Spend a Night at the Opera Cantonese
opera might sound like discordant screeching to the untrained ear, but
make no mistake, this is a fine and ancient art. It combines song, mime,
dancing, martial arts and fantastic costumes and make-up and can go on
for six hours or more. Ride on a Junk We’ve
all seen that iconic image of the junk, blood-red bat wing sails
unfurled as the sun sets over Victoria Harbour. Unfortunately, it’s
usually the same boat. The Duk Ling is one of the few masted sailing junks left. Tours
depart from Central Pier 9, Hong Kong Island 3pm & 5pm Thu, 11am
& 1pm Sat; and from Kowloon Public Pier, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2pm &
4pm Thu, 10am & noon Sat Advance booking advisable 2508 1234 Adm
Junk
Feast on Dim Sum
Dim sum is
commonly translated as “touch the heart”, although in some
establishments it may also touch your wallet. The small steamed snacks
in bamboo baskets are delivered by grumpy old ladies with trolleys.
Dim sum
Visit a Market Hong
Kong’s wet markets can bring on instant culture shock for those
tourists who are more used to the orderly atmosphere of supermarkets.
Tiptoe through rivers of blood, past gizzards and buzzing flies as
hawkers yell and housewives bargain.
Market produce
Go for a Traditional Tonic For
a taste of the real China, try a tonic restaurant. Chefs whip up dishes
with all sorts of herbs and spices, in accordance with the principles
of “heating” or “cooling” foods. A tonic lunch at the Treasure Inn
Seafood Restaurant includes fried snowfrog and bamboo fungi.
Traditional tonics
Try Foot Reflexology Vice-like
hands seek out pressure points linked to vital organs. The procedure is
painful, and you might be embarrassed about your feet, but you will
feel so good when they stop. Reflexologists abound in Happy Valley. Try
On Wo Tong. Aim for Everything Zen For
a modern take on ancient China, check out the Chi Lin Nunnery in
Kowloon. This gorgeous replica of a seven-hall Tang Dynasty (AD 618–907)
complex took 10 years to build, using traditional techniques and
materials. Bliss out as stubble-headed nuns chant to the Sakyamuni
Buddha . Experience Unbelievable Gall She
Wong Lam in the northeast of Hong Kong Island is the best place to sup
on snake wine, a traditional winter tonic. The speciality is a fiery
brew containing the gall bladders of five deadly snakes. Hillier St, Sheung Wan 2543 8032
Watch a Lion Dance Lions
are thought to ward off evil and bring luck, which explains why the
opening of a new building often features a troupe of wiry youths
prancing about beneath a stylised lion’s head. These performances are
also common around Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year
Practise Tai Chi Turn up at the Sculpture Court in front of the Museum of Art
in Tsim Sha Tsui at 8am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
to enjoy an hour’s free instruction in this gentlest of martial arts.
Tai chi
Top 10 Ways to Pamper Yourself
Spa-ing Bout Check into the Peninsula for a stress-busting retreat at the brand new ESPA spa. Rubbed the Right Way Go for a deep-tissue Chinese massage and get the blood circulating. On Wo TongBreath of Fresh Air Beat the pollution and enjoy the buzz at Oxyvital’s Central “oxygen bar”. In a Lather A Shanghai-style shave at the Mandarin Oriental will leave your face feeling like a baby’s bottom. Love Potion No. 9 Boost your staying power with a tonic drink from one of the many kerbside Chinese medicine shops. Geomancing the Stone Make sure your house and garden are in tune with the elements with a private feng shui consultation. Raymond LoPins and Needles Loosen up with an acupuncture session. On Wo TongPlateau Splash out at the Grand Hyatt’s 11th-floor spa with outdoor pool. Put Your Feet Up Fans rave about the traditional Shanghai pedicure at the Mandarin Oriental. The Doctor Is In Try some alternative medicine from a traditional Chinese doctor. Dr Troy Sing
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