292 Travel and Tourism
Victoria Harbour. Visitors are taken to the top of the mountain in an iconic cable car, which celebrated its 120th Anniversary in June.
Other popular sites are the theme parks, temples, heritage sites, natural landscapes, and the numerous shops that have earned Hong Kong the reputation as a 'shoppers' paradise'.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park, which celebrated its 31st anniversary in 2008, received a record of over five million visitors during the 2007-08 fiscal year. Meanwhile, the $5.55 billion Master Redevelopment Plan, which will double the number of attractions at the park from 35 to 70 by 2012, is progressing well.
The park plans to build three hotels on its grounds as part of its expansion plan.
A Symphony of Lights
Another attraction that has captivated visitors is the nightly show, 'A Symphony of Lights', which the Guinness World Records describes as the world's largest permanent light and sound show'. The display features interactive lights beamed with music from 44 buildings on both sides of the harbour, revealing a vibrant, stunning Victoria Harbour at night.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland, located on Lantau Island, has received over 15 million visitors since it opened in September 2005. More rides and attractions were added to the park in 2008, including the iconic 'it's a small world' among others. Since its opening, Hong Kong Disneyland has won 28 awards for being the most popular and the best themed resort in Asia.
Wetland Park
The Hong Kong Wetland Park is a world-class ecotourism facility, promoting green tourism, environmental protection and wetland conservation. It is located in the northwestern part of the New Territories, and is home to a wide assortment of wildlife, including birds, dragonflies, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, butterflies and fish. The park comprises 60 hectares of re-created wetland, a 10 000 square metre visitor centre, exhibition galleries, a theatre and other facilities all of which underline the importance of wetland to biodiversity, civilisation and conservation. More than 430 000 people visited the park during the year.
Ngong Ping 360
The Ngong Ping 360 cable car takes visitors on a scenic 25-minute ride above sea and land between Tung Chung and the top of Lantau Island, where a Buddhist- themed village is located. It also links up other famous tourist attractions such as the Tian Tan Buddha, commonly known as the 'Big Buddha', the Po Lin Monastery, the Wisdom Path, the quaint fishing village of Tai O and enticing beaches on the southern part of the island.
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