Central District, Hong Kong

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One of the city's few "green lungs", the Zoological and Botanical Gardens were founded in 1864 and opened to the public in 1871, and are now managed by the municipal authorities. They lie near the centre of Victoria, not far from the Peak Tram lower station.

The Botanical Garden covers an area of 5.4 hectares/13 acres and offers an excellent overview of tropical and subtropical flora, with over 1,000 species of trees, shrubs and plants (fig-trees, palms, rubber trees, conifers and a great variety of flowers). Labels give information about their place of origin, habitat and characteristics. A bronze statue of King George VI was erected in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of British colonial rule over Hong Kong (1841-1941).

Adjoining the Botanical Garden is the Zoological Garden, established after the Second World War, which has one of the largest collections of birds (some 250 species, including a number of endangered species), together with monkeys, jaguars, pumas, cranes, flamingos and various smaller species. An important responsibility of the Zoo is the breeding of animals in captivity in order to ensure the survival of endangered species. Its successes in this field have given it an international reputation.

Open: Daily from 6am-10pm. Admission is free.

I found a list of walking routes from the following website and tried the Central & Western District walk.

I enjoyed taking the time to slowly wander around according to the map provided. Losing my way and moving out of the suggested routes sometimes. It was interesting walking down roads that most tourist would have missed otherwise.

Hong Kong definitely is more than shopping and eating only.

The Central Mid levels escalator is the longest covered escalator in the world measuring 800 meters (2,624 feet). The system has 20 escalators and 3 moving sidewalks which takes 20 minutes to ascend. But to speed up the process, most of the 45,000 people who use the escalator each day walk up it to cut the time in half.

The system connects Des Voeux Road to Conduit Road and cost the tax payers of Hong Kong over $30 million USD to build. From 6am til 10am each morning, the escalator runs down hill, then from 1030am til 12 midnight, it runs uphill.

The reason i put the mid level escalators as a must see, is becuase "who doesnt like to play on escalators?"

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Des Voeux Road West is the place to go in Hong Kong if you are looking for a variety of exotic dried sea food. Dried seafood is commonly used by the Chinese to cure mild ailments and if you can name it, they probably have it on this street.

Some of the things commonly seen in the shops are Abalone (type of mollusk) used to cure dizziness, headaches and blurred vision. Sea horse, used for asthma, insomnia, and abdominal pain. Shark Cartilage believed to help with glaucoma, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and psoriasis.

A very interesting street, but maybe not if you are a vegetarian, or cant stand the smell of sea food.

Having shopping in Hong Kong is funny for all the diversities you can find here, many things are cheap but surely a must buy thing is TEA, in every form, shape, taste, meaning you can imagine. Tea cups and sets, instead are expensive.

You may prefer a large shopping center like this...

...but if you want to really feel yourself in Hong Kong this is were you must go (and it's close to the shopping center too...)
People, people, people everywhere.

THey don't care about the crowd, about eing hit or touched by other, they crawl like ants everywhere giving life to this area.

Impressive scenery

Another shot taken in the central district area

The shopping area is small to walk through so it will take not much of your time.

People seem to be used to see visitors and don't care about you.

Walk in freedom and safety, I haven't got the feeling that being here could be dangerous for foreigners.

Spaghetti! Italy rulez!

I'm sooo proud of this pic! Italy is everywhere.

I highly respect everybody but I would have bee scared ordering a spaghetti course, anyway.
I'm too used to the italian way to make pasta to order something siimlar here.

I think that trying the local cuisine is a key factor of a travel, if you really want to "feel" a place.

If you read tips on my shenzhen and beijing page, you will see I have found reasons to change my mind,anyway.