Hong Kong and the capitalist extravaganza

Hong Kong has the same population as my region –or country, since it’s Catalonia and probably you all know a bit about that… That is 7,5 million and a huge difference: Hong Kong has a tenth of the territory compared to my land. This means a density of population of 6.5 thousand inhabitants per km², the fourth higher for any country in the world.

We also have to remember, though, that Hong Kong is in truth a part of the Republic of China. To land in the city is to land in the far eastern alter-ego of Manhattan, NY. Skyscrapers everywhere, but of course with an obvious Asian flare. The one and a half hour ride from the Airport to the city center promises an enormous hub of surprises for the traveller.

Communism takes a nap

Again, the fun part is to reflect on the fact that you are in China, probably the most illustrious communist stronghold –with Cuba– that remains in the 21st century. Communism, as Hong Kong proves, is just a sort of capitalist branding now, an appeal, but not a reality. A skyline like New York and an economic system that has produced some of the biggest banks in the world, this small but towering place proves who has won ‘the battle’.

Neon lights and crowded shops, the Hong Kongese love each and every one of the capitalist treats. A coffee in Starbucks, the latest designs of Gucci and the special edition of the Jordan I. The Nike lab in Wan Chai, for instance, had a whole block of line with people even sleeping in the street trying to get the first ballots –not the actual product– to be eligible to buy it in the first place. This is crazy but normal in here. In only four days I saw three of these humongous lines: either for fashion items or videogames, it didn’t really matter.

Shopping and spending, and eating all kinds of delicious food –fancy or not, in this case– are the main pass times of the locals. And thus, even the tourists like me feel the vibe and end up getting on the line. I couldn’t resist buying a new lens. Damn it, I’ll blame it on the mass effect. Even though all this could be taking aback the nature lovers and the idealists that still live in our world, Hong Kong is still a marvellous place to be.

The many islands that comprehend it’s small territory have enough space for this cosmopolitan frenzy but also encompass beautiful peaks, awesome natural trails and beaches to surf or suntan (if the pollution and the fog allow it). The international vibe has made HK a great foodie destination, and the city hosts the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the whole world: a Dim Sum that’ll bring you to heaven. The weather is fairly nice for Southeast Asia, and to sum it up there’s one thing that Hong Kong is not: boring.

Tip: Although it’s a ‘small’ territory, Hong Kong has a weeks worth of entertainment for most tourists, and rushing a visit for two or three days won’t feel like enough for most people. A good idea is to stay for 5-7 days to slow down a bit and actually enjoy the little corners in the city. For longer holidays, Hong Kong is a good preview to mainland China. Cheap flights, Visa agencies and also a Western-Eastern mixture to soften the entrance.