Top Tourist Destination
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Top Tourist Destination Overview for Ocean Park under which Ocean Park Asia’s Top MICE Destination With a unique blend of East and West, should transform into a destination which Hong Kong is Asia’s premier Meetings, old and new, Hong Kong is one of Asia’s focuses on conservation and education, Incentives, Travels, Conferences top tourist destinations. From high-end grounded in nature and complemented and Exhibitions (MICE) destination. shopping malls to bustling street bazaars, by adventure and leisure elements to Hong Kong ranked second in the “Best ancient Chinese temples to towering enhance visitor experience. Business City in Asia” category in the skyscrapers, neon-lit streets to verdant Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is one Business Traveller Asia-Pacifi c Awards countryside, Hong Kong is a city of colour of the most popular and best themed 2020 and the “Best City for Meetings and contrast. resorts in Asia. The resort is taking in Asia” in the Smart Travel Asia Award More diversifi ed tourism products are forward its multi-year expansion plan, in 2019. planned to increase Hong Kong tourism’s rolling out new attractions such as the Hong Kong’s world-class venues can appeal, attract more overnight and high “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” accommodate conventions and exhibitions value-added visitors and tap newer stage show in May 2018, the “Ant-Man of different scales. The main venues are markets. and The Wasp: Nano Battle!” attraction in March 2019 and the “Castle of Magical the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition New themed tours, featuring heritage, art Dreams” in November 2020. Other new Centre in the heart of the city, AsiaWorld- and culture, authentic experiences, green items will continue to be launched in the Expo near the airport and Hong Kong tours and cruise tours will be developed. years to come. International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay. The Kai Tak Cruise Major events such as the Longines Master Terminal also offers an excellent venue of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Rugby Cruise Terminal for MICE events. Sevens enhance Hong Kong’s appeal. The state-of-the-art Kai Tak Cruise Terminal has strengthened Hong Kong’s Events Galore Tourism Attractions position as a leading cruise tourism hub. The Hong Kong Tourism Board Hong Kong continues to develop its The Terminal comprises spacious organises popular events such as the tourism sector by expanding its world passenger and service areas and a International Chinese New Year Parade, class attractions. 23,000 square metre rooftop garden. Hong Kong Winterfest and Hong Kong Ocean Park Hong Kong and Hong Kong With 360-degree views of Victoria Harbour New Year Countdown. th st and an impressive array of amenities, the Disneyland ranked 20 and 21 Hong Kong hosts a wide variety of Terminal meets the demand of passengers respectively among the theme parks international sporting events, including of mega cruise ships. Its open design and worldwide, according to the latest Themed the Standard Chartered Hong Kong spacious interior is highly fl exible and Entertainment Association’s Global Marathon and the UCI Track Cycling offers an excellent venue for performances Attractions Attendance Report. World Cup-Hong Kong. and events. Ocean Park Hong Kong is a world-class The city’s best known sports event, the Hong Kong is an excellent place for cruise marine theme park featuring more than Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament lines to develop fl y-cruise business for 80 attractions. With a view to further (considered to be the world’s premier long-haul cruise passengers who wish to enhancing Ocean Park’s overall appeal, Sevens tournament) attracts top teams experience Asia. the Ocean Park Corporation has rolled out and thousands of rugby fans from a new animal exhibit namely the “Little around the world. Meerkat and Giant Tortoise Adventure”, Culinary Paradise and a variety of “Green Staycation” The 2021 edition of the Michelin Guide Eco-tourism activities such as yoga and glamping in Hong Kong and Macau features 277 Perhaps no other city offers such a 2020, and is developing the all-weather restaurants, including 69 Hong Kong spectacular range of scenery within such indoor cum outdoor Water World at Tai Michelin-starred restaurants. Many easy reach of the city centre. Much of Shue Wan and Fullerton Ocean Park inexpensive restaurants and street stalls the territory is protected countryside. Hotel Hong Kong. In January 2021, offering local delights, make Hong Kong’s There are 24 country parks, 22 special the Government and the Ocean Park Michelin restaurants some of the most areas and six marine parks with scenic Corporation announced the future strategy affordable in the world. (Apr 2021) hills, woodlands, reservoirs and coastline, Haw, and have been conserved and Some highlights include – most of which are easily accessible from revitalised into Haw Par Music, a place • the longest promenade (about 5.5 km) urban areas. for arts and culture, promoting Chinese linking up the harbourfront at the core and Western music training and public Located in the east and northeast of Hong business district in the northern shore of programmes. Other projects under Kong, the stunning Hong Kong UNESCO Hong Kong Island. Decorated with thematic the Scheme include: the Former Lai Chi Global Geopark showcases world class and festive art installations during different Kok Hospital which has become the Jao geological landscapes. period by local creative talents, it provides Tsung-I Academy; Lui Seng Chun, which new visiting experience from time to time; Hong Kong boasts numerous hiking has become the Hong Kong Baptist • the dynamic Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade with trails, outlying islands and other green University School of Chinese Medicine historic cross-harbour ferry, cruise berthing attractions for nature lovers. – Lui Seng Chun; the Stone Houses facility, large-scale indoor and outdoor which has been revitalised into the Stone Many Hong Kong hiking trails are performing venues, Hong Kong Museum Houses Family Garden; the Bridges easily accessible from urban areas. The of Arts and Avenue of Stars which were Street Market which has been revitalised renovated and opened in 2019, as well 100-kilometre MacLehose Trail was listed into the Hong Kong News-Expo; and as a variety of culture, retail and food and by National Geographic in its “World’s the Former Fanling Magistracy which beverage facilities. Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails” in 2016. has become the Hong Kong Federation • “The Symphony of Lights” with key of Youth Groups Leadership Institute. skyscrapers on both sides of the Heritage Conservation Apart from the Revitalisation Scheme, harbourfront decked out in lights, combined There are currently 126 declared other built heritage conservation projects with music every night, reminds the world monuments, including historic include the Former Police Married that this city never sleeps. buildings, ancient forts, rock carvings Quarters on Hollywood Road which has and archaeological sites. been revitalised into a creative industries Festivals Hong Kong celebrates Western and The Revitalising Historic Buildings landmark, the “PMQ”; and the The Eastern festivals with equal enthusiasm. Through Partnership Scheme encourages Central Police Station Compound, dating Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn non-profi t-making organisations to from the mid-19th century, has been Festival are major festivals. There are also transform government-owned historic revitalised and transformed into unique local festivals such as the Cheung buildings into cultural landmarks, Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts Chau Jiao Festival (Bun Festival), Tai O preserving their integrity while enhancing (‘Big Station’ in Cantonese), a vibrant Dragon Boat Water Parade, Tai Hang Fire their utility. centre for heritage and contemporary art and culture. Dragon Dance and Yu Lan Ghost Festival. The revitalisation of the former North Also popular are Western festivities The Former Explosives Magazine Kowloon Magistracy (into the then such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Compound of the Old Victoria Barracks, Savannah College of Art and Design Valentine’s Day and Oktoberfest. Hong Kong), Mei Ho House (into the YHA built between 1843 and 1874 by the Arts events such as the Art Basel, Art Mei Ho House Youth Hostel) and the Old British Army, now houses the Asia Central, Hong Kong International Film Tai Po Police Station (into the Green Hub Society Hong Kong Centre. This cultural, Festival, Le French May, International for sustainable living) received Honourable artistic, and intellectual hub won the Arts Carnival and World Cultures Festival. Mentions in the 2011, 2015 and 2016 prestigious 2016 Institute Honor Awards for Architecture given by the American UNESCO Asia-Pacifi c Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, respectively. Institute of Architects. The revitalisation of the Old Tai O Police Station (into the Tai O Heritage Hotel) Victoria Harbour gained the Award of Merit in the 2013 Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour has iconic UNESCO Asia-Pacifi c Awards for Cultural appeal. By end 2020, 24 kilometres Heritage Conservation. The revitalisation of promenades have been connected of the Blue House Cluster (into the along both sides of the Victoria Harbour, Viva Blue House) received the Award of providing residents and tourists with Excellence, the top honour, in the 2017 attractive and vibrant quality open spaces UNESCO Asia-Pacifi c Awards for Cultural catering for a diverse range of events and Heritage Conservation. activities. Well connected by rail and road transport not to mention cross-harbour The latest project that has commenced ferries, it is arguably the easiest-to-reach operation is the Haw Par Mansion, which outdoor destination in the city for families with its private garden were built in the and friends to enjoy the stunning scenery 1930s by “Tiger Balm King” Aw Boon in relaxing ways. (Apr 2021).