Hong Kong is hard to describe so here are a few stories for you to get an idea of what it is like in Hong Kong and how I have seen it with my eyes.
Entering Hong Kong from Shenzhen and crossing the border on foot could not be any more stereotypical for the Chinese. I arrived by Overnight-Bus in Shenzhen. From there I had to take another local bus to the train station. At the train station I had a hard time finding any arrows saying Hong Kong or Bordercrossing. Anyway after walking around and attempting to take the metro I found I sign and started following the arrows. Ultimately I was in the middle of a big shopping center. There it was even more confusing as I found the exit gate from Hong Kong but not a way to enter. I got directions to go up to higher floors, so I walked past lots of shops crossed a car park and then all of a sudden in the middle of the shopping center was a border control. From there on it was a breeze to find my way to Chungking Mansions.
Chungking Mansion was built somewhen in the 60’s is a highrise building with many Indian shops on the first two levels. These Indians’ can sell you anything from a bed, fake watches to drugs as they claim. The upper floors are packed with tiny hostels. I stayed in Ashoka Guesthouse, which was okay. Run by friendly people and very cheap – for Hong Kong at least.
Exploring the city one can find remains of the British influence. The Clock Tower near the ferry terminal is one famous building but there are many others left to be seen. Also many people can speak English and lots of foreigners are living and working in the city. At night the LKF area is where the parties take place. Mostly Westeners are spending their time there but also Asians are of course not an uncommon sight. I met a guy from Australia and we went to a few bars and in the end to the Club called Magnum. I have paid an entrance fee equal to staying one week in a hostel in China. Unfortunately the club wasn’t very special either. No sharks in fish tanks as beeing told by others.
Bamboo is used for scaffoldings almost everywhere in Hong Kong unlike in China. Pretty impressive building techniques.
Picture below shows the Street Market on Kowloon. Besides there is a flower, fish and bird market nearby.
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