Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2020complete | Page 33

The Greater Bay Area
Dulwich College Beijing, Li, Kya - 11
What is the Greater Bay Area?
It’s exciting, launching a new area where your home was! The Greater Bay Area (GBA) is a region, which
brings together the countries Macau, Hong Kong and Southern parts of China. Covering 56,000 square
kilometres; about three times the size of the San Fransisco Bay Area. The GBA is developing aims to try and
bring different parts of Southern China closer. The goal is to develop a world-class urban cluster that could
rival global cities also situated on bays, such as San Francisco, New York or Tokyo. Can you imagine what
life would be like in this new wonder land?
Hong Kong
History
The area that is today Hong Kong was settled by the Han Chinese Dynasty in the 7 th century. In 1513 the
Portuguese explorer Jorge Alvares arrived in Hong Kong. Trading between Portugal and China started soon
after. However, there were also battles between the Chinese and Portuguese and soon the trading stopped.
Years later, in 1699, the East India Company from Britain arrived, and trade started up with Britain. At the
end of the first Opium war in 1842, Britain gained control of Hong Kong. The city became a major port for
trade with southern China. After more than 150 years of British rule, China again took control of Hong
Kong in July of 1997. Although now a part of China, Hong Kong maintains the same political, economic
and legal systems that it had before.
Food
Hong Kong is a true food paradise, with some of the world’s very best restaurants, from cheap eats and street
food to high-end Michelin-starred eateries. While most of these dishes are informed by Chinese cooking,
many of them also capture Hong Kong’s heritage in the most delicious of ways. One of the most popular
meals in Hong Kong is Dim Sum from Sham Shui Po. No Hong Kong experience is complete without a
dim sum meal. Traditionally served in bamboo steamers, these small plates are designed to be shared,
allowing you to taste a bit of everything. Originated from this region and means “Touch the heart.” Mustorders
include steamed siu mai (pork dumplings), har gow (prawn dumplings) and the fluffy barbecued
pork-filled buns known as char siu bao. It’s expertly crafted and freshly prepared also tremendously
affordable – dim sum.
Geography
Hong Kong can be geographically sorted into three different parts; Hong Kong Island, Kowloon City, and
the New Territories. Hong Kong has a total area of 1,108 square kilometres of which 3.16% is water. 60
islands are dispersed around Hong Kong, the largest of which by area is Lantau Island, located Southwest of
the main peninsula. Hong Kong Island is separated from Kowloon by Victoria Harbor, a natural landform
harbour, while Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories are contiguous to the mainland, and there is no
ocean between them. The highest point in the territory is Tai Mo Shan at a height of 958 metres in the
New Territories.
Macau
Landscapes
Just feeling the pleasant and complacent feeling while observing the alluring landscape of Macau, make the
environment a noticeable part of Macau’s personality. This land of green can shock the senses especially after
you’ve spent a while in the bustling, modern city. Taipa village is a small and peaceful community with
narrow streets, markets and great Macanese food. Portuguese-style offices, ancient temples and colonial
villas blend effortlessly amongst old-fashioned streetlamps, hanging flower baskets and street vendors. Food
Street, which is also known as the Rua da Cunhna, draws many people over to the south of the island, eager
to savour the true taste of Macau.
This is a photo of the Macau landscape in the evening.
Architecture
The architecture of Macau encompasses a mixture of world heritage listed and modern buildings, as well as
multiple bridges and tunnels. The tallest completed building in Macau is the Grand Lisboa Casino & Hotel,
with an architectural height to the tip of 258m (846 feet) and a residential height of 197.7m. The Grand