If you are planning a trip to Hong Kong soon you will find that although the region has three airports, only one is able to cater for international flights. Amazingly enough, though Hong Kong has sufficient landmass to cater for such a massive airport, the decision was made to join two islands off the coast of Hong Kong in order to build the massive, state-of-the-art airport that is currently ranked as the fifth busiest airport in the world. The Hong Kong International Airport is also known locally as Chek Lap Kok Airport after the main island on which it was built. Both Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau were leveled in order to provide roughly 25% of the airport’s groundwork. The rest of the 1 225 hectares (3 027 acres) on which the airport is built is artificially made.
Hong Kong’s international airport is incredibly busy. Since being opened in 1998 it has become famous – not only for the amazing feat of engineering required to build the structure – but also for being one of the busiest airports in the world. It features two runways – each of which are 3 800 meters long (4 156 years). The airport serves roughly 60 airlines which conduct both domestic and international flights to well over 140 different cities. Hong Kong International Airport is the best gateway for foreigners who are interested in visiting China. Visitors at the airport are able to travel over to the Hong Kong mainland by means of the Tsing Ma Bridge – the longest span suspension bridge in the world which was developed and built specifically for this purpose. The bridge measures an impressive 1.3 miles in length.
Visitors to the Hong Kong International Airport can be confident that they will be able to enjoy world-class facilities. There are more than 150 shops that are both cheap and diverse, as well as restaurants, lounges, nursing rooms and even a medical center. Patrons can make use of wireless internet facilities and, with more than 2400 car bays, there is certainly more than enough parking to go around. So don’t just view Hong Kong International as a quick stop – view it as a part of your destination.