Manhattan has its Central Park and Hong Kong has its Kowloon Park. Both of these ultra-modern super-cities have their green sanctuaries away from the concrete, metal and glass. And anyone with a need to take a short reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis merely needs to take a stroll through Kowloon Park. And like Central Park, you may never want to leave.
Kowloon Park has over 33 acres (13 hectares) of lush greenery. It used to be a British military base yet now it holds quiet gardens, sculptures, swimming pools and a large piazza for concerts. The serenity of the park is a perfect reprieve from the commotion of the main city areas and even if you wish for activities, the park has its own share of them.
For children, there are playgrounds where they can completely let go, and for their parents, there are safety precautions to satisfy their anxieties. The Discovery Playground itself is built around an old British fort and has some left behind cannons that all leave an impression on the young and old alike. And of course, one can also play soccer, basketball, handball or take a long bicycle ride across the park. There is even a swimming pool that is accessible to locals and tourists alike.
As for anyone with a desire for something less active, you can always take a long quiet walk across the vast spaces of the park. There are as many interesting things to see, as there are to do. Sculpture Park with its fascinating bird sculptures, and even a totem pole, is almost a miniature museum and the natural surroundings add a sense of flavor to it. The botanical gardens scattered all around the park, are vibrant with local flowers and a variety of species. There are even quite a few ponds, including a charming little pond with little turtles. There are a variety of bird species at the aptly named Bird Lake, to satisfy any bird enthusiast or amateur ornithologist. More than a hundred species have been seen at the park and it is often vibrant during the migratory seasons of spring and autumn.
There are regular sessions of Tai Chi with experienced masters leading a bunch of regulars, stressed-out white-collar workers, and yes, anyone. Yes, you can join in too. And if you wish to join something more competitive, there are tables at Banyan Court that are always active with chess games. Visitors can observe or even try their luck in competing with any of the regulars, who may or may not be grand masters.
Yet what is Kowloon Park really? Kowloon Park is just a place with a strong sense of calm freedom where there are enough activities to leave you to your own choices. And Hong Kong is just not Hong Kong, without Kowloon Park.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Saturday, 27 March 2010
An Good Overview Of Hong Kong
The hustle and the bustle get to you. It's a city that throbs with excitement and business buzz. There are 15 million people who live and work here and it is among the 3 busiest business centers in the world. The great thing is that it is a fantastic tourist place as well.
To have a great overview of Hong Kong, you can start with a visual feast from the top of its highest point – Victoria Peak. There are 431 steps to get to the top and the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas actually has 12,800 Buddhas. There's also a gold leaf covered mummy of a holy man. The view is spectacular and if you want one to match or even surpass it, go to Lantau, one of the Hong Kong islands and walk up the 268 steps to the Big Buddha and take in the Po Lin Monastery where you will be just spellbound with the view.
If it's museums you want, go across to the Kowloon Peninsula where you'll find them like the Hong Kong Heritage Museum which has a lot of things to view and you get an overview from the Chinese art point of view. It spans a wide spectrum from opera to sculpture and painting. From here, you could whiz into today when you walk through the Hong Kong Science Museum with its modern exhibits and the same feeling can be had in the planetarium which is at the Space Museum.
Then go back in time again at the Lei Cheng Uk Branch Museum where the 2000 year old Han Dynasty tomb can be found which is still very modern when you compare it with a lot of China's 4000 year old art and architecture.
Or you could just walk around these islands – they are so pretty. Some parts have stayed pretty much the same for over 200 years and the hi-tech that typifies Hong Kong co-exists very well with the old world.
Don't miss a ride on the Star Ferry which takes you from Kowloon to the Hong Kong island. A visit to the Hong Kong Cultural Center will be well worth your while as you pore over the 2000 odd Chinese antiques and works of art.
Need a breather? Well, there's an oasis of peace in the middle of all the hustle ands bustle that is downtown Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Park which you'll find in the Central District. There's an open air restaurant here and the whole place is one of tranquility with its beautiful pond and its huge collection of birds chirping away around you. Close by, you'll find the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, yet another place that is green and peaceful.
From here, you could maybe go get a tram that goes all the way up to Victoria Peak if you haven't been up yet. This funicular railway is actually a cab suspended by cables and it goes all the way up to the top of this high mountain to one of the most spectacular views from the island. Do you wonder why a lot of Hong Kong's rich and famous live up here, drinking in the breath-taking view?
It's such a contrast – this view - and yet there's a sense of harmony. Tall skyscrapers standing side by side with ancient monuments and telling you that this is what Hong Kong is all about – a wonderful mix of old and new to make up one of the greatest cities in the world.
To have a great overview of Hong Kong, you can start with a visual feast from the top of its highest point – Victoria Peak. There are 431 steps to get to the top and the Temple of 10,000 Buddhas actually has 12,800 Buddhas. There's also a gold leaf covered mummy of a holy man. The view is spectacular and if you want one to match or even surpass it, go to Lantau, one of the Hong Kong islands and walk up the 268 steps to the Big Buddha and take in the Po Lin Monastery where you will be just spellbound with the view.
If it's museums you want, go across to the Kowloon Peninsula where you'll find them like the Hong Kong Heritage Museum which has a lot of things to view and you get an overview from the Chinese art point of view. It spans a wide spectrum from opera to sculpture and painting. From here, you could whiz into today when you walk through the Hong Kong Science Museum with its modern exhibits and the same feeling can be had in the planetarium which is at the Space Museum.
Then go back in time again at the Lei Cheng Uk Branch Museum where the 2000 year old Han Dynasty tomb can be found which is still very modern when you compare it with a lot of China's 4000 year old art and architecture.
Or you could just walk around these islands – they are so pretty. Some parts have stayed pretty much the same for over 200 years and the hi-tech that typifies Hong Kong co-exists very well with the old world.
Don't miss a ride on the Star Ferry which takes you from Kowloon to the Hong Kong island. A visit to the Hong Kong Cultural Center will be well worth your while as you pore over the 2000 odd Chinese antiques and works of art.
Need a breather? Well, there's an oasis of peace in the middle of all the hustle ands bustle that is downtown Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Park which you'll find in the Central District. There's an open air restaurant here and the whole place is one of tranquility with its beautiful pond and its huge collection of birds chirping away around you. Close by, you'll find the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, yet another place that is green and peaceful.
From here, you could maybe go get a tram that goes all the way up to Victoria Peak if you haven't been up yet. This funicular railway is actually a cab suspended by cables and it goes all the way up to the top of this high mountain to one of the most spectacular views from the island. Do you wonder why a lot of Hong Kong's rich and famous live up here, drinking in the breath-taking view?
It's such a contrast – this view - and yet there's a sense of harmony. Tall skyscrapers standing side by side with ancient monuments and telling you that this is what Hong Kong is all about – a wonderful mix of old and new to make up one of the greatest cities in the world.
Friday, 26 March 2010
The Po Lin Monastery In Hong Kong
It's got one of the best views of the islands going. The Po Lin Monastery is in the Ngong Ping plateau at the topmost point in Lantau Island. It is one of most tourists' favorite sights and it might be well worth your while to keep a day free so you can explore this monastery at your leisure.
You could get there by ferry from Hong Kong and it will take you to Mui Wo from where you can take the No. 2 bus up which is almost an hour's drive. Or you could take the train, the MTR, to Tung Chung and take the No. 23 from there. It's a wonderful view to the top and the sight of the countryside and the sea can fill you with delight – though the bus ride can be a bit trying.
The name of the monastery means ‘the precious lotus' and it was started by three Zen Buddhist monks - Da Yue, Dun Xiu and Yue Ming - as a simple place of worship. It was called simply, The Big Hut. Today, it has grown to become one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries. The structure is full of inscriptions and statuettes. The outside is peaceful and the view spectacular. Little wonder the monks of those times made their home here. You can be a part of it by getting yourself an incense stick. Light it and bow thrice. This is in honor of the monks who watch over the building as well as their ancestors. Then place it in one of the many incense holders there. All around, you'll be amazed at all the intricate work and the carvings.
It is one of the monasteries where they are not sticky about removing your shoes or wearing shorts. They are pretty easygoing and the only difference would be if you wanted to eat there – the meals are vegetarian. You get to eat with the monks in their dining room. You could even stay overnight and watch spellbound as the sun comes up over the Fong Wong Shan Mountain, inspiring and glorious. The facilities are simple and the vegetarian food is really quite exceptional.
If you come up to the temple gate, you can see a huge copper statue on the Muyushan Mountain. It is called Sakyamuni and means one of the Sakya sages. It is also simply called ‘the Big Buddha' or Tian Tan and it took ten years to build. You'll have to climb up 268 steps to get to it. The base houses an exhibition hall as well as a very large bell which is rung many times every day – 108 to be exact to relieve the 108 vexations we are plagued with.
Po Lin is a wonderful place to visit so make sure it is part of your must-sees when you are in Hong Kong.
You could get there by ferry from Hong Kong and it will take you to Mui Wo from where you can take the No. 2 bus up which is almost an hour's drive. Or you could take the train, the MTR, to Tung Chung and take the No. 23 from there. It's a wonderful view to the top and the sight of the countryside and the sea can fill you with delight – though the bus ride can be a bit trying.
The name of the monastery means ‘the precious lotus' and it was started by three Zen Buddhist monks - Da Yue, Dun Xiu and Yue Ming - as a simple place of worship. It was called simply, The Big Hut. Today, it has grown to become one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries. The structure is full of inscriptions and statuettes. The outside is peaceful and the view spectacular. Little wonder the monks of those times made their home here. You can be a part of it by getting yourself an incense stick. Light it and bow thrice. This is in honor of the monks who watch over the building as well as their ancestors. Then place it in one of the many incense holders there. All around, you'll be amazed at all the intricate work and the carvings.
It is one of the monasteries where they are not sticky about removing your shoes or wearing shorts. They are pretty easygoing and the only difference would be if you wanted to eat there – the meals are vegetarian. You get to eat with the monks in their dining room. You could even stay overnight and watch spellbound as the sun comes up over the Fong Wong Shan Mountain, inspiring and glorious. The facilities are simple and the vegetarian food is really quite exceptional.
If you come up to the temple gate, you can see a huge copper statue on the Muyushan Mountain. It is called Sakyamuni and means one of the Sakya sages. It is also simply called ‘the Big Buddha' or Tian Tan and it took ten years to build. You'll have to climb up 268 steps to get to it. The base houses an exhibition hall as well as a very large bell which is rung many times every day – 108 to be exact to relieve the 108 vexations we are plagued with.
Po Lin is a wonderful place to visit so make sure it is part of your must-sees when you are in Hong Kong.
Privacy Policy
Our Commitment To Your Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on our homepage and at every point where personally identifiable information may be requested.
Our Commitment To Data Security
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
Our Commitment To Children’s Privacy
Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important. For that reason, we never collect or maintain information at our website from those we actually know are under 18, and no part of our website is structured to attract anyone under 18. Under our Terms of Service, children under 18 are no allowed to access our service.
Collection of Personal Information
On visiting this site, the IP address used to access the site will be logged along with the dates and times of access. This information is purely used to analyse trends, administer the site, track user’s movement, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. Importantly, IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Links to third party websites
We have included links on this site for your reference. We are not responsible for the privacy policies on these websites.
lterations to this Privacy Statement
The content of this statement may be altered at any time.
Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on our homepage and at every point where personally identifiable information may be requested.
Our Commitment To Data Security
To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
Our Commitment To Children’s Privacy
Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important. For that reason, we never collect or maintain information at our website from those we actually know are under 18, and no part of our website is structured to attract anyone under 18. Under our Terms of Service, children under 18 are no allowed to access our service.
Collection of Personal Information
On visiting this site, the IP address used to access the site will be logged along with the dates and times of access. This information is purely used to analyse trends, administer the site, track user’s movement, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. Importantly, IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Links to third party websites
We have included links on this site for your reference. We are not responsible for the privacy policies on these websites.
lterations to this Privacy Statement
The content of this statement may be altered at any time.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)