DK Travel : Hong Kong : Places of interest

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Museum of History

Brand spanking new and built at a cost of almost HK$400 million. Half of that was spent on itspièce de résistance , the Hong Kong Story, which ambitiously attempts to chronicle the 400 million-odd years since Hong Kong coalesced from the primordial ooze. Controversy lurks, however, in its cursory treatment of the colonial era. The panel of governors’ portraits ends at Sir Mark Young, who left in 1941.
Nanyue Tomb

A well-presented museum preserves the burial tomb and artifacts of one of the kings of the Southern Yue, who ruled the area in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Well signposted in Chinese and English, the tomb offers a glimpse of a culturally sophisticated society. Fine ceramic pillows and exquisite packaging materials from later dynasties are among the displays.
Noonday Gun

Immortalised in Noel Coward’s famous song aboutMad Dogs and Englishmen , the famous cannon has been fired at midday each day since 1860. Bigwigs pay for the privilege of firing it, with money going to charity. Otherwise, a gunner dressed in traditional military attire does the honours. Originally it was fired whenever the Taipan arrived or departed from Hong Kong.
Ocean Park

This large theme park is Hong Kong’s answer to Disneyland, though when Hong Kong gets its own Disneyland in 2005, Ocean Park may seem like a poor relation. In the meantime, there’s enough to keep children and adults alike busy for a whole day. Attractions range from rollercoasters to giant pandas and great aquatic displays, such as Atoll Reef, which recreates the habitats and sealife of a coral reef (see Ocean Park).

Aquarium, Ocean Park
Ocean Park

It’s not quite Disneyland, but most kids will get a kick out of the dolphin and sea lion shows and the spectacular chairlift. It’s a bit weak on rides, although this has been remedied somewhat in recent years with the advent of Adventure Land, featuring the Mine Train rollercoaster and Raging River ride. Threaten misbehaving brats with a dose of Middle Kingdom, the history and culture section. (see Ocean Park)
Oriental Golf City

This is, reputedly, the world’s biggest driving range, with more than 200 bays. Whack away to your heart’s content – unless you’re well-connected or seriously rich, this is as close as you’ll get to a golf course in Hong Kong.
Peng Chau

This tiny island nestling off the coast of Lantau, opposite Discovery Bay, remains in many ways a traditional Hong Kong coastal community. You wander among its narrow alleys, tiny shops and temples to the gentle soundtrack of a distant game of mahjong or the sound of Cantonese opera leaking from an old radio set. But there’s no beach, and few eating choices, although the seafood is cheap.
Po Toi

Getting to this craggy, barely inhabited outcrop of rock south of Hong Kong Island is a logistical challenge (without a hired junk only feasible on Sundays). It’s worth the effort, however, for secluded walks and spectacular cliff views over the South China Sea, rounded off with a meal at the island’s only restaurant, the Ming Kee (see Ming Kee Seafood, Po Toi).
Protestant Cemetery

More interesting than it sounds – indeed, you might find yourself spending hours wandering this grave-dotted grove, reading inscriptions to plague-doomed sailors and colonial adventurers. Those at rest include painter George Chinnery (the Mandarin Oriental’s bar in Hong Kong is named after him) and Robert Morrison, the first Protestant to venture to China in search of converts.
Reclamation Street Market

If you haven’t seen a Hong Kong produce market in full swing, you could do worse than wander down Reclamation Street. This predominantly fruit and vegetable market will provide some good photo opportunities. The squeamish, however, may want to avoid wandering inside the municipal wet market building where livestock is freshly slaughtered and expertly eviscerated on the spot.