My First Impression of Hong Kong

My First Impression of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is not only a coastal city; she is a vast sea herself. A sea is capacious, and Hong Kong’s charm also lies in her capaciousness towards different ethnic groups as well as her permissiveness towards contrasting values. Before I came to Hong Kong, I already knew she is a cosmopolitan metropolis; but after I got here, I still feel surprised to see so many people from different races living in harmony. Hong Kong embraces them just like the sea welcoming every river runs towards it. Before I came to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong in my mind was just a city crammed with busy crowds, skyscrapers and the most fashionable products in the world; having been living here for several months, I find that what I thought before was just one side of Hong Kong; there are amazing combinations of contrasts lying in almost every aspect of Hong Kong.

Contrasts can be found through Hong Kong people’s attitude towards life. Hong Kong is a machine spinning at full speed, but still in a surprisingly systematic way. Hong Kong people are known to lead the most fast-paced life in the world; but at the same time, everything here is in admirable order. At the bus-stops, sometimes you will see a long queue of people, and the waiting line seems just like endless; however, almost everyone in the queue will just wait patiently. In the banks, even at the beginning of a new semester, when the banks are filled with university students who are waiting to open new accounts or pay the tuition fees, the banks will still be comfortable. No one is complaining or trying to jump the queue, and the high efficiency of Hong Kong’s bank clerks will definitely amaze those newcomers to Hong Kong. Hong Kong people’s high ethic level can be seen from their self-discipline in daily life.

Contrasts lie in Hong Kong’s environment. Some people called Hong Kong “a concrete forest”, however, I cannot agree with that. The Hong Kong I have seen is a well-designed city embraced by nature. Hong Kong is among the cities which have highest population density in the world. In spite of the lack of land, Hong Kong government doesn’t reclaim insatiably. Instead, it tries it best to make full use of the existing building land and preserve the natural view of the mountains and streams in or around the city. Open a tourist brochure, and you will find that Hong Kong people are not only proud of their “shopping paradise”, the magnificent night view of the Victoria Harbor and that fairytale kingdom, but they also treasure their natural landscape such as Lantau Island and those wetlands. Though at one time the Hong Kong people valued development more than the environment their values have changed now, which shows their farsightedness and the love towards their home.

Contrasts also exist in Hong Kong’s character. Hong Kong is a city in which tradition and modernness live in harmony. Wandering on Hong Kong Island, you will find yourself surrounded by skyscrapers, modern facilities and stylish commodities. Then starting from there, you can arrive in the New Territories within one hour, where some ancient clans still lead a peaceful life in their old style houses, observing some customs which are passed down from generation to generation. Computers, mobile phones, and other high-tech products are the pillars of Hong Kong’s economy and people’s daily life, but at the same time, Hong Kong people are also believe in and rely on geomancy. Hong Kong people enjoy the swift and convenient service of MTR (Mass Transit Railway), yet they are still in love with their time-honored trams. These surprising marriages between opposite existence