China Learn

If you want to savor the delicacy of the East, marinated in a Western sauce, come to Hong Kong where the exotic East go hand in hand with contemporary West to form a dynamic city. The city is vibrant with spectacular sightseeing, sensational shopping and an array of fabulous food. The colonial history of Hong Kong is overshadowed by the Chinese experience to give you a new culture that is neither imported from the British Isles nor Chinese, but something totally utopian.

Geographically too, Hong Kong is one of the most interesting cities. The total area of present day Hong Kong extends to well over 2,916 square kilometers of which only about one third is land mass, the rest being waterways. The principal island of Hong Kong is mostly hilly where the Victoria Harbor works as its center of gravity. The entire territory is divided into four main areas. They are…

• The Hong Kong island
• Kowloon
• The New territories
• The outlying islands

Urban areas are mostly around the harbor, which occupy the northern and the southern shores. To begin with, the harbor was just about a mile, but it has been made bigger by reclaiming. The urban areas have some of the biggest hotels, shopping malls and entertainment areas in the orient. Some structures in Hong Kong and Kowloon are simply breathtaking. Hong Kong is a busy commercial center where people earn handsomely and spend money like a King, making it a happening place.

Entertainment in Hong Kong is on a lavish scale. Stars from Walt Disney’s classic animated films come to life everyday in Disney On Parade, a moving spectacle in Hong Kong Disney Park. Disney celebrities like Mickey, Minnie, Snow White, Mermaid, Woody, Jessie and others perform in the daily parade that winds throughout most of the Theme Park.

Transportation in Hong Kong is a breeze. The city boasts of an excellent public transport network. Normally, the Octopus Card is ideal when traveling in Hong Kong and “Octopus” with “MTR” and “Buses” is the dream team of Hong Kong transportation to reach most parts of the city.

Hong Kong’s unique attractions include the Central Mid Levels Escalator. It is the world’s longest covered outdoor escalator, stretching over 2,624 feet through the heart of the city where tens of thousands of people ride it every day. The craze has gone up to such an extent that a great “Escalator Culture” has sprung up alongside. There are cafes, restaurants, shops and many more along the escalator route.

While visiting the pearl of the Orient, don’t forget to fill your belly up to your heart’s content. And while in China (because now Hong Kong is very much in China) do what the Chinese do. Cantonese or Guangdong food is good for everybody. It is mostly stemed, boiled or stri-fried. Also it is quite healthy since it uses minimum oil. The main ingredients of Guangdong food are seafood, pork, chicken and vegetables. You may need white rice to make it a bellyful. However, beware of Cantonese food as it is said… “The Cantonese eat everything that flies barring an aircraft, everything on the ground except motor cars and scooters and everything in water except ocean liners.” Never mind old saying. Take a Dim Sum for breakfast and a Beijing Duck for dinner.

The magic of Disney is to be found in virtually every corner of the globe. Disney today has become synonymous with the finest in entertainment. Naturally, when it comes to theme parks, Disneyland is not far behind. What happens to be every child’s dream, viz. visiting Disneyland at least once in a lifetime, is also what many adults secretly desire. Truly enough, the magic of Disney knows no age. From 8 to 80, everybody’s game for a visit to Disneyland.

When in Hong Kong, it’s a shame to miss out on a trip to the Hong Kong Disneyland. Hong Kong Disneyland is the first theme park inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which is owned and managed by the Hong Kong International Theme Parks, an incorporated company jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and the Government of Hong Kong.

The formal dedication that accompanies this dreamland goes like:

“To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Many years ago, Walt Disney introduced the world to enchanted realms of fantasy and adventure, yesterday and tomorrow, in a magical placed called Disneyland.

Today that spirit of imagination and discovery comes to life in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Disneyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart - with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration, and an enduring symbol of the cooperation, friendship and understanding between the people of Hong Kong and the United States of America.

Hong Kong Disneyland offers you the same degree of fun, frolic and comfort that you have come to expect from all things Disney. Discover a magical kingdom of thrilling adventures, storybook journeys and beloved Disney characters. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Scrooge, Pluto, Goofy - they’re all here. Stay amidst the magic in two enchanting hotels offering unique shopping, imaginative dining and family recreation - all delivered with the style and service for which Disney is renowned.

The park has four themed lands similar to those at other Disneyland parks. Take your pick from Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland and Main Street U.S.A. Frontierland is a notable exclusion, but don’t worry, you’ll hardly miss it.

Hong Kong Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. is an almost exact replica of the Disneyland in California, and includes the train station, the buildings, and the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Adventureland features a large island area, home to Tarzan’s Treehouse, which is circled by the Jungle Cruise. It is also home to the Festival of the Lion King show.

Walt Disney was known for his futurist views. “Tomorrowland” is the realistic culmination of these views. In his own words… “Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future.”

The “Fantasyland” at the Hong Kong Disneyland features the Sleeping Beauty Castle, as well as the Fantasy Gardens where costumed Disney characters can be met. Other attractions include the Cinderella Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad hatter tea Cups and much more.

Hong Kong Disneyland is a dream come true for every Asian, young or old.

Since the Peoples Republic of China has opened its doors to the outside world, travel and tourism, along with trade and commerce with the world have begun in right earnestness. People now are eager to travel in China to take a look at the great “Chinese Wall’ and other places of tourist interest. One of such universal interest is the “Heavenly Pillar Peak” of the Mt. Tianzhu and the Mystery Valley.

Located within the boundaries of Quianshan County in the southwest part of Anhui, Mt. Tianzhu is known as a beautiful mountain of magnificence and glory. Several scenic spots including forty- two peaks, sixteen rock caves, seventeen cliffs, fifty-three bizarre stone formations, many mountain ridges, twenty five caves and forty eight mountain strongholds enrich the area. Towering pines, peculiar rock formations, sparkling waterfalls and canyons together with secluded caves and tunnels give the place an imposing outlook for the tourist to come enjoy. Truly, Tianzhu mountain and the mystery valley is an enchanting and rewarding experience. Though very few international tourists are aware of this, but the numbers are growing rapidly.

Mt. Tianzhu has been divided into eight scenic zones - Meicheng, Yezhai, Yujing, Mazu, Dongguan, Feilai and the principal peak. Tianzhu, with an altitude of 1,488.4 meters is the highest peak.

The Mystery valley, with valleys and granite caves that are inter-connected with each other is considered high in the attraction list. Cave exploration can be a great adventure activity here. Lake Liandai at an altitude of 1100 meters is the third largest Alpine lake in China and the nine waterfalls cascading down the hills add charm to the valley. The collective features of Huangshan Mountain and the Lushan hills have added dimension to this mountain resort where people go to enjoy the serene atmosphere and the tranquility of the valley. The Mystery valley has an imposing number of flora and fauna that include rare species of plants like Yulin Mu (fish scale tree), Tianny (fairy maiden) and mammals like the Giant Salamander.

Chinese emperor, Wu Di of the early Han dynasty had paid tribute to the Tianzhu Mountain as the highest and most sacred mountain in Southern China. Also, Mt. Tianzhu has many cultural relics and is a gold mine for finding out ancient remains. The Third Patriarch Temple in the valley where the patriarch of the Buddhist Zen sect, Sengcan did his carya (observations and doings) is now protected by the sate. Many come to watch them as well.

Guided tours are now arranged to take tourists to Mt. Tianzhu and the mystery valley where one may still find the ancient charms and soothing ambience so very much absent in modern cities and towns.