Hong
Kong is often described as a city where East meets
West. This is reflected in all aspects of the culture,
but especially in its shopping, nightlife, and dining.
A popular destination for shoppers
from around the world, Hong Kong has everything
to offer from the latest European fashion to traditional
Chinese wares. Malls, department stores, and designer
boutiques offer an amazing contrast to the bustling
open-air Stanley Market and Jade Market shopping
areas. Every district in Hong Kong has old-fashioned
stores that sell Chinese herbal medicine. The largest
concentration of these shops is along Bonham Strand
and Bonham Strand West in Sheung Wan, where all
types of pills, plants, and dried animals are for
sale.
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre and
Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower at nightHong Kong has an
active nightlife centred on two major entertainment
districts, Lan Kwai Fong (Central) and Wanchai. Both
areas are frequented by expatriates and locals alike.
For a more quiet evening, a trip to Victoria Peak
offers a spectacular view of the city. There is also
a promenade along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, which
is popular among young Chinese couples. Shopping,
a form of entertainment for the people of Hong Kong,
is even done at nighttime as evident in the Temple
Street Night Market.
The city's cosmopolitan flavour
can also be seen in the wide variety of cuisines
available. While different varieties of Chinese selections,
especially seafood, are most popular, there are also
many European, American, Japanese, Korean, and other
restaurants. Ethnic dishes served in cha chaan teng
and dai pai dong are also popular. The people of
Hong Kong take their food seriously and many top
chefs make their way to the city to show off their
talents to these discriminating diners.
Cantonese OperaEntertainment and
the performing arts also reflect Hong Kong's blend
of the Chinese and the Western. The film industry
and the "Cantopop" music industry scramble
together both influences and have long been enormously
successful locally and internationally, with star
performers as ubiquitous icons. Many of these come
out of the dramatic and variety programs on local
television, which has been a major presence since
1967. All three of these industries export entertainment
to Chinese-speaking communities around the world.
Western-style theatre and various forms of traditional
Chinese opera co-exist on local stages.
The world famous Hong Kong International
Dragonboat Festival, now known as the Circus Capital
Stanley Dragon Boat Championships, is a celebration
of community that is televised globally. |