Getting to Know the Locals:
Hong Kong residents offer an inside look at China’s
most unique city
By Janna Graber
 Mention
Hong Kong to almost anyone and certain images come to mind: Crowded
streets filled with businessmen hurrying to the office, tall
skyscrapers blocking the sun and hundreds of stores open late for good
shopping.
 Yet
that picture is incomplete without the people of this vibrant city.
The area’s 6.8 million residents come from all walks of life –
fisherman sailing their sampans into the harbor, vendors selling dim
sum from carts as they talk on cell phones, and villagers living in
tiny stilted homes along the waterways in the outlying islands.
Now visitors to Hong Kong have the rare
opportunity to get to know some of these locals.
In a unique Hong Kong initiative called “Meet the
People”, area residents, artists and businessmen have offered to share
their thoughts and expertise with guests to the city. The goal is to
help visitors get below surface tourism and experience Chinese
culture, tradition and heritage for themselves. Free weekly sessions
on a variety of topics and activities are offered in English.
Niels Voigt, a 25-year-old visitor from
Amsterdam, is one of the participants in an early morning tai chi
lesson on Hong Kong’s picturesque Waterfront Promenade. Tai chi
instructors William Ng and Pandora Wu lead the class of about 20
tourists from all over the globe. Ng gently helps participants find
the correct positions, encouraging them to relax and enjoy the
exercise. “Tai chi is about balance,” he says.
“This program is a good way to get to know people
and experience Hong Kong,” says Voigt as he practices the unfamiliar
moves. “I wish this kind of program was in other cities as well.”
 Locals
from other fields have also chosen to share their expertise. Tea is
Vincent Li’s passion. The 28-year-old tea master, who owns of the
city’s finest tea houses, says the program gives him a chance to teach
visitors about a beloved tradition. “The Chinese have been drinking
tea for thousands of years,” he says. “It’s important to our families
and our culture. If you make a mistake, for example, you apologize
with tea. And newlywed couples always present tea to their parents.”
Li’s parents grew up in the Fijian Province of
China, a region known for growing oolong tea, so tea is part of his
life, Li says. “A good cup of tea can bring your mind to the
countryside,” he states. “You can close your eyes, imagine the natural
setting and forget the noise around you.” Li offers several in-depth
classes on tea, as well as an hour-long session on how tea is grown,
fermented and produced.
 Victor
Choi has his own passions. As one of Hong Kong’s leading antique
experts, Choi welcomes guests to his galleries for an entertaining
lesson on the history, qualities and purchasing of Chinese antiques.
Showing examples from his two galleries, Choi discusses what buyers
should look for in Chinese antiques, as well as what they should
avoid.
“I’ve been collecting things since I was four
years old,” Choi says. His fledgling collection grew immensely during
the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the late 60’s, when many works of
art were sold by the government for low prices. Now, walking into his
galleries is like entering a beautiful museum. Such ancient pieces, in
wonderful condition, bring a sense of awe from Choi’s visitors.
Those who want to learn about Hong Kong’s
contemporary art scene will want to meet Johnson Chang. A respected
curator and gallery owner, Chang discusses various aspect of Chinese
modern art, and offers an introduction to work by the region’s top
artists.
Hong Kong is filled with numerous artistic venues
and opportunities for art lovers, but it has much to offer nature
lovers as well. There are some 260 outlying islands in Hong Kong. Each
island has something unique to offer, from beautiful beaches to
step-back-in-time villages.
Lantau, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lamma are the
most popular islands to visit. These tiny fishing villages and rural
communities offer a relaxing getaway from the frantic pace of the
city, yet they are only an hour’s commute by ferry. On Cheung Chau,
local Cecilia Ko, a manager at the Warwick Hotel, offers tales of the
region’s traditional Chinese festivals. The highlight is the story of
the island’s ancient Bun Festival, celebrated by the area children
each year. Ko explains the history behind the colorful parades,
religious rites and performances.
Dr. Mark Houston offers insight into another
aspect of Chinese culture -- Traditional Chinese Medicine. Houston
moved to Hong Kong 34 years ago, and has spent years studying Chinese
culture and practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Each week,
Houston meets with visitors at his small clinic on Hong Kong Island to
explain the principles behind Traditional Chinese Medicine.
“The Chinese approach is to see the whole
picture,” he explains. “We look at where you live, how you walk, and
even what climate you live in. There is no such thing as disease in
TCM,” he says. “There is only imbalance, and treatment is to bring the
body back in balance.”
 Houston
explains how herbal medicine and acupuncture are used in treatments.
His talk provides insight into the dozens of Chinese Medicine stores
that dot the streets of Hong Kong. Such stores, filled with ginger
root, herbs, dried fish and other animal parts, are popular stops for
many of the locals.
Fung shui is another highly-held Chinese
tradition. Joe Lee is an experienced practitioner of this art, and he
lectures on it each week. Positioning and angles are both important,
says Lee.
Goemancy, as fung shui is also called, it an
important part of the local architecture. Many residents believe that
a business’ success hinges on assuring harmony in the environment via
ancient fung shui principles. They point to one building with “bad
right angles”, and to others that offer “beautiful harmony”. After
this introduction to fung shui, the layout of the city, its harbors
and skyscrapers take on new meaning.
Such insight into Chinese culture offers visitors
a rare opportunity to see Hong Kong in a whole new light. And that,
some would say, enriches any visit.
Where to go for more information:
Hong Kong Tourism – Discover the City of
Lights
http://www.discoverhongkong.com
Meet the People Program
A listing of locations and times is available
from the Hong Kong Tourism Board at
http://www.discoverhongkong.com.
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/usa/people2people/. The program
runs until March 2003.
Where to Stay:
 Great
Eagle Hotel
http://www.gehotel.com
This lovely, yet affordably priced hotel has a friendly staff and is
minutes from the Promenade
 The
Penisula Hotel
This is Hong Kong’s CLASSIC hotel heralding the
territory’s British heritage. Don’t miss their High Tea! Located in a
top location on Kowloon near the waterfront.
http://www.peninsula.com
Where to Eat:
Golden Bauhinia
http://www.hkcec.com/english/restaurants/rest_golden.php
(Their Sauteed Crab Claws have won major awards)
T’ang
Court
Great Eagle Hotel
(Their Peking Duck is amazing!)
http://www.gehotel.com
Tsui Hang Village Restaurant
132-134 Nathan Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
 Yuen
Mun
You can pick your own seafood at any many of the
fishing markets/restaurants in this village and they will cook it up
for you. Incredibly fresh and tasty!
MoonGarden Tea House
Vincent Li, Tea Master
149 Hollywood Road
Central Hong Kong
© Janna L. Graber 2002
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