Shanghai is over rated in my opinion. The pics that show up in these forums of Shanghai show very little of the true nature of the city. Hong Kong is the true Pearl of the Orient and always will be, at least during my lifetime.

Then your life expectancy is quite short.

Just kidding.

It only taks HK 20 years to catch up with SH, and why cannot the tale of the two cities repeat itself?

HK does have much less poor people, and a better quality of life for sure. The whole city has more quality, in buildings and architecture and urban landscape too. Also the HK setting is better.

But Shanghai is growing faster then HK, and I think in 20 years Shanghai will be as rich as HK.

I think Hong Kong and Shanghai in China will be just like New York City and Chicago in the United States. You cannot simply say one city is better than the others in everything.

Both will thrive. End of story.

yes, BOTH will thrive, end of story, thank you hkskyline (per the usual).

Both cities are unique in their own ways. I simply dislike it when HK & SH are compared with each other. It simply doesn't make sense.

Although Shanghai and other Chinese cities are going through a rapid social change to become open to the world, Shanghai and Hong Kong are heading on different routes to a future where they will need to coexist. Hong Kong is a good example and model of a forerunning society, while Shanghai is continuously changing and always requiring new concepts to test the power of China's growth.

Thats quite of a subjective point of view I think. Everyone has different thinkings about this comparison. So because it's subjective, there would be no objective results of comparing them. Or if really need to compare it objectively, there's too many factors that have to include, the result is so hard to be precise and accurate.

What my point of view is both cities' residents just want to earn for a living, same to other cities in the world. Not much comparison is needed.

There's no saying if Shanghai will become the "pearl of Asia". You never know. Shanghai is trying and is actually quite successful so far. In a matter of years things could change for better or for worse. The point is that its just way too early to be stating biased opinions without proof. Hong Kong didn't develop rapidly until the late 1950's. Thats about 50 years ago. If you were to let Shanghai have some time you just never know...

Is it okay that there be two or prehaps more "pearls of the orient" and then HK and Shanghai could be one of those pearls.!!!

Oh i'm sure that my presence here will be more than incendiary, but methinks that the whole concept of tagging oneself as THE Pearl of the Orient is something as seasonal and corporate as Tourism Board Slogan Campaigns. And so I don't see why HK needs to vie with anyone for a 'title' like that, when basically HK's legacy is buoyed by far more meaningful symbols.

I mean... Penang in Malaysia has been harping that claim for decades already. We've also seen this effusive title crowning Saigon and Singapore in other forms of literature. I think its a banal pursuit. Much like the way Asians like to tag themselves as Asian equivalents of so and so cities in the West.

HK has Wong Kar Wai films and Maggie Cheung, the BOC and Victoria harbour and the legacy of the Cantonese to anchor her greatness as a truly powerful Asian superstar. What does a cheap over harped slogan like that stand for in perspective?

That said, I dismay over the announcements of a new "global" theme park in Lantau Island. Its so hyper commodified! Where's the connection between Universal Studios and HK? Mickey Mouse and HK? Over-franchised ubiquitous symbols of entertainment are threatening to overwhelm the unique cultural attractiveness of HK. Will future generations think of Disneyland when they think of HK? or Maggie Cheung? haha

anyway, i'm sure i've put myself up for some lambasting. because of the political baggage i carry in my profile. i would just like to say that... I adore Wong Kar Wai films because they're all about the HK i love. I love HK!

at least HK's pollution isnt as terrable as shanghai's, could barely breathe when i went to shanghai.

Hong Kong is a developed city while Shanghai boom is just starting. If to compare those cities by general importance perhaps HK would win but the future belongs to Shanghai, no doubt about that. It's the future capital of the world.

The multinational presence in Hong Kong is a sign of internationalization. Chinese tourists don't want to spend the money to come to Hong Kong for a visit to a Chinese Disneyland. They can find plenty of parks like that at home. Rather, the Americans designed the Hong Kong park in such a way so to maximize exposure to the American Disney product, and the Chinese visitors come to see something different. That doesn't mean Hong Kong's cultural attractiveness is being eroded. In fact, these visitors won't just see Disneyland. They'll also take into other sights as well, such as the local museums, markets, and countryside, so both sides benefit. At the same time, Disneyland is not going to wipe out the temples and the History Museum. In fact, all the tourism infrastructure complement each other.

As to how Disneyland fits into Hong Kong. It's like asking how Starbucks fits into the cities they have shops in. They don't. When I think of Paris I don't think of Euro Disney. The idea is to think of Hong Kong as a good tourism destination with many nice attractions such as Victoria Harbour and Disneyland. The same idea works for Paris, Tokyo, LA, etc.

There is a lot of talk now on sustainable development in tourism. The first wave of tourists from the individual travel scheme did a lot of shopping in Hong Kong, but as the mainland market becomes more sophisticated, they will want more than shopping. The tourism board is already thinking of advertising Hong Kong's other attractions - cultural spots and eco-tourism. The local population is also very interested in eco-tourism now, especially after SARS.

That being said, perhaps the most famous image of Hong Kong is the maze of lights and colours on the buildings at night, hence came the title "Pearl of the Orient".

Hong Kong is overrated. The place is crowded and the people are a bunch of arrogant snobs.

Hong Kong is overrated. The place is crowded and the people are a bunch of arrogant snobs.
Hahaha, yet another stab at China from the anti-Chinese vietnamese boy.

I've noticed that you not only bash China on this forum but also Japan. It seems you're quite jealous as China and Japan are doing much better than Vietnam is. There is no need to be jealous :)

Hahaha, yet another stab at China from the anti-Chinese vietnamese boy.

I've noticed that you not only bash China on this forum but also Japan. It seems you're quite jealous as China and Japan are doing much better than Vietnam is. There is no need to be jealous :)
Oh give me a break, why are you following me like a dog? I'm only speaking my mind, fei ju.

Oh give me a break, why are you following me like a dog? I'm only speaking my mind, fei ju.
It's so like you to resort to personal attacks ;)

I'll let the moderators take care of the likes of you ;)

It's so like you to resort to personal attacks ;)

I'll let the moderators take care of the likes of you ;)
And it's so like you who follow others like an animal who bites into someone's pants and wouldn't let go. :bash:

And it's so like you who follow others like an animal who bites into someone's pants and wouldn't let go. :bash:
I do not know if we are interested in counting the number of holes in your pants, but I dont believe this is the first time I am warning you on your behavior here?

To be fair, you might not have seen the previous warning. However, I do not think you have much justification for an excuse from now on.