Discover Hong Kong

Hong Kong is situated on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River facing the South China Sea. Covering an area of 1,104 square kms, the territory is made up of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. At the core is Victoria Harbour, which separates Hong Kong Island from Kowloon and beyond that, the New Territories that runs up to the boundary with Mainland China. As well as making up the bulk of Hong Kong's land mass, the New Territories also incorporates 262 outlying islands, including Lantau where the airport is located.

Hong Kong's English name was derived from two Chinese characters, Heung and Gong,  translated as "Fragrant Harbour," Originally it was  the name of a small settlement near Aberdeen, the main fishing and entry port on pre-colonial Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong's Chinese name was inspired by its export of fragrant incense.

Hong Kong Island

• Central: the government head quarters, transport hub, and financial and banking centre, also an exclusive shopping district.
• Western: Hong Kong's most typical traditional "Chinatown" area.
• Wan Chai: once famous as a sailor's paradise, this colourful district still offers exciting nightlife as well as arts centres, office plazas, and superb ethnic restaurants.
• Causeway Bay: long a popular nightlife, dining and shopping area.
• Aberdeen: on the island's south side, Aberdeen is an ancient fishing port whose maritime heritage offers scenic delights.
• South Coast: the beaches of Repulse Bay and
• Deep Water Bay: and the fishing village of Stanley are among the scenic treasures here.

Kowloon

• Tsim Sha Tsui: one of Hong Kong's major shopping, dining and entertainment areas, featuring a blaze of neon and the famous shopping street Nathan Road.
• Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok: a bustling and fascinating area full of speciality shops and open markets.

New Territories

• New Territories feature rural retreats, traditional villages, handsomely landscaped "New Towns", walking trails, and many cultural attractions.

Outlying Islands

• A varied collection of outlying islands are accessible by tourists for outings. They include rural Lantau, which is twice as large as Hong Kong, charming and tiny Cheung Chau, picturesque Peng Chau, and Lamma, which is famed for its seafood restaurants.