Come with me - to Hong Kong

“A New York minute is a Hong Kong second”

It is not so hard to see, why this saying you’ll hear from expats who live in this thrilling city of 7 million residents is true.

Hong Kong is a city with a lot of energy. You can feel it since the moment you arrive. You will have so many things to do there, so many places to visit, so you will never stop, same as this amazing city. So vibrant, so colorful.

You can feel this energy while shopping in one of many malls, eating dim sum, sightseeing and at night walking around and getting lost in one of the night markets. Just about anything can be found there. Just go to the Ladies’ Market, where are more than 100 stalls selling clothes and accessories or the Temple Street Night Market, the most famous, where you can find everything from noodles to electronic. Hmm maybe Cat Street, known for antiques? Apliu Street Market for electronics or Fa Yuen Street is known as Sneakers Street. There are also smaller markets dedicated for flowers, birds, jade, kitchenware, and more...

We were in Hong Kong four days, visited and experienced as much as we could. City is big and impressive. Especially at night when all the lights are on. Victoria Harbor looks great. At 8 pm The Symphony of lights starts and you will be impressed when all this music and lights surround you. Landmarks and skylines need to be photographed.

We've visited few monasteries and temples. First to mention is Po Lin Monastery, situated to the west of the city center on mountainous terrain of Lantau Island. Known as ‘The Buddhist World in the South’ is one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist sanctums, home to many devout monks. This monastery full of colorful manifestations of Buddhist iconography has also a very pleasant garden.

Hidden away by spectacular mountains, became a very popular attraction coz of an extraordinary Tian Tan Buddha statue (informally known as the Big Buddha).

This majestic bronze Buddha sitting 34 meters high and facing north to look over the Chinese people, draws pilgrims from all over Asia. It is 34 metres high (including the base) and sits 26.4 metres atop a lotus throne and. The statue cost HK$60 million.

The best way to get to the Big Buddha is by the Ngong Ping 360 gondola, which we did. It offers impressive views of North Lantau Country Park, Hong Kong International Airport, the South China Sea, and the surroundings.

Next day we've went into the city and visited few other temples.

*1. Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

The Temple’s may be so popular coz of the claim to ‘make every wish come true upon request’. It is a home to three religions (Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism). With its natural setting and beautifully ornamented buildings is seen as much a scenic attraction as an important religious centre. Here worshippers may pray for good fortune through offerings, divine guidance and fortune telling.

*2. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

One of the most famous Buddhist temples and great tourist attraction is located at Po Fook Hill at Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin in the New Territories. The monastery built over two levels on a bamboo forest hillside, is overlooking Sha Tin and occupies an area of over 8 hectares with its 5 temples, 4 pavilions, 1 verandah and a pagoda. You can reached it by a steep concrete path with 431 steps.

On either side of the path you can spot 500 life-size gilded Arhan statues.

*3. Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden

Purely beautiful, large Buddhist complex, originally dating from the 1930s, but rebuilt completely of wood (without a single nail) in the style of the Tang dynasty in 1998. The complex also includes a series of temple halls, with lots of statues representing divinities such as the Sakyamuni Buddha and bodhisattvas made of clay and wooden. This place is so peaceful and serene, with all this lotus ponds, perfectly cut bonsai tea plants, beautiful garden and silent nuns walking around.

The Nan Lian Garden is where the new meets the old. This public park also built in the style of the Tang dynasty is surrounded by some impressive, high-rise apartments. Its scenic garden covers an area of 3.5 hectares where every hill, rock, plant and timber structure has been placed according to specific rule and method. You can visit some permanent exhibitions of Chinese timber architecture, rocks and potted plants. You may also try the vegetarian food in a restaurant or drink something in a teahouse.

We didn't have much time, but we did everything we had planed. Of course it is impossible to see everything but there are some experiences that can not be missed. Time in Hong Kong was super intensive and great despite of some health issues I had and a lot of air pollution there ! :)