This largest outdoor sporting event in Hong
Kong attracts some of the world's top runners from around the
globe every year. It involves a full marathon, a half marathon and a 10km run
on courses that take runners past some of the city's most stunning scenery, get
in on the action this time around, marathon takes place 5th February.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, started in 1997,
grows from strength to strength in the past thirteen years with a record of
entries achieved in each year. Now it becomes a signature international
sporting event in Hong Kong and was recognized
as a "Brand Hong Kong Event" by the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region Government.
The previous Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon was held
in 2011 with the theme of "Join the Race, Share the Spirit". It was
successfully concluded on 20th February with a record entry of 65,000
applicants enrolled. The early start times in the Full Marathon provided
runners in a better air quality early in the morning which as a result
achieving better times. The total prize money of 2011 event was raised to
US$150,000 placing the Standard Chartered Marathon as one of the Asia's most prominent marathons.
Any person can walk along the Marathon
route when the race is not in progress.There are special attractive Scenic Spots
which people should not and cannot miss along the 42.195km.
No. 1 - Clock Tower
The Clock Tower is an ideal starting
place for a Heritage Walk in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Cultural Centre is highly
interesting both out- and inside. Look for the unusual golden statue of a
winged figure on the side facing the Star Ferry, an avant-garde gift from France.
Like the Marathon, our
journey starts at Tsim Sha Tsui which is the location of the old Clock Tower as
well. The old Clock Tower near the Star Ferry concourse at Tsim Sha Tsui is a
landmark of the bygone era of the Age of Steam, when trains arrived here with
passengers who weeks before had embarked from London on the world's longest
railway journey. With its distinctive design in red brick and granite, the
45-metre Tower is a graceful reminder of those Colonial times. But over many
years it had far greater significance for tens of millions of Chinese for whom
the former terminus was the final stop on their rail journeys from villages in
their homeland to new lives either in Hong Kong
or by ship to distant destinations overseas. Now the site of the historic
railway station is occupied by the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, its curving roof
and futuristic features creating an unusual background to its solitary
neighbour.
No.2 - Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street and Apliu Street
Sham Shui Po is the area that features with its street
fashion on clothing and electronic devices. Here's a hot tip for
fashion-conscious ladies... little known to many overseas visitors there's a
sort of unofficial "fashion street" in Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui
Po, that's a great place to pick up trendy fashions at wholesale prices.
Most of the shops can be found between Yen Chow Street and Wong Chuk Street. The clothes are
over-runs from garment factories in and around Sham Shui Po - with a few
rejects thrown in for good measure. Many of the shops are run by
fashion-conscious operators who take only the best, and sell on to Hong Kong boutiques or even overseas buyers. Just the
same, they still have lots of bargains available.
The latest fashions aren't the only items on sale in Sham
Shui Po - at the other end of the scale there's a flea market in Apliu Street where,
with luck, you might pick up a rare antique for a song. While the items sold
here are mainly electrical devices, electronic products and the like, you can
sometimes find antique clocks, old coins and other aged relics.
No.3 - Tsing Ma Bridge
Being a Marathoner, you are lucky to have a chance to touch
one of the world class architectures - Tsing Ma Bridge, by your feet. Every
year many millions of people use the Tsing Ma Bridge without actually getting a
close-up view of this modern-day engineering accomplishment of breathtaking
skill -- the world's longest suspension bridge carrying road and rail traffic.
The explanation is that the Airport Express, which whisks
them across the bridge in either direction, travels through one of two rail
tunnels slung beneath the six-lane roadway. All are passengers who have either
just arrived at Hong Kong's ultra-modern new International Airport at Chek Lap
Kok, or are hurrying there to catch their return flights.
Happily, however, most of them see this superb example of
bridge-building genius at least from a distance during their stay in Hong Kong. The newest and greatest engineering marvel of
this dynamic mega city, it is now Hong Kong's
proud new landmark, massively imposing by day, and a twinkling fairyland of
lighted lacework by night.
No.4 - Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is one of the world's
finest airports, moving passengers and cargo efficiently and placing Hong Kong
at the forefront of Asia's aviation expansion.
A blank sheet of paper presented planners with the
opportunity to create an airport that is functional, practical, and beautiful.
From building the foundation of the airport platform form the sea bed up, to
determining the highest standards of service and convenience for passengers,
the result is world-class in every aspect
HKIA is one of the few airports with its own internal
underground rail network. An Automated People Mover swiftly transports arriving
or departing passengers from the furthermost gates in about 70 seconds. This is
complemented by over three kilometers of moving walkways or travelators located
inside the terminal building.
Adjacent to the terminal is the ground transportation center
where fast transfers to urban Hong Kong can be made via the Airport Express,
public buses and taxis.
No.5 - Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland located at Penny's Bay, Lantau, which
had opened to public to visit on 12 September 2005. The Park comprises four
theme lands, including the Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland and
Tomorrowland. "Disney On Parade" (Disney characters parade) and
"Disney in the Stars" (fireworks with Disney songs and music) will
perform daily. Besides, other facilities such as Inspiration Lake Recreation
Centre, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel are welcomed
you to visit.
No.6 - Tsing Yi
Maritime Square in Tsing Yi is a fascinating combination of
Hong Kong old and new. The Square features more than 200 shops, themed
restaurants and a cinema. Its proximity to Hong Kong International Airport
makes it a great stop-off for transit passengers.
No. 7 - Mid-Levels Escalator
For an intriguing glimpse of old and new Hong Kong, ride the
world's longest covered outdoor escalator system which snakes through the back
streets of Central. On your walk, you'll see the Li Yuen Street East & West
markets packed with stalls and shops selling casual clothes, leather goods and
knick-knacks to local housewives and visitors.
Then along the Mid-Levels Escalator, discover Central's most fascinating nooks and crannies. Twenty escalators and three "travelators" comprise this 800-metre-long outdoor "people mover" which links Central and the Mid-Levels, one of Hong Kong's most expensive residential districts. With 29 entry and exit points, it takes about 20 minutes to travel from one end to the other. But with the variety of city life to be seen along the way, it is 20 minutes well spent!
No.8 - Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo
Cheerful warren of Western-style restaurants, nightclubs,
delicatessens and bars, Lan Kwai Fong is an L-shaped, cobble-stoned lane just a
stone's throw above Central's cluster of skyscrapers. Nearby lanes are also
buzzing with bistros and pubs in what is Hong Kong's trendiest nightlife area.
Stroll along Hollywood Road and you'll soon discover Hong
Kong's "SoHo", the area "South of Hollywood Road". The
neighbourhood offers a wide range of upmarket eateries and watering holes
congregated mainly on Staunton, Shelley and Elgin streets. Here, you'll enjoy
international fare from New Orleans to Nepal, Mexico to Malaysia, Provence to
Portugal.
No. 9 - The Peak Tower
Perching on The Peak at 396 metres above sea level, The Peak
Tower is one of the most stylish architectural icons in Hong Kong. With an
avant-garde design representing the epitome of modern architecture, the
spectacular tower has been featured in millions of photographs and postcards
across the world.
Inside The Peak Tower, there is a dazzling array of
restaurants, shops and entertainment venues set against the beautiful backdrop
of the city.
The Peak Tower presents world famous entertainment
specialists - the Madame Tussauds Hong Kong as well as hosting the city's
highest party venue to satisfy your desire for fun, excitement and surprises.
The Peak Tower boasts a huge viewing platform, The Sky
Terrace, that offers 360-degree panoramic views of the vibrant city – from the
stunning cityscape to the tranquility of greenery landscape.
The Peak Tower is located at Victoria Gap and is directly
connected to the city centre by the Peak Tram, which runs between the Peak and
The Peak Tram Terminus on Garden Road, just a short stroll from the Central MTR
station.
The Peak, Hong Kong’s No. 1 destination, caters to all ages
and tastes. Come and enjoy the fun and entertainment at the Top of Hong Kong!
No.10 - Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Sitting on the Wan Chai waterfront is one of Hong Kong's
most impressive and stunning pieces of architecture. The Hong Kong Convention
& Exhibition Centre, with its sweeping sails and vast glass windows, is a
striking visual testament to Hong Kong's ongoing development. Thanks to its
wide range of state-of-the-art facilities, the HKCEC is also an ideal venue for
exhibitions and trade shows and is regularly voted "the best convention
and exhibition venue in Asia". The HKCEC was the site of the handover when
Hong Kong was returned to the motherland in 1997; an event commemorated by the
adjacent Bauhinia Square that is a huge attraction for mainland visitors.
No.11 - Golden Bauhinia Plaza
The Expo Promenade (often defined as Golden Bauhinia Plaza)
outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the waterfront of Wan
Chai marks what was without doubt the most significant occasion in Hong Kong's
history - the return of the former British Colony to the People's Republic of
China (PRC), and the establishment of the Special Administrative Region of Hong
Kong.
The Golden Bauhinia is a gift from the people of the PRC to
mark the widespread joy of the Chinese at the return of the territory to the
Motherland after 156 years. Other gifts to commemorate the historic occasion
were sent by each of China's provinces, autonomous regions and other
territories.
Near the Golden Bauhinia stands the Reunification Monument bearing
inscriptions of President Jiang Zemin's calligraphy. The white ring around the
pinnacle denotes the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, and the 50
smaller rings symbolise that Hong Kong's way of life will remain unchanged for
50 years from mid-1997.
No.12 - Victoria Park
Our journey ends at the finishing area of the Marathon –
Victoria Park, the largest park on Hong Kong Island, located at the city
centre. Victoria Park was opened in October 1957 and was named after Queen
Victoria.
The park includes various sports facilities: a swimming
pool, tennis courts, soccer pitches, fitness & jogging trail, a modern boat
pool, children's area, and a central lawn with an area of about 2 hectares.
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