World Tourism Blog

Welcome to the Tourism Commission’s homepage and, in particular, a special warm welcome to visitors to Hong Kong.

In order to maintain Hong Kong’s position as the top destination city for visitors in Asia, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region established the Tourism Commission in May 1999. Our job is to enhance our tourism facilities and support the development of new attractions and events so that Hong Kong remains a premier tourist destination.

As Asia’s world city, Hong Kong has much to offer to you as a visitor, whether you are coming here on business or for pleasure:

* A city of charm: the sophistication of an international city, cultural diversity and cosmopolitan lifestyle are at the very core of Hong Kong’s attractions.
* Natural beauty: we also offer unspoilt natural parkland and spectacular scenery.

Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions:

* The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. Looking down from The Peak you will be amazed by the spectacular view of the world- famous Victoria Harbour.
* Giant Buddha at Lantau Island beside the Po Lin Monastery, is the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha.
* Ocean Park at the southern part of Hong Kong Island, provides an exciting mix of entertainment, education and conservation facilities.
* Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Wan Chai waterfront marks the unification of Hong Kong with the motherland. The “Forever Blooming Bauhinia” Sculpture (Golden Bauhinia) at the Square is a gift from the Central Government. There is also the flag-raising ceremony held every morning.
* Repulse Bay at the southern part of Hong Kong Island, famous for its wide and wave-lapped beach, is popular with locals and visitors alike.
* Stanley Market & Murray House, a popular market town that offers crisp sea environs and bargain buys. Murray House is a restored three-storey colonial building situated at the Stanley seaside.
* A Symphony of Lights, awarded the World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by Guinness World Records, staged on both sides of the Victoria Harbour, starting at 8:00pm every night.
* Avenue of Stars, located on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, not only a salute to eminent Hong Kong film workers for their devoted contribution to local and world theatres, but also one of the ideal vantage points for visitors to appreciate “A Symphony of Lights”. National Hard Money Association Conference

Rapid modernization and population growth thus created numerous problems associated with heavy industry such as heavy traffic, pollution, the destruction of historic neighborhoods, and a large population of impoverished migrant workers from the countryside. By early 2005, the city government attempted to control urban sprawl by restricting development to two semicircular bands to the west and east of the city center, instead of the concentric rings of suburbs that had been built in the past.

The rapid growth of population, motor vehicles and factories has created high polluation levels. Days with gray, acrid skies, with an eye-reddening pollution score over 400, are common, as health officials advise wearing masks and staying indoors. Heavy trucks are allowed in only at night but their diesel fuels create much of the problem. By 2008 for the city’s 12 million residents, pollution was not only an inescapable health and quality-of-life issue, but a political issue tied in with the Summer Olympics scheduled for August 2008. The city’s bid for the 2000 Olympics in 1993 failed partly because of high pollution levels, and in response the city began a massive cleanup campaign. That campaign has been successful in terms of 2000 standards, but the city’s economy is 2.5 times larger now, with millions more people. Over 3 million cars and trucks clog the streets, and 400,000 more are added annually as the wealth shoots up rapidly. Old dirty, coal-burning furnaces have been replaced, lowering the city’s sulfur dioxide emissions. Factories and power plants were changed to burn cleaner, low-sulfur coal; sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 25% 2001-2007, even though much more coal is burned, reaching 30 million tons in 2006.

Furthermore, fine-particle pollution has been exacerbated by a staggering citywide construction program which saw more than 160 million square meters (1.7 billion square feet) of new construction begun 2002-2007. Athletes may have some breathing problems, but in the long-run air quality is expected to remain a critical issue as the city grows to a projected population of 20 million. National Hard Money Association Conference