Hong Kong & Macau adventures

English Teacher in China

Trips to Hong Kong

2003-2006

Background

During my more than 3 year stay in Taiwan and China as an English teacher, I managed to visit and or stay in Hong Kong 4 times. It is definitely one of the most unique places in the world. More than 6 million people are squeezed into a very small piece of real estate. In fact, there is a ‘junk’ or boat community in Aberdeen harbour that very rarely set foot on land, if at all. It is a city that does not sleep. It is an Asian population, but due to its history as a British colony, is more Western in its workings. Reminds me of Taiwan, which can be described as Little America with Asians. So is Hong Kong probably little Britain with Asian faces. It is a self-administered region, part of China, yet separate. I stayed in Hong Kong with friends for 10 days in 2003 as part of a visa run. After that, I managed at least a couple of days each consequent year to visit Hong Kong and Macau.

Ferry terminal

 Boat city, Aberdeen Harbor, Hong Kong with my friend Kitty

About Hong Kong

Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the Pearl River Delta of China. Macau lies across the delta to the west, and the province of Guangdong borders the territory to the north. With a total land area of 1,106 square kilometers and a population of over 7.3 million of various nationalities, it ranks as the world's fourth most densely populated sovereign state or territory.

After the First Opium War (1839–42), Hong Kong became a British colony with the perpetual cession of Hong Kong Island, followed by the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 and a 99-year lease of the New Territories from 1898. Hong Kong was later occupied by Japan during World War II until British control resumed in 1945. In the early 1980's, negotiations between the United Kingdom and China resulted in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which paved way for the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong in 1997, when it became a special administrative region (SAR) of the Peoples Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy.

Under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong maintains a separate political and economic system from China. Except in military defense and foreign affairs, Hong Kong maintains its independent executive, legislative and judiciary powers. In addition, Hong Kong develops relations directly with foreign states and international organisations in a broad range of "appropriate fields". 

Hong Kong is one of the world's most significant financial centers, with the highest Financial Development Index score and consistently ranks as the world's most competitive and freest economic entity (Wikipedia).

Boat city, Aberdeen Harbor, Hong Kong

A Hong Kong road

A Hong Kong road

Hong Kong scenery

Kowloon at night

 Subway station

Victoria harbor

Hong Kong scenery

Victoria harbor

Hong Kong at night-Kowloon

Hong Kong at night-Kowloon 

Hong Kong at night-Kowloon

Hong Kong apartment blocks

Hong Kong scenery

Subway station

Hong Kong scenery

Victoria harbor

Hong Kong skyline from Victoria peak

Macau

I spent one night in Macau and briefly walked the streets the next day. I only have these 2 pictures...

About Macau

Macau (literally: "Bay Gate"), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the western side of the Pearl River Delta in East Asia. Macau is bordered by the city of Zhuhai in Mainland China to the north and the Pearl River Estuary to the east and south. Hong Kong lies about 64 kilometres to its east across the Delta. With a population of 650,900 living in an area of 30.5 km2, it is the most densely populated region in the world.

Macau was administered by the Portuguese Empire and its inheritor states from the mid-16th century until late 1999, when it constituted the last remaining European colony in Asia. Portuguese traders first settled in Macau in the 1550’s. In 1557, Macau was leased to Portugal from Ming China as a trading port. The Portuguese Empire administered the city under Chinese authority and sovereignty until 1887, when Macau, through a mutual agreement between the two countries, became a colony. Sovereignty over Macau was transferred back to China on 20 December 1999. The Joint Declaration on the Question of Macau and Macau Basic Law stipulates that Macau operate with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2049, fifty years after the transfer (Wikipedia).

Macau

Macau

Venice towns of China

Trips to Hangzhou (2005) & Suzhou (2006)

During the time I taught Business English at the Traditional Chinese Medicine College in Wuhu, Anhui province, I took a weekend trip to Hangzhou. Later in 2006, whilst teaching in Shanghai, I explored Suzhou for a weekend. Both these cities are famous for their water towns, Silk and tea.

Hangzhou (2005)

Hangzhou is the capital and most populous city of Zhejiang Province in east China. Hangzhou grew to prominence as the southern terminus of the Grand Canal and has been one of the most renowned and prosperous cities in China for much of the last millennium, due in part to its beautiful natural scenery (Wikipedia). 

It was described by Marco Polo as "the finest and most splendid city in the world", and listed in the "Top 52 places to go in 2016" by The New York Times. Hangzhou is one of the Seven Ancient Capital Cities, with a history of about 2,500 years. Attractions include the Grand Canal and West Lake, the symbol of Hangzhou, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in China. Hangzhou offers a variety of traditional cultures, such as tea, traditional Chinese medicine, and Chinese silk (Chinahighlights: online).

Xi (West) Lake

West Lake (Chinese: 西湖; pinyin: Xī Hú) is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou. It is divided into five sections by three causeways. There are numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands within the lake. West Lake has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for its natural beauty and historic relics, and it has also been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, described as having "influenced garden design in the rest of China as well as Japan and Korea over the centuries" and reflecting "an idealized fusion between humans and nature (Wikipedia).

Xi lake

Xi lake

Xi lake

Wuzhen water town

Wuzhen is one of the six famous ancient water towns south of the Yangtze River. It’s within the triangle formed by three top tourist cities: Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou. It has charmingly restored architecture and canals. Though some people complain about its commercial atmosphere, restored buildings, and the crowds, the charm and the elegance of this ancient water town is undeniable (Chinahighlights: online).

Wuzhen scenery

Wuzhen scenery

Wuzhen scenery

Wuzhen scenery

The scenery across from the restaurant I had lunch

Wuzhen scenery

Suzhou (2006)

Suzhou is dubbed "The Venice of the East"

Suzhou is a major city located in south-eastern Jiangsu Province, East China, about 100 km northwest of Shanghai. It is a major economic center and focal point of trade and commerce, and the second largest city in the province after the capital Nanjing. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the shores of Lake Tai and belongs to the Yangtze River Delta region. Founded in 514 BC, Suzhou has over 2,500 years of history, with an abundant display of relics and sites of historical interest. Around AD 100, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it became one of the ten largest cities in the world mostly due to emigration from Northern China (Wikipedia). Suzhou is renowned for its classic gardens, traditional waterside architecture, traditional operas, and silk (Chinahighlights: online).

View of Suzhou from my Youth hostel room

Lion Grove Garden

This rock garden was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in the year 2000. It is one of 9 Classical Gardens of Suzhou on the UNESCO list. It has the reputation of being the most fun garden in Suzhou because there is a complex maze people get lost in. UNESCO considered the 9 gardens in Suzhou to be masterpieces of Classical Chinese-style gardens. The total garden covers an area of about 10,000 square meters or two and a half acres. The large multi-story rock maze rises to 7 meters or about 23 feet and has numerous openings and routes. People like to watch others try to find their way out (Chinahighlights: online).

Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin)

Lion Grove Garden (Shizilin) Suzhou

Suzhou Rickshaw - Suzhou is the classic Chinese water town and many points of interest
are located on narrow streets and alleyways where it is difficult for a bus or a taxi to pass through, 
hence a rickshaw to get around 

Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang is a town famous for its canals in Jiangsu province, China. It is located within the administrative area of Kunshan, 30 km southeast of the city center of Suzhou. Zhouzhuang is a popular tourist destination. It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses and the elegant watery views. It has been called the "Venice of the East" (Wikipedia).

Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water-towns in China, is situated in Kunshan City, 

30 kilometers southeast of Suzhou.

Relaxing in Zhouzhuang

Zhouzhuang

Suzhou canals

Da Yunhe (Grand canal) in Suzhou

Housing along the grand canal

The boat that took us along the grand canal

Exploring Authentic Suzhou

I explored Suzhou by foot and came across these scenes that tourists don't normally see 
since it is off-the-beaten-track....the Real China as I call it

The Real China .... as I call it

Suzhou

Suzhou street scenery

Suzhou canal scenery at dusk

Downtown Suzhou

Rustic Suzhou

Lunch with my fellow travelers

Fengqiao scenic area

The Fengqiao (Maple Bridge) resort sits in a scenic spot, alongside a river, 3.5 kilometers to the west of downtown Suzhou, and is known for its historical relics.

These include  Fengqiao Bridge in the town of Fengqiao, Jiangcun (River Village) Bridge, Tie Ling Pass, and Jiangfeng Islet, as well the Jiangfeng (River Maple) Bridge, Tieling (Iron Bell) Pass, and its canal. The Fengqiao and Jiangcun bridges cross an old canal and give an air of primitive simplicity. Standing on them, tourists can get a panoramic view of Suzhou and its landscape.

I, however, was much less interested in the historic... I gravitated to the canal with contemporary scenery of passing riverboats and barges transporting goods.

On Maple bridge - Fengqiao area. Could take lots of pics of passing canal boats.

On Maple bridge - Fengqiao area. Could take lots of pics of passing canal boats.

Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou

Canal sign for riverboats

Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou

Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou

Canal Barge

Suzhou canal boats viewed from Feng Qiao scenic area - Suzhou

More Suzhou

Suzhou is well-known in China for its teapots. 
This picture was taken at a teapot factory.

Silk manufacturing at a silk museum

Tong Li (Little Venice) - Suzhou

Tong Li (Little Venice) - Suzhou

Suzhou is easily accessible from Shanghai where I worked as an English teacher. I took a bus and we covered the 105 km trip in less than 90 minutes. Hangzhou was a little bit further from Wuhu where I worked at that time. The bus trip of 280 km took more than 4 hours, but most busses in China are quite luxurious with 'in-flight' entertainment ... mostly old Chinese movies ... available in Chinese only.