Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Hong Kong is officially "Subtropical" and has four distinct seasons though autumn is always a bit too short. The people often feel that they have hardly enjoyed the cool dry weather of autumn and winter has arrived.

Renowned as one of the world's most sophisticated cities, Hong Kong Island boasts award-winning architecture at the foot of Victoria Peak and a scenic coastline. Between the main attractions is: Victoria Peak which overlooks the city's famous skyline, Victoria Harbour, Aberdeen with the local fisherfolk, their boat community and the nearby world-famous floating restaurants, Stanley Market. Enjoy the scenic coastal beauty of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay. Kowloon Peninsula possesses some of the most interesting cityscapes in Asia.