Hong Kong has 1,251 skyscrapers -- more than double that of New York City and Singapore.
1. Building into the sky —
Hong Kong has 1,251 skyscrapers -- more than double that of New York City and Singapore.
DALE de la REY/AFP/Getty Images
While most cities are using steel and aluminum scaffolding, Hong Kong stands by bamboo. The city has 1,700 registered bamboo spidermen.
2. Daredevil construction —
While most cities are using steel and aluminum scaffolding, Hong Kong stands by bamboo. The city has 1,700 registered bamboo spidermen.
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
Try saying "ci sin zi zyu di zi zyu si ci zyu zi syu zi." The Cantonese tongue twister means "a crazy spider's spider web sticks on a tree branch." The four zi in the sentence all share the same tone but have two different meanings.
3. Tonal talents —
Try saying "ci sin zi zyu di zi zyu si ci zyu zi syu zi." The Cantonese tongue twister means "a crazy spider's spider web sticks on a tree branch." The four zi in the sentence all share the same tone but have two different meanings.
MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images
MTR Corporation, which operates Hong Kong's subway system, is so good at its job it now runs other cities' trains as well.
4. Getting you there —
MTR Corporation, which operates Hong Kong's subway system, is so good at its job it now runs other cities' trains as well.
MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images
With one of the world's lowest salary tax rates and zero sales tax, Hong Kong is great about letting you keep your hard-earned money.
5. Letting you keep your money —
With one of the world's lowest salary tax rates and zero sales tax, Hong Kong is great about letting you keep your hard-earned money.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
Is that you, Bruce? When it comes to kung fu films, Hong Kong is the undisputed champ. "Fist of Fury," "Once Upon a Time in China," and "Drunken Master" are classics that make regular appearances on "world's best martial arts films" lists.
6. Kung fu movies —
Is that you, Bruce? When it comes to kung fu films, Hong Kong is the undisputed champ. "Fist of Fury," "Once Upon a Time in China," and "Drunken Master" are classics that make regular appearances on "world's best martial arts films" lists.
AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE
Ranking first on Skytrax's World's Best Airport list eight years in a row, Hong Kong's Airport is indeed a dandy. Sure, Singapore's Changi Airport recently knocked it from its throne. But Hong Kong <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aci.aero%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">handles more passenger traffic</a> -- 53 million passengers in 2011.
7. Soft landings —
Ranking first on Skytrax's World's Best Airport list eight years in a row, Hong Kong's Airport is indeed a dandy. Sure, Singapore's Changi Airport recently knocked it from its throne. But Hong Kong handles more passenger traffic -- 53 million passengers in 2011.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
We hear the disapproving "tsks" coming from New York foodies out there. But where else in the world can you enjoy a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fhong-kong%2Fnone%2Fholy-dim-sum-michelin-guide-2010-goes-cheap-and-cheerful-689999">Michelin-starred dim sum meal for less than $10</a>, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fhong-kong%2Feat%2Fcha-chaan-teng-cheat-sheet-how-order-hong-kongs-temples-comfort-food-726567">whimsical fusion foods</a> and the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fhong-kong%2Feat%2Fmichelin-guide-best-italian-restaurant-outside-italy-hong-kong-975490">best Italian restaurant outside of Italy</a>?
8. Foodie-ism —
We hear the disapproving "tsks" coming from New York foodies out there. But where else in the world can you enjoy a Michelin-starred dim sum meal for less than $10, whimsical fusion foods and the best Italian restaurant outside of Italy?
CNN/Studio Bianco
Hong Kong came third in a global ranking of places with the least homicides. But given that Palau Island and Monaco are at least 200 times smaller in population, it's fair to say Hong Kong wears the global safety crown for major cities.
9. Staying alive —
Hong Kong came third in a global ranking of places with the least homicides. But given that Palau Island and Monaco are at least 200 times smaller in population, it's fair to say Hong Kong wears the global safety crown for major cities.
PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images
It's not even dark and the place is already hopping. Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong area crams more than 100 bars, restaurants, clubs and shops into just a few short streets.
10. Partying so hard the neighbors want in on it —
It's not even dark and the place is already hopping. Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong area crams more than 100 bars, restaurants, clubs and shops into just a few short streets.
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