Hong Kong, China – October 1999
Before last May, people go to Ocean Park for their marine animals and roller coasters. However, the arrival of two giant panda bears, Jia Jia and An An, changed everything.
Like the zoos in Mexico City, San Diego, or Washington DC, panda bears always steal the hearts of every visitor who have seen them. At Ocean Park, they immediately became the star attractions.
Since there are only 110 panda bears in captivity worldwide and most of whom are kept in China, Ocean Park is considered “blessed” to own a pair of them. Jia Jia is a 14 year old male and An An is a 21 year old female. They can be seen bouncing around with their big heads and fat bodies in a 2000 square meters habitat.
The habitat is designed to resemble the natural living conditions of the giant pandas with temperature being controlled at around 15-18°C. It is located in the Lowland Garden at the Park. Throughout the day, they enjoy chewing on their bamboo and charming their visitors with their clumsy movements.
Other Ocean Park Attractions
The Ocean Park is also a fully fledged amusement park. It has a Dragon roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, a swinging pirate ship, a space wheel, an octopus and many other rides. They are located in the Headland Rides and Adventure Land. The area also offers a panoramic view of the South China Sea. It is one of the best place to see the sunset in
Hong Kong.
If you prefer something less hair raising, the Ocean Park is also a marine park. The Atoll Reef is an aquarium with over 4000 fish from 400 different species. The Shark Aquarium is right next to it. It has the first underwater viewing tunnel in Asia. The tank houses more than 250 sharks and rays from over 35 species. The local Mafia is known to
throw their victims into the shark tank. Just joking. If you want entertainment, dolphin and sea lion show are performed 3 to 4 times daily.
For cultural experience, the Middle Kingdom, a Chinese cultural village, is located near the Headland Rides. Ancient China is recreated in an area full of temples, shrines, pavilions, street scenes, and pagodas. The entire village is over 10,000 square meters.
There are also Chinese kung fu and acrobatic demonstrations. It is basically a miniature “Epcot Center”.
Entrance Fee & Getting There
HK$140 for adults and HK$70 for kids between 3 to 11. The ticket is inclusive of all rides, exhibits and shows in the park.
Citybus operates shuttle bus from both the Admiralty MTR station and the Star Ferry. The bus is painted with the park’s logo (a seahorse).
October Calendar
On-going until December 28th 1999: Cantonese Opera Festival (tel: 2384-2928).
On-going until November 21st 1999: “The Rise of Modern China” exhibit at HK Museum of History, Special Exhibition.
October 1st: Chinese National Day (public holiday).
October 1st: National Day Recreation and Sports Carnival, Victoria Park.
October 2nd: Guangdong Cantonese Operatic Music Troupe at HK Cultural Center, Concert Hall (tel: 2734-2929).
October 3rd: HK Open Windsurfing Championships at Cheung Chau Tung Wan(tel: 2504-8255).
October 5th: Violin Recital by Maxim Vengerov at HK Cultural Center, Concert Hall(tel: 2734 2926).
October 6th: Birthday of Confucius.
October 9th: Concert by London Chamber Orchestra at City Hall.
October 15-16th: Musicarama – International Contemporary Music Festival at City Hall (tel: 2734-2929).
October 15-18th: Asia Action Expo at Tamar.
October 16-24th: CMG Asia Open (ATP tour tennis) at Victoria Park (tel: 2836-3613).
October 17-31st: Tap Dogs (high voltage tap performance combined with rock concert and theatre) at HK Academy for Performing Arts (tel: 2804-2805).
October 22 – November 13th: Chinese Art Festival at various venues (tel: 2734-2900).
October 24th: HK International Triathlon – Asian Series at Sai Kung (tel: 2504-8282).
October 31st: World Ballroom & Latin American Dance at Queen Elizabeth Stadium (tel: 2591-1302).
October 30-31st: Christie’s HK 1999 Autumn Auctions (public viewing) at J.W. Marriott Hotel (tel: 2521-5396).
Facts on me
I maintain a homepage on travel photos I’ve taken from around the world.
Quirky facts
When Great Britain took over Hong Kong in 1841, Lord Palmerston, the British foreign secretary called it: “A barren island with hardly a house upon it.”
Geography
1070 sq km, divided into Kowloon peninsula, HK Island, the New Territories and the 234 outlying islands.
Accommodation
Salisbury YMCA(a 4-star hotel) offers dorm beds for about HK$200 per night(tel 2369-2211).
Chungking Mansions
SCMP Hotel Guide
Transport
From the airport:
Hong Kong Int’l Airport
HKG Gateway
Within HK:
HK Public Transportation
MTR(subway)
Money
US$ 1 = HK$ 7.60.
The best moneychangers are located in Chungking Mansions.
Links
HK Tourist Association
What’s happening in town?(link to BC Magazine)
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