One of the world's most significant financial centers, Hong Kong is renowned for its skyline, with a high density of skyscrapers. Modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan as this Chinese region may be, there's more to Hong Kong that meets the eye. Here are some interesting facts you probably didn't know about Hong Kong.
Although Hong Kong is famous for its towering skyscrapers, 40 percent of the territory is actually country and nature reserve. Hiking the green trails, in fact, is a favorite weekend-getaway pastime for locals.
It is general knowledge that Hong Kong means "fragrant harbor" in Chinese. Historians suggest the name is given due to its former export of fragrant incense. What most people don't know, however, is that when you utter the word "Kowloon" it means "nine dragons." According to Folklore, when a young emperor observed the area's eight hills, he named the land "eight dragons," until his servant pointed out that the emperor should be considered a dragon too, therefore nine. Kow sounds like "gau" or nine in Cantonese, and Loon is like "lung" or dragon.
Hong Kong is an autonomous territory and its official name is longer than most names: "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China."
Although most people are familiar with Hong Kong's skyline, not everybody is aware that Hong Kong has the maximum number of skyscrapers (buildings with more than 14 floors) in the whole world. With over 1200 skyscrapers, HK quadruples NYC's tall buildings.
But these heights don't come without luxury. It is a fact that Hong Kong has more Rolls Royce's per capita than anywhere else in the world.
Hong Kong keeps breaking records with its bridge Tsing Ma, the longest road and rail suspension bridge in the world with a span of 1,377 meters, surpassing Golden Gate Bridge by almost 100 meters.
Hong Kong is also home to two legends of World cinema, Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, the kings of Kung Fu and Martial arts.
If you ever happen to visit Hong Kong, you should try the Ngong Ping 360, a 25 minute cable ride covering a distance of 3.5 miles. It offers stunning panoramic views of Hong Kong and it is one of the longest bi-cable aerial rides in Asia connecting Tung Chung to Ngong Ping.
While you are in Hong Kong, don't miss out on the watching "A Symphony of Lights," the world's largest permanent light and sound show according to Guinness World Records. This daily light and sound show is organized by Hong Kong Tourism Board and it lasts for around 14 minutes. With searchlights and lasers streaming through 47 skyscrapers on both sides of Victoria harbor, it is a must-see for every tourist.
Although this fact is not as surprising as the others, it is still notable to mention: with a population of over 7 million in a small land mass, Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities int he world.
Great population is also coupled with great intelligence and Honkongers are intelligent indeed with the highest IQ average in the world at 107.
Although the region is highly populated, traffic jams are not an issue as HK is one of the least car dependent cities and 90 percent of all trips are taken on public transport. That amounts to the impressive amount of over five million passengers daily.