Language
The languages of Hong Kong are Cantonese, Mandarin and English — Cantonese is spoken most widely day to day. More residents are learning Mandarin, though English proficiency has gradually declined since the 1997 handover. Hong Kong uses traditional Chinese characters.
Where Hong Kong is
Hong Kong is a special administrative region in southern China, bordering Guangdong province. It consists of four parts: Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories, and the Outlying Islands.
Kowloon
Kowloon means "nine dragons" and sits opposite Hong Kong Island — a walk along its waterfront promenade offers a stunning view of the skyline, especially at night. Kowloon is easy to reach by MTR or, more leisurely, by ferry. It's both a shopping paradise and a food destination popular with locals and tourists alike. Besides the main shopping strip, Nathan Road, there are numerous markets: the Bird Market, the Night Market, the Ladies' Market and the Jade Market. Kowloon also has luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, nightclubs and plenty of bars. Kowloon Park and a few small temples are also worth a visit.
Hong Kong Island
With its towering skyscrapers, Hong Kong Island is the city's financial and business center. A ride on the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak is worthwhile both day and night, offering a breathtaking view over Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and the surrounding beaches. The island is mostly steep hillside, and almost all its flat land — including the old airport site — is reclaimed. A partly-covered outdoor escalator helps residents get up and down the hillside neighborhoods. Repulse Bay is the most popular beach, though Stanley and Aberdeen are also worth visiting, the latter pairing well with a meal at a floating restaurant.
New Territories
The northernmost part of Hong Kong, divided into three sections. The western part connects to the airport on Lantau Island via the 2.2km Tsing Ma Bridge. The eastern part is arguably the most charming, having retained much of its traditional character. The center has large residential complexes, shopping malls and plenty of leisure options.
Outlying Islands
Around 250 small islands surround Hong Kong. The airport, 46km from the city, sits on Lantau Island, and ferries connect several of the islands. Cheung Chau Island is well worth a visit — apart from a few permitted vehicles, it's essentially car-free. Bicycles can be rented to explore the island, with regular ferry service.
