Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary, made up of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. It is a harbor city of towers, ferries and markets that also has hiking trails, outlying islands and temples. Most visitors spend three to four days, and many use it as a gateway to Macau and Guangdong.
| Area | 2,755.03 km² in all; 1,114.57 km² of land (Hong Kong Island and nearby islands 80.72, Kowloon 46.93, New Territories 986.92) |
|---|---|
| British period | British landing 26 January 1841; island ceded after the Opium War in 1842; Kowloon in 1860; New Territories leased for 99 years from 9 June 1898 |
| Handover | became a special administrative region of China on 1 July 1997 |
| Tian Tan Buddha | 26.4 m figure, about 34 m with its base; 250 tonnes; 207 bronze pieces; 268 steps; consecrated 29 December 1993 |
| Name | from “fragrant harbor”, the port that shipped incense wood in the Ming dynasty |
A short history
People have lived in the area for about 7,000 years, and the Qin brought it under Chinese rule in 214 BC. In the Ming dynasty it was a place that shipped fragrant incense wood from Dongguan, and the name Hong Kong is first recorded between 1573 and 1619. British forces landed on 26 January 1841, Britain occupied Hong Kong Island after the Opium War in 1842, and it became a colony in 1843. Kowloon south of Boundary Street was ceded by the Convention of Peking in 1860, and the New Territories and 235 islands were leased for 99 years under an agreement signed on 9 June 1898. Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Hong Kong became a special administrative region on 1 July 1997.
Tian Tan Buddha and Ngong Ping
The Tian Tan Buddha sits on Lantau Island above Po Lin Monastery at 520 meters, and Chinese Wikipedia describes it as the world’s tallest outdoor seated bronze Buddha. The figure is 26.4 meters tall and about 34 meters with its lotus seat and base, weighs 250 tonnes, and is made of 207 bronze pieces. Visitors climb 268 steps. Po Lin began planning it in 1981; the pieces were cast in Nanjing and shipped to Hong Kong in 1989, and it was consecrated on 29 December 1993, 12 years after the project began and at a cost of over 60 million Hong Kong dollars.
Harbor, markets and food
Victoria Harbour divides Hong Kong Island from Kowloon, and ferries cross it constantly. Sheung Wan and Wan Chai have markets and old shops, and Central has restaurants from tea cafes to fine dining. We have not verified opening hours or prices here, so check ahead for the Peak Tram, the Star Ferry and any market you plan to visit.
Planning Hong Kong
October to December is usually the most comfortable period. Three to four days covers the harbor, the Peak, Lantau and a day in the New Territories or the outlying islands. Many trips continue to Macau or to Xiamen and Guilin. See also our China tours.
Planning Hong Kong with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Hong Kong that means a hotel on the harbor, a guide for the temples and markets, and transfers to Macau or the mainland. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our China tours or tell us your dates.
Sources (read in Chinese, Chinese Wikipedia): 香港, 天坛大佛. Last checked November 2026.
Hong Kong: FAQ
How big is Hong Kong?
2,755 square kilometers in all, of which about 1,115 are land.
When did Hong Kong become part of China again?
On 1 July 1997, when it became a special administrative region.
How tall is the Tian Tan Buddha?
26.4 meters, or about 34 meters with its base, on Lantau Island.
How many days do you need in Hong Kong?
Three to four days.
What does the name Hong Kong mean?
It is usually explained as “fragrant harbor”, after the incense wood the port shipped in the Ming dynasty.