WHAT'S NEW
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ASTROPARK
The Astropark established by the Hong Kong Government's Leisure and Cultural Services
Department was opened to the public on 30th January 2010. Situated at
Chong Hing Water Sports Centre, West Sea Cofferdam, High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung (East) Country Park the Astropark, which cost HK$3 million to build, is equipped with stargazing
facilities and managed by the Hong Kong Space Museum. Although Hong Kong is affected by light pollution, there are still some places in remote areas like Sai Kung and Lantau which are good
enough for stargazing. After collecting opinions from astronomy groups, the
Government decided to set up the Astropark in Chong Hing Water Sports Centre to
promote the stargazing culture in Hong Kong and to arouse public awareness of
preserving the dark night sky as a natural resource for future generations. It
will also be a convenient stargazing park with recreational, educational and
astronomical facilities for the benefit, use and enjoyment of the public and
star lovers. Occupying a site of about 1,200 square metres, the
Astropark is divided into three zones: the Educational Zone, Naked-eye
Observation Area and Telescopic Observation Area.
Installed in the
Educational Zone are eight replicas of ancient Chinese astronomical instruments,
including an exact replica of the armillary sphere, star dial, moon dial, upward
looking bowl sundial, gnomon, equatorial sundial, horizontal sundial and
direction determining table. In addition, a shadow sundial there allows
visitors to tell the time by using their own shadows projected on the ground.
The pavilion in which a simulated night sky will be projected allows visitors to
learn about the constellations even when the weather does not allow
stargazing.
In the Naked-eye Observation Area visitors can enjoy
stargazing by lying comfortably on specially designed, reclining stargazing
benches.
The Telescopic Observation Area has four sets of 20 x 80
binoculars (with magnification of 20 and aperture of 80mm) specially designed
for viewing any direction in the sky with ease are installed so that visitors
can use the binoculars to view celestial objects at nighttime.
The park also
provides amateur astronomers with 10 telescope piers to spare them the effort of
carrying heavy tripods when they bring along their own telescopes for
observation. Visitors can also use the two star trackers to take
astrophotographs with ordinary cameras by manually offsetting the diurnal motion
of celestial objects. To enhance public interest in and knowledge of
astronomy the Space Museum will organise different stargazing activities and
guided tours in the park.
The Astropark is open 24 hours and
throughout the year. Admission is free. However, those who want to get a power
supply should make prior bookings as campers at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre
and pay the camp fee. For details of the booking of camping facilities in Chong
Hing Water Sports Centre see;
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/watersport/en/hiri_book.php
Visitors can take KMB routes 94 and 96R*, or Citybus route 698R*, or Green Minibus routes 7
or 9 to Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung, and then take a taxi to the Astropark.
* Note -bus services 96R and 698R operate on Sundays and public holidays only.
Visitors
can also hire a "kaito" at Sai Kung Pier to and from the
Astropark.
Astropark website;
The Astropark is a theme park with stargazing facilitiesSTONECUTTERS BRIDGE / TSING SHA HIGHWAY OPENED
The new HK$3.7 billion Stonecutters Bridge, a major landmark linking Tsing
Yi with Stonecutters Island and West Kowloon opened on 20th December 2009. Work on the bridge commenced in 2004 and the final span was completed in early
April 2009. The bridge, which is the world's second longest cable-stayed
bridge, forms part of a new Expressway Tsing Sha Highway (Route 8) linking Sha Tin in
the New Territories with Hong Kong International Airport, Cheung Sha
Wan in West Kowloon and Kwai Chung Container Port. The new 7km stretch of highway also includes a new tunnel, the Nam Wan Tunnel at Tsing Yi and connects to the existing Sha Tin to Cheung Sha Wan section of the Tsing Sha Highway at Cheung Sha Wan in the east and Tsing Ma Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge in the west. The new bridge is being used by airport bus services A10, A11, A12 and A22 resulting in reduced journey times of up to ten minutes.
The dual three-lane bridge deck which is 1596 metres long with a main span of 1018 metres is one of the worlds highest at 73.5 metres above the Rambler Channel and 900 metres horizontal clearance to allow capacity for the huge cargo vessels using the channel. The bridge is supported by 224 cables running from two circular tapered towers of almost 300 metres height and the design is based on the winning entry of an international design competition organised by the Highways Department in 2000. Completion of Route 8 has halved the journey time between Sha Tin and the airport to about 35 minutes. The section of Route 8 between Sha Tin and Cheung Sha Wan opened in March 2008 reducing journey time between Sha Tin and Cheung Sha Wan to just five minutes and between Sha Tin and Kwai Chung to 15 minutes. There are two sets of road tunnels along Tsing Sha Highway. The set connecting to Sha Tin comprises Eagle's Nest Tunnel, Tin Heights Tunnel and Tai Wai Tunnel. Toll charge for this set of tunnels is HK$8 for all vehicle classes. The other set is the new Nam Wan Tunnel located in Tsing Yi, which is toll-free.
The bridge was originally scheduled to be completed in
early 2008 but was delayed when it was found that some of the
supporting piers needed to be sunk to a much greater depth than surveys
had indicated. There is a height limit of 68.5 metres for vessels
passing under the bridge. The bridge is toll-free.

HONG KONG NATIONAL GEOPARK
Hong Kong National Geopark was officially opened on 3rd November 2009 by Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang. At the opening ceremony, Mr Tsang said "Hong Kong has rich geological resources of high academic research, tourism and scenic value. I am glad that the Ministry of Land and Resources has granted us national geopark status."
The Hong Kong Geopark which covers about 50 square kms is made up of eight geo-areas distributed across the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region and Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region. The park is China's 43rd national geopark and stretches from Tung Ping Chau in the north to the Ninepin Group in the south and includes Double Haven, Tolo Channel, Port Island-Bluff Head, High Island, Sharp Island and Ung Kong Group. Eight hiking trails and two boat tours have been developed to enable visitors to appreciate the diverse geological features and landscapes of the National Geopark;
HIKING TRAILS;
Ping Chau Country Trail, Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail, Ap Chau Geo Trail (not yet open), Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail, Lai Chi Chong Geo Trail (not yet open), High Island Geo Trail, Tai Long Wan Hiking Trail and Sharp Island Geo Trail
BOAT TOURS (visitors are not allowed onshore);
Northeast New Territories
Sai Kung Islands
For more information see the National Geopark website;
http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_index.html
A Geopark Visitor Centre opened on 20th December 2009 at the Lions Nature Education Centre at Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung. Through display boards and rock specimens from different parts of the territory, visitors can learn about the geological history of Hong Kong, fold and fault structures, landscapes, rocks and fossils. A video introduces the geological attractions of the Hong Kong National Geopark. Animations showing the formation process of different landforms and interactive computer games are also provided in the centre.
The centre is open from 9-30am until 4-30pm daily except Tuesdays when it is closed.
By joining the national geopark network Hong Kong is able to gain and exchange experience on preservation of valuable geological and topographical resources, promote public awareness of earth science and foster the development of eco-tourism. To celebrate the opening of the geopark and to raise public understanding and awareness of geo-conservation the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is organising a series of educational activities including guided tours on Sundays and public holidays from November until March 2009. The government is to seek World Heritage status in 2010.
For further information visit the geopark website launched by AFDC which provides the public with the latest news, information about geography and rocks, safety codes for visiting the geopark and other information;

The Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau (right), receives the National Geopark Certificate from the Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Land and Resources, Mr Wang Min
1881 HERITAGE (Former Marine Police Headquarters)
The former Marine Police Headquarters at 2A Canton Road (junction with Salisbury Road) in Tsim Sha Tsui which was built in 1884 and occupied by the Marine Police until 1997 (apart from Japanese Occupation 1941-1945) and declared a monument in 1994 has been converted into a 132,000 square foot heritage tourism facility "1881 Heritage". The HK$650 million preservation and redevelopment project has been undertaken by Flying Snow Limited, a subsidiary of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited who were awarded a 50-year land grant on the complex in 2003 by the Hong Kong Government. Work was scheduled to have been completed by March 2008 but the project overan by over twelve months and was not officially opened until November 2009 resulting in the developer being fined. The headquarters is one of the four oldest surviving government buildings in Hong Kong and is considered a fine example of typical tropical colonial Victorian architecture. The complex which comprises the main building, stable block and signal tower is being converted into a luxury boutique hotel and shopping complex.

Hullett House Hotel which opened in January 2010 is operated by Aqua Restaurant Group and has just 13 suites and 5 restaurants. Although a small heritage exhibition hall has been built to exhibit aspects of the building's history most architectural features including old fireplaces, a tunnel, a gas street lamp and a stable are in private places and not be open to the public. The stable has been converted into a pub, there is a podium garden, three-storey commercial block in front of the main building connected to the signal tower with a landscaped rooftop garden and also a piazza. About 50,000 square feet is occupied by shops and restaurants. The exhibition hall (open noon to 8pm daily), piazza and podium garden are open to the public. For more information see the 1881 Heritage website;
http://www.1881heritage.com/flash/#/en/home/

INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE CENTRE (ICC), HONG KONG'S TALLEST BUILDING
The 118-storey International Commerce Centre (ICC) at Union Square above Kowloon Station on the West Kowloon waterfront is nearing completion and is Hong Kong's tallest building and the third highest building in the world after Burj Dubai and Shanghai World Financial Centre. The building is also some 60 metres taller than Hong Kong's next tallest building Two International Finance Centre (Two IFC) on the opposite side of the harbour. Construction of the building, which is a joint venture between Sun Hung Kai Properties and MTR Corporation, commenced in 2002 and fitting out is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Elements Shopping Mall located in the basement opened in 2007, the W Hotel in 2009 and the main tower is already substantially occupied with tenants including Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley relocating from Central to ICC, which is planned to become Hong Kong's new financial hub. The top 15 floors will be occupied by the 6-star Ritz Carlton Hotel, opening in late 2010, making it the highest hotel in the world and there will be a public observation deck with food and beverage outlets on the 110th floor. The building has 46 lifts including 2 VIP lifts.

INTERNATIONAL CABLE CAR GALLERY
The "International Cable Car Gallery" was opened near the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Terminus at Stupa Square, Ngong Ping Village, Lantau Island on 18th October 2009. The gallery initially featured six refurbished cable car cabins from Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Mainland China and Spain, all decorated with national flag patterns. Cabins from Austria and Switzerland have since been added and the display moved to the main entrance to the village.

Cabins from Spain and Brazil at Ngong Ping 360's International Cable Car Gallery
NWFB RICKSHAW SIGHTSEEING BUS
From 18th October 2009 New World First Bus is introducing its "NWFB Rickshaw Sightseeing Bus". The "hop-on, hop-off" service utilises open-top double-deck buses decorated in a rickshaw-themed livery. The rickshaw branding is intended as a reminder of the early 20th century when the Chinese rickshaw was an important form of public transportation around Hong Kong and gradually replaced by buses as the most popular public transport. There are two routes, the "Heritage Tour" and "Metropolis Tour" each departing from Central Star Ferry Pier at 30 minute intervals and taking about 50 minutes from start to finish. The routes serve a total of 21 stops and pass numerous scenic locations including 16 declared monuments and 10 grade-one historic buildings and a day ticket covers both routes. For more information on NWFB Rickshaw Bus and other sighseeing bus tours see OPEN-TOP SIGHTSEEING BUS TOURS
TAI TAM WATERWORKS HERITAGE TRAIL
During 2009 the Hong Kong Antiques Authority on the recommendation of the Antiques Advisory Board has declared some 41 historic waterworks structures as monuments under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance to ensure their important heritage is protected and preserved. These monuments are contained within Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs, Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, Kowloon Reservoir, Shing Mun Reservoir and Aberdeen Reservoir. In September 2009 the 5km Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail set in the scenic and serene surroundings of Tai Tam Country Park was opened. The trail covers 21 of these historic monuments and can be completed in about two hours.
The Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs comprises Tai Tam Upper Reservoir, Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir, Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. The structures include dams, pumping stations, valve houses, staff quarters, aqueduct and bridges. The oldest structures on the trail are Tai Tam Upper Reservoir Masonry Bridge, Masonry Aqueduct, Dam, Valve House and Tunnel Inlet built in 1883 - 1888. The "youngest" monument is the Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station which was constructed in 1907. Nowadays most of these historic facilities are intact and still in operation. A total of 10 information stations have been set up en route to explain the function and historic value of these monuments.
For more information see TAI TAM WATERWORKS HERITAGE TRAIL
WAN CHAI HERITAGE TRAIL
Wan Chai is one of Hong Kong's earliest settlements and has an interesting heritage, possessing many fine historic buildings from different periods. The district was once the home of high-class residences for rich Europeans and foreign merchants and shipyards were built along the shores of Wan Chai Bay before reclamation eventually saw the transition from small fishing village to modern urban metropolis. During 2007 in order to address increasing public concern over conservation the Old Wan Chai Revitalisation Initiatives Steering Committee was formed to study the cultural heritage of Wan Chai and on 27th September 2009 the Wan Chai Heritage Trail was launched.
The trail takes in grade one to grade three historic buildings;
Green House (Mallory Street & Burrows Street), Hong Kong Tuberculosis Chest & Heart Disease Association at 266 Queens Road East built in "Bauhaus" architectural style, Wan Chai Market, Blue House (Stone Nullah Lane), Yellow House (Hing Wan Street), 186-190 Queens Road East (Guangzhou Verandah Type Shophouse), 60A-66 Johnston Road (Guangzhou Verandah Type Shophouse), 18 Ship Street, Nam Kou Terrace (Ship Street), Star Street Precinct, Pak Tai Temple (Stone Nullah Lane), Former Wan Chai Post Office, Cross Street/Tai Yuen Street Open Market, Hung Shing Temple on Queens Road East and Gresson Street Open Market.
The trail begins at Mallory Street and touch-screen computers have been installed at various points along the route to allow visitors to view details and obtain information.
For full details see WAN CHAI HERITAGE TRAIL

MTR WEST RAIL EXTENSION (KOWLOON SOUTHERN LINK)
The 3.8km MTR Kowloon Southern Link (KSL) opened on 16th August 2009 and extends the MTR West Rail line from its previous terminus at Nam Cheong via the new Austin Station in West Kowloon and the existing East Tsim Sha Tsui Station to its new terminus at Hung Hom which is now the terminus for both West Rail and East Rail. East Tsim Sha Tsui Station which was previously the terminus for East Rail is now a West Rail Station. The extension allows a direct connection between the Northwest New Territories and East Tsim Sha Tsui with the journey from Tin Shui Wai to East Tsim Sha Tsui taking only 31.5 minutes, 24.5 minutes shorter than the current journey. However passengers from East Tsim Sha Tsui Station wishing to travel to East Rail stations will need to change at Hung Hom.
In conjunction with construction of the new line existing pedestrian subways along Middle Road are being extended westwards to Kowloon Park Drive to improve connectivity between East Tsim Sha Tsui and the Canton Road area. However there has been some critiscism that are no plans to link the new Austin Station to Canton Road and the Hong Kong-Macau ferry pier at China Hong Kong City.
More information on the extension can be found here;
http://www.mtr.com.hk/eng/whatsnew/austin.html

NOAH'S ARK
Love for Self and Others Love for the Well-being of the Body and Spirit
Love for Life
Love for the Environment
Love for Learning
Love for Challenges
Love to Serve Others
and is jointly operated by Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, Anglela Luk's Education Foundation, St James' Settlement, Boy's Brigade Hong Kong and The Media Evangelism Limited.
The attraction features an Ark Garden with some 67 life-size animal sculptures waterfalls and ponds, Ark Expo with 180 degree panoramic 4-D theatre, multi-media presentations, Ark models and nature exhibits, Noah's Adventureland with rope course, swings and rock climbing wall, Treasure House children's museum and education centre, Ark Life Education House with interactive challenges and forums and Nature Garden (in the adjacent Ma Wan Park). The attraction also includes a 650-seat stadium, hotel, sports ground, function rooms, amphitheatre with seating for 200, plaza with event hall, restaurant, gift shops and Noah's Resort Hotel with both luxury rooms and hostel-type rooms.
FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION - SEE NOAH'S ARK
Animals "two by two" in the Ark Garden
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OCEAN PARK AMAZING ASIAN ANIMALS
Ocean Park's latest attraction "Amazing Asian Animals" opened on 30th April 2009. The two young breeding giant pandas Le Le and Ying Ying which have been resident in the park's Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat since 2007 have been rehoused in a new 2000 sq m. sunlit space featuring fish ponds, a "snow" area and vegetation as part of the new attraction. Four red pandas (an endangered species) Tai Shan and Cong Cong (both males) and Li Zi and Rou Rou (females) which arrived on loan from Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding during March occupy a separate space opposite Le Le and Ying Ying. The red pandas are mainly nocturnal solitary animals and resemble raccoons. The attraction also includes Chinese giant salamanders, otters, birds, turtles and Chinese alligators. The 25,000 sq m. Amazing Asian Animals enclosure is covered with the same translucent plastic material used for Beijing's "Water Cube" National Aquatics Centre which featured prominently in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the temperature will be maintained between 18C and 25C. The park's two ageing Giant Pandas An An and Jia Jia are not being moved and remain in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat.
Ocean Park visitor numbers have continued to rise despite the global turndown and the park has stated it has no plans for any review of admission charges at the current time. Amazing Asian Animals cost over HK$100 million and forms part of Ocean Park's HK$5.55 billion six-year expansion during which the number of attractions will rise from 35 to over 70.
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LANTAU NORTH (EXTENSION) COUNTRY PARK
The 2,360 hectare Lantau North (Extension) Country Park was officially opened on 23rd November 2008. The new park is mainly in mountainous and upland valleys covered with natural woodland and unspoiled stream courses, which provide a highly scenic backdrop to the urban development at Tung Chung. The upland areas also offer magnificent views of the airport to the north, rural and wilderness mountainous areas to the south. The well established areas of secondary woodlands, shrubland, grassland and fresh water habitats are of high conservation and landscape value. The park brings the total country park area of Lantau to 10,000 hectares which is about 70% of the area of Lantau.
Lantau supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It is home to a large percentage of many of Hong Kong's recorded species including 70% of its herpetofauna, 60% of its dragonfly species and more than 50% of its butterfly species. The island is also home to several plant and animal species which are rare in Hong Kong. These include the Romer's Tree Frog, Striped Bush Hopper, Hong Kong Asarum and Lantau Star-anise. It is a great country destination that blends sightseeing and nature education.
Unveiling of plaque marking the opening of Lantau North (Extension) Country Park at Tai Ho, Lantau Island
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HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM SAI KUNG iOBSERVATORY
A new developmental project of the Space Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum Sai Kung iObservatory opened to the public in November 2008. The iObservatory is a three-storey building with a floor area of 270 sq metres situated in Lady MacLehose Holiday Village in Sai Kung Country Park. The project cost HK$7.3 million and the observatory houses a 60 cm Cassegrain telescope, the largest professional telescope in Hong Kong, inside a dome on the roof. Under ideal sky conditions, the telescope has a visual limiting magnitude of 15, meaning that users can observe celestial objects 4,000 times dimmer than those just visible to the naked eye. A professional 11 million pixels CCD camera is attached to the telescope for astrophotography. The main function of the observatory dome is to protect the telescope and other equipment installed on the rooftop from bad weather. The temperature inside the dome is slightly higher than outdoors to prevent condensation on the surface of the equipment. In case of heavy showers, the area affected by rainfall inside the dome, which has only one small opening, will be smaller than that inside an observatory adopting the roll-off design. The iObservatory’s six-metre onion dome allows an unobstructed view of the sky.
The Space Museum will be jointly operating star-gazing activities for the public with Lady MacLehose Holiday Village. Further information will be provided when available. Visitors can also check the Space Museum website for information;

The iObservatory dome. The six-metre-onion shaped dome provides unobstructed views of the sky
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CITY ART SQUARE SHATIN
The "City Art Square", a joint project between the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Sun Hung Kai Properties Charitable Fund was officially opened on July 22nd 2008.
With an area of 190,000 square feet, the square which is located at Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza features 19 uniquely styled creative sculptures and public art installations by renowned international and local artists including Vivienne Tam, Zaha Hadid, Dennis Oppenheim, Mimmo Paladino, WOKmedia, Thom Thiel, Nina Jobs, Joaquin Gasgonia Palencia, Mathias Bengtsson, Xu Bing, Barrie Ho, Freeman Lau, James Law, Danny Lee, Sara Tse, Mok Yat-san and Man Fung-yi.
Part of the plaza will be converted into a flag plaza during the period of the 2008 Olympic Games (for which Sha Tin is hosting the Olympic Equestrian Events).

Officials and participating guests at the opening ceremony of City Art Square
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LANTAU OLYMPIC TRAIL
The Hong Kong Olympic Trail and Olympic Green on Lantau Island was officially opened on 18 July 2008. The 5.6 km trail for which approval was obtained from the International Olympic Committee runs from Pak Mong Village to Mui Wo and passes through a number of small villages over 200 years old. A tree planting site on a slope near Pak Mong Village has been named the Olympic Green. A number of buildings in Pak Mong Village have been declared monuments including the entrance arch, village wall, Chi Tong and watch house. The Fung Shui woods behind the village is a unique character of an indigenous village. The Olympic Trail is suitable for hiking and family outings.

Hikers and families on the Lantau Olympic Trail
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ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK TREE CENTRE
The first thematic education centre featuring trees, the Aberdeen Country Park Tree Centre was officially opened on 26th April 2008. The centre was formerly a country park visitor centre and has been converted to further promote tree conservation. The centre presents many interesting aspects of trees with display panels, information kiosks and an interactive games area. There is a large banyan tree model showing tree parts and anatomy and visitors can learn more from the display panels about the function and value of trees, vegetation preservation and the relationship between trees and insects as well as the changes that trees go through during the four seasons. The centre is open from 9am to 5pm daily except Tuesdays and admission is free.
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Aberdeen Country Park Tree Centre
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PEAK VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
A Visitor Information Centre converted from a heritage tram cabin opened on April 7th 2008. The centre at the Peak piazza provides a full range of visitor information services and was set up under the Peak Improvement Scheme spearheaded by the Tourism Commission. The tram was in service from 1959 to 1989 and the transformed cabin is installed under a Victorian style canopy. The Peak Improvement Scheme cost HK$143 million and includes reconstruction of the Peak piazza, streetscape imrovement to various walking trails, beautification of Mount Austin Playground and the Former Gate Lodge and installation of story boards depicting the history of the Peak. The majority of works have already been completed and any outstanding works are being completed in phases throughout the rest of 2008. The visitor centre is open daily from 9am to 9pm.

The new Peak Visitor Information Centre located in an old Peak Tram
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NGONG PING NATURE CENTRE
The first country park visitor centre on Lantau Island, The Ngong Ping Nature Centre opened at Ngong Ping Village on 1 March 2008. The centre has 3-D display panels in Chinese, English and Japanese. The display features the history and landscape of Lantau, as well as special species found on the island. Visitors can enjoy aerial video footage of Lantau and search for hiking information at the information kiosks in the centre. Admission is free and the centre is open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 6-30pm, Sundays and Ngong Ping 360 "Special Days" 9am to 6-30pm. The centre is closed during Ngong Ping 360 Servicing Days. Guided tours will be available in Chinese at specified times in Cantonese and during public holidays in English. Phone number for enquiries is (852) 2259 3916.

Ngong Ping Nature Centre, Ngong Ping Village
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HONG KONG'S FIRST "GREEN" SHOPPING MALL
Citywalk, claiming to be Hong Kong's first "green" shopping mall opened in Tsuen Wan during January 2008. The 3 storey 300,000 sq ft mall has 180 shops and restaurants and features a vertical garden the size of a tennis court. The mall is located on Yeung Uk Road opposite Tsuen Wan Town Hall and close to Nina Tower and is linked to both Tsuen Wan West (nearer) and Tsuen Wan MTR Stations by elevated walkways. The mall is open daily from 10am to 10pm. The mall's flagship Marks & Spencer store which is on two levels . In December 2009 Citywalk 2 a separate mall linked to Citywalk by elevated walkway through Nina Tower opened. For more information see SHOPPING MALLS - LANTAU & NEW TERRITORIES

Citywalk, HK's first "green" shopping mall, Tsuen Wan
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LAMMA FISHERFOLK'S VILLAGE
Another new attraction on Lamma Island (see Lamma Winds below) is the Lamma Fisherfolk's Village located on a floating platform in Sok Kwu Wan Bay. This exhibition illustrated with demonstrations highlights the local fishing culture and history of the local fishing history in Hong Kong. You can board an authentic fishing junk, handle live fish and attempt hookless fishing which involves attempting to yank mostly impossibly large fish out of the water with bait attached to a line.
Adult ticket prices range from HK$40 to HK$88 (concessions are available) including the short one minute shuttle ride to the village from Sok Kwu Wan Public Pier. For most visitors the HK$40 two hour ticket will be the most suitable.
Sok Kwu Wan can be reached by ferry from Central Ferry Pier 4 or from Aberdeen. Alternatively it can be reached by taking the ferry from Central Ferry Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan and then following the popular trail across Lamma Island to Sok Kwu Wan (about 75 minutes walk).
More information is available on the village website;
http://www.fisherfolks.com.hk/english/index.php

Lamma Fisherfolk's Village
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AERIAL VIDEOS NOW AVAILABLE
The Government Flying Service has made available to view online 29 short aerial videos of various locations around Hong Kong. See "Videos & Live Webcams"
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ALTERNATIVE BORDER CROSSING FOR VISITORS TO SHENZHENxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The MTR East Rail spur line from Sheng Shui to Lok Ma Chau which opened 15 August 2007 enables rail passengers to use the Lok Ma Chau border crossing as an alternative to Lo Wu. The line enables passengers to connect via footbridge with the Shenzhen Metro Line 4 on the western side of Shenzhen and is intended to relieve congestion at Lo Wu particularly during holidays. The journey time for the spur line from Sheng Shui to Lok Ma Chau is only six minutes. There is a visa office on the Chinese side and visas on arrival for Shenzhen Economic Zone only can be obtained by all nationalities except USA. This visa is a single entry visa valid for 5 days.
Currently the last train reaches Lok Ma Chau Terminus at 22-30 as train services for the Shenzhen Metro Link also close at that time and there will be few other ground transportation facilities across the border.
There are also green minibus, franchised bus and taxi services from Yuen Long to the new public transport interchange at Lok Ma Chau.
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DR SUN YAT-SEN MUSEUM
Dr Sun Yat-Sen is often referred to as the "Father of Modern China" and this museum features an exhibition of how Dr Sun was transformed from an aspiring medical student into a renowned revolutionary leader and highlights his time in Hong Kong. As of much interest as the exhibition itself is the building in which it is housed, the splendidly preserved Kom Tong Hall dating from 1914 and which was named after Ho Kom Tong, brother of the magnate of Robert Hotung and comprador of Jardine Matheson and Co.
The museum is located at Kom Tong Hall, 7 Castle Road, Mid-Levels. Castle Road is accessible from the Mid-Levels escalator and is just above Hollywood Road. Several of the surrounding streets have been incorporated in the Dr Sun Yat-Sen Historical Trail.
Opening times are 10am to 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. The museum is closed on Thursdays.
Admission costs HK$10 with half price concessions available for full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. Admission is free on Wednesdays and on the anniversaries of Dr Sun's birth (12 November) and death (12 March).
Photography is not allowed inside the museum.
Museum website;
Dr Sun Yat-Sen Museum, Kom Tom Hall
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WANCHAI WATERFRONT PROMENADE (Note - Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade will be permanently closed from 27th January 2010 to make way for the Central - Wan Chai Bypass)
Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade stretches from Wan Chai Ferry Pier to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and provides an attractive harbourside walk featuring boardwalks, lawns, trees, benches and splendid harbour views. It is now possible to walk traffic free right along the harbourside from Wan Chai Ferry Pier to Victoria Park. The west entrance (next to Wan Chai Ferry Pier) is closed on Mondays only from 8-30am to 1pm to allow the water dept to carry out scheduled maintenance work but access is still possible during these times from the eastern entrance outside the Yacht Club.

Wan Chai Waterfront Promenade
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IMPROVED INTERACTIVE ITINERARY PLANNER
HKTB (Hong Kong Tourism Board) Interactive Itinerary Planner has been improved enabling independent travellers to create a personalised itinerary before arriving in Hong Kong. As well as catering for visitors staying in Hong Kong travellers simply transiting through Hong Kong with time to spare can "construct" an itinerary from the "Transiting Thrills" section. The planner can be viewed at;
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attraction/itinerary/
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HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – TERMINAL 2 AND SKYPLAZA
Terminal 2 began a phased opening on 28 February 2007 and the official opening took place on 1 June 2007. The terminal is currently (at 1st Feb 2010) being used for departures only by sixteen airlines, Air Pacific, Air Asia, Kingfisher Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Thai AirAsia, Tiger Airways, Emirates Airlines, Jet Airways, Jetstar Asia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways International, Philippine Airlines, South African Airways, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways and Royal Jordanian. Arriving passengers are transferred to Terminal 1 by automated people mover to complete arrival formalities. The new terminal features SkyPlaza, a shopping mall with many restaurants, shops and other facilities and cross border coach services to mainland China also operate from the new terminal. Terminal 2 is only a couple of minutes walk from Terminal 1 and passengers departing or arriving from Terminal 1 with time to spare may like to take the opportunity to explore the excellent facilities in the new terminal.
From 10 March 2007 new Citybus bus service P22 has been introduced to transport passengers the short distance between Terminals 1 and 2. This allow passengers arriving at the airport on Citybus Cityflyer airport bus services free travel between terminals if paying by Octopus Card within 120 minutes of boarding the Cityflyer service. For other passengers there is a fare of HK$4. Also Long Win Bus Company has re-routed its E41 airport service via Terminal 2 before terminating at Asia World Expo. Fare for passengers travelling between the two terminals is free if boarding and paying by Octopus Card within 150 minutes of commencement of the original trip, otherwise the fare is HK$4.

Terminal 2 Departure Lounge
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VICTORIA PEAK GARDEN
Victoria Peak Garden has undergone a major redevelopment which was completed in January 2008. The remains of the Governors Summer Residence (demolished some years ago) have been declared an archaeological site and closed to the public. Improvements include a new pavilion and Victorian style features such as gazebos, benches, sun- dials, stone pillars and carvings.
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STAR FERRY PIER RELOCATION
On 13 November 2006 the Star Ferry Pier at Edinburgh Place in Central on Hong Kong Island closed and has since been demolished. The Star Ferry has relocated some 400 yards to new piers at Central Ferry Piers 7 (services to Tsim Sha Tsui) and 8 (services to Hung Hom and Tsim Sha Tsui East). The piers are connected to Central District by elevated walkway. The new piers feature, shops, cafe's, a restaurant and public viewing decks.

New Star Ferry Piers (Central Piers 7 and 8)
PEAK TOWER
The Peak Tower reopened in November 2006 following a major refurbishment. Inside the central core has been opened up and a series of escalators run up alongside a huge glass wall along the north facing side of the building which gives panoramic views and lead to the viewing balcony which has been relocated to the roof of the tower from where the views are quite breathtaking. The viewing balcony has since been renamed "Sky Terrace" and an admission charge has been introduced. See "Latest Information". Alongside the balcony is an “art wall”. Madame Tussauds has reopened and there are the usual array of expensive shops, restaurants, Pacific Coffee and a “cyberzone”.
The Lions Pavilion below the Peak Tower on Findlay Road has also been refurbished.

View from the new Peak Sky Terrace
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NAN LIAN GARDEN, DIAMOND HILL (CHI LIN NUNNERY)
Opened in November 2006 this Tang Dynasty style garden is situated next to Chi Lin Nunnery at 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamod Hill. It cost HK$35 million, took three years to build and is a joint project between the government and the nunnery. The garden which covers an area of 35,000 square metres is based on a real Tang garden, Jiangshouju Garden in Shanxi province and features include a gold foil tower, a tea house, vegetarian restaurant, wood architecture museum, over 4000 trees, rocks, hillocks, streams, waterfalls, pagodas, terraces three koi ponds and rare wood fossils.
Open daily 7am to 9pm, admission free, Diamond Hill MTR station exit C2.

Nan Lian Gardens, Diamond Hill
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LAMMA WINDS
Hong Kong's first wind power station with its solitary 800KW turbine located at Tai Ling on Lamma Island opened in February 2006 and is open to the public daily from 7am to 6pm. At the base of the tower is an exhibition centre and picnic area. The hillside location has commanding views over Lamma and south Hong Kong Island. To get there from Yung Shue Wan follow the main cross island path (family trail) towards Sok Kwu Wan. Where the path crosses the wide main access road to Lamma Power Station just outside Yung Shue Wan follow the direction signs to the top of the hill. From Yung Shue Wan it's about 35 minutes walk.

Lamma Winds
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