Hong Kong: Where East Meets West in Culture and Adventure
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region🏙️
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), commonly known as “Hong Kong,” is located in southern China, east of the Pearl River estuary. It faces Macau across the sea to the west, borders Shenzhen to the north, and is surrounded by the islands of Zhuhai to the south. Its territorial range includes Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and 262 surrounding islands.
The total land area is 1,113.76 square kilometers, with a sea area of 1,641.21 square kilometers, bringing the total area to 2,754.97 square kilometers. By the end of 2023, Hong Kong had a population of 7.503 million, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It has the highest life expectancy globally and ranks fourth in the Human Development Index.
*Hong Kong Skyrail.
*Hong Kong City Night View.
Hong Kong has always been a part of China’s territory, though it was under British colonial rule from 1842 to 1997. After World War II, Hong Kong experienced rapid economic and social development, becoming one of the “Four Asian Tigers” and one of the wealthiest, most economically advanced, and highest living-standard regions in the world. On July 1, 1997, China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was established.
The central government exercises comprehensive control over Hong Kong, which maintains its capitalist system and enjoys a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and defense. Hong Kong participates in international organizations and meetings that do not require state representation under the name “Hong Kong, China.” The “One Country, Two Systems” policy, “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong,” and high autonomy are the fundamental policies of the Chinese government.
Hong Kong is a highly prosperous free port and an international metropolis, often referred to as “New York-London-Hong Kong” along with New York and London. It is the world’s third-largest financial center and an important hub for international trade, shipping, and innovation, ranked as a first-tier global city by GaWC. Hong Kong is a place where Eastern and Western cultures blend, combining Chinese wisdom with Western social management practices. Known for its clean government, good public safety, free economic system, and sound rule of law, Hong Kong is also celebrated as the “Pearl of the Orient,” a food paradise, and a shopping haven.
Historical Evolution📍
Pre-Qin Era
Approximately 129,000 years ago, early humans (Maba people) appeared in the Lingnan region. During the Pre-Qin period, Lingnan (including Hong Kong) was inhabited by the Baiyue people. In “Lüshi Chunqiu,” it was referred to as “Baiyue,” in “Shiji” as “Nanyue,” and in “Hanshu” as “Nanyue.” According to historical records, Lingnan was considered a “barbarian land,” and it wasn’t until the Qin army advanced south that it was integrated into civilization.
However, archaeological research reveals that this view is a “historical misconception.” A large number of unearthed artifacts suggest that Lingnan already had a splendid Neolithic and Bronze Age civilization before the Qin Dynasty, making it one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization.
*View from Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.
*Victoria Harbour Waterfront, Hong Kong.
Qin and Han Dynasties🐎
In 222 BC, after Qin King Ying Zheng unified the six states, he sent Tu Sui to lead 500,000 troops to conquer Lingnan. By 214 BC, Qin forces had largely occupied the region. Shortly thereafter, Qin Shi Huang established three commanderies—Guilin, Xiang, and Nanhai—to govern the region, incorporating the Hong Kong area into its territory under the jurisdiction of Panyu County. From then on, Hong Kong was placed under central government rule and officially became part of the territory of the central plains (in a narrow sense, the Central Plains refers to the present-day Henan region, and in a broader sense, the Yellow River Basin).
From this time until the Qing Dynasty, as Central Plains civilization spread southward, the Hong Kong area gradually developed. During the Han Dynasty, Hong Kong belonged to the Nanhai Commandery and was under the jurisdiction of Boluo County.
Jin Dynasty🧱
In the sixth year of the Xianhe era of Eastern Jin (331 AD), Hong Kong was under the jurisdiction of Dongguan Commandery and Bao’an County. In the sixth year of the Xianhe era of Eastern Jin, the eastern part of Nanhai Commandery was separated, and Dongguan Commandery was established, which included Bao’an, Xingning, Haifeng, and four other counties. Bao’an County’s jurisdiction covered present-day Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Dongguan, with the county seat located in today’s Nantou City, Shenzhen.
Sui and Tang Dynasties
During the Sui Dynasty, Dongguan Commandery was abolished, and its territory was incorporated into the Nanhai Commandery of Guangzhou Prefecture. Bao’an County was also placed under Nanhai Commandery, with Hong Kong still under Bao’an County’s administration. In the second year of the Zhide era of the Tang Dynasty (757 AD), Bao’an County was changed to Dongguan County, and Hong Kong continued to fall under its jurisdiction.
Song and Yuan Dynasties🚩
During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, a large number of mainland Chinese migrants moved to Hong Kong, greatly promoting the development of the region’s economy and culture. Under the Yuan Dynasty, Hong Kong was part of Jiangxi Province. The Yuan government set up a patrol office in the southwestern part of Hong Kong at Tuen Mun and stationed troops to prevent pirate invasions and protect the Guangzhou region.
Ming and Qing Dynasties
During the Ming Dynasty, in the reign of Emperor Wanli, parts of Dongguan County were separated to establish the new county of Xinan, which later became the Hong Kong region. From the first year of the reign of Emperor Wanli (1573) to the twenty-first year of Emperor Daoguang’s reign (1841), Hong Kong Island remained under the jurisdiction of Guangzhou Prefecture’s Xinan County.
In the first year of the Kangxi reign (1662), the Qing government sent troops to the New Territories and ordered the local population to maintain their queues. During the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong played an important role in foreign trade, as it was geographically close to Guangzhou, which was the only open port in the Qing Dynasty for foreign trade. British interest in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour grew as it was seen as a prime port for East Asia. It wasn’t until the late 19th century, after China’s defeat in the Opium War, that territories were ceded or leased to Britain.
*Hong Kong Night Market Stalls.
Geographical Environment🌏
Location and Boundaries
The geographic coordinates of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) range from 22°08′ to 22°35′ North latitude and from 113°49′ to 114°31′ East longitude. It is located in the southern part of China, east of the Pearl River Estuary. To the west, it faces Macau across the sea, to the north, it borders the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province, and to the south, it is near the Wanshan Islands in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Hong Kong is approximately 200 kilometers from Guangzhou in Guangdong Province.
The region includes Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and 262 surrounding islands. The total land area is 1,113.76 square kilometers, with Hong Kong Island covering 80.72 square kilometers, Kowloon 46.94 square kilometers, and the New Territories 986.10 square kilometers. The total sea area is 1,641.21 square kilometers.
Topography and Terrain🏝️
The terrain of the Hong Kong SAR is primarily hilly, with the highest point being Tai Mo Shan, at an elevation of 957 meters. Hong Kong has few flat areas, and about 20% of the land is lowland, mainly concentrated in the northern New Territories, such as the Yuen Long Plain and Fanling Lowlands, both formed by river sedimentation in alluvial fans. There is also reclaimed land that extends from the originally narrow flat areas in the northern parts of Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. Although the name “Hong Kong” originates from Hong Kong Island, the largest island in the region is Lantau Island, which is more than twice the size of Hong Kong Island.
Climate🏔️
The Hong Kong SAR experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 23.3°C. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°C, while summer temperatures rise above 31°C. Most rainfall occurs between May and September, accounting for about 80% of the annual precipitation. The rainfall is abundant throughout the year, and the four seasons feature fragrant flowers: spring is warm and foggy, summer is hot and rainy, autumn is clear and pleasant, and winter is dry and cool.
Additionally, the concentration of high-rise buildings in the urban area, along with the dense population, creates a microclimate that can lead to the urban heat island effect, resulting in a noticeable temperature difference between the city center and the outskirts. In the city, the abundance of tall buildings makes it difficult for “suspended particles” in the air to disperse.
Hydrology🏞️
Hong Kong is situated in a humid subtropical environment with abundant rainfall and a well-developed surface water system. However, the water system is relatively limited in scope, with no large rivers. Besides the Shenzhen River, which forms the boundary between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, other notable rivers include the Shing Mun River, Ng Tung River, Lam Tsuen River, Yuen Long River, and Kam Tin River. Most of these rivers are short, with lengths generally not exceeding 5 miles, and their flow rates and volumes are closely tied to seasonal rainfall, resulting in significant fluctuations throughout the year.
During the dry season, water flow may diminish or stop entirely, exposing the riverbed, while in the wet season, water levels can easily reach flood stage, causing widespread inundation. The Shenzhen River originates from Niuwei Ridge in Wutong Mountain and flows from northeast to southwest into Shenzhen Bay, eventually flowing out into Dangan Bay. It is 37 kilometers long, with a drainage area of 312.5 square kilometers, of which 187.5 square kilometers lie on the Shenzhen side and 125 square kilometers on the Hong Kong SAR side. Wutong River, a major tributary of the Shenzhen River, is located within the Hong Kong SAR.
Education📒
Education Policy Education spending is the largest item in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government’s total expenditure, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total government expenditure in the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The government has student assistance programs to ensure that students do not miss out on education due to financial difficulties and implements various measures to maintain a high level of education in Hong Kong. The education system in Hong Kong is broadly divided into the following parts:
- Free Pre-primary Education: Private kindergartens and pre-schools offer opportunities for preschool children to learn how to interact with others.
- Twelve Years of Free Education: Public or subsidized primary and secondary schools provide a six-year primary education and a three-year junior secondary education for school-age children across Hong Kong.
- High School and Pre-university Courses: A two-year high school program (Form 4 and 5) provides the basic education before entering the workforce. There is also a two-year pre-university program (Form 6 and 7), which prepares students for university entrance.
Since September 2007, the Hong Kong SAR has implemented a new “3+3+4” education system, which consists of three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary, and four years of university, replacing the previous British-style university system with a three-year program and adopting a four-year university system.
Cultural Affairs📚
Pop Music Cantonese opera was once a popular form of mass entertainment in Hong Kong. The 1930s marked its golden age, and during this period, Hong Kong’s pop culture was closely tied to Guangzhou, without forming a unique Hong Kong identity. After the 1950s, Hong Kong absorbed cultural influences from Shanghai and the West. Since the 1970s, Hong Kong’s local music scene, led by figures such as Sam Hui, played a pivotal role in the development of Cantonese pop music.
The 1980s saw a flourishing of Cantonese pop music in Hong Kong, marking a golden era for the city’s music industry. During this period, Hong Kong pop songs led the Chinese-language music scene across Asia, with people in mainland China and Taiwan, even if they did not speak Cantonese, enjoying Cantonese pop music. Artists like Sam Hui, Michael Kwan, and Wong Jim contributed to the growth of this genre. Local band Beyond, known for its original music, played an important role in promoting local music.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, superstars such as Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, Alan Tam, and Danny Chan dominated the Hong Kong music scene. These artists also acted in films, becoming box-office draws. Other famous singers and groups from the late 1980s to the early 1990s include Roman Tam, George Lam, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, and the “Four Heavenly Kings” (Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, and Aaron Kwok). In the 2000s, artists like Nicholas Tse, Leo Ku, Eason Chan, and the group Twins continued to dominate the Hong Kong music scene.
*Hong Kong Bay Area.
*Hong Kong Hilltop Villas.
Historical and Cultural Background🪵
Origin of the Name There are two main theories regarding the origin of the name “Hong Kong”:
1: Theory One: The name “Hong Kong” is related to spices. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Hong Kong was administratively part of Dongguan in Guangdong. From the Ming dynasty onwards, a small harbor in the southern part of Hong Kong Island became a major port for the transshipment of spices from Guangdong. These spices were of high quality, known as “Hainan’s treasures,” and the people of Hong Kong were involved in the spice trade. The name “Hong Kong” gradually became famous due to its spice trade, and it became a major center for incense and spice production and transport. Although the spice trade eventually declined, the name “Hong Kong” remained.
2: Theory Two: Hong Kong is a natural harbor, and the nearby stream has sweet, fragrant water. Sailors frequently stopped to drink from this stream, which became known as “Fragrant River.” The small harbor, formed by the river’s mouth, was eventually referred to as “Hong Kong.” When the British arrived, they named the entire island after this harbor. Today, “Fragrant River” remains a nickname for Hong Kong.
Although the theories differ, it is generally accepted that the name “Hong Kong” first appeared in the Ming dynasty, referring to a small harbor and village on Hong Kong Island, and later expanded to refer to the entire island. By the early 19th century, the name came to represent the entire region occupied by British colonizers. The English name “Hong Kong” comes from the Cantonese pronunciation “Heung Kong,” which was later anglicized. Many of Hong Kong’s water-based residents pronounced “Heung” as “Hong,” and thus the name in English was adjusted accordingly.
Hong Kong Culture🪧
The traditional foundation of Hong Kong’s culture is Cantonese culture, which has evolved over time to incorporate elements from Fujian culture, Hakka culture, Shanghai culture, and, of course, Western cultures.
Opera👺
Cantonese opera is one of Hong Kong’s most representative traditional performing arts and has become an important cultural mark of the city. It has long been a beloved form of entertainment among the people of Hong Kong, and this remains the case today. Hong Kong’s Cantonese opera history has seen two major peaks. The first occurred in the first half of the 20th century, when, despite being governed by the British colonial authorities, Hong Kong’s cultural and theatrical scene was closely connected with Guangdong.
The most influential opera troupes were collectively known as “Province-Hong Kong Big Troupes” (“省港大班”), with many famous Cantonese opera actors, often referred to as “Dai Lo Gwan” (“大佬倌”), traveling between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, creating a prosperous shared environment for Cantonese opera in both regions. The second peak is occurring right now, partly driven by Cantonese opera’s recognition by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.” The Hong Kong government places great importance on the development of Cantonese opera and has established the Cantonese Opera Development Advisory Committee and the Cantonese Opera Development Fund to support its research, promotion, and continued development.
Customs✨
The Flower Market, a visit to the flower market during Chinese New Year, is one of the most important traditions in Hong Kong. On the eve of the New Year, almost every family will go to the market to pick flowers or potted plants, wishing for good health, academic success, and prosperous careers in the coming year. Lion dance, known as “Waking Lion” in Hong Kong, is a traditional performance during Chinese New Year or the opening of new businesses.
Due to Hong Kong’s limited space and dense buildings, fireworks are banned during the New Year. However, the festive dragon and lion dances, which have been a staple of Chinese New Year celebrations since the 20th century, are an essential part of the celebrations. Many tourists now make watching these performances a must-see event in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong retains many traditional customs for the Dragon Boat Festival, such as dragon boat races, the “Paper Dragon” ritual, dragon boat-related worship, dragon boat excursions, and eating zongzi (rice dumplings). The local people refer to the dragon boat races as “Ba Long Zhou” (“扒龙舟”), a tradition with a long history. The first recorded dragon boat race took place in 1919 in North Point on Hong Kong Island, and it later evolved into an annual competition. In recent years, international dragon boat races have also been held.
Intangible Cultural Heritage💡
The Tin Hau Festival and the traditional Chinese cheongsam making technique in Hong Kong have been included in the fifth batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list. Prior to this, 10 other intangible cultural heritage items from Hong Kong were listed as national-level intangible cultural heritage, including Cantonese opera, herbal tea, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, Hong Kong Chiu Chow people’s Yu Lan Sheng Hui, Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, guqin art, Quanzhen Daoist ritual music, Hakka Lion Dance in Sai Kung, and Wong Tai Sin customs.
*Hong Kong’s Vibrant Nightscape.
*Aerial View of Hong Kong’s Cityscape.
Historic Buildings and Sites🎊
Sam Tung Uk Museum
The Sam Tung Uk Museum, located near Tsuen Wan MTR Station in the New Territories, is over 200 years old. It is one of the oldest Hakka walled villages in Hong Kong, with a layout resembling a chessboard. The main hall, middle hall, and ancestral hall are arranged along the central axis, while the surrounding houses enclose the village. It was declared a statutory monument in 1981.
Cheng Tai Uk
Cheng Tai Uk, located in Sha Tin, New Territories, was built by Zeng Guanwan, the founding ancestor of the Zeng clan, for their descendants. It began construction in the 27th year of the Daoguang reign (1847) and took 20 years to complete. It is one of the most representative Hakka walled villages in Hong Kong. In 2009, it was rated as a Grade I historic building.
Immigrant Culture🎍
Hong Kong has a long history as an immigrant city, with most of its people descending from different parts of China. Large-scale recorded immigration began during the Song Dynasty, with a continuous influx of Hakka people entering after the Qing Dynasty’s coastal resettlement policy. After the Opium War, a large number of people fled Guangdong and gradually migrated to Hong Kong. Following WWII, a wave of legal and illegal immigrants brought capital, technology, and labor to the region.
Hong Kong’s earliest settlers were already living and working on this land during the mid-Neolithic period around 7,000 years ago. The most significant recorded immigration activity began in the Song Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, the residents of Hong Kong were primarily composed of local people, Hakka, Tanka, and Haklo groups.
Public Holidays🎀
Hong Kong’s public holidays blend both Eastern and Western cultural characteristics, with a total of 17 days throughout the year. These are: New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year (three days), Qingming Festival, Easter (three days), Labor Day (May 1), Buddha’s Birthday (on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month), Dragon Boat Festival (on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (July 1), Mid-Autumn Festival (the day after), National Day (October 1), Chung Yeung Festival, and Christmas (two days). Hong Kong has long recognized traditional Chinese holidays as public holidays, which has deeply influenced mainland China. Since 2009, China has adopted some of these holidays as official national public holidays.
Gambling and Entertainment🎯
From the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign (1867) to the tenth year (1871), Hong Kong allowed legal casinos, with 12 casinos operating during this period. In 1871, due to external pressures and social issues, gambling was banned, and the funds collected from gambling taxes and casino charity were used to establish Hong Kong’s first Chinese hospital, the Tung Wah Hospital. Horse racing and betting (horse gambling) are popular forms of entertainment for many Hong Kong residents.
The racing season runs from September to June, with over 60 racing days. Most races take place on Saturdays and Sundays at Sha Tin, while night races are typically held on Wednesday evenings at Happy Valley. Spectators can purchase tickets to attend and place bets. Direct trains run to Sha Tin Racecourse on race days. The Hong Kong Jockey Club operates over 100 betting stations in various districts, offering betting on horse races, as well as the Mark Six lottery and football betting, which began in 2004.
City of Major Events🥿
Hong Kong hosts a wide range of cultural, recreational, and sports events each year. Major events include the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Film Festival, French May Arts Festival, Chinese Opera Festival, International Family Gala, Hong Kong Sevens Rugby, Six-a-Side Wooden Ball Tournament, and International Horse Racing. Hong Kong athletes also participate in various large-scale international sporting events such as the Asian Games and East Asian Games.
In December 2009, Hong Kong hosted the 5th East Asian Games. The West Kowloon Cultural District is a comprehensive cultural venue that includes arts and educational facilities and public spaces. The Hong Kong Palace Museum opened to the public on July 3, 2022. Hong Kong’s Central Lan Kwai Fong, Soho area, Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and Tsim Sha Tsui (Nathan Road, Ashley Road, Norfolk Road, Beijing Road) are well-known for their numerous bars, karaoke spots, nightclubs, and lounges, which attract both residents and tourists.
*Hong Kong’s Giant Ferris Wheel.
*Hong Kong Street View at Night.
Urban Architecture🔗
Hong Kong is known for its modern architecture, with a vast array of skyscrapers lining both sides of Victoria Harbour, including over 3,000 buildings that exceed 90 meters in height. At least half of the world’s top 100 tallest residential buildings are in Hong Kong. The city boasts the largest number of skyscrapers globally. Notable buildings include the Bank of China Tower designed by American-Chinese architect I. M. Pei, the HSBC Main Building designed by Norman Foster, and the architectural design of Hong Kong International Airport.
Landmarks and Streetscapes🚥
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour, or simply “Vicky,” is a natural harbour located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is the largest harbour in Asia and the third-largest in the world. Due to its vast size and deep waters, it is a natural deep-water harbour, and Hong Kong is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Orient,” one of the “Three Great Natural Harbours,” and home to one of the “Top Three Night Views in the World.” The harbour was named after Queen Victoria of England.
Open year-round, it was first identified by the British as having potential as a superior East Asian port, and after seizing Hong Kong from the Qing Dynasty, the British developed it into a key hub for maritime trade in the Far East. Victoria Harbour has played a vital role in Hong Kong’s history and culture, driving the development of its economy and tourism, and is one of the key factors in Hong Kong’s transformation into an international metropolis.
International Finance Centre (IFC)
The International Finance Centre (IFC) is a prominent landmark that symbolizes Hong Kong’s status as a global financial center. Located at 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Island, it faces Victoria Harbour. Designed by renowned American architect César Pelli in collaboration with local architect Andrew Lau, the building has a total floor area of 436,000 square meters. It houses the headquarters of the Henderson Land Development Company and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
*Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong.
*IFC International Finance Centre, Hong Kong.
Tsing Ma Bridge🌉
Since its opening in May 1997, the Tsing Ma Bridge has become a major transportation route connecting Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island with the city center. It is not only a key architectural landmark in Hong Kong but also the world’s longest suspension bridge carrying both road and rail traffic. Spanning 2.2 kilometers, its grandeur surpasses that of the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States.
Hong Kong Palace Museum💒
The Hong Kong Palace Museum was established in collaboration between the Palace Museum and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. It is expected to open its doors to the public at the end of June 2022. Once open, more than 800 precious cultural relics from the Palace Museum will be exhibited in nine galleries. The exhibits will cover themes such as the architecture of the Forbidden City, Qing Dynasty court life, and cultural heritage, with 20% of the items being classified as national first-class cultural relics.
*Tsing Ma Bridge.
*Hong Kong Palace Museum.