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Hong Kong 2019
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. With almost 8 million residents in only a 1104km2, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world.
Probably the best view of Hong Kong is from Victoria Peak. Pictured is one of the ways to get to the top - a slow, crowded and tourist tram. The Peak Tram was the first funicular in Asia and is the oldest tram in the world.
The city has the largest number of skyscrapers of any city in the world.
Hong Kong has more than 1200 skyscrapers and that is 4 times as much as for example the city of New York.
The city is the world's tenth-largest exporter and ninth-largest importer.
The Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world.
Hong Kong is famous for its skyscrapers. But surprisingly 40% of the territory is land and nature reserve.
Many buildings in Hong Kong do not have a fourth floor (I mean the sign with the digit, there is no air gap in the middle of the building, of course). Leaving the number four out is very common, because four is an accident number.
Although the city has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, severe income inequality exists among its residents.
Hong Kong has the highest national IQ estimate with 107. Well - according to very, very unorthodox and oddball theory of psychologist Richard Lynn and political scientist Tatu Vanhanen.
Population density is about 6,800 people/km2. But only 6.9% of land is residential. So the residential average population density is closer to 100,000 people/km2. Which is.... absolutely awful.
Hong Kong is one of the least car-dependent cities: 90% of all journeys in Hong Kong take place by public transport.
Not only the subway, but also the bus service is surprisingly useful for the visitor of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Park offers a natural, relaxing environment in the middle of Hong Kong's Central district. One of the largest public parks in Hong Kong, it covers 80,000m2 of green space.
Its main feature is the Edward Youde Aviary, which houses about 550 birds of 70 different species. There's an elevated walkway that lets you explore the tree canopy at various heights and angles.
The taste of flamingos is mild, less than lamb and more than beef, slightly more marbled than usual beef. It taste closely like, well, hippo. With a slightly fishy taste.
While some run, jump and otherwise devastate their bodies in the park in the morning, others read. The ability of Asians to share time and space with others is far beyond the line of the average European.
Residents of Hong Kong have some of the highest life expectancies in the world - 82.2 years for males and 87.6 years for females (in 2018).
An essential part of many peoples' lives in Hong Kong, Tai Chi is practiced in public parks throughout the city, especially early in the morning.
Hong Kong park has a Tai Chi Garden with courtyards specifically for the practice. However, exercise in every free place is common.
Pier near Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
Physical activity, especially in the morning, is in Hong Kong common. Well, everyone has some personal deviation.
The history of comic books in Hong Kong can be traced back to 1911, when they were used to satirise the corrupt Qing Dynasty. Over the years, Hong Kong´s comics industry has made various twists. The influence of Western animeis quiet strong.
Garbage ship, in the background one of the most typical panoramas of Hong Kong in the morning haze and fog.
Garbage boat. I tried to stop the boat for a ride in a somewhat less touristy way, but the crew started shouting at me something about the visit of a psychiatrist.
The Star Ferry operates two lines across Victoria Harbour and carry approximately 70000 passengers every day.
The Star Ferry is a passenger ferry service operator and tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Probably the attraction with the best price / benefit ratio.
The company was founded by Indian businessman Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala as the "Kowloon Ferry Company" in 1888.
Each boat had a capacity of 100 passengers, and the boats averaged 147 crossings each day.
In the backround is Central, also Central District, the business district of Hong Kong.
The Pearl of Orient (or Symphony of Lights) is a famous symphony of light formation in the night skyline that occurs on a daily basis.
The show is organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and is displayed every night with good weather at 8 pm. An orchestration of music, decoration lights, laser light displays, and pyrotechnic fireworks, the multimedia light and sound show lasts for around 14 minutes. And it is.... boring.
In Hong Kong, you can shop not only in the markets, but also in luxury shopping malls.
In Hong Kong, you can shop not only in the markets, but also in luxury shopping malls.
One of many shopping centers focused on more affluent customers. Good news - water in toilets is free!
Not all shopping malls are overcrowded. Social cases like me can admire simple, stylish decoration. Vertical flower beds and escalators.
The street markets in Hong Kong, where a visitor can experience the real local lifestyle and enjoy the happiness brought by various local products.
Shopping is a popular social activity in Hong Kong. Basic items such as slippers, vibrators, noodle soups or ear sticks do not draw any duties, sales taxation or import taxation.
The surprises of grabbing a bargain. Only specific import goods such as alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, cars and petroleum products have associated taxes.
If the visitor does not speak Chinese, many mysteries and surprises await him in restaurants and shops in Hong Kong.
Of course, a brave shopper can try everything if he wants to know what he just bought. By the way - markets in Hong Kong are governed by the law of Hong Kong, not Chinese law. It will change soon, I presume.
After shopping in such mysterious shops, the result may be that a Chinese-speaking shopper can cook an aphrodisiac for dinner, drink a cosmetic product, and enjoy a diarrhea suppository instead of chewing gum.
Tens of thousands of restaurants are registered in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has the highest number of restaurants per capita.
Many of the restaurants in Hong Kong have been influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures. In just this one city, food enthusiasts can indulge in all kinds of authentic cuisines from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Europe, and America.
The city also has the world’s most affordable Michelin star restaurant with dishes that cost an average of 2 dollars. And no, it's not a restaurant from the photo.
Hong Kong is known as the "World's Food Fair", and dining out is one of the most popular things to do as a tourist. From roadside stalls to world-class restaurants, Hong Kong offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to food.
A whole chicken is flavored and put into the oven for about 20 minutes until the chicken's skin turns brown. What makes it so unique is that garlic pieces are added and it looks like wind-blown sand. The smell of the garlic pieces is exactly to the right degree.
Hong Kong locals believe that eating noodles on your birthday is a sure way to boost long life and blessings. But the birthday is only once a year, so there is always an opportunity to try for example a dried eye or a monkey's thumb.
More than 90 per cent of Hong Kong's food is imported, including nearly all its meat and rice.
Most fish are seasonal. Throughout the year, different kinds of fish are coming and going. And, for example, when it gets warm, the crabs are most active.
The quality of fresh Hong Kong seafood is on a par with that found in Japanese markets, say some japanese chefs. Which means something. Well, some of Hong Kong fish market are a bit "different".
In a typical market, 70% of the fish are farm-raised and another 20% are imported.
Hong Kong seafood consumption per capita is 4.1 times higher than the global average.
In Hong Kong, wet (fish, seafood) markets are most frequented by older residents, those with lower incomes, and domestic helpers who serve approximately 10% of Hong Kong's residents. Most neighbourhoods contain at least one wet market.
Goldfish Market, Kowloon, famous for the intriguing display of hanging bags of freshwater, tropical, and marine fish. There are about 40 fish shops in the area.
No only goldfish, but baby turtles, exotic coral reef fish, reptiles and even tiny seahorses are present.
Threatened or endangered species are present but definitely not common.
Goldfish is a particularly important animal in Feng Shui tradition.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the largest Chinese shrines in Hong Kong. Dates back to 1921 covers the 3 major religions of China – Taoism, Confucianism ), and Buddhism.
The 18,000 m2 temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get". Nonsense. I asked for attractive strippers, but only an old lady appeared in a wheelchair.
The secondary platform contains bronze statues of the 12 Zodiac Animals and was co-designed by specialists in ancient architecture from Sik Sik Yuen and Beijing.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is no exception and is surrounded by skyscrapers.
Worshipers bring incense sticks and offerings like chicken, roast pork and fruit to ask for good luck and spiritual advice.
The man throws the shells to learn something about his future. Nice details are a fake watch or a Disney character right next to the incense sticks.
It is the only temple in Hong Kong which is permitted to conduct Taoist wedding ceremonies and issue mariage certificates. The photo shows a detail of a bronze knocker.
Like other downtown parks, Nan Lian Garden offers a bizarre contrast of tranquility and greenery surrounded by a mass of concrete and iron skyscrapers.
Nan Lian Garden is built in the Tang Dynasty style and occupies an area of about 35000m2.
In order to save the tranquility of this place, visitors shall be properly dressed, smoking is not allowed, animals and pets, are prohibited. Throwing grenades at other visitors is also prohibited.
The impressive hall at the Chi Lin Nunnery (which is part of Nan Lian Garden) has a variety of bonsai trees placed around the exterior of the structure.
Panoramic view of Nan Lian Garden.
Hong Kong protests, also known as Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement.
Hong Kong was under British rule from 1842 to 1997. Today it is a special administration region in China. Another victim of the Chinese plague.
This is the biggest political crisis in Hong Kong in decades. Due to the unrest, the operation of Hong Kong Airport was interrupted several times, schools were closed or train junctions were paralyzed.
These are the largest protests in Hong Kong, with more than a million people taking part in the demonstrations.
Over ten housands arrested, thousands injured, thousands charged. Well, I don't like certain Chinese manners. Of course, I won't change anything.
Everybody knows Hong Kong Island, but there are actually 263 islands in Hong Kong. Part of which is uninhabited and the only way to reach them is by charter boat. Or, of course, you can try to swim.