Hong Kong: Where My Grand Tour of China Began
I was met off of the plane by Margaret and the twins. Such a wonderful welcome and beginning. They were taking this first leg. I looked forward to joining Kenny Zhao and the rest of the family later in my trip. It took a team to provide this experience. So thankful!
Every grand journey has a beginning, and mine began in Hong Kong in October 2024. This remarkable city offered a first taste of the contrasts that would define my trip through China: dramatic landscapes, impressive architecture, lively urban life, and wonderful food.
Hong Kong is known around the world for its soaring skyline and busy harbor, but the city and its surrounding islands also offer mountains, temples, traditional villages, and quiet places of reflection. My photographs capture a few of these different sides of Hong Kong.
A Journey Above Lantau Island
Lantau Island’s green mountains and water, viewed from above.
One of the striking things about Hong Kong is how quickly
the landscape changes. Beyond the crowded urban districts are green mountain
ridges, bays, and islands. Lantau Island offers a very different atmosphere
from the high-rise heart of the city.
The journey across the hills on the Ngong Ping cable car.
The cable car journey toward Ngong Ping gives visitors a
sweeping view of the island’s hills and waterways. It is a memorable way to
approach one of Hong Kong’s best-known spiritual and cultural landmarks.
The Tian Tan Buddha and Ngong Ping
The approach to the Tian Tan Buddha complex.
The gateway and mountain setting near the Big Buddha.
The Tian Tan Buddha, often called the Big Buddha, sits on
Lantau Island near the Po Lin Monastery. Completed in 1993, the large bronze
seated Buddha has become an important landmark and a destination for visitors
interested in Hong Kong’s Buddhist heritage.
The Tian Tan Buddha, one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable landmarks.
Approaching the statue, the scale of the figure becomes
especially clear. Its elevated position and the surrounding mountain scenery
make the site feel quite different from Hong Kong’s dense commercial districts.
Sculptures surrounding the Buddha add detail to the pilgrimage site.
The sculptures and ceremonial details around the site add
another layer to the visit. They invite a closer look at the religious
symbolism and artistic traditions that are part of the complex.
With my tour guides, Margaret and the twins, at Ngong Ping Village.
Ngong Ping Village provides a visitor stop near the cultural
site, and this personal photograph preserves a moment from the day. Travel
memories are often made up of these small experiences as much as the famous
landmarks themselves.
A Taste of Hong Kong
A serving of dim sum, a classic part of Hong Kong’s food culture.
Food is an essential part of experiencing Hong Kong. Dim
sum—small dishes often enjoyed with tea—reflects the city’s deep Cantonese
culinary traditions. From dumplings to steamed buns and other shared plates, a
meal can be both a delicious experience and a window into local culture.
The Skyline and Victoria Harbour
Hong Kong’s dense skyline viewed from a high vantage point.
Hong Kong’s skyline is among the most recognizable in the
world. High-rise buildings rise between the harbor and the surrounding hills,
creating a dramatic urban landscape. The city’s compact geography makes the
contrast between towers, water, and green slopes especially striking.
Hong Kong Island and Kowloon glowing along Victoria Harbour at night.
After dark, the lights along Victoria Harbour create another
view of the city. The waterfront has long been central to Hong Kong’s identity
as a port and international trading center, and the night skyline captures its
modern energy.
The Beginning of the Grand Tour
Hong Kong was the first chapter of my October 2024 journey
through China. It introduced me to a place where Chinese traditions,
international influences, dramatic landscapes, religious landmarks, and
contemporary city life exist side by side.
From the mountains of Lantau Island to the skyline along Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong offered a memorable start to the adventure. In the next chapter, I’ll continue on to the other cities that made this grand tour such a rewarding experience.
