14 Morning Tai Chi Classes
Learn to control your inner chi with these free lessons
While Hong Kong is often associated with Bruce Lee’s famed Jeet Kune Do or the kung fu antics of Jackie Chan, the seemingly serene art of tai chi is arguably the most popular form of martial arts in the territory. Roughly translating as ‘Supreme Ultimate Fist’, tai chi chuan was founded as a series of slow-motion exercises designed to give the practitioner complete control over their body and mind. Today, it is practised the world over for the same reasons, promoted for its ability to relieve stress, health benefits, and, if necessary, self-defence. Regarding the latter, the basic precept of tai chi is to meet force with softness (yang with yin), letting the attacker tire themselves out with their own movement. These days, though, tai chi is more on a par with yoga and pilates than karate or judo, and is practised worldwide as a form of active meditation and way to keep fit, especially among the older generation. No matter what your age, you too can try this ancient art form while in Hong Kong under the direction of experts. Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the Tourism Board holds free morning classes in two dramatic locations: at the viewing platform on top of The Peak Tower and along the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) waterfront (advance registration is essential; call the Hong Kong Tourism Hotline on 2508 1234). Commencing at 8 am and lasting an hour, these sessions are an excellent way to learn about this ancient art as well as an opportunity to explore two of the city’s most interesting areas. If you choose to sign up for the TST class, take a late morning walk afterwards along the Avenue of Stars. Hong Kong’s answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this waterfront walk is home to the hand prints of Jackie Chan and a life-size statue of Bruce Lee.
Opening Times Mon, Wed & Fri: 8 am–9 am
Address Sculpture Court (in front of the Hong Kong Museum of Art), Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Getting There MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station, Exit J. Walk for approximately 10 minutes until you reach the museum. From the Star Ferry pier at Tsim Sha Tsui, walk for around 10 minutes until you reach the museum
Contact Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Hotline: +852 2508 1234 (9 am–6 pm, daily); www.discoverhongkong.com
Admission Fee Free
15 Dolphin Watching
Meet the SAR’s wildest inhabitants—pink dolphins
As with much of the city’s wildlife (cows? really?), people are unlikely to believe you when you tell them that Hong Kong is home to wild dolphins, pink ones at that. Yet it is, though the dolphins are endangered because of threats to their habitat and feeding grounds. Officially known as the Chinese White Dolphin, in Cantonese slang the mammal is called hoi tuen, or sea pig. Despite their name, pink dolphins are actually born with dark skin, which gradually turns grey and then white as they age; the reddish colouration is a result of blood vessels close to the skin, which help the animals regulate their internal temperature. While the exact number of pink dolphins in the Pearl River Delta is unknown, scientists estimate the total population at no more than a few hundred. Local interest in the pink dolphin has increased dramatically over the last 16 years, since the founding of Hong Kong Dolphinwatch in 1995 first raised awareness of the animals, and the indigenous species was made the official mascot of the 1997 Handover. While local boatmen in places such as Tai O offer speedboat tours, Dolphinwatch offers the only real environmentally minded way to see them, providing a portion of proceeds to the World Wide Fund for Nature, as well as supplying them with information on sightings and photos that assist with research. They also have a ‘Go-Again Guarantee’, where you can join another trip free of charge if you don’t sight a dolphin. Their regular trips include return trip coach transport to the ferry pier, a presentation on the dolphins by experienced guides and free light refreshments on board.
Opening Times Mon–Fri 9 am–6 pm (office hours), trips run every Wed, Fri & Sun
Address 1528A Star House, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (office)
Getting There Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station, Exit L4, or walk from Star Ferry Pier
Contact +852 2984 1414; info@hkdolphinwatch. com; www.hkdolphinwatch.com
Admission Fee Adult: $380. Child (age 3–11): $190. Child (under 3): $50
16 Harbour Junk Rides
Watch the sunset from the deck of an historic boat
There was a time when Victoria Harbour was full of Chinese junks. Trading vessels could be seen unloading their cargo of Chinese goods for shipment overseas before heading back up the Pearl River under sail to Canton (the former name of Guangzhou) for more. Fishing vessels also sought out this safe anchorage on the South China coast, a refuge from the frequent typhoons as well as an opportunity to take on new supplies. During the Cultural Revolution in the late 1960s, fleets of these distinctive boats suddenly appeared as people fled the chaos in Mainland China. Today, however, these unique vessels have completely disappeared from Hong Kong waters (though ‘junk’ is still used as a name for the pleasure vessels that head to the outlying islands on weekends); except for one, that is. Meaning ‘Clever Duck’ in Cantonese, the Duk Ling is a 50-year-old junk that was once used by Chinese fisherman, and has appeared on screen in films such as Around the World in 80 Days and Taipan. Its iconic outline (a stylized version is used as the logo of the Hong Kong Tourism Board) is unmistakable as it carries passengers on cruises around the harbour and further afield to Lamma and Po Toi. While trips can be booked at any time of the day, nothing can quite match watching the sunset over the city skyline as you sit back on the wooden deck of this ancient craft. To experience a more Western approach to sailing, you might want instead to try riding the waves on board The Bounty, a tall masted vessel that starred in the 1983 film of the same name starring Mel Gibson as mutineer Fletcher Christian. The only such European tall ship in Hong Kong waters, it can often be seen travelling between Central and Lantau.
www.dukling.com.hk, www.thebounty.com.hk
Opening Times Mon–Fri 9 am-6 pm (office hours)
Address 17/E Neich Tower, 128 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Getting There N.A.
Contact Duk Ling: +852 2573 5282; [email protected]; www.dukling.com.hk
Admission Fee N.A.
17 The Avenue of Stars
See the stars along this homage to cinematic icons
Hollywood has its Walk of Fame, Hong Kong has its Avenue of Stars (www.avenueofstars.com.hk). Inspired by the legendary stretch of sidewalk outside Mann’s Chinese
