Travel to HongKong

Regardless of time of the year, if there's one Asian city that knows how to pull out all the stops for a world class celebration it's the island metropolis of Hong Kong. With its distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere bordered by the stunning Victoria Harbor and a skyline pierced with skyscrapers Hong Kong is also the venue of choice for the party people of Asia come New Year's Eve. With a plethora of events and activities on offer the whole of Hong Kong comes alive at the brink of a new year to count down the last seconds of the passing year in a spectacle of light, music, dance, pyrotechnics and street celebrations.

The hot pick of all Hong Kong New Year's Eve countdowns is concentrated in the Times Square region where the signature countdown event takes place every year amid the cheers of literally thousands of street travelers. Taking cues from the New York Times Square celebrations the Hong Kong installment encompasses a variety of live music events and entertainment that keep the crowds pumped up till midnight rolls around.

The Victoria Harbor New Year's Eve celebrations are also a sought after event in the capital as it also offers the best view of the illuminated skyscrapers bursting at the seams with vibrant pyrotechnics. In fact the spectacle of fireworks and music is best viewed on board one of the harbor's all-inclusive F&B cruises that take guests along the harbor to witness the skyscrapers illuminated against the night sky. Those who are unable to get on the boats can also take in the sights from Tsim Sha Tsui's Avenue of Stars where the views are no less captivating.

Serious party animals on the other hand can head down to Lan Kwai Fong which is literally packed with street revellers enjoying the all-inclusive drinks and buffet deals on offer in the region. Ideal for groups and bar hoppers, the chic pubs down the streets of Lan Kwai Fong are perfect party venues on the 31st of December while other high profile parties take centre stage at Aqua, Drop, Dragon-I and at selected venues in the Tsim Sha Tsui district.

Those who wish to experience the New Year without the maddening crowds can head down to any one of the city's five star hotels that offer unhindered views of the celebrations from their rooftops. Special beverage prices and exquisite fine dining options are also on offer at these high-end establishments come New Year's Eve. Famed as a luxury hotel in Hong Kong which offers exceptional dining experiences, The Langham Hong Kong is the preferred rest of seasoned travelers to the island nation. Home to the culinary powerhouse known as L'Eclipse, this popular Hong Kong restaurant at the Langham is renowned for its signature Asian, Chinese and Western dishes.

There is no doubt that the Hong Kong Heritage Museum should be on the itinerary of any visitor to the city interested in the culture, history and arts of Hong Kong. Situated in Sha Tin New Town in a pleasantly wooded setting secluded from the district's high-rise urban complexes, the museum is always a pleasure to visit.  The architecture of the museum follows the conventional ‘Si He Yuan' pattern, with a number of gracefully designed buildings facing a central courtyard.

The 32,000 square metre museum was inaugurated in December 2000, and the expansive structure is subdivided into 12 display galleries. All of these galleries are fascinating storehouses of artefacts representing the arts, culture and history of Hong Kong's early years as well as the adjoining region of South China. The engrossing museum provides a wide-ranging array of interactive and dynamic displays along with programmes that involve guests in captivating educational interaction as they admire the cultural treasures that are exhibited.

The Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall provides a memorable insight into the highly popular Chinese theatre with its sequined and vibrantly decorated costumes, as well as stage props and makeup. Exhibits on display include a recreated theatre in a shed made of bamboo, and costumes used by renowned Cantonese opera artistes.

The New Territories Heritage Hall exhibits more than 300 items in tableau form depicting a long gone mode of life. The hall features numerous time tunnels which transport the visitor along 6,000 years of civilization, from Neolithic times to the impoverished fishing communities, prosperous farmer clans and colonial British rule illustrating the city's rich history. Relics of note include Hakka farming implements, sedan chairs of Cantonese brides, minute amulets in silver worn as a defence against evil spirits, and children's attire adorned with auspicious signs.

Another gallery is dedicated to displaying the priceless works of art belonging to the collection of internationally famed connoisseur local businessman T.T. Tsui which includes jade carvings, ancient bronzes, imperial Qing porcelain and Tang dynasty era pottery horses. The astute traveller seeking a Hong Kong hotel will be pleased with the accommodations of the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong. These fine serviced apartments in Hong Kong offer modern facilities as well as gracious hospitality that always satisfy the guest.

With the financial tsunami seemingly a thing of the past for Hong Kong the rental price of Hong Kong apartments has made a strong come back to the rejoice of landlords but to the detriment of tenants. Although the local economy has fundamentally recovered, the imbalance of the global macroeconomics has made Hong Kong a prime target for global hot money, driving up asset prices. Housing prices in Hong Kong have risen to new heights and respectively the rental yields needed to sustain them, presenting a dilemma for the unfortunate individual which has seen no increase in real income.

Given the situation there is no better time to be an astute negotiator when looking to rent Hong Kong apartments, below are some proven tips and strategies to hopefully help you save on your rental costs. Prices are set for negotiation. A majority of asking prices for rental include a buffer for some negotiation, the trick is to estimate the amount of the buffer and make an appropriate offer.

Identify apartments listed for an extended period of time. Find out how long the apartment has been on the market for, for landlords, including mortgage payments for a Hong Kong apartment there are many associated costs such as management fees and rates. With so many costs involved a vacant apartment for extended period of time might present you with an apprehensive landlord and may offer some more leeway for negotiations. Rent free period. Landlords love a tenant that can start the rent as soon as possible, if you can start the rent at a very early date and the landlord won't move on the price anymore, sometimes you can use your early start date as a bargaining chip and negotiate some rent free period.

Be the perfect tenant. Imagine yourself as a landlord and what kind of tenant you would prefer to rent to. The best way to do this is to tell your agent a bit more about yourself so it will be easier for the agent to sell your qualities as a tenant to the prospective landlord, also remember that landlords love a long term tenant. Furniture and fittings. Hong Kong apartments are rented on an "as is" basis, so once you sign the agreement what the condition of the apartment and what it contains will be the what you accept to rent. So identify what fittings are missing or what pieces of furniture you think can be provided and try to put those request into the agreement.

Pay lump sum rent in advance. This is an extreme strategy but can be quite effective, though not all landlords may be interested. Depending on the situation these tips and strategies may not always work, for more advice on renting Hong Kong apartments, please contact Home Net Property Services.

The irresistibly vibrant city of Hong Kong situated facing the Pearl River Delta and surrounded by the South China Sea is an extremely urbanized city. Its cultural diversity is so prevalent that it's impossible to label this city as belonging to a particular culture or religion. But it can be labelled as a tourist magnet, due to its possession of a large number of various attractions. Such a one is the St. John's Cathedral located in the Central District of Hong Kong Island on Garden Road. During the period of British domination of Hong Kong, an Anglican Church building was created as Anglican Christianity was the traditional denomination. 

Built in the shape of a cross, this cathedral is decorated in the style of the 13th century English Gothic tradition and is the oldest of its kind in the Far East. The clean cut features of its exterior project a serene appearance while its interior accentuates pure beauty through the colourful lighting that its artistically crafted stained glass produces. The north and the south faces of the tower carry the decoration of two former Hong Kong governors' coats-of-arms. A relatively large memorial cross which was unveiled in memory of the fallen soldiers of the First World War can be seen next to the cathedral.

This richly constructed major centre of Hong Kong's Anglican Christianity is open to the public daily from 7am to 6pm. Being situated in a major shopping area, surrounded by grand structures like the City Hall and the Bank of China Tower, hasn't had any effect on the tranquillity of this sacred place which is ideal for reflective meditation and prayer. As a matter of fact, St. John's Cathedral is a breath of fresh air offering respite for the senses amidst the urban buzz of this area. Declared a historic building in 1996, this church plays an important role in strengthening the region's social service structure as it takes part in various social service programmes. 

Tourists and visitors are always welcome at any of the church's services. This cathedral, well-known as oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in Hong Kong, is a must-see for those visiting Hong Kong. Make your visit to Hong Kong utterly amazing by having a grand Hong Kong hotel provide you with lavish accommodation and convenience. That is where the Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong comes in offering spacious rooms and suites with magnificent views of the city, granting you the authentic 4 star hotels Hong Kong experience.

Hong Kong is one of the largest urban areas in the world and the main city is vibrant and busy, packed with visitors and friendly locals alike. The city can make an ideal destination for individuals or families and it is also an extremely popular business location. Hong Kong hotels vary from cheap to five star luxury and you can choose from a fine selection of luxury Hong Kong hotels during your stay.

About Hong Kong

While most people think of the region between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula as being Hong Kong, this is in fact only a small part of the area. Hong Kong itself also consists of over 260 other small islands. European settlers began to arrive in Hong Kong in the 16th century and it has today become one of the most powerful and influential economic centres in the world.

Things To Do In Hong Kong

As well as being a major financial and business centre, Hong Kong hotels are also extremely popular with families. Hong Kong Disneyland is an obvious and extremely popular attraction although it is easily the smallest of the Disneyland parks. Hong Kong Space Museum and Science Museum are located very close to one another so make a great double attraction for the whole family too. This is just a small selection of sights and things to see when staying in Hong Kong.

Langham Place

The luxury five star Hong Kong hotel, Langham Place hotel is situated right in the middle of the heart of Kowloon. Not only does it have a rooftop pool that offers incredible city views but it also features 5 dining areas and is only a few minutes away from some of the major markets in the city. Flat screen TV, DVD Player, and luxurious bathrooms are standard in every room.

Prince Hotel, Marco Polo

The four star Honk Kong hotel, Prince Hotel is found near the China Ferry Terminal and, as such, is a very short distance from a number of popular tourist attractions. Beautifully decorated rooms which include a TV and tea facilities, and 4 different dining options make this a popular choice for travelling businesspeople and with families and couples.