From Central and Western District by Beth is Asia

Teaching abroad is a great way to get to know a foreign land on a more intimate level than a mere vacation would allow. You become immersed in the language, get to know the people, and discover favorite haunts that begin to feel like small homes away from home. RealTraveler Beth in Asia is taking a semester in Hong Kong to teach primary school. When she’s not working hard, she’s off touring the many exciting sites of this energetic city. She rode a double-decker bus to Exchange Square — a set of cylindrical, striped towers in downtown that house the Hong Kong Stock Exchange — and strolled along the pier there, enjoying people-watching. She says from here you may take a ferry to the island surrounding Hong Kong island — a great day-trip idea.

Beth also enjoyed browsing the handicrafts, fabrics and antiques of the Western Market, the city’s oldest surviving market building. She writes:

“I walked over the foot bridge toward the Western Market. This is an Edwardian-style building (they say!) and it was built in 1906. It has several Chinese shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs. The second floor is full of fabric sales people. I just browsed. I continued my browsing while walking through Hollywood Road and and Possession Street where there are endless antique shops. On Hollywood Road is one of Hong Kong’s oldest temples, Man Mo Temple. Inside there are huge coils of incense hanging from the ceiling (see attached picture). It was quite the sensory experience with the sights and smells. The altar was bright with golds and reds and flashing lights. This temple pays homage to the Taoist gods of literature (”Man”) and war (”Mo”). Many people stopped to burn incense and say a quite prayer.” (more…)

Beth in Asia also experienced the world’s longest escalator system, which eases the commutes of Hong Kong residents. Beth writes:

“Next I made my way over to the Mid-Level Escalator. At 800-meters long, this is the world’s longest covered escalator. Before 10 am the escalator takes people traveling down, after 10:00, it switches direction and only travels up for the rest of the day and evening. That means you have to walk the steep sidewalk and stairways back down, or flag down a taxi. The escalator travels through many streets in an area called SoHo, named for its location, South of Hollywood Road. Everywhere you look in this area is another funky bar, outdoor cafe or coffee shop. I couldn’t resist. I stopped and had a glass of wine while people watching.” (more…)

Interested in discovering more of what Hong Kong has to offer? Check out the rest of Beth’s travels: Homebase: Hong Kong, and also visit the useful links below for advice, photos, and reviews from people who have been there.

Useful Links:
Hong Kong Travel Guide
Hong Kong Itineraries
Hong Kong Travel Blogs
Teaching English in China
Teachabroad.com