Central District, Hong Kong

Fondest memory: The Central District was the earliest place of British colonial development. It has many buildings which have retained strong colonial style. The Statue Square (near to Star Ferry Pier) was built before the 2nd World War. In front of the eastern side of the Square is the Legislative Council Building, the predecessor of which was the building of the Supreme Court. The outer structure and the goddess statue on the top are the typical building in Victoria’s period. Walk upward along Garden Road, you shall find more colonial architect.

Fondest memory: 369 meters high, 72 floors. It was the tallest building in Hong Kong when completed in 1990. Designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, BOC is a striking hard-edged asymmetrical structure featuring triangular prisms that create a changing vista as one views it from different sides. Triangular bracing and step-backs are structural adaptations to the high wind loads caused by Hong Kong typhoons. However, the sharp angles violated traditional good feng shui principles and created a major controversy when it was built.

Address: 1 Garden Road (corner Murray Road). 10 mins walk from Admiralty or Central MTR Station.

Fondest memory: This hillside escalator connect Central to Mid-Levels, as you ascend to the top, you will be able to view the narrow streets and Chinese apartment blocks that lead from Central to Western District. It lies about 5 minutes on foot to the west of Lan Kwai Fong.

I didn't know that it is the "World's Longest Outdoor Escalator" until Bond_Girl told me this in the Baton_West handover VT-meeting.
The escalator was built to allow commuters from Mid-Levels to saunter to and from work in Central, thus easing traffic congestion. The one-direction escalator are broken into many short escalators, so, I never feel it's LONG!

Favorite thing: Start your exploration from CENTRAL: the business district & financial centre of HK. To tour HK, there are two major distinct area - the HK island side & the Kowloon side. Since I'm more familiar with HK island, I'll start from here.

Fondest memory: Essentially, HK is made up of many great architecture in its skyline. Nice modern buildings adorn its business district & the very beautiful Victoria Harbor; one of the MOST beautiful harbor in the world!

Favorite thing: The view of sky-scrapered Hong Kong Island has replaced Manhattan as the most stunning urban panorama on earth. The Central District on Hong Kong Island is the financial and economic hub of Hong Kong with a large number of skyscrapers with the green hills behind them. Kowloon, across the harbour, offers the best place for viewing Hong Kong Island.

Fondest memory: The last British Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, lived in 'Government House' located on prime land just above the Central Business District. This distinctive building is no longer used as the official residence of the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Tung Chee Hwa but is used for official functions.

Favorite thing: The photo is in the Bank of China Cheung Kong Centre. There's so much to see in this place but so little time for me. I had a headache looking out for the buildings and looking for the specific names for me to put it here..It's best time to visit HK during summer as August is the Big Mega Sale for my shopping! I mean, i'm not weird shopper...I jus shop good things like for home decors that has a good deals. And sandals for my satisfaction...=)

Favorite thing: As the name tells, Central is the heart of Hong Kong. It is the home to major government offices, the core of business and banking, and hence the hub of power and wealth. Here you'll find traces of old British colonial Hong Kong, told by the remaining 19th century buildings; and a young and energetic modern city moving into the cyber age, showing off its newly built glassy and metallic sky-high rises. The tour is ideally a weekday itinerary, try to avoid Sundays and public holidays when thousands of Filipino amahs working locally will have gatherings in Central. Tips: This tour features a number of landmark buildings new and old, so don't forget your camera! After a stroll in Central which usually needs less than a half day, you may continue heading westwards for Sheung Wan and the Western;