150 years of British colonial influence and 5,000 traditional china to Hong Kong has become one of the cities of the world with more personality. Suspended in the halo of the mysterious Sea of China, the island has become a meeting point between tradition and modernity, East and West, as frenzied and serene.

Hong Kong, the island sophisticated melting pot and an example of fusion between Eastern and Western culture is a metropolis full of color. Above the island from the Cerro de la Victoria, better known as’ dragon’s back ‘, we can see the port’s bustling world. At the end the afternoon dazzles see the panorama of Hong Kong Island, the harbor, Kowloon and the distant hills.

Kowloon o ‘nine dragons’ ranks only a few kilometers from the island, but is one of the most densely populated areas on earth. Its streets are one of the largest product offerings in the world, not for nothing is known worldwide as a city where ‘making money’ is a philosophy of life. The island is directly associated with the shopping.

Roots and Culture
However, the wealth of Hong Kong goes far beyond. Despite its colonial past, has always true to their roots and culture that is hidden under many trade shows, is purely china. One example is the castle Ching Chung Koon, which contains great treasures of Chinese art, including a jade seal over a thousand years old. Under the slope of the castle is the temple dedicated Pei Tu, as its name indicates, a famous monk of the mythology. The Hidden Temple, in addition, almost four thousand books which record the history of the Taoist religion.  One of the most impressive relics preserved in Hong Kong culture china esel Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Four hundred thirty one steps lead to the main altar of the temple. There, in the fourth altar, almost thirteen thousand Buddha statues are placed along the walls and stored by the gaze of the statues of various gods.

An example of this is in the architecture, particularly in the Hong Kong Cultural Center. This is a minimalist structure with a concave roof very original. Design caused controversy in 1984 because there were no windows and tiles cover the roof. However, the building is used for a myriad of cultural activities: arts festivals, whether local or international headquarters of museums, including the space, and exhibitions of all kinds, from antique Chinese astronomical discoveries.

Visitors need a few days in Hong Kong to get accustomed to its dizzying pace of life, but if you need a respite, it is advisable to visit the islands of the periphery, which is a complete change of scene and time. Many of them are uninhabited and some are long, very prominent positions such as fishing and rural life. This is another Hong Kong, the quiet, away from the crowds, with transparent waterfalls and lush gardens, small fishing villages and landscapes of unique beauty. Of the two hundred and thirty-five outer islands that make up Hong Kong Lantau is the largest.

Modernity and Tradition
Lantau is twice larger than the island of Hong Kong and still keep the ways of life of a rural village. His serenity has attracted many urban dwellers. Residents have purple on Lantau Island for more than a thousand years, but their children are among the most contemporary Chinese have sought greater economic prosperity in urban areas. Lantau has attractions as diverse as the beaches of white sand, a Trappist monastery, interesting excursions, for example, that leads to seeing the bronze Buddha of Po Lin Monastery.

You reach the island by the newly built bridge Tsing Ma has just over two miles long and two hundred meters of twin towers visible along the road. Tsing Ma Bridge is the heaviest and the biggest suspension system around the world. Worthwhile walk.

Most visitors take the opportunity to visit all these beautiful islands because they are very numerous, but they do not detract. One of the reasons why it is worth a trip to these islands is to see the dolphins and, between them, the species of pink dolphins (Sousa Chinesis), which is in danger of extinction.