Encompassing nearly 250,000 square metres and opened in 1988 on the Wan Chai waterfront, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is an integrated complex with exhibition halls, hotels, theatres, harbourfacing restaurants and impressive"glass-curtain" walls, which provide magnificent views of the harbour and the city. The original building was expanded in 1997 with an elegant extension that resembles a soaring bird and is meant to symbolize the free spirit of the city. The world's attention focused here on June 30, 1997 with the ceremony marking Hong Kong's return to China. Enjoying pride of place on the waterfront is a six - metrehigh golden bauhinia statue, presented to the people of Hong Kong on this momentous occasion.

Wan Chai

The days of Suzie Wong as portrayed in the 1957 movie may be long gone, but Wan Chai is still known for its lively nightlife replete with all manner of bars and restaurants. There is also a dizzying array of shops and markets, and cultural venues such as Hong Kong Academy for performing arts and the Hong Kong Arts Centre. There are hostess bars along Lockhart Road, and although they have lost much of their lustre over the years it is worth a visit to see the garnish neon. There are British and Irish pubs, dance clubs, and a zesty street life that is always full of surprises. Wan Chai tends to be a very latenight spot, and the visitor can party literally till dawn or later.

Victoria Peak (an elevation of 554 metres)

Hong Kong has perhaps the most extraordinary and legendary vista of any modern city in the world. Mushrooming skyscrapers and high-rise residential blocks encircle the vibrant harbour, with the hills of Kowloon in the distance. An upper-class residential area in British occupied times, The Peak is still Hong Kong's pushiest area with rent for a one- bedroom apartment starting as high as HK $ 50,000 per month. One glimpse of the awe-inspiring view and the price may seem more reasonable. Whether by day or night, Victoria Peak is a must-see.

The best way to get to th~ top is by the Peak Tram, a historical funicular railway, which carves a steep 373-metre-high swathe up the lush mountainside. Try to get seats at the front of the tram on the right-hand side. Breathtaking is the only way to describe the panorama of soaring buildings and harbour views from this vantage point. To avoid the crowds, catch the first tram up in the morning and enjoy the splendour in solitude. A quick way to Hong Kong's most specutacular lookout point, the funicular tram (simultaneous ascending and descending cars hooked together by a huge cable) is not to be missed. Operating since 1888, this authentically refurbished cable railway climbs the 373 metres to the Peak Terminus in eight minutes and used to complete with sedan chairs as the most popular way up. The tram runs daily 7am-midnight at 10-minute intervals.

Perched like an eagle's nest high above the incredible harbour and cityscape, the wok-shaped Peak Tower offers viewing terraces and other attractions. The visitor will enjoy the rides and exhibits. Next door, the Peak Galleria is the city's highest shopping plaza. The visitor can dine on a balcony overlooking the harbour or enjoy panoramic views from restaurants and terraces. Just across the road is the charming Peak Cafe, housed in a building that was originally a station for sedan chairs.

Causeway Bay and Happy Valley

Causeway Bay is to Hong Kong what Times Square to New York-vibrant, exciting, neon-lit and flooded with wall-to-wall people from all corners of the world. It is a crossroads of the city, a major shopping and entertainment area, and home to large Japanese department stores. On race days much of the attention shifts to the nearby Happy Valley Racecourse, where billions of Hong Kong dollars are wagered every race meeting. Races at Happy Valley began in 1846 on reclaimed marshland, but today the track is ultra-sophisticated with computerized betting and races broadcast live on gigantic screens. The nearby Hong Kong Racing Museum is popular with horseracing buffs. Eight galleries and a showcase cinema trace the phenomenal success story of horseracing in Hong Kong, from the first track built on reclaimed marshland in the 1840s to the record-breaking betting turnovers of today.

Stanley

Most likely the visitor has already heard about the Stanley Market. This is the place to find silk gannents, sportswear, art, Chinese costume jewel, souvenirs and other bargains, and is definitely worth the half-day or so it will take to visit. But Stanley offers much more to while away the hours. There is relaxing beach, quiet waterfront restaurants, a Tin Hau Temple , the Old Stanley Fort (accessible only with a permit) and some historic military sites. Stanley was heavily shelled in World War II, and it is believed that the Tin Hau Goddess saved villagers' lives. The temple is located on the outskirts of J\1a Hang Village, beyond the Stanley Market and picturesque bay. A military cemetery opposite St Stephen's Beach is the final resting place of allied soldiers who died here during the war. At the other end of the village the visitor will find the Old Police Station. An historical landmark, it was renovated in 1993 into a thoroughly modem restaurant that retains its unusual heritage.

Tin Hau Temple is located in the heart of Yau Ma Tei and is Hong Kong's most interesting temple complex. The four temples inside are nearly a century old. The main temple is dedicated to the Taoist deity Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea. The others are devoted to the God of the City, God of the Earth and Goddess of Mercy. In the courtyard, fortune- tellers read chime (bamboo fortune sticks), which contain cryptic messages that need to be translated.

Repulse Bay

Primarily a well-to-do residential area, Repulse Bay has a relaxed, almost resort-like atmosphere. The wide beach is popular with residents and great for sandy strolls. The Life Guard Club, built in traditional Chinese style, features statues of Kuan Yum and Tin Hau, both protectors of fishermen, Repulse Bay arcade, resembling the original luxury hotel that occupied the site, houses shops and restaurants.

Ocean Park/Middle KingdomlWater World

Ocean Park, Hong Kong's most bustling tourist attraction, the largest entertainment complex in East Asia, opened a new attraction in early January 2001 that recreates the cultural attractions and natural habitat of the California Coast of North America. Pacific Pier encompasses more than 4,000 square metres and strives to make the area as close to a natural setting as possible, including waves, rocky shorelines and a beach. As Ocean Park's first attraction specifically designed on a single theme, Pacific Pier is now home to 14 sea lions, eight harbour seals and one grey seal. It also features California themed exhibits and dining and shopping areas specially designed to provide visitors with a real-life California experience. Apart from taking visitors on a real-life journey to the California Coast, Pacific Pier also provides visitors close encounters with animals through shows and exhibits. Opened in January 1977, Ocean Park has over the years built itself into a world-class attraction and ranks among the world's top 25 theme parks in attendance.

Tsing Ma Bridge/Lantau Link Visitors' Centre and Viewing Paltform

This centre offers even more behind-the-scenes details of the Tsing Ma Bridge's construction-and incredible views. The HK $ 13. 1 billion Lantau Link connects Lantau Island and the Hong Kong International Airport to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The viewing platform overlooks Hong Kong's two busiest shipping channels. The Tsing Ma Bridge totals 2,200 metres.

Outlying Islands

Of Hong Kong's more than 260 outlying islands, only a few of them such as Lantau Island:kdJ!j fib, Cheung Chau *tfH, Camma Island j¥J '( lib and Peng Chau p-ftfH are populated. Visiting the islands is a wonderful way to hike in the lush and underdeveloped countryside and wander through quiet villages. The main islands are no more than an hour away by ferry.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa announced on November 2, 1999 that an agreement was reached between Hong Kong and the Walt Disney Corporation in the United States to build a Disney theme park and resort on Penny's Bay on the north of Lantau against the backdrop of the South China Sea. The agreement followed nine months of solid negotiations. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on January 12, 2003. The ceremony marked the beginning of the construction of the 126hectare Phase I, China's first Disney theme park. The entrance fee for the park, scheduled to open in late 2005, will be around HK $ 250 (US $ 32) , lower than the widely expected HK $ 300 (US $ 38). The theme park will include two hotels and a retail, dining and entertainment complex. The park will be the world's fifth Disney theme park and the third outside the United States, following Tokyo in Japan and Paris in France. Tung Chee-hwa told a news briefing that the Hong Kong Disneyland would ensure that Hong Kong becomes the "favourable tourist destination" in the region, strengthening its status as a "world city" and helping sustain economic recovery and growth. The HKASR government will invest 22.45 billion HK dollars (US $ 2.87 billion) in the project. The park is expected to attract over 5 million people in its first year of operation. This figure is expected to rise to 10 million after 15 years. The massive project will create around 6,000 jobs during the construction phase and some 10,000 jobs by the land reclamation and other associated work. The project will bring an estimated 148 billion HK dollars (US $ 18.97 billion) into the HK economy over a 40-year period-eight times the original investment. The Disney Theme Park would enhance Hong Kong's tourism potential and establish its status as "Asia's premier tourism destination city." The Disney development will benefit not only tourism, but also related sectors, like catering and transport. It would also. strength Hong Kong's image and position as the leading international city in Asia. The Disneyland project conforms the government's "sustainable development" strategy. Since Hong Kong is densely populated, developing. heavy industry would have a detrimental effect on living standards. Horig Kong needs entertainment facilities. Building a theme park is far bett~r than building a container terminal. The project would help promote Hong Kong's role as a tourism destination in Asia and stil)lUlate Hong Kong's economic development. Disney's choice of Hong Kong as the site will also have a positive effect on building Hong Kong people's confidenctO in fheir future.

Currently, per capita of Hong Kong's GDP reaches US$ 24,000.

In 2004, visitor arrivals reached a record high of 21. 8 million, with 56 per cent of them coming from the mainland. For the first time, Hong Kong has been listed as one of the top 10 tourisn destination by the World Tourisn Organization in 2005.

Donald Tsang won support from 714 members of the 796-strong Election Committee making him the only valid nomination. He was approved by the State Council chief executive of Hong Kong on June 21, 2005. Tsang's term will last till the end of June 2007 .