Hong Kong is a “special administrative region” of China, with its own government and currency. However, Beijing has tightened its grip on the city’s life. Hong Kong consists of Hong Kong Island, plus Kowloon and the so-called “New Territories” on the mainland. Island and mainland are linked by the iconic Star Ferry boats, which take around five minutes to cross one of the world’s most spectacular harbors. Sadly, the Chinese display little interest in historic preservation, and you invariably have to seek out the old: an opera, a lion dance, the bird market or an early morning session of tai chi.