes: Read about the cage homes of Kowloon

Hong Kong: Between Two Worlds: CNN's special coverage of Hong Kong

Yahoo Hong Kong: Yahoo's Hong Kong portal site

Cantonese Phrases: Learn the most useful Cantonese phrases

Hong Kong Webcams: Live webcams of Hong Kong

Flags Of The World: Hong Kong Information about and history of Hong Kong's flag

Do you have any questions or comments about this page? Please let me know!

Time Visited: January - May 1999 & January 2000

Main Cities Visited: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, Lamma & Lantau Islands

Modes of Transportation: Subway, Train, Tram, Ferry, Boat, Bus, Van, Taxi, Airplane,

How I Ended Up There: I was a year ahead of school, so I wanted to do something truly exciting and spend a semester abroad. Once I located Hong Kong on the map, I decided to go there. What a great decision!

Memorable Foods: Dim Sum, Dinners at Club Sri Lanka, Noodle Shops, Rice Shops, Melon-flavored Soy Milk, Egg Tarts, Sugar Snap Peas

What I Liked: Diverse population, highly cultured population

What I Disliked: Intense pollution, expensive bars

Where I Stayed:YMCA, Apartment in Tai Wai (Tim Sum Village), Marriott (5 star) Hotel

Hong Kong in Five Words: cosmopolitan, fast paced, urban jungle, ultra-modern, cramped

My Thoughts: The story of how I ended up on Hong Kong is rather interesting. In the summer of 1998, I heard that my father was going to spend a year teaching in Japan. I was intrigued by his decision, and I wished I could do something that intriguing as well. I then remembered that Syracuse had international programs and that day I went down to the study abroad office and applied. A few months later I was in Hong Kong!

I spent the spring semester of 1999 at City University of Hong Kong, where I studied many aspects of Chinese culture, an entirely new and fascinating subject for me. I also became quite fascinated with the city itself, and spent many a night walking around the city getting a feel for its character.

If I could choose one place to live right now, it would be Hong Kong. I greatly miss the cosmopolitan nature of the city and the fast-paced, yet cultural, feeling that seems to grab hold of you. They say that college is the best time of your life, and my best time in college was Hong Kong.