Destination: Hong Kong
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It is the world’s most aggressively capitalist city, and arguably the most exciting—a seething, buzzing, speeding place, where East collides with West with an explosive and intoxicating surge of color and noise. At first glance Hong Kong is a Western territory, all shiny skyscrapers and snazzily dressed people, but scratch the surface just a little, and it reveals deep Chinese roots, where superstitions and traditions are solidly embedded. Since 1997, Hong Kong has been a full-fledged Chinese city, part of the People’s Republic of China, rather than a British colony, but it governs itself autonomously and retains its distinctive, freewheeling spirit. It also keeps getting better and better: anyone who visits both Hong Kong and Shanghai regularly will chuckle at the mainland city’s boastful claims to be considered an equal. Anything China does, Hong Kong does better and quicker, particularly in the service industry. The past few years have seen an explosion of new Hong Kong hotel and restaurant openings, reflecting a buoyant economy and an optimistic outlook.
Only 6.86 million people call Hong Kong home, but collectively they more than pull their weight at world level. It is ranked as one of the world’s richest cities, with the largest per-capita ownership of Mercedes-Benz limousines and Rolls Royces and the most concentrated collection of designer stores of any place on earth.
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