Hidden among the skyscrapers and malls, Hong Kong has plenty of cultural gems to uncover, from temples and museums to a beautiful Chinese garden
Wong Tai Sin Temple
Although officially a Taoist establishment, the majestic Wong Tai Sin Temple also houses Buddhist and Confucian texts. The shrine is said to be especially good at answering prayers and devout worshippers flock here to pay their respects (especially during major festivals) or to reflect on their sins. Fortune-telling is popular at Wong Tai Sin, particularly through a practice known as kau cim, where wooden sticks inscribed with oracles are shaken in a bamboo cup. Even if you’re not religious or superstitious, this temple is worth a visit for its beautiful architecture and cultural significance.
• 2 Chuk Yuen Village, siksikyuen.org.hk
Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha
Lantau Island’s Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery are two of the city’s most famous attractions, and for good reason. With the breathtaking backdrop of mountains and the South China Sea, the seated bronze Buddha is 34m tall, the largest of its kind in the world, atop a three-tier altar that doubles as an exhibition hall showcasing religious relics as well as a six-tonne bell that rings 108 times a day. Equally impressive architectural feats are located within the monastery itself, including the main shrine and a massive, soon-to-open complex known as the Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas.
• Ngong Ping,, plm.org.hk
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a fantastic place to while away the afternoon perusing ancient artefacts from the city’s early history. The 7,500-square-metre space features six permanent galleries based around the arts, history and culture of Hong Kong and its surrounding regions. The Cantonese opera hall is one of the most interesting exhibits and boasts a traditional bamboo shed theatre, as well as the extravagant costumes and accessories donated by famous opera singers.
Lam Tsuen
Two towering banyan trees form the centrepiece of this 700-year-old community of villages. Traditionally, residents would write their wishes on a piece of paper before tying them to oranges and throwing them onto the branches as a good luck charm. The tradition has been prohibited in an effort to protect the ageing wishing trees but visitors can still enjoy their majestic charm and explore the unique customs of the surrounding villages. The other major attraction here is the Tin Hau Temple, an important shrine erected during the Qing dynasty to honour the Goddess of the Sea.
• Fong Ma Po Village, +852 2638 3678.
Sam Tung Uk Museum
Nestled within the buzzing developments of Tsuen Wan district, the Sam Tung Uk complex (named after its three-beam floor plan) offers visitors an insight into Hong Kong’s pre-skyrise history. Constructed in the 18th century by the Chan clan, the Hakka walled village was declared a historical monument and converted into a museum in the 1980s. Although some changes were made to the monument, such as the addition of an exhibition hall and reception area, most of the complex’s original architecture has been preserved, including the ancestral hall and standalone houses where traditional furnishings and Hakka equipment are on permanent display.
Tsz Wan Court Massage Palour
This may not be the most well-known massage place in Hong Kong but it’s one of the most interesting. A trip to Tsz Wan Court Massage Parlour is a crash course in Chinese tuina bodywork, courtesy of the many murals and lifelike sculptures scattered throughout. Deities from ancient massage masters line the hallways while treatments are performed in a cosy (yet colourful) recreation of the Taoist health teachings’ 18 levels of body meridians. The parlour is also a popular place for practical learning and study functions partly as a convention and gathering for therapists.
• 150 Tsz Wan Shan Rd, Tsz Wan Shan, +852 2323 0141
Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre
The old Shek Kip Mei neighbourhood may not be an obvious tourist hotspot but the eclectic Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC) building alone warrants it a visit. The former factory estate reopened in 2008 as a nine-storey, multidisciplinary arts village showcasing performances, workshops and arts festivals and exhibitions. Aside from housing galleries, studios and a small-scale theatre, the creative community also boasts the charming Heritage Tea House, where guests can sip on premium brews, enjoy a dim sum lunch and learn more about the culture and ceremonies of Chinese tea.
• 30 Pak Tin Street, Shek Kip Mei, +852 2353 1311, jccac.org.hk
Wanchai Livelihood Museum
You can’t miss the Blue House – a historic, 1920s-style tenement building named after its stark blue exteriors. Aside from being a well-preserved piece of Hong Kong’s architecture, the building also houses the city’s first livelihood museum, which aims to promote and preserve the culture and spirit of the Wan Chai neighbourhood. The museum hosts regular events and exhibitions that touch upon various aspects of Hong Kong’s history and development. Heritage walking tours are also available by request and are usually led by longtime Wan Chai residents.
• 74 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai, +852 2835 4376, cds.sev227.001at.com/etour
Yim Tin Tsai Village
Visiting Hong Kong’s first Catholic community on the quiet island of Yim Tin Tsai can be an eye-opening experience, especially if you’ve already spent days exploring the city’s countless Chinese temples. Originally a Hakka community, missionary work began in Yim Tin Tsai in the late 1800s and by 1875 all of the island’s inhabitants were baptised, while the village’s first Christian chapel was completed a few years later. In 1890, the St Joseph’s Chapel was built to replace the former house of worship and the stunning monument has been declared a historic building. Although most inhabitants have left the island for the city, visitors can still experience remnants of Yim Tin Tsai’s Hakka culture and also venture out into the surrounding mangroves.
• Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung, +852 2791 6226, yimtintsai.com
Dragon Garden
This breathtaking garden is one of the few remaining privately owned parks in the city and is perhaps also one of Hong Kong’s best kept secrets. The land was acquired by philanthropist Lee Iu-cheung, who spent 20 years designing and landscaping the expansive, eight-hectare stretch of greenery. The result of his hard work is a gorgeous, Chinese garden, complete with ornate pavilions, towering archways and water features adorned with detailed stone sculptures. The garden is currently under the ownership of Lee’s descendents, who hope that their private paradise can be properly restored and opened to the public. Until then, visits to the Dragon Garden are available through open days held once a month.
• 32-42 Castle Peak Road, Tsing Lung Tau, dragongarden.hk
