Thursday, April 4, 2024 – Photo of the Day -Hong Kong, China

**Hong Kong Pagoda with skyscrapers in the backgroung**

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Hong Kong, China, in Southeast Asia.

HONG KONG, CHINA
DISCOVER A SOPHISTICATED FUSION OF EAST AND WEST

When people think of Hong Kong, they might envision a bustling metropolis filled with towering skyscrapers,

neon lights, and crowds. However, beyond the concrete jungle lies a surprising amount of natural beauty,
with a wide range of ecosystems, habitats, and species that call this region home.

One of the most striking natural features of Hong Kong is its coastline. With over 200 islands and 700 km of coastline,
Hong Kong offers diverse marine habitats, including rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. These areas

are home to an array of marine life, including crabs, sea snails, starfish, and a wide variety of fish species. Moving inland, Hong Kong also has many natural parks and reserves. One of the most famous of these is the Hong Kong Global Geopark, which encompasses an area of over 50 square kilometers on the eastern side of the New Territories. This area is known for its impressive geological formations, including hexagonal rock columns, sea caves, and volcanic rocks.

Another popular natural attraction in Hong Kong is the Tai Mo Shan Country Park, which is located in the heart of the
New Territories. This park features rugged mountain terrain, lush forests, and a variety of wildlife, including monkeys,
birds, and reptiles. It’s also home to Hong Kong’s tallest peak, Tai Mo Shan, which stands over 900 meters tall. Perhaps
one of the most impressive things about Hong Kong’s natural beauty is the way it coexists with the urban environment:
famous Victoria Harbour is not only a hub of commerce and transportation but also home to various marine life, including dolphins and small fish. Hong Kong’s natural beauty is essential to the region’s identity and culture. Despite being a densely populated and highly developed area, Hong Kong’s diverse array of natural habitats and species continue to thrive, thanks in part to the efforts of conservationists and nature enthusiasts. Whether hiking through the mountains, exploring the coastline, or simply enjoying the green spaces within the city, there’s no shortage of opportunities to connect with nature in Hong Kong.

TEMPLE STREET NIGHT MARKET
A stroll through the Temple Street Night Market is a ‘must-do’ in Hong Kong. Located in Kowloon, this is the place to taste diverse foods and shop for bargains from clothing and electronics to household goods. Vendors sell gadgets of every shape and size, jade jewelry and traditional Chinese crafts.

SIGHTS

Tai O Fishing Village
Avenue of Stars
Hong Kong Park
Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden
Lamma Island
Tsim Sha Tsui

Today’s Excursion – Glimpse of Hong Kong

We explored the splendid local landmarks, markets and sights of Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak
We departed the pier on a bus for the scenic drive to Victoria Peak. Also named Tai Ping Shan, or ‘Mountain of Great Peace’, Victoria Peak is visited by millions of tourists and locals every year, mainly for the breath-taking panoramic views of the city and harbour, but also because of the numerous interesting walks that begin here.

Tin Hau Temple
Tin Hau, which means ‘Goddess of the Sea’, is revered by fishermen and anyone whose life and destiny is tied to the sea. Temples that honor her are found in abundance in Chinese coastal communities throughout Asia, and Hong Kong is no exception. The location of this particular temple in the middle of an urban area might strike you as rather odd, but you can learn why during a guided walking tour.

Wet Food Market and Jade Market
These markets are windows into a vivid and timeless world of food shopping that refuses to be extinguished by modern supermarkets. Of all the wet markets in the city, this one abounds with bustling stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood. We experienced the sights and sounds of this lively, old-school market in full swing. Afterward, we continued on-foot to the renowned Jade Market. Here, hawkers sell various shapes and qualities of this precious stone. To the Chinese, jade has great spiritual value for warding off evil. When carved into certain shapes, it can represent wealth (deer), good fortune (tiger) and power (dragon).