I've been living in Hong Kong for almost two years now and I've been to a host of festivals in this amazing city, Here's my top 5 festivals. These are my own opinions and also in no real order of preference, to make it easier I have put them in chronological order.
1. Chinese New Year!!
The obvious one! Hong Kong is no different to other Chinese countries and it holds many massive festivals during the annual Chinese New Year Festival. This includes the lion dance, dressing up, food stalls and just a real carnival atmosphere. The best places to head are Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Victoria Park. Though beware - it gets crowded!!
When is it on? - Usually January or February (varies depending on the Chinese Calendar). It lasts for an entire week!
2. Dragon Boat Carnival!!
The Dragon Boat Carnival is a Chinese style one day boat race with a distinct air of coolness about it. Well decorated boats and enthusiastic teams take part in races in the waters in and around Hong Kong. You can join a team if you know the right people, or best of all - just relax and watch it with some food and drink!
The reason for it is a celebration of a Chinese dude who drowned himself years ago as a protest. But it doesn't have that morbid ring to it any more - it's just a fun day out these days!
When does it happen? - Mostly on a weekend at the start or middle of June.
3. Mid Autumn Festival!
I really love the mid-Autumn Festival and recommend it. The weather is good - not too hot - not too codl. There are a lot of Chinese specialities this time of year, none more so than mooncake. This is a unique Chinese cake which is only out at Autumn time and is available in many varieties. My recommendations for mooncake are blueberry or white chocolate, but you should also try the original one - it has egg in it! Aside from this there are tons of lit up lanterns all over Hong Kong at night, and the children enjoy playing with these custom made lanterns. This is part of the Hong Kong Mid Autumn Festival Spirit and is different to that in mainland China where the locals mostly just do the traditional lanterns. In Hong Kong the lanterns feature baseball players to frogs to Donald Duck to Chinese cartoons!
When does it occur? - Again this is dependent on the Chinese Calendar but it's around the end of September or early October. It's a single day national holiday in Hong Kong.
4. German Beer Festival!
What? You're telling me to go all the way to Hong Kong and then drink German Beer?? Yes, because this is the one time of the year that the locals let their hair down and party like Europeans. It's fun seeing the Chinese dance to the likes of Oasis, Neil Diamond and DJ Otzi! And it's a really fantastic atmosphere. Come on, who wouldn't want to sip beer and eat pork knuckle with an amazing view of skyscrapers just as the sun is setting?
When is it? - It usually runs for a month from the middle of October onwards.
5. The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival
And you were thinking that Hong Kong (and most of Asia) don't appreciate the finer things in life like wine and beer!! The Wine and Dine Festival is an excellent place to meet up, listen to music, try countless wines and eat a range of international foods. Plus an amazing place to watch the sunset in November!
When is it? - Normally November (and it only lasts 3-4 days)
Visit Hong Kong and get to these top 5 festivals - these are just some of what Hong Kong has! There are lots more festivals in Hong Kong (for example Easter, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day, Halloween Party at Lan Kwai Fong). This city rocks and is a vibrant place for a mixture of entertainment.
1. Chinese New Year!!
The obvious one! Hong Kong is no different to other Chinese countries and it holds many massive festivals during the annual Chinese New Year Festival. This includes the lion dance, dressing up, food stalls and just a real carnival atmosphere. The best places to head are Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Victoria Park. Though beware - it gets crowded!!
When is it on? - Usually January or February (varies depending on the Chinese Calendar). It lasts for an entire week!
2. Dragon Boat Carnival!!
The Dragon Boat Carnival is a Chinese style one day boat race with a distinct air of coolness about it. Well decorated boats and enthusiastic teams take part in races in the waters in and around Hong Kong. You can join a team if you know the right people, or best of all - just relax and watch it with some food and drink!
The reason for it is a celebration of a Chinese dude who drowned himself years ago as a protest. But it doesn't have that morbid ring to it any more - it's just a fun day out these days!
When does it happen? - Mostly on a weekend at the start or middle of June.
3. Mid Autumn Festival!
I really love the mid-Autumn Festival and recommend it. The weather is good - not too hot - not too codl. There are a lot of Chinese specialities this time of year, none more so than mooncake. This is a unique Chinese cake which is only out at Autumn time and is available in many varieties. My recommendations for mooncake are blueberry or white chocolate, but you should also try the original one - it has egg in it! Aside from this there are tons of lit up lanterns all over Hong Kong at night, and the children enjoy playing with these custom made lanterns. This is part of the Hong Kong Mid Autumn Festival Spirit and is different to that in mainland China where the locals mostly just do the traditional lanterns. In Hong Kong the lanterns feature baseball players to frogs to Donald Duck to Chinese cartoons!
When does it occur? - Again this is dependent on the Chinese Calendar but it's around the end of September or early October. It's a single day national holiday in Hong Kong.
4. German Beer Festival!
What? You're telling me to go all the way to Hong Kong and then drink German Beer?? Yes, because this is the one time of the year that the locals let their hair down and party like Europeans. It's fun seeing the Chinese dance to the likes of Oasis, Neil Diamond and DJ Otzi! And it's a really fantastic atmosphere. Come on, who wouldn't want to sip beer and eat pork knuckle with an amazing view of skyscrapers just as the sun is setting?
When is it? - It usually runs for a month from the middle of October onwards.
5. The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival
And you were thinking that Hong Kong (and most of Asia) don't appreciate the finer things in life like wine and beer!! The Wine and Dine Festival is an excellent place to meet up, listen to music, try countless wines and eat a range of international foods. Plus an amazing place to watch the sunset in November!
When is it? - Normally November (and it only lasts 3-4 days)
Visit Hong Kong and get to these top 5 festivals - these are just some of what Hong Kong has! There are lots more festivals in Hong Kong (for example Easter, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day, Halloween Party at Lan Kwai Fong). This city rocks and is a vibrant place for a mixture of entertainment.
About the Author:
To find more stuff like Top 5 Hong Kong Festivals check out Jonny Blair's extensive global travel, work and lifestyle website Dont Stop Living for excellent advice and inspiring stories.
No comments:
Post a Comment