Top 10 Hong Kong culture

Description:

From the Hakka to the Hang Seng, from Neolithic to Neocapitalist, this excellent information-stop will divulge everything you ever wanted to know about Hong Kong's history but were too afraid to ask. On show are old photographs, ancient costumes, snuffboxes used by former governors, and even a reconstruction of a 100 year old street. Guides are available and a good half-day spent roaming the exhibitions will leave you educated, elated and exhausted. Plenty of bars in the Tsim Sha Tsui area are on standby to boost faltering spirits. Free all day Wednesday.

Description:

The giant bronze Buddha Statue at Po Lin Monastery is the biggest seated, outdoor image of its kind in the world - is Lantau's number one attraction. Despite the hordes and tour buses full of tourists who flock there and the often themepark like atmosphere, it's difficult not to be impressed by the grandeur of standing right next to the Big Buddha. The Buddha is not the fat, jolly Buddha often portrayed in tacky souvenirs. Avoid the weekends, but you can stay overnight at the monastery's dormitories and wander the temple grounds early next morning. Whilst you are at Bid Buddha, why not take some time to tour "Lantau" Island as well?

Description:

To China this may seem like a rather insignificant everyday happening, but to a westerner, seeing hundreds of voluntary Tai Chi devotees going through the paces is quite the Kodak moment. Each morning in the rising mist of dawn Victoria Park fills with the concentrated focus of Tai Chai disciples, who, through their movement, seemingly match the silent feel of the moment. It is not only a spectacle of sight, but also of Chinese culture in general.

Description:

Often cited as 'the world's most economical city tour', the Star Ferry plies the waters of Victoria Harbour between the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. Most of the traffic goes to Central or Wan Chai from here. Additional ferries set off from this peninsular port to Cheng Chau and Lantau islands and from the island side to Lamma and Peng Chau islands. The Star Ferry Port contains a number of souvenir shops, snack bars and even a small travel agency. Public restrooms are located near the departure staging area.

Our Local Expert Says:

Reknowned Hong Kong style breakfast place, all day tea restaurant with steamed milk and egg whites, tea sets. Fascinating service speed, long lines and complete Chinese crowd. Staff know how much you ought to pay simply by a glimpse at your plates. The scrambled eggs are nothing like anything you will have tasted elsewhere.

Description:

Very reknowned Hong Kong style all day breakfast place, all day tea restaurant with steamed milk and egg whites, tea sets. Fascinating service speed, long lines and complete Chinese crowd. Staff know how much you ought to pay simply by a glimpse at your plates. The scrambled eggs are nothing like anything you will have tasted elsewhere.

Description:

This two hour cruise on board a Chinese-style junk, sadly without sails, first sets off towards the eastern end of Victoria Harbour, sailing past the skyscrapers lining the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. The cruise then heads towards north-eastern Kowloon, passing Lei Yue Mun Fishing Village before sailing back to Causeway Bay for the firing of the famous noon-day gun. Boarding takes place at the Kowloon Public Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui and at Queen's Pier in Central. The tour is free of cost.

Description:

In the midst of some formidable modern architecture stands the neo-classical structure of the Legco Building. The Goddess of Justice above the main entrance dates back 1912 when the building was originally opened as the Supreme Court. In the early 1980s the Legislative Council took over occupancy. Many of the Legislative Council meetings are open to the public, which is a great way to get a look inside this old colonial beauty. Check out the Legco website to see what is on and then call during office hours to reserve a seat.

Description:

Sham Shui Po is totally geared up for the local market and is not the place to go looking for designer goods. Computer fanatics will love the Golden Computer Centre and New Capital Computer Plaza, where all the latest computer and high-tech products are sold. Apliu Street Market, on the other hand, is a good place to look for interesting electrical accessories, including everything from old room fans to second hand mobile phones and television sets.

Description:

Originally, the bird market was on Hong Lok Street, but it relocated to this Chinese-style bird garden on Yuen Po Street. There are hundreds of birds on display and the price of a bird is often decided by how well the bird sings. Apart from the birds, there are also other accessories for sale, including bamboo and teak cages, ceramic water vessels and food containers, and different types of bird food, including live crickets sold by the bag-full.

Description:

The Jade Market, just west of Nathan Road on the junction of Kansu and Battery Streets, is where vendors sell various shades and qualities of jade, a greenish stone found in East Asia. Actually more a place for locals than for tourists, visitors may have to suffer a long bargaining session with persistent vendors before arriving at a good deal for a high-quality piece of jade. Nevertheless, there are also plenty of trinkets and souvenirs at much lower prices.

Description:

Built in 1855, and extensively redesigned during the wartime occupation by the Japanese, Government House has been home to 25 British governors until 1997. Today, it is used for entertaining VIPs, and for fund-raising events. Government House is closed to the public, but it throws open its doors for one Sunday in March every year, allowing the populace an opportunity to view the gardens filled with beautiful azaleas. Alternatively, the 46th floor of the The Bank of China Tower is a great place for a birds-eye view of this monument to Hong Kong's colonial history.

Description:

This new museum of history, art and culture is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. There are 12 exhibition galleries built around open courtyards, giving the appearance of a traditional Chinese palace. Galleries are dedicated to the history and culture of the New Territories, Cantonese opera, Chinese culture and contemporary Hong Kong art and design. Programmes are also provided to engage visitors in educational experiences. Admission prices vary according to age and are lower for groups of twenty or more. Free admission on Wednesdays.

Description:

Des Voeux Road West is where all the shops selling Chinese preserved foods can be found. On sale are all kinds of preserved food from the expensive shark's fins to dried shrimps, mussels, oysters and squid, mushrooms and mosses. Winter specialities include ever-popular Chinese sausages and preserved pressed duck, which are used to make the famous clay pot rice dish. A word of warning though--all this dried and preserved food has a particularly pungent aroma all of its own, and although it is not unpleasant it is definitely an acquired taste, or rather smell, as it were!

Description:

Bonham Strand is known in Chinese as Nam Pak Hong, which means South North Trading Centre. This is Hong Kong's medicinal herb district and the area is filled with traditional old shops selling and dealing in ginseng and other medicinal herbs, which explains the nickname of "the ginseng alley". Usually, each shop will have a herbalist in attendance, who will check the customer's pulse and prescribe an appropriate treatment. This area is definitely worth a look, especially for anyone with an interest for Chinese herbs and their medicinal functions.

Description:

Lying in the formidable shadow of Lantau, this tiny island is not dissimilar to Cheung Chau, just much smaller. Home to around 8,000 people, the main occupation is fishing, as is the case with most outlying islands. The island does also have a small rattan and hand-painted ceramics industry. A walk through the rabbit-warren lanes of the town leads past some of the shops selling these local wares, as well as many other more everyday products. A number of small temples dot the island, and the sign-posted Family Trail guides visitors on a gentle amble through the countryside.

Our Local Expert Says:

The neighbourhood's recreation oasis with ancient rocks and carefully planted rare conifers. Inside the zen garden is the restaurant Long Men Lou.

Description:

Not to to be missed regardless whether you are vegetarian or not, the best part is that in order to eat at Nan Lian vegetarian restaurant, you'll find a gem in the middle of the city. Tour this delightful 35,000 sq m Tang Dynasty style garden. You will find an atmosphere conducive to serenity and tranquility; an ambience in which you can enjoy moments of leisure and peace of mind. There is also the Pine Tea house right adjacent to Chi Lin Vegetarian. The Cantonese cuisine is delicious and you won't even notice that there is no meat. No fake meat like vegetarian roast goose or char siu, just vegetarian food in its natural simplicity.

The kitchen team of Chi Lin Vegetarian designs the menu using seasonal produce. The five fortune appetizer platter features good sized appetizers. For the mains, the miniature sized braised supreme assorted vegetables casserole is nowhere near as miniature as it makes out. An original portion is big enough to feed 12 people, and so a "miniature" easily feeds between two and three. Both dim sum and a la carte dishes are served during the day.