China’s President Xi Jinping has officially opened the world’s longest bridge and sea tunnel crossing in Hong Kong in 2018. The 55km bridge, which will connect Hong Kong and Macau is 20 times longer than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (Hong Kong Link section). Picture: Hong Kong Tourism
It’s already being touted as one of the new modern marvels of the world.
Spanning the sea from an artificial island near Hong Kong International Airport to Macao and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai, the bridge contains enough steel to build 60 Eiffel Towers. It is designed to last 120 years, two decades longer than the lifespan of most major sea-cross bridges.
Here are a few more things you may not know about Hong Kong for families.
Hong Kong is mostly green space
When most people think of Hong Kong holidays, they think of the city, tall buildings and small apartments. That does exist.
Hong Kong City skyline. Picture: Alison Godfrey
But in fact, Hong Kong has an unbelievable amount of green space. Check out the map. At least 40 per cent of Hong Kong is official green space, according to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation.
You don’t have to go far from the city to head into green space.
Sai Kung East Country Park and Tai Lam Country Park have incredible hikes. The photo below was not taken in the Pacific Islands. This is actually Hong Kong.
Backcountry Hong Kong. Picture: Alison Godfrey
You can get a suit made in one day
Head to Nathan Road in Kowloon Hong Kong and you can get a suit made to fit perfectly. Nathan Road is known as the “Golden Mile”. It runs from Victoria Harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui in the South to Prince Edward and Sham Shui Po in the North.
Duck into any of the tailors on this shopping strip and they can make a bespoke suite for you.
Hong Kong has Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland is smaller than the other Disney parks. But it is closer. And it is manageable for little kids.
Families can explore Toy Story Land, the princesses castle and all the magic that is Disneyland.
You could be here in under 10 hours from Australia. Picture: Hong Kong Disney Land
You can run around the racecourse
Happy Valley is one of the most famous racecourses in the world. This Hong Kong racetrack hosts million-dollar races and extravagant parties.
Something many people don’t know is that you can actually run around the racetrack as the horses train each morning. And in the middle – you will find a heap of sporting fields including soccer and hockey.
Running the Happy Valley racetrack in Hong Kong. Picture: Alison Godfrey
Entry is free. You will get to see the horses training for the day and you can run the kids energy out.
Hong Kong goes nuts for Halloween
Halloween is huge in Hong Kong. Every year the streets and bars of Central are decorated with ghoulish fare. Wander around at night at the end of October and you will see dozens of people dressed up for Halloween parties.
The marketplace in Central will replace many of the souvenirs with Halloween masks and decorations at this time of year.
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Want to know more about Hong Kong holidays?
Why Hong Kong is more than a stopover (video)
5 reasons to visit China with the family
All About Hong Kong (Insider Tips from Local Kids)
Travel allows you to get outside your bubble. It makes you realise there are other ways to do things, and that’s OK. Plus, I am a huge fan of skiing and for the best powder – you need to head overseas.