Festivals:
Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day
of the fifth lunar month. There are different findings
about the origin of Tuen Ng. The mostly widely accepted
one is about the patriotic scholar-statesman Chu Yuan
who drowned himself to protest against the emperor.
Did
You Know?... that "Hong Kong" literally
mean "fragrant harbor"?
Moon
Festival: Mid-Autumn Festival or Moon Festival
takes place on the 15th day of the 8th month of the
lunar calendar. Chinese people believe that on that
day, the moon is the biggest, roundest and brightest.
And the term round implies family reunion in Chinese.
Wisdom
Path: Lantau Island's Unique "Wisdom Path":
Walk the Wisdom Path, an outdoor wooden replica of the
famous Buddhist prayer, the Heart Sutra, in the shape
of a figure eight.
Marine
Land: Atoll Reef, the most popular attraction
of Marine Land, provides a chance to view more than
2,000 fish. There are 250 species of fish; including
an 80 year old, 6 foot long Giant Grouper. Atoll Reef
also boasts the largest number of Napoleon fish to be
found in any aquarium in the world.
Relax:
Give yourself time to explore the Old Citadel section
of the city, where you'll find the fascinating Museum
of Macau and the landmark São Paulo church. This
Portuguese-influenced neighborhood also has reasonably
priced shops that sell everything from furniture to
polo shirts.
Tian
Tan (Big Buddha): At 26.4 meters high and 220
tonnes, this bronze-cast figure took a decade to complete.
Although it was unveiled in 1993, the statue is seated
atop Po Lin Monastery and has already become the symbol
of Lantau Island. Its right hand is elevated, delivering
a blessing to all its visitors, while its soft eyes
and lips connote calmness and serenity. Parts of the
monastery, which is full of Buddhist imagery and colorful
manifestations, are open for tours—even though
devout monks wander the grounds. Its customary, for
monks and visitors alike, to light incense that carry
blessings for loved ones into the heavens.
A
Symphony of Light: Lights sparkle and shoot out
from some 20 buildings on Hong Kong Island, illuminating
the sky and harbor front. In order to see the magical
display of neon lights and hear the accompanying symphonic
tunes, you must board a ferry and find a spot on Tsim
Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars.
Did
You Know?... Hong Kong's monsoon climate makes
it humid and hot in summer but cool and dry in winter.
Typhoons happens mostly in summer though there are typhoons
in October sometimes.
History:
Hong Kong was colonized by the British in 1841.
Goldfish
Market: Red fish, blue fish, one fish, two fish
anything and everything fish-related can be found on
Tung Choi Street (Mong Kok, Kowloon). Fish, which have
long been a source of good luck in Chinese tradition,
can be purchased from one of the dozens of stores on
this street.
Flower
Market: This street is full of fresh bulbs and
bouquets of every color possible. The varieties range
from exotic blossoms to regular houseplants.
Yuen Po Street Bird
Garden: Offers some
70 bird stalls that showcase songbirds, budgies and
parakeets. There are numerous cages available, ranging
from antiques to impressively modern designs, as well
as such bird-friendly products as tiny porcelain watering
bowls.
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