CULTURAL CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS IN HONG KONG

Nestled in Admiralty’s scenic Hong Kong Park, the Flagstaff Museum of Tea Wares offers an intriguing blend of colonial heritage and Chinese tradition. The museum provides a unique insight into the ancient culture of tea drinking. Housed in the oldest remaining colonial building in Hong Kong (built in 1846), the museum has a huge collection of Chinese tea vessels from all over China. Chinese tea drinking lessons are also available.

Transportation:

• By taxi (approximately 15 min at HK$30/US$4)

One of the first traditional-style temples built during the colonial era, Man Mo temple is one of the most famous cultural attractions in Hong Kong with magnificent external architecture that reflects its historical roots. The temple is dedicated to the Taoist gods of Man (literature) and Mo (martial arts). There is also a statue of Pau Kung, the god of justice, and another of Shing Wong, the god of the city. The plaques near the entrance provide an interesting perspective on the history of the temple and its gods. Inside, the air is thick with aromatic smoke from the coils and incense sticks that are said to carry prayers to the spirit world.

Transportation:

• Facing Causeway Bay, walk via Morrison Hill Road and Tin Lok Lane, at the end turn right to take bus no.26 (HK$3.90 / US$0.60 each) located at No.402 Hennessy Road outside the e-TECH Centre, and alight at Hollywood Road. (20 min by bus)
• By taxi (approximately 10 min at HK$50/US$6.5)

Hollywood Road and Upper Lascar Row, also known as “Cat Street”, are must-see stop-offs. Crammed with antique shops and an open-air curios market, these quaint streets are ideal spots for picking up eclectic souvenirs and gifts. Here you will find everything on sale, from Ming Dynasty furniture and lotus lamps to Mao badges and ancient snuff bottles.

Transportation:

• Facing Causeway Bay, walk down Morrison Hill Road and Tin Lok Lane, turning right at the end to take bus no. 26 (HK$3.90 / US$0.60 each) located at No.402 Hennessy Road outside e-TECH Centre, and alight at Hollywood Road. (20 min by bus)
• By taxi (approximately 10 min at HK$50/US$6.5)

Since its grand opening in 1989, the Cultural Centre in TsimShaTsui is a superb venue offering a wide diversity of performing arts including concerts, operas ballet and musicals for both Hong Kong residents and tourists.

Transportation:

• By taxi (approximately 20 min at HK$90/US$11.6 including tunnel fee)

Hong Kong’s most famous open-air market opens at 2:00pm but really comes to life at dusk, with a bustling array of stalls selling everything from watches and leather ware to clothing and souvenirs. Other attractions include fortune-tellers and occasionally, Cantonese opera singers. Temple Street is in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.

Transportation:

• By taxi (approximately 20 min at HK$70/US$9 including tunnel fee)

Situated in Lantau Island, the majestic figure of the seated Buddha (or Tian Tan) is 34-meters high. Cast in China, it took ten years to complete and weighs 220 tons. It was unveiled in 1993 accompanied by an elaborate religious ceremony.

Besides attracting Buddhists from all over Asia, the magnificent figure, with its compelling presence, almost instantly included the remote Po Lin Monastery, with its devout monks, into a must-see destination on tourist itineraries.

Transportation:

• Take taxi to Tung Chung station (approximately 36 minutes at HK$280/US$36), where you can take bus No. 23 or Cable Car to Ngong Ping. (Total travelling time is approximately 2 hours)

Chi Lin Nunnery is established in 1934 and renovated in 1990 covering an area more then 33,000 square meters. The buildings are the only buildings to be built in this style in modern day Hong Kong. A large temple complex of wooden architecture, the nunnery is filled with temple halls, Chinese gardens and a vegetarian restaurant. The temple halls and the Chinese garden in front of the nunnery are open to the public daily free of charge.

Transportation:

• Go through the subway outside Dorsett Wanchai Hotel to Morrison Hill Road to Lap Tak Lane and take bus no. 671 (HK$11.1 / US$1.5), alight at the Diamond Hill Railway Station, followed by a 10 min walk. (55 min)
• By taxi (approximately 30 min at HK$110/US$14.2 including tunnel fee)

Wong Tai Sin Temple is where the worshipers come and pray for good fortune anytime of the year. The temple is beautifully ornamented making it a scenic attraction as well as an important religious landmark. Visit the temple to see faithful worshipers performing ancient rituals amid aroma of incense. Opens daily from 7:00am to 5:30pm.

Transportation:

• By taxi (approximately 30 min at HK$110/US$14.2 including tunnel fee)

Lam Tsuen has a history of 700 years and it’s still crowded with people who come to visit its two “wishing trees” today. In the past, visitors came to make wishes and throw joss paper into these two trees. In order to protect the tress, wishes are more tidily made by tying joss paper to nearby wooden racks or imitation trees nowadays.

Transportation:

• By taxi (approximately 33 minutes at HK$230/US$29.5)