Gary Bembridge of Tips for Travellers shares observations, tips and advice for visitors to Hong Kong.Subscribe free to the show on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or TuneIn Radio.This show covers among other topics:

Observations

• Dense with multitudes of skyscrapers and people. More people live and work above 15th floor than anywhere else in the world and has most residential blocks about 40 stories high and constant development.
• Very pretty harbour - Victoria harbour - one of deepest natural harbours in the world - Hong Kong means "fragrant harbour".
• Population of 7 million.
• 262 islands - Hong Kong island, Lantau Island (Airport and Disneyland ), Kowloon peninsula and Northern Territories.
• Transforms at night - skyscrapers have light effects - 8pm light show (biggest and longest running permanent show) on Hong Kong island and at 9pm on ICC (International Commerce Building) in Kowloon.
• English widely spoken as one off 2 official languages.
• Very connected city lots of free wifi around

HistoryBritish colony until 1997Getting ThereVery busy airport built on reclaimed land on Lantau Island.Cruise - Kai Tak Terminal designed on site of old airport runway in Kowloon.Best time to goHot and humid most of yearColdest in Jan Hottest JulyGetting aroundCoveted walkways and open air mid -evels escalator - worlds largest outdoor covered escalator.Trams - kept despite modern metro system following pretty much same routes.Busses - 5 companies run 700 routes.BigBus Hop-on Hop-Off bus toursGeneral TipsUse UK style 3-pin plugs Good App - "Discover Hong Kong" developed by HK tourism board and Cathay Pacific Airline. Works off line and has series of suggested walks.

Must-do activities

Victoria PeakTram launched in 1888- 8 minutes ride to the stop with stunning views across city, also has Madame Tussards and shopping.Star FerryIconic service since 1870s - taking people 7 minutes from Hong Kong to Kowloon Ocean terminal.Harbour TourMany options from Star Ferry, Sailing Junks and motorised junk boat trips.See Hong Kong at nightNight bus tourLight show- "Symphony of lights" - 45 skyscrapers on both sides of harbourWalk the streets on Hong Kong side in Wan Chai and Kowloon along Nathan streetShoppingGood prices as do no sales tax and is a Duty free portStanley marketCentral district- high end shopsHollywood road - antiques and art SoHo - galleries Ladies MarketTemple Street Night Market AberdeenFishing village and Luxury marinaAfternoon tea at Peninsula HotelFlagstaff house museum of Teaware - in oldest surviving colonial building - BeachesRepulse BayTheme ParksDisneylandOcean Park -see Cunard notesMuseumsCan get good value 7-day museum passHK museum of artthe space museumHK science museumHK museum of historyFurther afieldMacau - high speed ferry or bus