Hong Kong: something for everyone

In East-Asian culture the symbols of "yin" and "yang" are seen as complementary, dualistic forces. These forces figure greatly into Chinese art, philosophy, and medicine but can also be found in examples of everyday culture. While there are many examples of dualism in Hong Kong, one that I find particularly compelling is that of urban and natural life. It is easy to conjure up images of skyscrapers and hordes of people when one thinks of this cosmopolitan city, but iconic natural locales figure in just as heavily. Luckily for tourists, this diversity of sights and sounds equates to a plethora of cheap or free cultural activities.

Hong Kong skyline from the downtown "Avenue of Stars"

I'll start with the urban elements of the island. With an "octopus" transportation card you are ready to travel to nearly every urban landmark with ease. The metro system (MTR) is clean and extensive, and buses cover routes to more rural areas. Octopus cards are extremely convenient, and can also be swiped for purchasing small items at stores like 7-11.

Museums
Hong Kong is home to a host of world class museums. The museums offer free admittance to the public on Wednesdays, though the cost is nominal on all other days. So far I have visited the Hong Kong Museum of History, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Hong Kong Science Museum. All three offered a host of stunning exhibits, and at the history and science museums many of them were interactive. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is also worth a visit, and presents performances in addition to exhibits. This weekend, for example, I will attend the centre's production of the Nutcracker Ballet.

Shopping
Everywhere you turn in Hong Kong there are malls (typically labeled as "plazas") where you can find anything from designer duds to laundromats. If you want a more rugged experience, try one of the markets. The Ladies' Market is the place to go for impressive knock-off purses, boots, and clothes, and at the Temple Market (only open at night) you can find souvenirs, get your fortune told, and eat tasty seafood off the street.

Nightlife
For some of the best night life in all of Asia, try the Lan Kwai Fong district off of the Central MTR stop. There you will find a slew of bars and clubs, some that stay open to all hours of the morning. (Although remember, the MTR closes at midnight, so a late night will necessitate a taxi ride home!)

Though immediate thoughts of Hong Kong might bring to mind visions of a bustling metropolis, there is also an abundance of wildlife that is visible and also easily accessible. Despite a densely packed populace, an impressive 40 percent of the land in Hong Kong is preserved in country parks and nature reserves.

Ferry Adventures
There are also many ways to get deeper into the natural world of Hong Kong. From the government web site, you can search for walking/hiking trails by area or difficulty rating. Recently my group hopped on the Ma Liu Siu Ferry and rode to a part of Hong Kong that cannot be reached by motorized vehicles. We hiked across a peak and ended up at a nearly-deserted beach. This particular beach is known for its excellent surfing conditions, but for our group it was simply a welcome reprieve from the crowds of the city.

Barbecue
Another option popular among locals on the weekend is to barbecue. To get to a "barbecue farm" (reminiscent of an American campground), we took a bus from the Tai Po Market MTR station to the Kai Mei Tuk stop. The barbecue outfitter also rented bikes, so for about $5 USD we rode for an hour or so along a bridge that divides the South China Sea from a freshwater reservoir. After biking, we enjoyed hot dogs, chicken wings, fish-balls, and other assorted barbecue items cooked over a charcoal grill.