HONG KONG ISLAND GARDEN
Up, up, up you go in a cable car for a breathtaking ride to Victoria
Peak. That’s the highest point on Hong Kong island, off the south coast
of China. From the cable-car stop, you can travel by bus or car to the
Tiger Balm Gardens.
There are no tigers in the Tiger Balm Gardens. This fantastic place was
built by a rich man named Aw Boon Haw, who made his fortune selling a
medicine called Tiger Balm. The gardens are full of weird statues of
animals and men. There also are statues of characters from Chinese
legends. And topping it all is a beautiful seven-story white pagoda, or
tower.
You don’t have to pay to get into the Tiger Balm Gardens. And while you
are visiting the gardens, you can also get a pass to see a priceless
collection of jade in the founder’s family home, which is in the park.
From the gardens, you can look down on Happy Valley, the island’s sports
center. In fall and winter, crowds gather there to enjoy horse racing,
field hockey, soccer, and other sports.
