For most of last few centuries, the island of Hong Kong and surrounding territory (i.e. Kowloon) have thrived as one of Asia's most popular and well known destinations. From 1897 to 1997, the United Kingdom (Great Britain) leased the island from Greater China. Thus, it is no wonder that much of the architecture and urban design have a strong colonial influence.
It is quite common to meet a (completely caucasian) Scotsman or Englishman who claims Hong Kong nationality---as it has been just as much their home as it has to other Asians...atleast up until 1997.
During parts of the Sino-Japanese wars, as well as a bulk of World War II, Hong Kong was under the occupation, influence, and control of the Japanese empire. Not surprisingly though, most Hong Kong residents are not of English or Japanese ethnicity, but of mainland Chinese, of which most speak Cantonese as the primary tongue, followed by Mandarin and various other dialects.
Perhaps, what locals should be most proud of is not how glorious or diverse their history was, but how efficient and harmonious their present is. Hong Kong's skyline is one of the most eclectic in all of Asia if not the world. The transport system is efficient and reliable. Another (promotional) nickname of Hong Kong is the city of life.
To read more about the author's trip to Hong Kong in 2002, click here.
Click on each individual thumbnail for full picture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|
DISCLAIMER !!!
ALL IMAGES, TEXT, AND MEDIA ARE PROPERTY OF GREENSKALE STUDIOS. NO UNAUTHORIZED USE IS PERMITTED WITHOUT THE FORMAL CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR. PLEASE CONTACT THE WEBMASTER FOR ANY INQUIRIES.
© Green Skale Studios 2006