Hong Kong

Published in Lifestyle Asia Magazine 2006

The Pulse of Asia

Long known as being a shopping mecca as well as the home of gastronomic delights, Hong Kong is now being touted as the place to be for anything and everything. This world class city with an endless array of shops and restaurants, a bustling harbour and a perfect blend of Western and Eastern cultures is now opening even more doors to accommodate the tastes, interests and energies of world travelers and first time adventurers alike.

First on the list of sites to see is the chic boutique hotel apartments of JIA, meaning “home” in Mandarin. JIA is in a class all on its own, it is the first and only boutique hotel in Hong Kong and can boast of being the first hotel designed by French design master Philp Starck in Asia. It has 57 rooms, two of which are Penthouses all built within a 15 year old residential building in the bustling Causeway Bay area, a location known for its shopping and entertainment establishments. The hotel showcases Starcks sleek and modern designs, accented by very eclectic and eye catching furnishing and pieces of art. JIA offers hotel apartments that are fully equipped with tableware and cookware, top of the range audio visual equipment, including a flat-screen TV, a home theatre system and free broadband connectivity, all provided to make the guest feel “home away from home” JIA Hotel 1-5 Irving Street, Causeway Bay (852) 3196-9000 www.jiahongkong.com

Getting around Hong Kong is never a problem as there are a variety of ways to get from place to place. For a bit of nostalgia hop on a tram, historically, the first tram fleet consisted of 26 single-deck trams imported from England. These tramcars were replaced by double-deck tramcars in 1912, with permanent roofs added to the cars by 1923. The fleet now consists of 164 double-decker trams, that makes the only fully double-decker tram fleet in the world, with two open-balcony trams (#28, #128). There are stations located at the following (west to east): Kennedy Town, Whitty Street, Western Market, Prince's Building (Central, westbound), Landmark (Central, westbound), Worldwide House (Central, eastbound), Pacific Place (Admiralty), Happy Valley, Percival St. (Causeway Bay, eastbound), Sogo (Causeway Bay, westbound), North Point, Shau Kei Wan. Depots are located at Sai Wan Ho (between North Point and Shau Kei Wan), and Whitty Street. Take a trip down to the Western Market in Sheung Wan for a little shopping and a glimpse of old Hong Kong.

The Western Market, with its red brick walls and large granite arch over the main entrance, certainly stands out from the surrounding office buildings. The Western Market which was formerly a food market built in 1906 was transformed in 1989 when the Land Development Corporation was contracted to restore and revitalize this historical Edwardian building, it was officially re-opened in 1991. Aside from traditional Chinese goods, there are also silks and fabrics, from the subtle to the gaudy available for purchase. Don’t leave without venturing up to the 3rd floor of the building which exhibits innovative and new designers in art, design and fashion. Habitus, a store which specializes in funky and eye catching home and office decor, such as a submerged bust of Mao Tse Tung is also on the 3rd floor. Pick up the schedule of upcoming art and fashion design shows happening around Hong Kong, profiles of the different artists and their work are also included.

Town Gas Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui provides fine dining in an ultra chic interactive setting. The restaurant which is fronted by a shop specializing in home appliances and kitchenware has both an indoor café and an outdoor area facing the Harbour. An open kitchen and several flat screen TVs show how your dish is being prepared, and expert chefs are ready and open to sharing their recipes and cooking tips and techniques. The duck breast and guava salad is a favorite item on the menu especially for those into fusion food and a well stocked cellar of wines makes the café an ideal place for a meal or a relaxing drink. It is best to make reservations for a table as it fills up quickly by couples and families especially on weekends and for dinner. Town Gas Avenue is open every day from 11am for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner up until 10pm. For a quick look at the shop, café, its locations (there is another branch in Causway Bay) and their menu, there is a website www.towngasavenue.com.

Stroll along the newly opened Avenue of the Stars located on the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Opened in April 2004, the Avenue of the Stars was made to pay tribute to the movie industry of Hong Kong and those who have turned it into the Hollywood of the East. It features pavement plaques commemorating Hong Kong movie personalities past and present; milestones outlining the local film industry's 100-year history; a welcoming video; sculptures; and souvenir kiosks, all of which will enable visitors to see and learn more about their favourite Hong Kong movies and movie stars. In addition, special lighting makes the atmosphere even more enchanting at night. Celebrites such as Jackie Chan and Andy Lau have hand prints on the commemorative plates among others and the Hong Kong Film Academy has donated a magnificent sculpture at the entrance of the boardwalk. After 8pm visitors can also stay to watch A Symphony of Lights along the Hong Kong Harbor.
Since January 17th 2004, Hong Kong’s magnificent harbour-front skyline comes to life in a blaze of colour and sound each night for from 8pm to 8:18pm. A Symphony of Lights is a choreographed light and sound show combining special interactive light and musical effects which re-tell the story of Hong Kong by showcasing 18 key buildings along the waterfront of Victoria Harbour. This impressive spectacle has its own soundtrack and narrative translated into several languages, English on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Putonghua on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Cantonese on Sundays. Specators can also listen to the soundtrack via various local radio stations, or by dialing a special number on their mobile phone.
For a nightcap, there is Aqua Spirit, which is best described as an uber glam bar. Found on the 30th floor of the very posh One Peking Road building in Kowloon’s new fashion district. Its mezzanine level is an unobstructed panoramic view of Victoria Harbour on one side, and the Kowloon district on the other side. It is touted as being the hippest venue of Hong Kong, with its plush seats and lounge chairs for patrons to sit in and chill out. The Aquatini is one of its specialty house drinks made out of Ketel One, lychee liquid, chambord and gold leaves. Aqua Sprit is on the 30th floor of One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui tel. (852) 3427-2288 www.aqua.com.hk.
Hong Kong has also been the home for world class horseracing events having entered into the world class international ranks over the last decade. First class facilities are available at The Happy Valley Racecourse which is in the heart of Hong Kong Island and the Sha Tin Racecourse which now hosts the very prestigious Hong Kong International Races. The Sha Tin Racecourse has been around since 1978 and has a seating capacity of over 80,000 with premiere services available to spectators. It holds the world record for the worlds largest diamond vision screen (8 meters in height and 70.4 meters in width) it is parallel to watching 4,500 21 inch TV sets at the same time. Sha Tin also possesses the first ever retractable parade ring, which has a total area of 13000 square meters and may also sit an addition 4,800 racing fans. In December 2004 the first Cathay Pacific International Hong Kong Races were held, with an attendance of over 60,000 spectators and over U$7 million in prize money. Even those who don’t gamble will be swept up by the excitement and energy of watching the bright colors worn by the jockeys and horses as they gallop down the finish line to the cheers and yells of the spectators around them. Prepare to spend an entire day at the races if there is an international cup to be won.
From day to night there is always something happening in Hong Kong. A weekend trip can be turned into a full 48 hours of non-stop activity. Hong Kong can now be defined as the events capital of Asia.
Cathay Pacific flies to Hong Kong seven times a week, with 5-6 flights daily from Manila and one from Cebu.