Hong Kong greeted me with its unmistakable skyline and an electric energy that seemed to hum beneath my feet. I began at the Avenue of Stars, where the harbor breeze carried the distant sound of ferries and the legacy of Bruce Lee and other cinematic legends came alive. The harbor shimmered in the sunlight, framed by towering skyscrapers and the soft hills beyond.

A visit to PolyU gave me a chance to reflect on the city’s modern spirit and academic excellence. This institution, with its bold design and reputation for innovation, reflects how Hong Kong continues to reinvent itself. Then came a more contemplative turn: a trip to Lantau Island.

The climb to the Tian Tan Buddha felt timeless. At 34 meters tall, this bronze statue completed in 1993 sits peacefully atop a hill, arms open to the world. Nearby, the Po Lin Monastery added to the atmosphere with the aroma of incense and quiet prayer. Founded in 1906 by three monks from Jiangsu province, it has grown from a modest retreat into a major pilgrimage site.

Hong Kong’s past came sharply into view as I recalled that it was ceded to the British after the First Opium War in 1842, and returned to China in 1997 under the “one country, two systems” principle. These layers of sovereignty and identity make the city both complicated and compelling.