Hong Kong: Visiting the Tropical Island

The big city skyline of Hong Kong makes it easy to forget that this is a tropical Island. Hong Kong is located on the southeast coast of China at the mouth of the Pearl River and faces the South China sea.

Despite its dense urban environment and futuristic neon skyline, about three quarters of Hong Kong's total area is made up of countryside. About 40 percent of the area is designated as country parks. You can enjoy hiking trails in Hong Kong, relax on the beaches or enjoy the nightly Symphony of Lights.

If you are planning to visit, here are 10 things to enjoy::

1 - The Symphony of Lights - Every night at 8 p.m. enjoy the light show. Victoria Harbor is lit up with the world's largest light display. Lights shine across 40 buildings on both sides of the harbor.

2 - What to Eat - Enjoy authentic dim sum dumplings at the Luk Yu Tea House, in operation since the 1930s.

3 - Visit a Beach - Spend a day relaxing on a sunny Hong Kong beach in the Sai Kung District. Enjoy the crystal clear waters and the gentle sea breezes.

4 - Where to Stay - The Mira Hotel has been lauded as one of the hippest new hotels in the world. The Mira cell phones can be used to reach the hotel from anywhere in the city. Enjoy foods at the celebrity-chef restaurants. Also featured is the indoor infinity pool as well as a spa.

5 - Camping - Camp out on Pui O Beach on Lantau Island. Although a bare bones location, the campsite is organized and features showers, a beach bar and barbecues. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the island's free roaming water buffalo!

6 - Art - Art and history buffs can check out the Hong Kong Museum of History. If you opt to stay at the super luxurious Island Shangri-La Hotel, you'll see the world's biggest Chinese silk painting which spans 16 stories.

7 - Casinos - Take a trip out to Macao, which is known as Hong Kong's Monaco. Fancy casinos are here which includes the $2.1 billion dollar City of Dreams. Also located here are historic temples.

8 - Cable Car Ride - Take a tour over Lantau's green landscape on the Ngong Ping 360 cable cars. Enjoy the amazing view which includes the island's famous giant sitting Buddha statue, as well as the Po Lin Monastery and the fishing village.

9 - Cruising - Include a cruise out to Lamma Island and enjoy all the super fresh seafood at the many restaurants.

10 - Feng Shui Tour - Hong Kong is built on the principle of feng shui. Feng Shui literally translates to "wind and water" and is based on the principle of living in harmony with nature. The tour will share the principles of this ancient philisophy and show how it has influenced the landscape of Hong Kong. One stop will be the Central District. Standing at Statue Square is where the guide will explain how the district has been propelled into becoming a leading financial center in the world.

Traveling to Hong Kong - Nonstop travel is possible from JFK on Cathay Pacific or from Newark on Continental.

Happy New Year of the Metal Rabbit in 2011. In 2012 it will be the Water Dragon.

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