Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is the first theme park inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland park is owned and managed by the Hongkong International Theme Parks, an incorporated company jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and the Government of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Disneyland, the fifth Disneyland in the world, is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island. After years of negotiation and construction, the park finally opened to visitors on September 12, 2005.

The park consists of four themed lands similar to those found in the other Disneyland parks around the world. They are Main Street, USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Adventureland in Hong Kong Disneyland is the biggest one among all the Disneyland parks.

Although the park is the smallest Disneyland in the world, the construction of Phase 1 Extension that has been started will bring three new attractions to the park by summer 2006, they are Autopia, Stitch Encounter, which is similar to Turtle Talk with Crush found in Epcot and Disney's Califonia Adventure Park, and UFO Cool Zone. Another grand attraction, Raging Spirits, is expected to open sometime in 2007.

The theme park uses both English and Chinese (both in Traditional and Simplified for text, Cantonese and Mandarin in verbal) in its communication.

Construction
On September 23, 2004, a special castle "topping ceremony" was held in the park to commemorate the placing of the tallest turret of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Many important people were present, including Tung Chee Hwa, former chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts; Michael Eisner, CEO of The Walt Disney Company; Bob Iger, president of Disney; as well as Mickey Mouse and other costumed characters. Hong Kong Disneyland had the shortest construction period from the start to the opening day among all the Disneyland-style theme parks (possibly because it is the smallest one).

Phase 2 Construction
Three new attractions will be built and opened inside Tomorrowland in summer 2006 as part of Phase 2 Construction, which is also known as Phase 1 Extension.

Besides, rumours suggest Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown will be built in the near future. After completing the construction works, Hong Kong Disneyland will then consist of six themed lands in 2008.

Future Construction
As the reclaimed land reserved for Phase 2 Extension and the Disneyland park are being blocked by Park Promenade (a pedestrian walkway which links the MTR Disneyland Resort Station, Disneyland park and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel), it's expected that the resort's second Disney theme park will be built on that site.

Moreover, the Phase 3 Extension is being considered by the Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government.

Attractions and Entertainment
The park currently features four themed lands similar to those at other Disneyland parks: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The park is missing a fifth classic land; Frontierland is not present at the park, as Imagineers saw it as the least relevant of the five to Hong Kong Disneyland.

The park features a daytime parade "Disney on Parade" and "Disney in the Stars" fireworks show in the evening.

Victoria Harbour

Take a trip around the harbour both at night and during the day. Watch the Standard Chartered Bank skyscraper change colour from the Kowloon side at night time. Be patient its a subtle thing!! Go up the fenicular railway, its brilliant and the view from the top is awesome. Do it at night as well. An abosolute must is to ride the Star Ferry across from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island (cost is $HK 2.20 for the Upper Deck and $HK 1.70 for the lower deck).

The harbour tour. If you like ships this is amazing.

Central District

As the name tells, Central is the heart of Hong Kong. It is the home to major government offices, the core of business and banking, and hence the hub of power and wealth. Here you'll find traces of old British colonial Hong Kong, told by the remaining 19th century buildings; and a young and energetic modern city moving into the cyber age, showing off its newly built glassy and metallic sky-high rises. The tour is ideally a weekday itinerary, try to avoid Sundays and public holidays when thousands of Filipino amahs working locally will have gatherings in Central. Tips: This tour features a number of landmark buildings new and old, so don't forget your camera! After a stroll in Central which usually needs less than a half day, you may continue heading westwards for Sheung Wan and the Western.


Bank of China Tower

369 meters high, 72 floors. It was the tallest building in Hong Kong when completed in 1990. Designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, BOC is a striking hard-edged asymmetrical structure featuring triangular prisms that create a changing vista as one views it from different sides. Triangular bracing and step-backs are structural adaptations to the high wind loads caused by Hong Kong typhoons. However, the sharp angles violated traditional good feng shui principles and created a major controversy when it was built. Address: 1 Garden Road (corner Murray Road). 10 mins walk from Admiralty or Central MTR Station.


The last Governers home

The last British Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, lived in 'Government House' located on prime land just above the Central Business District. This distinctive building is no longer used as the official residence of the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa but is used for official functions.


Ladder Street

This old stone paving street located in the Central, near to the Soho Esculator. Hollywood Road runs between Central and Sheung Wan. and its best to start on the Central end. just off Wyndham Street, and wander along. An interesting detour: turn right on Ladder Street (across from the Man Mo Temple) and walk through Upper Lascar Row.


Hong Kong Central Police Station

Central police station can be found on Hong Kong Island in the Central district. It is one of the areas last remaining structures from Hong Kongs colonial times. It was built in 1864, and for a while was the headquarters for Hong Kongs police force. Today it still serves as a police station, dormitory, prison and as Hong Kong Island Regional and Central District Headquarters. Sadly there are plans to knock the building down, and replace it with shops and modern food plazas.


Escalator to the top

The world's longest network of escalators (800m) snakes its way up from the Central Market, through SOHO, and into the mid-levels residential area, which is the hub of expatriate living. When taking this journey up through the residential area you get very close to peoples flats and can almost reach into their living quarters. This gives an interesting insight into how people live.

The escalator starts at the bottom at the Central Market, where live chickens can be bought for consumption, at intermediate levels are traditional markets selling fresh fish, vegetables and fine produce. It is interesting to see the locals going about their business, shopping in these narrow, ethnic markets.

Star Ferry

Travel between HK n Kowloon via a ferry! [For those who dunno, HK consisted of 2 major islands - HK island n Kowloon! :) ] The ferry seemed like a popular form of daily transportation for the Hongkongers. u hafta pay a nominal fee for the ferry trip. The journey though only about less than 15 mins, was rather relaxing! Most just sat back and enjoyed the waves...

If you cannot stand the heat and high air moisture within the city any more then go on a ferry ride from one side of the Bay to the other an back. It costs very little and each trip is about 10 to 15 refreshing minute. The ferry boats look like shown on the picture. They start on the Kwoloon side close to the bell tower and run every 15 minutes.

Use the ferry to go back and forth between Kowloon and Hong Kong. Go exploring on Nathan Road and the night market.

Detatching from the 'group' and taking a high-speed jetfoil/ferry to nearby Macau. Not exactly Hong Kong, but it was neat being up that early and making our way to the ferry terminal and such 'sans group.' :)

Kowloon: Hong Kong a vibrant City

The streets of Hong Kong, the hustle and bustle, soo many people in such a small place, you just can't fall to the ground, ya just falling into someone. The food, the unbelievble opportunity's of shopping..till ya drop and the noise, everybody seems to chat, sing, wistle...


The Ladies' Market


Ladies Market along the Kowloon Areas are the best things to do, if you're a lady! You don't have to buy if you don't like thiese goods but one of the best thing is to check out the markets in any kind of place...Who knows you can find the best deal for the nicest goods you like!

Busy looking out great deals...

Hong Kong at Night

The peak is probably the most important spot people should visit when they come to Hong Kong. Many of the postcard pictures are taken from there. It is especially nice on occasions when there are firework displays in the Victoia harbour. (Photo courtesy of Virtual Gallery, Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Victoria Peak

If you are in Hong Kong, you must visit The Peak and must not miss it out during your stay in Hong Kong, as you can capture a splendid view of the world famous Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbour. Do go up to the Peak Tower to get the best view, especially during the night, as it is simply magnificent, and you can enjoy the enchanting night scenery of Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour to the Kowloon Peninsula, known as one of the four most spectacular night scenes in the world.

Take the cable car up the Causeway. This is very much on the beaten path which just about every tourists doing it. No wonder, the view up here of the city of Hong Kong and Kowloon on the other side of the Harbour is phenomenal. It is something that will be stuck in your memory for a long time.

Eating exotic Cantonese dishes in a great restaurant at Kowloon. It's delicious but don't try to find out what's in it. Ignorance is bliss.

Mozart Lyrical Tunes at Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Visitors to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre this week can enjoy a musical moment with the child prodigy Mozart as the youthful wax figure from Madame Tussauds Hong Kong takes centre stage at a special exhibition commemorating the composer’s 250th birthday.

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre will be hosting two photo exhibitions straight from the musician’s home in Austria and the young Mozart will be showcased standing in front of his childhood home in Salzburg. Elaborately dressed in a richly embroidered blue coat, Mozart is seen tuning his violin as he prepares to go on stage.

Following his appearance at the Hong Kong Cultural Center, Mozart will be returning to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong to await the reopening of the attraction in Spring 2006. Mozart will be featured in the “Historical and National Heroes” themed area alongside famous historical and political leaders and icons from the worlds of Science and the Arts.

Hong Kong NEW Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds is a unique celebrity-inspired attraction that connects guests with famous people, famous events and famous times. Featuring six themed areas, Madame Tussauds provides guests with the opportunity to meet their idols and do the things that famous people do!

As part of the exciting Peak Tower Renovation, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is currently undergoing a HK$20 million expansion project, building a brand new entrance area on level 3 of the Peak Tower and adding a further 7000 sq. ft of exhibition space.

The new look attraction will feature over 100 local and international celebrity wax figures with exciting audi visual effects and interactive experiences to create truly magical moments for guests.

Opened in August 2000, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is the first permanent Madame Tussauds in Asia and is one of five Madame Tussauds that are located in London, New York, Las Vegas and Amsterdam.

The attraction will open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm.

www.etravelblackboard.com

2006 Hong Kong Festival Calendar

01 Jan - New Year Day
02 Jan - The day following the first day of January
28 Jan - The day preceding Chinese New Year
30 Jan - The second day of the Chinese New Year
31 Jan - The third day of the Chinese New Year
14 Feb - Valentine's Day
05 Apr - Ching Ming Festival
14 Apr - Good Friday
15 Apr - The day following Good Friday
17 Apr - Easter Monday
20 Apr - Birthday of Tin Hau
01 May - May day / Labour Day
05 May - Buddha’s Birthday and Cheung Chau Bun Festival
31 May - Tuen Ng / Dragon Boat Festival
01 July - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
19 July - Kwan Tai / Kwan Gon's Birthday
31 July - Seventh Goddess' Day / Tsat-je
08 Aug - Chinese Ghosts Festival
02 Oct - The day following National Day
07 Oct - The day following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival / Moon Festival
30 Oct - Chung Yeung Festival
25 Dec - Christmas Day
26 Dec - The first weekday after Christmas Day

Winter Festival in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) launched its fourth Hong Kong Winter Festival last Friday with the aim of drawing more visitors. Running until January 2, it will make Hong Kong the focus of Christmas and New Year celebrations in Asia. HKTB Chairman Selina Chow said the event features a larger "Santa's Town" than last year, which has incorporated more family-friendly and seasonal elements.

High time for cheap seats
Chinese domestic airline companies are slashing fares to compete for passengers over the slow winter season, a good news for budget tourists. China Eastern Airlines is offering tickets between Beijing and Shanghai for as little as 280 yuan (US$34.5), about one quarter of the full-price ticket for an economy-class seat. Air China and China Southern Airlines are also offering low fares on the route, giving discounts of up to 70 per cent.
Beijing ski resorts open
With the first snowfall last Friday and the cold setting in, Beijing's ski resorts have opened last weekend. However, due to the gusting wind only low-level ski slopes are currently available for ski fans. The high-level slopes will be opened in the coming weekend when the wind is expected to ease. Ski resorts are competing with each other for more customers by offering special prices.
Precious stone treasures
The Beijing Arts & Crafts Plaza on Wangfujing Street is playing host to a free exhibition of stone sculptures. The show includes more than 800 works by 35 Chinese craftspeople. Most of them are carved out of precious stones like Shoushan stone from Fuzhou, Fujian Province, Qingtian stone from East China's Zhejiang Province and Balin stone from Inner Mongolia.

ChinaDaily.com