Hong Kong Things To Do # 17

Hong Kong is a vacation destination with multiple personalities, as a result of being Cantonese with a historic British influence as well as increasing Chinese connections. Perhaps the hallmarks of this city are its frenzied vibrancy, air pollution and world-class cuisine.

On the surface, Hong Kong is an urban landscape without the charm of what one would consider "China," offering the same types of shopping malls and boutiques found in other world cities. But step beyond the air-conditioned shopping centers, and you’ll find a tremendous variety of sights and sounds packed together, from the street markets of Mong Kok and the bars and restaurants of Lan Kwai Fong to the beaches in Stanley and Repulse Bay, the seafood restaurants on small islands and the beautiful greenery and hiking trails in the Country Parks of the New Territories.

The city is also known for its incredible efficiency, a result of convenient public transport, quick customer service and overall fast pace.