Effervescence in Kowloon
Kowloon Peninsula, 10 minutes by ferry from the island of Hong Kong is known for its magnificent view across Victoria Harbour (from Tsim Sha Tsui), luxury hotels, shopping complexes and non-standard! Up the Peninsula via Nathan Road, one enters one of the liveliest districts of Hong Kong.
Restaurants in Jordan, the Night Market, through the narrow streets to the atmosphere typically Chinese, we stroll the streets illuminated from the dark by all kinds of advertisements. Another opportunity for me to find ... I think this is the last time, departure requires.
I took my last afternoon to discover Mongok, place of electronics in Hong Kong. Curiously, the prices quoted here are more reasonable than Shenzhen, but the margin trading lower at once ... I managed to find a Nikon flash for € 160, or 40% cheaper than the Fnac ... crowd is impressive, the streets are crowded, and it benefits from fruit sellers between two high-tech shops to cool a house cocktail ... between modernity and tradition is the atmosphere of this fantastic city!
Alex was from HK Airport ... off to Sydney in 1 hour ...
Cheung Chau Island
When we speak of Hong Kong, we often forget that there is the island of Hong Kong, the principal, but also the new territories to the north, and the Kowloon Peninsula in Tsim Sha Tsui, and some islands less than an hour by ferry, Lamma Island, Lantau Island or Cheung Chau Island. This card can help you find your way ...
Today a stroll away from Central is the program: it went to Cheung Chau! Small residential island without cars, where fishing and visiting tourists are the only activities. Many Hong Kong people have taken up residence here, the ferry to Central being very common.
In half a day we walked around this little corner of green, to a Buddhist temple, a few tunes from Brittany cliffs, beach colors of Corsica, a residential and colorful. The end of the seafront promenade leading to a huge cemetery, facing the sea to meet the balance fengshui. Feet flat is in finalemnt sampam (traditional fishing boat) I joined the ferry to Hong Kong. The charm of these small boats plying in the port is undeniable! Especially when you're the only customer ...
I took this last night to find an old Telecom Lille moved to HK for 4 years ... After a drink in Lan Kwai Fong we joined friends for dinner Cantonese they wanted us to discover: the Mongolian pot! The magic of HK closed the evening, as he just 500m to be found in trendy pubs in Kowloon ... the melting pot on the island is amazing!
South Hong Kong
Short tour of the South Island of Hong Kong this afternoon ...
Go to Central to locate the bus 70 towards Aberdeen, the size of the island to be reasonable, destination reached in 30 minutes ... To stop a little longer! Indeed, Aberdeen is the last fishing village of Hong Kong, which was once a refuge for sailors during storms. Today you can still walk by sampan (former fishing boat) to reach the floating restaurant. The second attraction is the promenade along the channel, that same market.
Second bus, the 973 (I struggled to find one) to go to Repulse Bay. Change of scenery, we stop at Deep Water to borrow the "Seaview Promenade" which leads to the most popular beach on the island. This small enclave is one of the most popular, real estate is expensive, just behind the Victoria Peak. But what a pleasure to escape from the city to walk around in the sand ...
Last step, the terminus of the 973, Stanley Village. A remarkable little borders the bustling waterfront where all the Europeans / Americans have a drink. After visiting Murray House, colonial building of 1844 which now houses chic restaurants and maritime museum, one can stroll to the tourist market.
Hong Kong - Central & Victoria Peak
Stunning!
I'm in the postcard! At least I could see the size of Victoria Harbour panorama I had in the background ... Arrived in Hong Kong last night, I leave for the famous Nathan Road Tsim Sha Tsui panorama ... I start with the festivities New Year and join the sea: amazing! Thank you John for that info: o)
Not to be outdone, I took the first sunny day (here it's winter, 25 °) to visit the Central business district from 1000 that fires after dark. We are surprised to find a green oasis in the center of these extravagant buildings, and some vestiges of the colonial era now converted into office buildings. Banks are open and you can visit the First Prev level of HSBC, or the 43rd floor of the Bank of China's great rival ...
The late afternoon is ideal for taking the steepest tram in the world ... In some passages it should reach almost 45 degrees! Everyone laughs nervously when he stops growing rapidly ... Depending since the nineteenth century, it can climb Victoria Peak offers a remarkable panoramic view of Hong Kong on the other side of the bay.
Otherwise it feels much the influence of business on the living standards of HK, much higher than in Beijing! If I was surprised at the exorbitant price of the ticket center at HK $ 8 (2 in Beijing against ...) this is still an attractive price of € ... 80 cents! So change of scenery, I'm confused in the scales of value (I withdrew € 100 or HK $ 1,000, enough to take 3 weeks! Miscalculation ...) but ultimately the cost of living here is about 2 times cheaper than in France. Ideal for the tourist that I am!
Also in the news, the iPhone here speak Chinese ... Finally, people "draw" on the screen of the iPhone to send their sinograms sms: it was not like that at home! Finally the practical side, arriving one can buy a magnetic card for HK $ 7 (€ 3), we can recharge and pay for the ferry, subway, bus, and even in shopping malls! A system that is great! A city very organized and very practical!
Macau, land of contrasts
10km ², 300,000 inhabitants, 7 billion dollars of revenue ...
This former Portuguese colony, became "special administrative region" of China's territory since 1999, has no other ambition than to become the Las Vegas of the Far East. The booming economy of Hong Kong, the awakening of China and its 1.5 billion inhabitants, and exclusive games for the whole of China granted by Beijing is the recipe that has transformed the island declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Welcome to Chinese in this country where all nationalities meet, where taxis speak Mandarin as the streets are decorated in Portuguese names, where the local currency is Patacas, but the HK dollar only master on board. Most of the island is covered with very ugly 80's buildings, which surround the few remains the colonial times. The tourist will therefore choose the historic visit, where luxurious casinos that are gaining ground on the sea The island is very small, it can be found in the space of 500m in a neighborhood close to a Chinese Buddhist temple, in a Fortress of the seventeenth pastel, or Hugo Boss at the foot of a tower of glass ...
Two days were sufficient to explore the island on foot, and let go before the stalls of sweets or grilled meat ... If you come to Macau, you will not escape specialties: small cakes (almond, sesame, fruits ... ) and BBQ meat to eat on the run ... Grand greedy I am, the afternoon was sweet and savory! To make up for all that I could enjoy the fitness at the hotel, first time I ran on a treadmill while watching the clips ... it's special! Then China requires, I let myself go to the spa for a massage ... 1:30 something to be fit for the next step: Hong Kong!
Shenzhen
Venerable houses courtyard shared by six or eight families, a few pigs wandering on dirt roads, rice paddies along the railway Township -> Hong Kong. Welcome to Shenzhen in 1980 ...!
Today this city is the largest of the five special economic zones of China. True commercial hub, the city adorned with ultra modern building (including the Shun Hing Square - top 10 highest building in the world - 384m), huge shopping malls, an international airport and permanent links with a large neighboring Hong Kong.
It is the only Chinese city with a population results from a melting pot of neighboring countries, only 5% of the population is local.
Tourism is not the strong point of the city: among the few attractions, there are the most popular theme parks of China, Windows of the World ... Or how to circumnavigate the world in one afternoon, while by taking a look at the WTC in NY ... Nothing fancy for my taste, I decided to cut short the visit and live real life, exploring the city! Shenzen, people come for business or for its luxury shops and neighborhood "electronic", where prices are used to index the basis for international rates. But the little compact Lumix interested me was ultimately more expensive than in France! So I reserve for Hong Kong ...
Macau next step, to follow on my road map.
A bit of Chinese culture ...
Stop sniffing, it does not spit on the floor, do not push people, do not wipe your ... Boo on the water ... so many good habits that you can forget here! When the waitress sneeze, do not be surprised if it goes dry hands on the edge of the water! So what? You did not used your jeans for that? After a week in Beijing, here are a few surprises "cultural" to discover ...
Tiananmen Square by night
Tiananmen Square is one of the largest square in the world. Today free access, you can visit the Mausoleum of Mao or the underground city and Qianmen Gate. The Stalinist architecture buildings lining the square will also attract the curious.
For me it is a session of "Night Shooting" which tempted me to this place. My visit was lit by two Chinese, an English teacher and her friend, who then made me visit the old legation quarter, on the other side of the door of Qianmen. This area has been completely renovated for the 2008 Olympics, and today is a lively place that traces the history of Beijing.
A small sampling of teas, all as surprising as each other, marked the end of the tour with a souvenir of this extraordinary evening 50g of fruit tea ... I have ever drank!
The Summer Palace ...
... Is a green perched on the hill of the old life on the shores of Lake of Eternal Spring.
It is said that this palace is the cause of the defeat of the Chinese against the Japanese in the China Sea. The Emperor preferred to empty the coffers of the state to build this palace, to the detriment of the Chinese Navy ... In their honor, so he made the boat building stone, guardian of the lake.
Anyway, if this season is not conducive to enjoy the shady paths bordering the palace, a very different experience worth the trip ... walk across the frozen lake to reach the island of Nanhu: a little trip of 2 kms in which the scenery can land you a nice slide!
Beijing Olympic Park
Arrived late afternoon, a light mist was rising on the Olympic Park, just north of the city. A vast esplanade, with one hand the Olympic pool, and the other the newest stadium in Beijing.
Front of the huge queue (about 2 hours) to access the stage in this new year period, I abandoned the idea of entering it, and do therefore propose that a single image for this article: stage in black and white.
Here is the New Year!
And what a sight!
To celebrate the Year of the Ox, everyone began to decorate houses and shops on Sunday, the eve of Christmas Eve. Every night firecrackers rang, parks acceuillent fairs and rides for a few weeks, and the Chinese are tourism, ice skating on frozen lakes, outdoor karaoke, or take an ice bath ... Firecrackers, bright colors, lanterns and costumes are in the spotlight!
Many come to visit Beijing a few days during this period, they are also surprised to see the Europeans, and especially a blond! It's true that I did not find a counterpart here ... What is the status of my curiosity, and some photos that tourists back to their photo album Beijing!
Lama Temple Lama Temple
Buddhism has been present in China since the third century. Beijing is full of temples, and it Yonghegong, close to the hotel, I was able to discover the special atmosphere of the main sites.
In the 50s, when China's grip on Tibet, the regime promoted an extensive renovation of the site to preserve the Tibetan religious authorities. The building then escaped the destruction of the Cultural Revolution before being reopened for worship in 1981.
Today the Chinese will come and make offerings receuillir, between tourists and a few llamas that occupy the site. I can not help feeling a certain serenity, and an endless delight in penetrating the various temples to lavish all religious effigies. The atmosphere was something indescribable, almost magical ... My eyes landed on the man on the floor, incense perfumes the fresh air ... I share this silence relaxing, just lit by the gong of the temple ... A visit our website!
Panjiayuan
In the 80s, the Pekingese in need of money sold it on the sly art objects from their families. Repressed by the police, the market was finally legalized ghost in 1994: thus was born the first antique market in Beijing legal, Panjiayuan.
Now considered the largest market of its kind in Asia (3000 stands - 4 hectares), is fun to hunt around all kinds of used goods (sometimes false!), Such as antiques, porcelain, d former books, jewelry, trinkets some electronics and clothing.
A small portion of the market comprises the fair attractions that delight toddlers while their elders watch wrestling or sports explois that drive the market. To pause, nothing like the skewers to barracks where you can enjoy insects ... or simply grilled pork with spices (my preference!).
The Forbidden City
Depending on the tourist guide in China, the Forbidden City itself as a must after visiting the Great Wall! Having ascended the Coal Hill for a breathtaking view of the Tartar city (north) and the Forbidden City (south), I enter the city through the door of Military Engineering, at the north of the city.
An imposing wall 15 may be 20m high faces me, and a door ... monumental! I discover a colorful backdrop, some pavilions around a garden square, and impressive detail carved or painted on each element of this mysterious world.
I spend a door and begins to move through the maze in which every door reveals a majestic palace remarkably well preserved. You can still see the period furniture and jewels offered to the emperor ...
The few hours of the afternoon let me glimpse the third of this magical city, with imposing and so refined ... Our Versailles had better watch out! Finally, the passage through the gate of heavenly peace and end the visit left me on the spot ... Tiananmen.
Happy (Chinese) New Year!
Unimaginable! Just ...
We are on January 25,'s Eve New Year Chinese. No official ceremony today, the shops are closed, lanterns and other decorations are appearing in the city.
Then night falls over the city: some are found in family Christmas Eve meal, others celebrate the new year with blows of firecrackers and fireworks ... Hundreds of people fill the streets of Beijing that light up vibrate and explosions!
The evening progresses, it is 0:00 ... The alarms sound, explosions ring out from all sides ... The noise is deafening! Looking up we find an infinite number of stars, the sky turned into a few seconds ... I leave the lane and then leads in a fog of smoke ... Thousands of people fill the streets, all over the world, fleeing a wick a little short, or rushing to the store of fireworks! Within a few minutes Beijing becomes difficult to breathe, while obviating the 1000 ephemeral colors ... Not easy to restranscrire this atmosphere in a few photos! The party is at its height, the last hour, giving way to a surprising, streets covered evicted rockets, firecrackers gutted, a launching pad on fire ...
The Year of the Ox has begun!
Great Wall - Simatai
And no, we do not see the moon ... But we can admire a few hours drive from Beijing ...
Visit Sima tai, one of the restored sites outside of the building-norms: the Great Wall. Impressive, but not too large, we arrive at a site across a lake to the west Jinshan Ling, east Simatai, perched on a mountain ridge. Here, the relief of the land did not require building a massive defense ... and we understand why when addressing the uneven stairs, following in some places a slope of 70 °!
But it is only when the peak altitude so that the hard-won gives us an incredible view over a valley blown by the winds, when the cold reigns supreme at this time of year. Point of warriors on the horizon, no tourists in this season, just the steppe and the wall ... out of sight!
Welcome to Beijing! First sight of China ...
After 8 hours of flight we began our descent into Beijing, while flying over the snowy mountains of the Gobi Desert ... An impressive range!
I go for a week to explore the host city for the last Olympics. The Great Wall and Forbidden City are of course in the program, but until I see this new setting, in which I must find a way to get to my hotel.
Towards the airport shuttle takes you to the city center ... if you know if your hotel is more on the side of Dongzhimen, or Zichunlu Xuanwumen ... Hmm ... first problem! Anglo-Chinese a couple tells me the line 4 stop 6, then advises me to take a taxi to the hotel! Go!
While on the bus is shown in Chinese and English, which keeps me from counting stations ... 40 minutes later I'm in Beijing! Building building ... when you hold us! Taxis waiting for me at the descent of the bus: the top! Except that no one knows the address as the hostess led me ... Oops ... What next? I leave my laptop here but no network! I try to dock with a Chinese business holding suitcase his English must be understandable ... But no! Do you speak Francais? No? Sure? It thickens here ... My little guide gives me Chinese "zai zhan ditie zuijin of nali? "No more ... it does not know where the subway ...
I am in Beijing, it's nice, I'm in a bus station that leads I know not where, not knowing where I am, no one speaks English ... Looking for a plan while flipping through my guide, my Chinese business comes to me with an English shy, and I propose to call my hotel to check the address ... Ahhhhh! Thank you! The address is good, other taxis arrived, and magical, one of them knows the area and agrees to take me!
Finally nothing too serious to begin with, I found the hotel without problems, and I still have two hours before dusk to go around the neighborhood. The lake is frozen (at least 15-20cm!), And a street corner I attend the ceremony of the drum at the Drum Tower ... Welcome to Beijing!
