Travel to Asia

Hong Kong is conveniently divided into four parts. First there is Hong Kong Island, the original part of the colony on which stands Hong Kong Central, the city of Hong Kong. A short ferry ride across the harbour from the island is the Kowloon peninsula which is also totally city. These are the two parts which were originally conceded to the British and were not due to be handed back to China in 1997. The southern tip of the peninsula is Tsimshatsui, the tourist heart of Kowloon. Most of Hong Kong’s hotels are in Central or in Tsimshatsui. People speak of Hong Kong side and Kowloon side.

Kai Tak airport is also in Kowloon, although its runway juts out into the harbour. Beyond Kowloon you move into the New Territories, the rural area that runs up to the Chinese border. The New Territories get progressively less rural each year as Kowloon sprawls further and further out.

The islands that dot the area to the west of Hong Kong Island, the fourth part of the colony, are really just more of the New Territories (except for one small island) since they are also part of the 99-year lease package. Largest of the islands is sparsely populated Lantau, which is much larger than Hong Kong Island itself. The islands are relatively undeveloped and in some ways the most surprising and enjoyable part of Hong Kong.