Written by:
Jodi Helmer
Photographer:
Jodi Helmer
» Order
this Issue of Curve:
Vol. 16#2
Hong Kong is a city alive with contradictions: Vendors sell dim sum from street carts while talking on cell phones, and businessmen practice tai chi in the park before heading to work in the modern skyscrapers that dot the horizon. The unique blend of Eastern tradition and Western culture draws travelers from all over the world who want to sample the ages-old glamour of Asia. Here are my tips for making the most of a trip to Hong Kong.
Connect to the Culture
Immersing yourself in the local culture is one of the best ways to truly experience Hong Kong, and one of the most predominant cultural practices is martial arts. Kowloon Park is home to Kung Fu Corner, a series of weekly demonstrations where participants dressed in colorful silk outfits offer lively demonstrations of tai chi and kung fu. If the demonstrations leave you feeling adventurous, sign up for a free tai chi class.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board offers one-hour classes on the waterfront several mornings a week. The classes, which are — trust me — much harder than they look, offer a glimpse into one of the oldest forms of martial arts. The practice is said to help balance yin and yang — negative and positive energies — and can provide some much-needed relaxation after fighting throngs of people at the bustling markets.
Tour the Temples
Spend an afternoon (or an entire day) touring the ancient temples scattered throughout Hong Kong to get a glimpse of the religions that have shaped the region. There are an estimated more than 600 temples and monasteries in Hong Kong, but just 40 are open to the public. Of those, Man Mo Temple and the Po Lin Monastery are definitely worth a visit.
Man Mo Temple, located in the Hollywood District, is one of the oldest and most famous in Hong Kong. Take a moment to watch locals light incense and say a silent prayer, and consider having the resident fortune teller predict your future. Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island is a Buddhist monastery and religious retreat where the main attraction is the Tian Tan Buddha, the largest seated Buddha statue in the world. According to legend, the shrine houses a bone fragment encased in crystal of the actual cremated Buddha. There are 260 steps leading to the statue, but the walk to the top is worth it for a breathtaking view of the island.
Shop Until You Drop
Hong Kong has a reputation as a veritable paradise for shoppers, and a quick glimpse of local residents reveals that fashion is serious business. It is possible to shop just about anywhere in Hong Kong, but the streets in the Tsim Sha Tsui district are lined with designer boutiques and stores selling every electronic gadget imaginable, and the district is home to the Harbour City Mall, which boasts over 700 stores.
One of the most popular shopping experiences, also in Tsim Sha Tsui, is the Temple Street Night Market. Starting at dusk, vendors hawk wares ranging from fake designer bags and T-shirts to illegal porn and sex toys. Bartering is expected and prices are generally very low.
Sample Traditional Cuisine
Strolling along the streets of Hong Kong will definitely work up an appetite. Hong Kong is famous for its dim sum, sweet and savory dishes such as shrimp dumplings or chicken’s feet, that are traditionally served with tea. The dishes, which are often inexpensive, are eaten in late morning or early afternoon. The British influence is still strong in Hong Kong and formal tea ceremonies are still prevalent. Sipping a pot of perfectly prepared green, black or oolong tea is a great way to relax and experience a different side of the cultural coin.
Jumbo Kingdom, a floating restaurant in Aberdeen Harbour, is a tourist trap that cannot be missed. The cuisine is not noteworthy but the spectacle of lights and adornments are enough to attract attention. The restaurant offers a free shuttle boat from the dock but you can also hire a sampan, an old-fashioned fishing boat, for transportation to the restaurant and a tour of the harbor.
Check out the Nightlife
Spending your days touring dozens of temples and walking around the city in search of the perfect dim sum will probably leave you craving a bit of nightlife. Hong Kong is the place to dance and drink until dawn. Homosexuality was illegal in Hong Kong until 1992, but when the Chinese government lifted criminal penalties, dozens of clubs and saunas threw open their doors. It is still relatively uncommon to see same-sex couples being affectionate in public (in fact, it is pretty uncommon to see hetero couples being affectionate in public), but there is a thriving gay scene in Hong Kong.
The majority of the clubs are located in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui districts. In addition to several gay and lesbian clubs, several straight clubs also have gay nights. Propaganda, a club located on Hollywood Road, is regarded as one of the hottest gay dance clubs in Hong Kong and is packed almost every night of the week. GayStation, a free paper that can be found throughout the city, has listing for nightlife and saunas.
Other Must-See Attractions
Regardless of the type of vacation you have in mind, there are a few things you should not miss while you’re visiting Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak: The highest point on Hong Kong Island, Victoria Peak offers stunning views of the harbor and the skyline. Take the Peak Tram to the top and spend the afternoon taking in the view and strolling around the gardens. Consider visiting again in the evening to enjoy the city lights.
Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree: The Wishing Tree is an ancient banyan laden with wishes written on colored paper tied to oranges. According to legend, if you toss your wish into the tree and it stays in one of the branches, it will come true. The beautiful picture that results from thousands of colored papers hanging from the banyan tree is worth the trip.
Harbor Cruise: Victoria Harbor is one of the busiest and most impressive natural harbors in the world. A cruise offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy lunch, dinner or an evening cocktail amid the sailing junks and sampans with the striking skyline as your backdrop.
For more information on visiting Hong Kong, check out the Hong Kong Tourism Board Web site at: http://www.discoverhongkong.com
|
