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Cambodia is a country of inescapable legacies. It is a country with the dubious distinctions of not only having some of the greatest monuments the world has ever seen but also enduring the suffering from some of the most atrocious crimes against humanity. Everywhere you turn, these legacies of its history are evident. During my visit in Cambodia, I saw amputees dragging themselves across the floors of markets begging for the generosity of those barely able to feed themselves and I was privileged enough to view the vast temples of Angkor. Buried for centuries in the jungles of Cambodia, the ancient temples of Angkor are the size of Manhattan Island and one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements. We visited these magnificent monuments - massive in scale and exquisite in detail - and visited Phnom Penh, with its crumbling colonial architecture, abject poverty, picturesque riverfront and stirring memorials. Our pictures and descriptions of some of the country’s sights could never do complete justice to the country of Cambodia so we encourage you to go there yourself with open mind and open heart.

Central Market

This hub of Phnom Penh is a large Art Deco structure built in the 1930s and now barely houses half of the merchants who peddle goods there. We thought it looked like something out of Mad Max.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison Museum

This former high school, which was used by the Khmer Rouge as an interrogation center, provides a powerful glimpse into the horrors of the Pol Pot regime. At this center, over 20,000 people were imprisoned and tortured of which only seven are known to have survived. The rest met their deaths at the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek. The prison has been left largely as it was in 1979. We wandered through the buildings, parts of which contain gruesome torture chambers complete with gory photos of the victims. It was truly an eye opening experience and makes you wonder how some people can be so cruel. In some of the rooms, the pictures and clothes of all the people who were executed are shown. In addition, we’ve included photos of the original Killing Fields, torture instruments and other policies of Pol Pot. We encourage you to watch the movie, The Killing Fields, if you want to understand the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot’s reign of terror.

In a nutshell, Pol Pot engineered an extreme version of Maoism where he killed all of the intellectuals, evacuated all of the cities, forced everyone to work in the fields, created a snitch society, forced mass arranged marriages, and filled the country with six to 10 million mines (approximately one mine per person). As a result, more than two million of Cambodia’s seven million people were killed. I’ve included some of the Prison Rules that were hung outside the torture chambers. It is given in Khmer and English. Two of the prisoners in the prison were Westerners.

In the courtyard of the prison, these tombstones are shown. Our guide informed us that during Pol Pot’s reign, he had some of his own high level Khmer Rouge officials tortured and killed because he suspected them of betrayal. I’ve included photos that depict one of several torture chambers left largely intact with a photo of how the prisoner died.

The map in the last room is made from the actual skulls of victims. It serves as a remembrance of the people who were killed. In each of the many killing fields across Cambodia, glass stupas have been erected filled with skulls as a remembrance. Small bones still litter many of the fields.

National Museum of Arts

Designed by a French architect, this museum is a beautiful example of Khmer-style architecture. The collection includes some fine pre-Angkorian statuary and many phallic (lingham) statues representing the Hindu god Shiva. As we walked around the museum we heard what appeared to be sounds of birds on the roof. In actuality, they were the sounds of bats inside the roof! Our guide informed us that if happened to be at the museum at sunset, you would see the sky above you covered with our winged friends.

Tonle Sap River

The stretch of land along the Tonle Sap river in Phnom Penh was one of the few areas where we saw any construction. A few years ago the government rebuilt it so it actually looks quite pleasant. Our guide informed us that the river actually changes the direction of its current when the seasons change.

Wat Phnom

This is the most sacred sight in all of Phnom Penh. According to legend, one Madame Penh founded a monastery atop an artificial hill here to house several statues of the Buddha that she discovered hidden inside a log. The current temple houses a number of Buddha relics.

Angkor Temples

The temples of Angkor, built from the 9th to the 13th centuries by the great Khmer Empire, covers an area the size of Manhattan Island and represents one of mankind’s greatest achievements. The grandeur of scale and the perfection of detail is really quite extraordinary. Visiting Angkor was truly an experience of a lifetime. The 100 or so temples constitute the sacred skeleton of a much larger and spectacular administrative and religious center whose houses, public buildings and palaces were constructed out of wood - now long decayed - because the right to dwell in structures of brick or stone was reserved for the gods. Restoration of the temples began early this century under the French and continues today under the auspices of the UN.

Angkor Thom

Our first visit was to Angkor Thom, the fortified city approximately 10 square km in extent. It was built by Angkor’s greatest builder, Jayavarman VII (J7), who came to power in the 12th century just after the disastrous sacking of the previous Khmer capital, centered on the Baphuon, by the Chams (people who settled in Vietnam). The city has five monumental gates, one each in the north, west and south walls (the entrance we came through) and two in the east wall. Below is the South Entrance to Angkor Thom which is lined with 54 statues of Gods and Demons.

The Bayon

The most outstanding feature of the Bayon, which was built by J7 in the exact center of the city of Angkor Thom, is the eerie and unsettling third level, with its icily smiling, gargantuan faces of Avalokitesvara (reputed to be based on J7). Almost as extraordinary are the Bayon’s 1,200m of bas-reliefs, incorporating over 11,000 figures. The famous carvings on the outer wall of the first level depict vivid scenes of life in the 12th century Cambodia.

Terrace of Elephants

The 350 meter long Terrace of Elephants was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall. The middle section of the retaining wall is decorated with human-sized garudas (mythical human birds) and lions. Towards either end as the two parts of the famous Parade of Elephants.

Terrace of the Leper King

The Terrace of the Leper King, just north of the Terrace of Elephants, is a platform seven meters in height on top of which stands a nude (though sexless) statue (actually a copy). The figure, possibly of Shiva, is believed by locals to be of Yasovarman, a Khmer ruler whom legend says died of leprosy.

The Baphuon

The Baphuon, a pyramidal representation of Mount Meru, is 200 meters north west of the Bayon. It was constructed by Udayadityavarman II (reigned 1050-66) at the center of the his city, the third built at Angkor. The decor of the Baphuon, including the door frames, lintels and octagonal columns, is particularly fine. On the western side of the temple, the retaining wall of the second level was fashioned - apparently in the 15th century - into a reclining Buddha 40m in length.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat, with its soaring towers and extraordinary bas-reliefs, is considered by many to be one of the most inspired and spectacular monuments ever conceived by the human mind. It was built by Suryavarman II (1112-52) to honor Vishnu(with whom he, as a god-king, was identified) and for use as his funerary temple. The central temple complex consists of three storeys, each of which encloses a square surrounded by intricately interlinked galleries. Rising 31m above the third level and 55m above the ground is the central tower, which gives the whole ensemble its sublime unity. Stretching around the outside of the central temple complex is an 800m long series of extraordinary bas-reliefs. Also located outside the temple is a Bodhi tree which is a symbol of the Tree of Enlightenment.

The most famous scene, the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, is along the southern section of the east gallery. This carving depicts 88 asuras (devils) on the left and 92 devas (gods) with crested helmets on the right, churning up the sea in order to extract the elixir of immortality, which both groups covet. I have a picture of it below along with other bas-reliefs of Apsaras and other interesting carvings.

Banteay Srei

In the morning we drove through the lush countryside to Banteay Srei, or the Citadel of the Women, which is a small architectural gem with unusually deep stone relief. Its located some 25km northeast of the main cluster of temples but takes over an hour to get to because the roads are so poorly made. The construction of this temple spanned two kingships - Rajendravarman II and Jayavarman V. The temple was built out of hard pink sandstone. The five structures at the center of the complex are amazing and the carvings are exquisite. The library to the south presents scenes of Ravana shaking Mount Kailusa.

Ta Prohm

The 17th century Buddhist temple of Ta Prohm is one of the largest Khmer
edifices of the Angkorian period and looks like something straight out of Indiana Jones. It has been left just as it looked when the first French explorers set eyes on its over a century ago. Whereas the other major monuments of Angkor have been preserved and made suitable for scholarly research by a massive program to clear away the jungle, this Buddhist temple has been left to the jungle. There is also a 500 years old acorn (last picture in the series below). Don’t miss this one!!

As the only Southeast Asian people never ruled by a Western power, Thais possess a unique and independent cultural heritage which they have maintained despite meteoric development and industrialization. “The Land of Smiles” might be a trite title but it is remarkably accurate. Wherever I went, I encountered friendly people willing to show the unique facets of the Thai culture. During my stay in Thailand, I was able to learn its history, accomplish some hilltribe trekking, visit ancient temples, brave the bustling cities, experience village life, and appreciate its natural beauty.

We began in Bangkok, with its shimmering temples, colorful markets and simple rural life off back canals. North of the capital we visited the former capital of Ayutthaya, a temple city that was once covered in gold. Then, by train, we traveled north to lovely Chiang Mai, a center of great folk arts and the starting point for our highland trek among the colorful hilltribes. We’ve included pictures from our trek and descriptions of some of the sights that we were able to see during our visit from July 12 to July 20, 1999. Enjoy!

Once known as the Venice of the East because of its dependence on canals for transport, Bangkok today is a bustling metropolis with some of Asia’s top hotels and attractions. Though the city’s main sights are its temples and palaces, what stayed most with me during our visits were the people and the pace of life. I encourage you to spend a few days in Bangkok but plan your time and visits wisely. It can be unbearably hot during the summer and the traffic jams can easily inflict road rage on even the most laid back traveler.

Some of my favorite sites included the Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This is one of Asia’s most spectacular temple complexes and it certainly worth a visit. In the cloisters you will see the Ramakian epic (a Thai version of the Indian Ramayana) and at the upper terrace there is the golden Phra Si Ratana Chedi, a mosaic-studded scripture library, and the Royal Pantheon, where brightly colored statues of monkeys and demons support two gilt stupas. Next comes the most important aspect of the complex for many Thais: the tiny jade Buddha image that resides in the Emerald Buddha Temple itself. Be sure to wear the appropriate attire (no shorts or open shoulders) at all Thai temples and be deferential to the worshippers at these sites.

In the same complex, we walked through the fusion of Western and Eastern architecture styles of the Grand Palace which is the former home of the Thai royal family and is still used for royal ceremonies. The most striking building is the Dusit Hall which is capped by a four-tiered roof. Along the west side of the Grand Palace is Wat Pho, Bangkok’s biggest and oldest temple. The main attraction here is the 151 foot long reclining Buddha image, the feet of which are inlaid with mother-of-pearl designs The whole complex has lots more to see including almost 100 stupas and statues.

Calypso Cabaret

This is one of Bangkok’s longest running transvestite shows and is performed in a 200-seat theater. As a red blooded heterosexual male, I can honestly admit that even I had a hard time believing that these people used to be men. Its one of those things that you really have to see to believe. Sources tell me that these performers have had the necessary operations to remove all vestiges of their former lives. I think I’ll take their word for it! Man or woman? You be the judge!

Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is the center of religious life for the Thai people. Its 945,000 square meters of grounds hold more than 100 buildings that represent over 200 years of royal history and architectural experimentation. These are the preeminent sights in Bangkok. Women have to wear a long skirt and cover their shoulders and men have to wear pants and a button-down shirt. In front of the entrance to the Grand Palace stands the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside the main chapel building is the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. It was discovered in 1434 when lightning shattered a chedi (tower) in the northern city of Chiang Rai. An abbot found a stucco Buddha inside. He took the stucco off to reveal the Emerald Buddha. These pictures depict some of the buildings in the temple compound and the halls of the Grand Palace. Notice that several of the buildings have a European flavor to them. This was because the king at the time admired the palaces of the European monarchy. In addition, the courtyards are littered with Chinese statues, many of which were gifts from the Chinese emperors.

Chao Phraya River

At times we explored the city by longtail boat. As you can seen in these pictures, the water is quite filthy (almost on par with the River Ganges in India). However, many people bathe in the river and live on its shores. We even managed to feed catfish that live in the river (we resisted the temptation to catch any of them for dinner). Bangkok’s canals offer exceptional sightseeing opportunities and a quieter, quicker alternative to any road-based transport. Some of the smaller canals wind through dense foliage flanked with stilted houses and small temples. We rode the longtail boats of Bangkok and even passed some mobile food stalls.

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

The name of this wat (temple) is derived from Aruna, the Hindu god of dawn. It was built during the Ayutthayan period, and its Khmer architecture (see my pictures from Cambodia) reflects the influence of the neighboring Angkor kingdom. Wat Arun’s distinctive 79m prang (center tower), was built in the Khmer style and is inlaid with ceramic tiles and porcelain. Our guide informed us that the temple’s phallic shape was not accidental. In the Hindu religion, the phallus (or lingham) is representative of the god Shiva and is a very sacred symbol. We seemed to encounter these phalluses wherever we went in Southeast Asia.

Tuk-Tuks

One way to get around town is by tuk-tuk. These three-wheeled motorized vehicles scour the city and generally try to rip you off. You should be able to get prices at least 30% cheaper than taxi fares. Be sure not to get scammed!

Wat Traimit or the Temple of the Golden Buddha

This temple is located in Chinatown and is home to the Giant Golden Buddha, a three meter, five ton, pure gold Sukhothai-style statue. When the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya, the people of the capital saved the statue by covering it with stucco. Its true identity remained a secret until 1955, when the statue slipped from a moving crane as it was being transported to Wat Traimit. Cracks developed in the plaster, the stucco was removed, and the Golden Buddha was rediscovered.

Chiang Mai is an interesting city in the north of Thailand. We visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Thailand’s most sacred pilgrimage sights perched on the hillside of one of the mountains overlooking the city of Chiang Mai. The name of the temple is derived from the hermit who inhabited the area before the shrine was built (Suthep) and the Buddha relics enshrined in the temple - namely his incus (a teeny anvil shaped bone in the middle ear). The relic is said to be inside the large golden chedi in the center of the temple. While we were there, Lauren gave alms according to her day of birth.

Another interesting experience in Chiang Mai, is a Khantoke dinner. This was a serious culinary experience. In this formal Northern Thai meal, diners sit on the floor and use their hands to eat from bowls placed on a low tray table called a khantoke. The dinner typically consists of glutinous rice, two meat dishes and two vegetable dishes. You can eat as much as you want (and we did!) and the dinner is followed by traditional Thai dancing. Following the dinner, we were escorted to a nearby auditorium where local villages perform their traditional dances in their traditional costumes. As you can see in the photos, these people really do wear these costumes in the villages.

The following day we set off early in the morning for a trek through a region famous for its hill tribes and their fields of opium producing poppies. The opium is gone but the countryside is littered with rice fields, corn fields, waterfalls and temples. During our first day of trekking we visited the Lisu, Lahu and Akha villages. We stayed overnight in an Akha village with no running water and electricity and experienced village life firsthand. We were awoken to the sounds of cockerels crowing, drank local moonshine made from corn, saw a pig get slaughtered and flayed, had an authentic Khantoke dinner, and made friends with the local children.

During our time there I realized how many of our modern conveniences I take for granted and also marveled at the ability of these villagers to get by with so little. Even cooking was done the local way - in an open pit! Without electricity and no lights, we slept at night (approximately 7 p.m.) and rose early the next day to the sounds of cockerels crowing (approximately 4 am). We typically showered using still water and used the same source for drinking as well! We watched the hilltribe people at their daily chores: killing animals and livestock, tending their elephants, heading to the fields, pounding rice by hand, and weaving textiles. After trekking through the countryside and Karen villages, we took an elephant ride (for about 1 hour) to a Palong village, Pang Deang, were we stayed overnight. The colorful Palong tribe originate from Myanmar (Burma). During our stay in the village, some Australian tourists actually mistook us for Thai locals and took a photograph of us on an elephant (go figure?). Some of our pictures include a local Karen boy and Palong villagers who were kind enough to sing for us.

Further along our trek we visited the Chiang Dao Caves. These caves were filled with old Buddha images, bizarre cave formations and thousands of bats. Outside the temple there were ponds filled with scores of carp, a symbol of prosperity.

After breakfast we started trekking for about 2 hours to the Mae Taeng River. There we took a bamboo raft for a trip on the river for about 1 hour. The water was relatively clean and extremely shallow. Some notable sights along the way included people fishing, trees covered with hornets nests, and a dead dog floating in the middle of the river.

Wat Chedi Luang was a temple built by King Saen Suang Ma in 1401 holds the remains of Chiang Mai’s largest chedi (monument/stupa) which once rose 86m above the ground. A naga (serpent) staircase adores the bot (chapel) which houses a gold Buddha and 32 story panels depicting the life of Buddha.

Wararot Market Shopping is quite an experience in Thailand. Markets are typically located in dilapidated buildings with food products on the lower floors and textiles on the upper floors. As with every market in Southeast Asia, bargaining is a way of life. Don’t ever pay more than 50% of the opening price unless you’re stupid or you feel charitable!

On the west side of the island is the Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a temple that contains three charred chedi (burned by the Burmese) . Now empty, they once contained the bones of the successive Ayutthayan kings Rama I, II and III. Wat Phra Si Sanphet.  Also of interest is the Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a building that shelters one of Thailand’s largest Buddha images (and is sponsored by Coca-Cola). Shameless sponsorship!!?? Finally of interest is the Wat Maha That.  This wat houses some interesting images. As you can see in my pictures, there is a Buddha statue that was completely covered by the roots of a tree, save its head, so that it gives the illusion that the Buddha is growing from the tree. Very unique!

Lantau is the largest outlying island in Hong Kong – almost twice the size of Hong Kong! More than half of Lantau has been designated a country park area. Its tranquil and green environment makes it a popular spot for nature lovers and hikers. Incidentally, the island is also home to Hong Kong’s top notch international airport, Chek Lap Kok, and much maligned Hong Kong Disneyland which opened in 2006.On a side note, as an illustration of how the Chinese language sometimes loses its beauty when translated, we’ve included the following picture. Here’s some useful information on the Lantau Island Ferry. Note that it still gets the point across:

Giant Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

The 34 meter high Giant Buddha, the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated, bronze Buddha statue, sits on a lotus throne above a three-platform altar and weighs 250 tons. We purchased an admission ticket with includes a vegetarian meal at the staircase in front of the Giant Buddha. As you can see from these pictures, its really an awesome sight as you approach it from the road and see the clouds surrounding Buddha. We also had a great vegetarian lunch in at the monastery dining hall and we were told that you can stay there for a night if you are seeking enlightenment.

The nearby Po Lin Monastery, set amid spectacular mountain scenery on the 520 meter high Ngong Ping plateau, has a fabulous vegetarian restaurant where we had a hearty lunch!

We visited Ngong Ping Village, a Hong Kong culturally-themed attraction. You can travel by Ngong Ping Skyrail (aka cable car) to the Ngong Ping Village which includes three themed attractions: Walking with Buddha, Monkey’s Tale Theater and Ngong Ping Tea House.

The Wisdom Path

This is an outdoor wooden replica of the centuries-old Heart Sutra, one of the world’s best known prayers that is revered by Confucius, Buddhists and Taoists alike. It has been erected in the form of the symbol for infinity (∞) which represents immeasurable splendor and the concept of nothingness.

Tung Chung Fort

Occupying a 70 meter by 80 meter site, Tung Chung Fort was built in the early 19th century as part of a short-lived attempt to suppress the opium trade and defend the coastal area from pirates. The fort was declared a monument in 1979.

In 1997, the British set sail from Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong became the new Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Today it’s business as usual in the former colony. Beneath all of the ultra-modern clothes and haircuts and the glossy building exteriors, however beats the heart of old Hong Kong. CEOs head home to light joss sticks and pay homage to Buddha in front of ancestral shrines. The gliding junks and incense-clouded temples of Hong Kong’s past endure, somewhat obscured by McDonald’s golden arches and shelves upon shelves of Gap khakis.

My wife and I had the unique opportunity to grow up in Hong Kong during its rise as an “Asia Tiger”. During the 1970s and 1980s, Hong Kong evolved from a back water entreport into a global financial center to rival New York, London and Tokyo. Much has changed since we left for North America. Gone are the rickshaws that populated the Star Ferry and the abundant number of foreigners that gave Hong Kong a colonial, cosmopolitan feel. Much has changed. For instance, in place of the many British are now many tourists from Mainland China. Both most things remain the same – if not more abundant. Skyscrapers are even more prevalent as are the number of taxi cabs and . Domestic help from south east Asia countries such as Philippines and Indonesia appear more abundant than ever – particularly on Sundays in key parts of Central. And the pollution seems to keep growing at an ever increasing pace…However, going back to Hong Kong always gives my wife and me a sense of nostalgia. It is truly a unique place and I highly encourage you to visit if you ever find yourself in Asia. You will not be disappointed!

The city is definitely a must for anyone thinking about traveling to the region and is an ideal location to start any journey through southeast Asia. I personally lived there for over 13 years so I can recommend places to eat and things to see during your visit. I’ve included my pictures and descriptions of some of the sights that I was able to see during my visit from July 4 to July 12, 1999. Enjoy!

The Peak

The Peak is one of my favorite places in Hong Kong because it is here where you can truly experience the sharp contrasts of city, harbor and green. The great vistas make it one of the most popular tourist destinations and the clean air makes it a novelty in a city full of smog and congestion! On a clear (aka rare) day, you can see Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong Disneyland, Lamma Island and other outlying islands. You can get here either by taking a bus or the Peak Tram from Central. I highly recommend the Peak Tram which has been providing unforgettable views since 1888. The cable pulled tram travels along a track so steep that nearby buildings appear to be tilting!

Western Market & Sheung Wan Fong

The Western Market, an Edwardian-style building originally called the Harbour Office, was built in 1906 and later became a food market before closing in 1988. Two years later, it was declared a historical monument, renovated and re-opened as the Western Market in 1991. Next to it is a compass-like piazza named Sheung Wan Fong. I encourage you to visit this market to see how people in Hong Kong bought meat before the advent of mass supermarkets. I remember coming here as a boy and seeing all the carcasses hanging from hooks and listening to the local butchers yell out the latest deals of the day. The smell of the place still lingers in my mind and if you ever get a chance to whiff the air you’ll know what I mean.

Man Mo Temple

One of the first traditional style temples built during the colonial era, Man Mo Temple’s magnificent external architecture reflects its historical roots. Inside, the air is thick with plumes of aromatic smoke from the coils and incense sticks that are said to carry prayers to the spirit world. Gold altars and red shrines pay homage to the Taoist gods of literature (“Man”) and war (“Mo”) – “Man” with his calligraphy brush and “Mo” with his sword. There is also a statue of Pau Kung, the god of justice, and another of Shing Wong, the god of the city. The plaques near the entrance give an interesting perspective on the history of the temple and its gods. The temple’s historical relics include a bronze bell dated 1847 and imperial sedan chairs made in 1862.

Avenue of the Stars

Located in Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon is Asia’s first Avenue of the Stars. Here you can see plaques honoring celebrities from the Hong Kong silver screen and those behind the camera.

Clock Tower

Located next to the Kowloon-side Star Ferry is the clock tower. Part of the original Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus, the clock tower was completed and came into operation in 1921. This is a landmark from the Age of Steam, a time when people spent days traveling across Europe and Asia.

Victoria Harbor

Nothing demonstrates the pulsating growth of Hong Kong more than Victoria Harbor. As you can see in these pictures, Hong Kong has grown rapidly from a small island into a thriving metropolis with skyscrapers that rival New York and Tokyo.

In the first picture below, the Bank of China designed by I.M. Pei (of the Louvre museum fame) and the HSBC bank can clearly be seen. In addition, the following pictures show the Hong Kong convention center constructed for the handover ceremony of Hong Kong to China in June 1997.

View of the Hong Kong Convention Center.

Obelisk memorializing the handover of Hong Kong.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

This very large and active Taoist temple was built in 1973 and contains some sights that are very common in Chinese culture but may seem usual for people from the West. Aside from the people praying and giving offerings to the gods, there are galleries of fortune tellers, people shaking joss sticks for good luck and fortune telling, beautiful stone gardens carved in traditional Chinese style and numerous urns for burning incense. Below is a picture of Lauren having her fortune told by a local fortune teller. In addition, I’ve included pictures of numerous bas-reliefs of Kowloon (Nine Dragons) at the Wong Tai Sin Temple.

Longest Suspension Bridge In The World

This bridge that links Hong Kong Island to Lantau Island (site of the new airport and the giant Buddha statue) is reputed to be the longest in the world (take that San Francisco!!).

Longest Escalator In the World (Travelator)

At 800 meters long, this is the world’s longest covered escalator. It links Des Voeux Road Central near the harbor to Conduit Road (where I lived) in the Mid-Levels. The escalator is a convenient way to see the city hillside which contains great restaurants and shops. Traveling the entire length takes about 20 minutes. The escalator runs one-way downhill from 6 am to 10 am and then uphill from 10:20 am to midnight. This hillside escalator is known locally as a travelator. We took it many times to travel from Central to the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong Island in an effort to avoid the horrendous traffic.

Tiger Balm Gardens

Officially known as the Aw Boon Haw Gardens, these gardens are three hectares of grotesque sanctuary in appalingly bad taste but are a sight to behold. Aw Boon Haw made his fortune from the Tiger Balm cure everything medication and this was his gift to Hong Kong. Its meant to teach people about heaven and hell and famous Chinese religious beliefs. Unfortunately, its scheduled to be torn down before the beginning of the Millenium so if you want to see it you must hurry! Below I’m standing in front of a few murals depicting life in Hell. Not exactly the Sistine Chapel…

Ching Chung Koon Temple

Located on the north east side of the New Territories, this temple is a classic illustration of Chinese temple architecture. These pictures show the classic urns for incense burning, the furnaces for burning paper objects so that they can be used in the afterlife (e.g., money, cars, clothes, etc.), porcelain paintings, and tiled frescoes.

Above is a typical furnace used for burning offerings and all things made of paper including money, cars, houses, etc. Essentially anything you want to take to the after-life or sent to your ancestors in the after-life.

Yuen Yuen Institute

This Taoist temple complex pays homage to not just Taoism (ancestor worship), but Confucianism and Buddhism. The temple has a blend of Confucius, Buddha and Tao and contains several very Zen-like stone gardens. Coincidentally, we bumped into a business school classmate here, Anthony Soohoo!

Food!

If not for the amazing sights, you should at least head to Hong Kong for its culinary delights! Although we have lived in Hong Kong for many years and eaten many exotic Eastern and Western dishes, nothing was quite as unusual as pillow toast. This is a loaf of bread that is full of butter and toasted. The outside is hard but the inside tastes rather buttery and gooey. Definitely an interesting Eastern play on a very Western food!