subject: Hoi Sham Park An Island Oasis Of Calm In Bustling Hong Kong [print this page] The world knows Hong Kong as a land of skyscrapers and big business. Spired buildings outlined in flashing neon jab at the night skies as though in arrogant self-glorification of its high-powered commercial prosperity. The city where the East shakes hands with the West, Hong Kong is a cultural dichotomy, where age-old superstitions and tradition rub shoulders with the modern, the futuristic and cosmopolite. Life in Hong Kong moves at a breathlessly fast pace, the bewildering array of sights, the sounds and smells meant to bombard the senses of the unwary visitor. It is not altogether certain whether this metropolis ever sleeps, but certainly if it does, it is only in catnaps.
However, amid this teeming capitalist anthill of humanity are welcome oases of calm and natural beauty peppered throughout the city. Of the many Hong Kong parks, there is one which combines the tranquility of both land and sea. Hoi Sham Park was once an island upon the bay of Tok Wa Wan. However, as a result of the reclamation projects of the 60s, it was connected to the suburbs of the mainland Tok Wa Wan area and converted into a park. The highlight of the park is a natural rock formation which takes the shape of a fishtail mid-dive into the sea. Named Fishtail Rock, this is one of two such formations that used to grace the island, but the other Hoi Sham Rock has been lost to the reclamation project as has the Hoi Sham Temple where the locals used to worship in generations past. The area is still much coveted by leisure seekers and developers alike, as it is said to be a place of good Feng Shui or "good energy", which is an esoteric aspect of life that the denizens of this ultra-modern city take very seriously.
The beautifully landscaped green is ringed with shady jogging trails and is an ideal spot for picnics. The spires of the Kowloon Walled City arise from one side of the park while the cool blue-grey Kowloon Bay spreads out into the horizon in the other.
Looking to find a hotel in Hong Kong around and about this and other Kowloon Bay area attractions? Hotel Jen is a highly recommended access point for the traveler looking for quality and comfort, being a mid-range Hong Kong Island hotel situated in a central location in the Western district overlooking the Victoria Harbour.
