Hong Kong
Hong Kong is made up of Kowloon and the New Territories on the peninsula that stretches south from the mainland border; Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island; and 236 much smaller islands, known as the Outlying Islands, the most popular of which is Lamma Island. The territory of Hong Kong is in fact three-quarters rural, much of it little more than wilderness, which is hard to believe for most visitors enjoying the crowds and vertical majesty of Hong Kong island and Kowloon. This means that the city offers all the sophisticated pursuits that any other great city does, but it is also extremely easy to get away to go hiking and enjoy some peace and quiet in beautiful serene settings. The language here is Cantonese, but the level of English is streets beyond the rest of China and you'll have no communication problems. Note that cars drive on the left.Hong Kong's new airport is considered one of the best in the world and a sparkling shuttle service gets you into Central in under 30 minutes. You should invest in an Octopus smart card for traveling around on the excellent subway, trams, or buses; it can also be used to buy things in many stores. Taxis are pricey compared to mainland China, and not all types are allowed to travel between Hong Kong and Kowloon.Hong Kong's climate is comfortable most of the year; in December and January locals start to complain of the cold when it drops beneath 15 degrees celsius. The summer is usually extremely hot and humid and there are a few typhoons or lesser storms every year. Note that air conditioning is often extremely cold, meaning you may need to carry a sweater if planning to eat out or go to a movie.Hong Kong has an immense number of restaurants covering all regions and cuisines and there are too many places to choose from to recommend one here; fine dining can be found throughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and you can dine in high end restaurants with amazing harbor views, try all-you-can-eat dim sum, have good quality western fare, or try the great streetside food available everywhere.Hong Kong is mall heaven, and you will find yourself walking through them without even planning it, when heading for a subway, visiting the Peak or just looking for somewhere to escape the heat. The four major shopping areas, with all international brands offered, are Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Admiralty, and Causeway Bay.
Macau
A Special Administrative Region like nearby Hong Kong, Macau is a picturesque enclave on the shores of southern China. At just 25 square kilometers, it's one fiftieth the size of Hong Kong and offers an equally fascinating glimpse of colonial times.Originally a sleepy Portuguese colony devoted to trade with the mainland, Macau boomed in the 20th century with the introduction of casinos and today rivals Las Vegas as the world’s leading centre for gambling and games of chance. Macau is all about entertainment. The drive to modernize the city while retaining its old world charm has led to the development of bright, new casino complexes to rival the biggest and best in the world. Casino guides and tips on gambling rules and etiquette are available in all hotels and while the old-world charm of the Hotel Lisboa remains, the city is now defined by a bridge spanning the harbor and the towering presence of new architecture.The Portuguese influence remains in the food, in the people's distinct features and charming buildings that have withstood the passage of time. Macau has its own international airport but the majority of visitors come via ferry from Hong Kong. The trip takes around one hour and ferries run every 15 minutes, about the same time it takes the well-heeled to travel in by helicopter. Border formalities are minimal but you will need your passport. Macau has its own currency, the Pataca, although it is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar which is accepted everywhere.Weather is the same as in Hong Kong, comfortable all year with lows around ten degrees on the coldest winter days and hot during the summer, with occasional storms.
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