RSS

Experience the Other Side of Hong Kong at the Tai Po Kau Forest Reserve

The exceeding liveliness of Hong Kong can at times be a little overwhelming. With an unbelievable amount of delightful things to do this little city is definitely going to keep visitors on their toes, especially if one heads down to the packed streets in search of first hand Hong Kong experiences. Every little nook, and at every turn, a treasure is in store for the Hong Kong tourist, and the best part is that everybody is assured of a piece of paradise.

Most visit Hong Kong to just explore its lively streets, but for those seeking relaxation this destination also features beaches, mountains and most importantly a nature reserve. Known as the Tai Po Kau Forest Reserve, this reserve is a result of Hong Kong's proud reforestation efforts. Head away from the bustle of the city, digress from the road between Kowloon and Tai Po, and move into the valley which approaches the eastern climb of Tai Mo Shan. It is a bit of a climb but visitors are assured of being greeted with creepers, shrubs, trees, wild orchids and butterflies, all making an interesting spectrum of colour.

This extensive 460 hectares of woodland are home to a range of plants, birds, butterflies and other animals making a walk through it quiet, relaxing and enjoyable. The endless canopy of green speckled with the colours of the various butterflies, birds and flowers is definitely an exciting encounter with nature which assures a trip worth the effort, especially so if one is lucky enough to glimpse of one of the elusive mammals residing in the reserve. A special feature for the nature buff, the Kerry Lake Egret Nature Park is only about a kilometre away from the entrance of the Tai Po Kau Forest Reserve and the Museum of Ethnology is also close by.

Tourists to this Southeast Asian city are assured of hospitality and comfort; hotels in Hong Kong range from easy on the purse comfortable lodgings to extremely luxurious accommodations. The Eaton Hotel Hong Kong affords comfort as well as luxury and its superb location close to the city centre provides its guests with easy access to Hong Kong bars, restaurants, exotic nightlife and other attractions.

Pose with your idols at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, one of the famed group of wax museums initiated by Frenchwoman Marie Tussaud, is located on Hong Kong Island's Peak Tower. It was the first permanent Madame Tussauds to open in Asia, and it is still one of only two such museums in Asia. The branch in Hong Kong features close to 100 wax effigies of international celebrities, of which public figures from Asia make up more than a third. Sixteen Hong Kong natives are featured.

The waxworks are displayed in special themed settings, namely Music Icons, Hong Kong Glamour, The Champions, World Premiere and Historical and National Heroes. The newly refurbished museum not only enables guests to pose with their idols; you may also join them in whatever field in which they achieved international fame. In other words, you may play basketball with Yao Ming, play golf with Tiger Woods or share a stage with Aaron Kwok.

In the Hong Kong Glamour section you will find such luminaries as Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Michelle Yeoh, Eddie Murphy, Brad Pitt, Elle McPherson, Meryl Streep and Naomi Campbell among a host of others.

World Premiere features Pierce Brosnan, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Harrison Ford, Macaulay Culkin and Jodie Foster just to name a few. Meanwhile The Champions includes such sporting idols as Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, Yao Ming, Tiger Woods and Ronaldinho rubbing shoulders with other athletic heroes.

The Historical and National Heroes includes such illustrious personalities as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Prince Charles, Luciano Pavarotti and Pablo Picasso alongside individuals like Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein.

Music Icons features such celebrities as Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson, Madonna, the Beatles, Mick Jagger and Tina Turner just to name a few. Creating a wax figure is a time-consuming, laborious and costly task which requires great skill and talent. An expert sculptor is granted one or more sittings with the celebrity, at which more than 500 precise measurements are taken, and the colour of eyes and hair carefully recorded. The production process takes a team of 20 craftsmen up to six months to create a waxwork. When selecting among Hong Kong hotels an excellent choice is the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong. This fine Wan Chai hotel, provides well-appointed rooms and attentive service assuring a pleasurable stay.

Hong Kong Travel Made Easy

The lovely panoramic city of Hong Kong draws tourists by the droves. Be it the spectacular vantage point proffered by The Peak, the Symphony of Lights at the Victoria Harbor, or the scintillating Salsa Festival, the Events' Capital of Asia beckons with its delights at all times, all year round. Small wonder that  flights to Hong Kong. are practically booked throughout the year.

But getting cheap tickets to Hong Kong doesn't have to be hard. Hong Kong International Airport is a sight in and of itself. People from all over the world try to fly through it, into it, by way of it, and even want extra long delays while in it. It's that good. Like a small city with the finest shopping, this is one of the most modern and up-to-date airports in the world, plus it is served by as many as 80 airlines. Just book in advance, that's the key to securing a super cheap ticket.

And what to do when you get there? You could start by taking The Peak tram. The tram ride is an unforgettable experience by all accounts. Once atop the summit of the Peak it is easy to understand why. Gazing down at the city's majestic skyline will take your breath away. Equally breathtaking is the view around the Peak Circle Walk and Lugard Road Lookout.

Hop onto one of the efficient rail lines of Hong Kong or take the star ferry for to explore its great sights in Kowloon, Fanling, or Sha Tin. The ancient part of the city is just too inviting for words. If you take the MTR East Rail Line you might want to get off at the market down of Mong Kok, also known as Argyle. The Mong Kok market is a delightful medley of old and new Hong Kong. Its bustling shops and eateries keep tourists busy for hours on end. Don't miss Victoria Harbor and the Hong Kong Museum of History for a unique look into the history of the once British colony that was returned to China.

Hong Kong is also a shoppers' haven. Its vibrant street markets including Stanley Market, Jade Market and Temple Market are definitely worth a visit. Bring your bargaining skills to the fore before you are tempted to buy, though! Spas are a growing trend her in Hong Kong, give the Wonderfish! Spa at the Peak galleria a try for some deep relaxation to break up the shopping and walking before you head out to an incredible dinner in a restaurant offering a sparkling and totally beautiful view of the bay.

Finally, a word about the cuisine of Hong Kong. The fresh seafood that you get to sample is absolutely mouth-watering. Try fresh scallops with fine wine. Or fresh water wish with beer. The use of fresh Chinese spices combined with freshly caught fish is something you'll never forget. Flights to Hong Kong , like we said, are quite a few. Call your travel agent now. Or, better still, try the online Best Travel store if you are looking for cheap tickets to Hong Kong. We also take care of your itinerary and make your trip as pleasant as possible.