Hong Kong Tourist Attractions
There is so much to see in Hong Kong whether you are a tourist or a resident. What are some of the most desirable attractions?
Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival)
Tuen Ng Festival or the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival held each year on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese calendar. In western date, that would be June 8 in 2008.
Origins
There are many findings about the origin of the festival. Legend has it that the patriotic scholar-statesman Chu Yuan committed suicide (by drowning) to protest against the emperor. People respected Chu Yuan and when they heard that he had drowned, they jumped on boats to search for him. As they failed to find him, they started to hit the drums and make a lot of noise to scare the fish so that they won’t eat Chu Yuan. Also they tossed cooked rice in the river so that the fish won’t eat the poor man’s body. They started to wrap the cooked rice in bamboo leaves which evolved in today’s rice dumplings.
Date: February 7th, 2008 |
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Lights Out in Hong Kong
Tonight’s the night for Hong Kong’s lights Out” campaign to focus attention on the deteriorating air quality in Hong Kong.
Not everyone is participating, though. Chief Executive Donald Tsang has opted out because he says it “could give adverse publicity to Hong Kong…” This means the Symphony of Lights will go on as usual at 8:00 PM.
Those participating will turn their lights out for three minutes at 8:00 PM in order to draw attention to the pollution issue in Hong Kong. I’m not sure that just stepping outside and taking a deep breath won’t do the job but activists will be …
Date: August 7th, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #8
Get In or On the Water
It’s easy, in the urban crush, to forget that Hong Kong was, at one time, almost completely made up of small fishing communities. The sea is very much a part of Hong Kong’s history and its present.
Two months ago I posted an item on Hong Kong’s beaches and how much cleaner they were than 20 years ago. I’ve also talked about riding the ferries to see how much of Hong Kong’s commercial life depends on the sea. I’ve mentioned how interesting it is to ride the water taxis in Aberdeen harbor to get a sense of how the thousands of boat people live.
Hong Kong Water Sports Center
Date: July 8th, 2006 |
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Marching for Democracy or Not!
Yesterday, July 1, was the 9th anniversary of the British hand-over of Hong Kong to the Chinese government. It was marked by two very different celebrations.
Date: July 2nd, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #6
Bet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you haven’t been to the horse races in Hong Kong, you have missed something special. I particularly recommend the Happy Valley track on a Wednesday night.
The ponies run only two days a week in Hong Kong. On week-ends at the new track in Sha Tin - usually on Saturday, sometimes on Sunday or a holiday. The mid-week meeting is usually Wednesday evening at Happy Valley, where the first race was run in 1847.
Happy Valley Race Track
Date: June 28th, 2006 |
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Food Is All in Hong Kong
I recently attended the Hong Kong Food Expo at the Convention Center.
My wife, Pam, and I intended to go on Sunday afternoon, thinking it would be a pleasant way of killing a rainy PM, snacking our way around the hundreds of exhibitor booths.
WRONG! The crush to get anywhere near the entrance was such that we decided to hit the nearby Pacific Coffee outlet and have a light lunch.
The next day, which was the last day of the Expo, I decided to see what all the excitement was about. I figured since it was Monday and the last day the crowds would have diminshed considerably.
Date: August 23rd, 2006 |
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Promenade and Avenue of the Stars Re-opening.
Last night, while on the way to a Hong Kong Philharmonic performance, we stumbled into a new attraction next to the Cultural Center.
It’s a 10 minute water, light and music show and was truly amazing. One of the effects is to project messages and pictures on to a thin sheet of water so that the message moves and disappears as the water falls. The show we saw was at 7:30 PM. As far as I know the schedule has not been published.
The Cultural Center From Victoria Harbor
Date: July 9th, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #7B
This is a continuation of Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #7A:visiting the outer islands.
I wish my wife, Pam, was writing today’s posting since she knows so much more than I do about the outer islands. She’s a hiker so she and her friends have explored many of the smaller inhabited and uninhabited islands.
Peng Chau Island Near the Ferry Terminal
Date: July 4th, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #7A
Visit!!!!!!!!!!
“Visit what?” you ask. Well, not the usual tourist traps but rather the outlying islands, 221 of which are uninhabited and a number of which are barely inhabited.
I’ll start with the three most popular and then talk about the others in a subsequent posting.
Lantau
Lantau is the largest island in the territory and the most visited. It is the home of Chek Lap Kok Airport, Disneyland, Po Lin Monastery and its 110 foot high sitting Buddha, the soon to be opened Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Ride, Tai O with it’s stilt housing and Discovery Bay, an expat dominated enclave. But don’t think it doesn’t have its secret places where you are unlikely to run into many other tourists.
Tai O Village on Lantau Island
Date: July 1st, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #5
Drink!!!!!!!!!
I don’t necessarily mean alcohol.
There are two types of venues that seem to attract local people. One is the teahouse. Teahouses come in all shapes and sizes and can be found in most every neighborhood. They serve herb teas. Many, but not all, of the teas are intended to help drinkers improve some aspect of their health. Some are just meant to provide a pleasant break in the day. Unfortunately I don’t know what does what for what? If you are curious, check out Dr. Chen’s Herbal Tea Website. The only one I’ve really spent time at is in the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. The shops are usually quite small with low stools for sitting. Some serve snacks or dim sum. If you are at all adventurous check one out.
As a side note, if you are interested in the history of tea and teaware the Flagstaff House Teaware Museum in Central is worth a visit. It is also the oldest colonial building left standing in Hong Kong so if you are into architecture, it’s also worth seeing.
Date: June 23rd, 2006 |
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