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Festival

Spring Lantern Festival

Spring Lantern Festival- Also known as Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, marking the end of the New Year festivities. One will find colorful lanterns with beautiful designs everywhere; in the markets, streets, parks, homes, food joints. In the evening there is a special public celebration in popular places of the city like the Victoria Park.

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Spring Lantern Festival Hong Kong
Spring Lantern Festival Hong Kong

Spring Lantern Festival- Also known as Valentine's Day, is celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, marking the end of the New Year festivities. One will find colorful lanterns with beautiful designs everywhere; in the markets, streets, parks, homes, food joints. In the evening there is a special public celebration in popular places of the city like the Victoria Park.

More festivals in Hong Kong

Keep exploring Hong Kong.

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New Year

Activity

1st January. The English Calendar New Year is celebrated with fanfare, parties and fireworks.

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The Ching Ming Festival

Activity

The Ching Ming Festival falls on in the third lunar month. It is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring. This is also known as the Tomb Sweeping or Spring Remembrance festival. Ching Ming means clear and bright and on this day ancestors graves are visited and respect given, weeds removed, tombstones touched up and offerings made.

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Tam Kung Festival

Activity

Tam Kung Festival falls on the 8th day of the 4th month in Chinese calendar. This is to honor a sea god Tam Yung, and to bless fishermen for safe journeys and happiness. His temple is visited and devotion expressed.

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Yue Laan -The hungry ghost festival

Activity

Yue Laan-The hungry ghost festival-(Aug/Sep) This is the festival to appease ghosts who it is believed come down on the earth during this lunar month. Paper money is burnt and offerings given to keep the ghosts appeased and let them go back.

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Hong Kong Music festival

Activity

Hong Kong Music festival and Hong Kong Youth Arts festival is held in October every year.

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Confucius's Birthday

Activity

Confucius's Birthday, 27th day of the eighth moon. One of the greatest philosophers and thinkers of China, Confucius is highly revered in Hong Kong and his birthday is celebrated with traditional reverence.

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Christmas and New Year

Activity

Christmas and New Year is again a time of revelry. East meets West in the true spirit of this festive season.

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Dong Zhi Festival

Activity

Dong Zhi (Winter Solstice) Festival (11th moon). This is the second biggest festival of the Chinese calendar celebrated on the day when it is the shortest day and the longest night. Families get together and celebrate with new clothes, lots of food, and gifts. Chinese Yin and Yang principals are at work where in the pessimism of darkness and cold is the optimism that it can only get better from here.

Chinese New Year Hong Konghong-kong

Chinese New Year

Activity

Chinese New Year is the first day of the lunar month. This is the most important festival in the calendar based on the legend of Nien, the fearsome monster that attacked the homes and people of the Yellow river area. Nien was afraid only of the color red, noise and bright lights. It is believed that on the 365th evening the dragon disappeared after the villagers used this against him. Every year, traditionally the 365th evening (and at least for three days afterwards, traditionally for 15 days) is celebrated with drums, bright lights, fireworks, parades, dragon and lion dancers. A lot of red is used in the dresses, head gear, the painted masks, and street decorations. Children run around with bright red envelopes carrying money (Lai see). This dazzling fervor and gaiety is bewitching and probably this is one of the most unique festivals of the world. Bonus is given in companies, great feasts are held and delicious food prepared, Chinese age old traditions and the Gods of wealth, food and prosperity are remembered.

Birhtday of Che Kung Hong Konghong-kong

Birthday of Che Kung

Activity

Birthday of Che Kung falls on the second day of the first lunar month. This is celebrated in memory of Che Kung. It is believed the Sung Dynasty general became a Taoist deity after he saved many from plague. Thousands now go to his temple. Luck is believed to befall those visiting the temple at this time.

More places in Hong Kong

Keep exploring Hong Kong.

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The Avenue of Stars

Theatre

Located along the Victoria Harbor waterfront, the Avenue of Stars in Tsimshatsui is the Far East's equivalent to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is a tribute to the great movie and TV industry of Hong Kong, a tribute to the professionals who have contributed to the territory's hundred-year history of film making. The Avenue of Stars features commemorative plaques, hand prints of movie celebrities, descriptive milestones, kiosks with movie memorabilia, a towering Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, and a life size statue of Bruce Lee, the legendary kung-fu star.

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Museum of History

Museum

Museum of History is another landmark of this area. Established in 1975 when it became a separate entity, it finally got its permanent home only in 1998 on 100 Chatham Road, South Tsimshatsui. This colossal museum has the same colour planning as the Science Museum next door. If one is a history enthusiast, this is the place to go to. Intricate details of the history of Hong Kong can be found here. There are plenty of reconstructed facts interestingly brought out with costumes, photographs, old artefacts and even a 100 year old reconstructed street. There are five branches of this Museum around Hong Kong.

What to do with children in tow Hong Konghong-kong

What to do with children in tow

Activity

As Hong Kong boasts of both the Disney land and Ocean Park, children all over the world will always enjoy a visit. Besides this all tours are child friendly and quite interesting for children. To take a cruise by day or night, dolphin watch tour, just play on the beach, or go for some water sports, the best being on Lantau, is something all kids love to do.

Hong Kong Dolphin Watch Hong Konghong-kong

Hong Kong Dolphin Watch

Activity

Hong Kong Dolphin Watch is a special tour every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, mainly by environmentalists to raise sensitivity and protect the Pink Dolphin.

The Tin Hau Temple Hong Konghong-kong

The Tin Hau Temple

Temple

The Tin Hau Temple is a protected monument and located on Causeway Bay. This temple is dedicated to Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea. It still retains a lot of the original architecture and form.

Victoria Park Hong Konghong-kong

Victoria Park

Park

Victoria Park, in Causeway Bay, originally built as a protection from Typhoons is today a popular park, with a statue of Queen Victoria at the main entrance. It now has many sports facilities and international tennis tournaments are hosted here. There are pools, fountains and children areas. Events like the Lunar New Year Fair, Annual Flower Show and Expositions are held in this park. People also hold their protests, demonstrations and meetings here.

Causeway Bay Hong Konghong-kong

Causeway Bay

Town

Causeway Bay is in the Northern area of the Island. It is one of the world's most expensive shopping areas to rent a place. It has the famous Times Square indoor shopping plaza, the famous Japanese store Sogo, The World Trade Centre, Fashion Island, Fashion Walk, Windsor House, and Lee Gardens. It is the trendy, upmarket area popular with the fashion conscious youth. It has some great hotels and service apartments. The Royal Yacht Club is located here. The famous Noon day Gun is still shot from here as an age old tradition of signaling time.

Victoria Peak Hong Konghong-kong

Victoria Peak

Mountain

Victoria Peak is at 550 m above sea level and as such offers breathtaking views of both the Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon area along with the Harbor. It is a must visit both during the day and at night. The main view point is on the roof of a shopping mall even though the actual peak is to the west. There is a lot of entertainment on the Peak as well as some great eateries. Tram rides to the Peak can be taken.

Zoological and Botanical Gardens Hong Konghong-kong

Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Garden

Zoological and Botanical Gardens are on the northern slopes of Victoria's Peak. Started as a Botanical Garden in 1871, it was renamed with the increasing interest and additions to the Zoological sections. Albany Road divides this Garden into two parts which are connected by a subway. It is in the area between Garden Road, Upper Albert Road, Robinson Road and Glenealy. The Western part is where all the mammals and reptiles can be seen. The eastern part of the Garden has a beautiful Children's playground, Jaguar enclosures, Fountains and Terrace Gardens and a Green House.

Old Man Mo Temple Hong Konghong-kong

Old Man Mo Temple

Temple

Old Man Mo Temple located on Hollywood Road was built in 1848 and is the oldest and most well known temple of Hong Kong. It pays tribute to Man Tai, the god of Literature and Mo Tai, the god of war whose images are found inside. Many throng this temple and burn incense sticks. It is believed that physical strength and intelligence is granted in the worship here.

More restaurants in Hong Kong

Keep exploring Hong Kong.

Gaddi’s Hong Konghong-kong

Gaddi's

A great choice for French food with much European influence, the service here is also par excellence. The elegant restaurant with classic French crockery is still considered one of Hong Kong's best restaurants. The ambience is beautiful and to add to the mood there is live music and a dance floor.

Café des artistes Hong Konghong-kong

Cafe des artistes

In the heart of the crowded Lan Kwai Fung, one is transported to this quiet restaurant. The food here is from Southern France with some mouth watering delicacies like the grilled scallops, or duck leg. The desserts are mouth watering.

Café Deco Hong Konghong-kong

Cafe Deco

Family-friendly

This is a beautifully designed restaurant in the Stunning Victoria Peak area with spectacular views. To add to this flavor is the live Jazz music one is treated too. Perfect for a family outing, there is a choice of food from all parts of the world, be it Italian, Thai, Indian, Mughlai, Chinese, Japanese or American. The helpings especially of the salad are generous. An additional feature is an area for children to play in.

Caprice Hong Konghong-kong

Caprice

This restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel is a specialty French restaurant where reservations are a must. The renowned Chef Vincent Thiery personally supervises the kitchen to create delicious French specialties. The décor is a great blend of modern and classic. Chinese and international art adorn the walls. The view of Victoria Harbor adds to the delicate flavors. The capelli pasta, scallops or the duck delicacies are suggested. There are fixed priced menus on offer too.

Grissini Hong Konghong-kong

Grissini

This restaurant is on two levels with great views of the harbor. In slick style with black furniture, high ceiling and floor to ceiling windows, it offers delicious Northern Italian food with innovative menus. It offers a variety of Italian wines to go with the food.

Unkai Hong Konghong-kong

Unkai

This is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong. The chef is from Osaka. The décor is elegant yet subtle. Unless very familiar with Japanese food, it may be better to try the fixed menu to savor all the delicacies and specialties.

Steakhouse wine bar and grill Hong Konghong-kong

Steakhouse wine bar and grill

The huge selection of salads, imported meat steak selections, and a variety of the best international wines make this a memorable dining experience. The food is delicious and service impeccable.

Yan toe heen Hong Konghong-kong

Yan toe heen

This restaurant is decorated with tasteful beauty and serenity. It commands a breathtaking view of the Victoria Harbor. The table is set with expensive jade. The cuisine is Cantonese but with a lot of innovations to please the palate of every international traveler. The chef is known to change the menu with each lunar month hence always offering a new delicacy to try out. The Dim Sums are delicious.

Felix Hong Konghong-kong

Felix

The décor here is whacky, but the sweeping views, especially of the harbor and Hong Kong's skyline are amazing. The food is excellent. It is a combination of East and West. The fixed menu gives an opportunity to try the specialties.

Baci Hong Konghong-kong

Baci

Not giving too much emphasis to décor, the restaurant offers very authentic Italian food. The bar is well equipped and the staff is very friendly and warm.