The
Hong Kong Space Museum has a fantastic location on Salisbury
Road next to the Hong
Kong Cultural Center and overlooking Hong Kong Island.
This is a fun place, especially for kids,
and there are some good high tech exhibits including a Planetarium, a
Hall of Space Science and an Astronomy Hall. The highlight of the museum
is the Space Theatre.
This is a great globe shaped theatre with
a domed roof. Space films are shown here several times a week
(telephone 27342722) and it is wonderfully atmospheric.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday
1pm-9pm and Weekends 10am-9pm. Closed on Tuesday.
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Many of Hong Kong's beaches are a real pleasure. After a few days in the middle of the city surrounded by smog, a day trip to one of the island's bays is a pleasant way to break up a trip.
From the west of the island, the beaches stretch around in a curve. The first bay that you arrive at from Hong Kong, Repulse Bay is of course, the most popular. There is a reasonable beach here but it is consistently busy, especially on weekends and holidays. The two small beaches (mid bay and south bay) just a ten minute walk in either direction, offer a little more peace and quiet. The area around here is home to many of Hong Kong's most rich and famous residents. Luxurious villa's and apartments dominate the hills and there is also a big shopping arcade and park close to the bay.
How to get there: To reach Repulse Bay take bus No. 6,6A, or 61 from Exchange Square or the Star Ferry terminus in Central.
The next beach to the east is Deep Water Bay. There is a nice beach here, and the bay is only a few kilometers east of Aberdeen. Trees along the edges of the beach offer shade from the heat of the sun and there are some nice restaurants and bars to eat around here too. Visitors can also set up their own barbecue at the end of the beach.
How to get there: Take bus No. 6A, 260 or 262 from Exchange Square in Central.
The last two beaches in this stretch are the prettiest. It is worth making the effort to get out here, especially if it is peace and quiet that you seek. The beach in Shek O in the southeast is one of the best beaches on the island. It is quiet, clean and the town here is very pleasant too. There is a great laid back feeling about this place, and there are a few great restaurants to try including the Black Sheep. This is a very small, family run place serving up great Mediterranean style cuisine at reasonable prices. The restaurant can be found at 452 Shek O Village.
Just 2km north of here is an even nicer beach, Big Wave Bay. To get here you can either walk or hire a bike from the village. It is usually lovely and quiet and the sea is clear and great for swimming.
How to get there: Get off at Jiaoyi Square of Zhonghuan station by subway, or take bus No. 6, 6A, 6X, 260 at bus terminal and get off at Shallow Water Bay station.
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Kowloon Mosque is the largest and most important Islamic Mosque in Hong Kong. There is a significant Muslim community in Hong Kong, most of whom live around here in Kowloon. In fact the ethnic and cultural mix of people is partly what makes Kowloon an interesting area to visit.
The Mosque is an impressive pure white marble building, situated at the junction of Nathan Road and Cameron Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. This is an active working Mosque and visitors cannot just wander in off the street. For permission to enter the Mosque telephone 27240095.
Opening Time: 11:00- 18:00 on Thursday, and 15:00- 18:00 on Saturday.
Note: It provides dragoman service in the mosque, but you need to
preengage.
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Kowloon park is a pretty urban park just off Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Kowloon Mosque is located just outside the Park gates and the old colonial building in the Park used to house the Hong Kong History Museum.
Today, the park has a huge Olympic size pool (outdoor), small gardens and some nice trees and flowers. It is a peaceful place to take a rest from the hectic shopping streets of
Kowloon.
How to get there: Take the subway and get off at Tsimshatsui station.
Ticket Price: Free.
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Man Mo Temple is a very traditional temple situated at the corner of Hollywood Road and Ladder Street. The Temple is dedicated to two deities; the Military deity, (the god of war) and the Civil deity (a 3rd century BC statesman).
This is one of the oldest temples in Hong Kong and contains two antique chairs which are used to carry statues of the gods.
The most intriguing thing about this temple are the hundreds of large incense cones that hang, suspended from the ceiling. Smoke from the coils fills the temple making it very atmospheric.
This is an active working temple and should be treated as so. Visitors are requested not to take photos and according to custom, menstruating women are also asked to keep away!
The area around here is very Chinese, and the small windy streets and alleys are filled with antique shops and markets. The district was used in the film, "The World Of Suzie Wong". Ladder Street is another interesting road, that climbs up the hill like a ladder!
How to get there: Take bus No. 26 in front of ZhiDi Square of Zhonghuan Mid Defudao, and get off at the second station of Hollywood Rd., then get there by foot.
Opening hours: Daily 8am-6pm.
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The Museum of tea ware is located in the north side of Hong Kong Park and is housed in the area's oldest surviving colonial building, Flagstaff House.
In 1981, this former army commander's home was turned into a museum tracing the history of tea in the area and displaying various tea ware.
It's worth having a quick look in here if you are interested in famous Chinese tea and entrance is free.
How to get there: Get off at Daotaigu Square of Golden Bell station by subway, then walk along the indication plate in marketplace and take the elevator to 2F.
Ticket Price: Free.
Note: Closed on Tuesday.
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