Welcome to your first taste of this unique, fast-paced, dynamic and contrast-filled city. Hong Kong has one of the world's most dramatic harbours, an incredible range of shopping, terrific   restaurants, fun, varied transportation and breathtaking views. Skyscrapers dominate Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula across the harbour; but much of the New Territories and more than 260 outlying islands remains rural farmland and tranquil fishing villages. A small place that lives large, Hong Kong totals just 1,100 square kilometres-- so it's easy to get around and see a lot in a short time. The Essential guide, published by the Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA), helps you get the most out of your Hong Kong visit with an insider's view of local sights, details on entertainment, nightlife and activities, a how-to guide for ordering local cuisine, shopping tips, and detailed maps to help you get where you're going. Up front, there's a guide to what's happening this month in the worlds of arts, events and Chinese festivals. The HKTA is the official government tourist organization, representing the city's entire tourism industry. While the  Essential guide is designed to provide you with highlights of the Hong Kong experience, the HKTA also produces a series of free brochures to help you further explore the city.

香港是個光芒耀目的國際大都會，每一吋土地都生機蓬勃，璀璨熱鬧。這片繁華之地節奏明快、面貌千變萬化．兼具多元化的特質;深深吸引著每位到訪的旅客。香港擁有美輪美奐的建築，令人眼前一亮。外形獨特的香港會議展寬中心新翼、揉合尖端科技和設施的香港國際機場、宏偉壯觀的青馬大橋等現代化的建設．標誌著香港的發展一日千里，同時為2]世紀的來臨作好充份準備.香港人的拼搏精神也是世界聞名的，每人每年平均工作2，37;小時，難怪香港得以成為全球第十大貿易實莊，在過去20年，經濟土度創佳績。同時，香港人對娛樂亦熱烈追求．積極工作之餘亦不忘消閑娛樂，舒展身心。無論是中西節慶或文娛康樂活動，也可見到香港人全情參與，盡興而返。事實上，香港巧妙地融匯了新舊事物和東西方文化特質，發展出一套獨特的城市文化。外國企業來港開業，往往可見舞獅助興，這便是西方文化與傳統習俗相結合的一個證明。無論來自世界哪一角落的人士．也能和諧地融入香港的多文化杜舀，留下難忘的回憶。