Category Archives: Hong Kong

London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2015: A Chinese Connection in the UK

Visit the London Regatta Centre on 28th June, 2015 to feel the thrill of the 20th edition of the London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Often considered the most prestigious dragon boat festival across Europe, it has become an integral part of the cultural calendar of London. Here are a few notable highlights of this festival.

hong kong dragon

Participate as a Competitor

You can compete in this event as part of a team. Take your pick from Corporate Package or Non-Corporate Package. Entry forms for both packages are available on the official website of the festival.

Entertainment

Besides boat races, the London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is packed with an array of attractions and activities as diverse as DJ shows, live musical performances, and martial arts.

Jeffrey Alexander School of Martial Arts: At the boat race festival, participants from Jeffrey Alexander School of Martial Arts will showcase unique self-defence moves of various disciplines such as Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Shaolin, and Chi Kung.

Kieran Lai: The semi-finalist at Britain’s Got Talent 2014, Kieran Lai is going to display his jaw-dropping dance moves at the London Regatta Centre on 28th June. This talented dancer also acted in the British movie, All Stars.

Crash Island: If you are fond of rock music, Crash Island is sure to catch your attention. This four-piece London-based band includes artists from South Africa, Spain, and France, and has performed in various European countries including Germany, Switzerland, and France.

Luciee Marie Closier: The young singer shot to fame with BBC’s The Voice UK 2014. Now, Closier sings all over the UK and has supported numerous popular bands and artists such as Shola Arna, Scouting for Girls, and Ms Dynamite.

Four Vintage Tramways around the World that Becharm Even Today

We are headed towards a world where magnetic levitation and Euroduplex rails are all set to radically evolve train-transportation. However, very few modern wonders can beat the old world charm of riding a tram. Navigating through the city’s busy locales, the trams run slowly at their own leisurely pace, as if beseeching us to take it easy in life and enjoy what we have all around. Listed below are some vintage trams or streetcars as they are known in many cities, operating on some age-old tracks.

Hong Kong Tramways

Hong Kong Tramways by Fabio Achilli/ CC BY

Hong Kong Tramways by Fabio Achilli/ CC BY

Snaking through Hong Kong’s bustling streets, panoramic harbours and colourful neighbourhoods, this tramway is perhaps the best way to peep into the city’s real essence. The exclusivity lies in the fact that it ranks among the first few networks of double-decker trams. The style of the 1950s still remains intact in some of the trams.

Melbourne Tram

Melbourne Tram by David Maciulaitis/ CC BY

Melbourne Tram by David Maciulaitis/ CC BY

A visit to Melbourne is incomplete until you experience the world’s third largest tram network. It connects many key tourist attractions in Melbourne, including those in the suburbs, and is highly popular among tourists. Dating back to 1884, it remains among Melbourne’s earliest means of public transport. In the old days, horses used to draw the trams.

Wellington Cable Car

Operating for over a century now, this funicular railway has become a symbol of Wellington. While Wellington has transformed into a global metropolis, the network still has a historic feel that tempts tourists. At the same time, its present day significance also cannot be overlooked, given the fact that it connects some of the most prominent commercial and tourist spots in Wellington such as Lambton Quay and Kelburn.

San Francisco Streetcar

Fondly dubbed as “museums in motion”, San Francisco’s cable cars are the best way to explore the US metropolis at a slow pace.  The heritage wagons run on three different lines and will take you through many historical and tourists spots in the city. Some popular ones include Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, the Castro district, Chinatown, Nob Hill and Jackson Square.

Top Hong Kong Cultural Celebrations during the Spring Season

hong-kongSpring in Hong Kong is a time of celebration! From salubrious weather to gratifying shopping and an array of cultural fests, the season is marked by a great zeal and enthusiasm in the ‘Asia’s World City’. Here are some popular cultural carnivals that happen to express the real essence of Hong Kong, blending its contemporary persona with ancient rituals and bizarre customs.

Birthday of Tin Hau

Hong Kong boasts an influential maritime heritage, and the Birthday of Tin Hua, the goddess of the Sea, is an annual reminder of that! The locals flock to the temples of the deity and pray for safety, security and well-being of their fishing business. One of the famous places to witness this cultural extravaganza is Shap Pat Heung in Yuen Long, where a colourful parade of fa pau (floral wreaths) takes place, followed by the lion dances and a noisy procession of brightly decorated fishing boats. It generally falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month (11th May in 2015) and attracts a huge number of holidaymakers who buy tickets aboard flights for Hong Kong.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

The century-old Cheung Chau Bun Festival is still one of Hong Kong’s most important cultural carnivals. Held in the fourth lunar month, the week-long event sees loads of merrymaking with fascinating Taoist ceremonies, lion dances, drum beating and exciting games and competitions. The locals, dressed in cultural costumes, parade statues of deities through the narrow alleys of the island. Many unique rituals are performed to keep the real essence of the fest alive, and this is what makes it one of the world’s top, quirky local festivals. Quite naturally, a fair share of travellers who grab flight tickets’ for spring holidays in Hong Kong partakes in the carnival.

Birthday of the Buddha

hong-kong-aAlso called the Buddha Bathing Festival, it surely reflects the spiritual sides of people in Hong Kong. A number of rituals, taken from the life of Lord Buddha, are practiced and make for a unique cultural experience for those who join the festivity after disembarking their Hong Kong flights. Devotees visit the temples and pay homage to the deity by bathing statues. Various cultural performances, group chanting and holistic sessions add to its spiritual significance. Eating the special green cookies signifies the passing of the hard time in life and remains a highlighted ritual of the event!

Popular Guided Tours in Hong Kong for First-Timers

hongkong

The populous and bustling city of Hong Kong features on the itineraries of many travellers who wish to net tickets to China to explore its myriad oriental charms. However, for first-timers who alight from their flights in Hong Kong, venturing into the break-neck pace of the city-life may seem too daunting a task to undertake. Unless, of course, some well planned and carefully executed tours come to the rescue of bewildered travellers.

Explore Hong Kong from its Watery Lanes- Boat Tours for Amateurs

The Container Port in Hong Kong is the third busiest port in the world. Many guided tours start off from this point as the area is an ideal place to witness the transformational outlook that the city has donned over the course of time. With frequent stops at places like Aberdeen Harbour, Deep Water Bay and Stanley, paying for tickets aboard one of the boat cruises leads to some exquisite chances to witness the eventful life of the fishing communities, exotic markets and food stalls that line that the waterfront.

Splurge To Your Heart’s Content with Shopping Tours

Many travellers who board flights to Hong Kong are keen to explore its exhaustive array of offerings that one can purchase from the city’s multifarious shopping venues. Shopaholics can find their haven in many places like Causeway Bay, Island Beverly Center and Harbour City. Hong Kong has something to offer to varied shoppers, be it classy and pricy designer creations or the insanely affordable and cheaper versions of the same. In Hong Kong, with innumerous mind-boggling options, it is quite easy to end up spending the money reserved for the purchase of return tickets!

Gastronomic Sojourns for Foodies are Possible with Food Tours

Gourmands from all parts of the world admit to the fact that Hong Kong is one of the places in the world that is rightly acclaimed as a ‘food paradise’. However, for first timers, it may be quite cumbersome to find the best dimsum joint and wonton soup cart. The guided food tours not only bring out the best of culinary outcomes that Hong Kong has to offer, but also enlighten tourists about the significance of food-culture in the city.

Top Four Off-Beat Attractions in Hong Kong – Enjoy A Unique Holiday!

Attractions-in-Hong-Kong

Hong Kong is one of the most acclaimed holiday destinations in the Fareast, and most of its top attractions/activities are often talked about a lot! So we bring you some amazing experiences that may give a unique, fresh perspective of the Asia’s World City!! Book your flights’ tickets and get set to explore Hong Kong in an altogether new way!

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Gardens

Drive down to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Gardens, near the China Border outside of Funling, to relish appealing natural beauty, unique flora & fauna as well as organic yummies. Here, you can witness scenic pathways, beautiful streams and waterfalls as well as interesting exhibits. Also learn about the native art, environment and habitats before enjoying locally produced delicacies in any of the restaurants here. Surely, this strangely eclectic place is worth every penny spent on flights and other holiday deals for the destination.

Chung King Mansions

The Chung King Mansions, located along the “Golden Mile” of Nathan Road, comes alive with the gathering of ethnic minorities, African traders and holidaymakers from across the globe. The place literally brings the whole world together, and wandering here is simply a mesmeric experience. Chill out at restaurants that serve global delicacies or shop for interesting antics and souvenirs!

Hiking across Lamma Island

Hiking across Lamma Island will offer you some of the best experiences in Hong Kong. While trekking through the island, different species of trees and birds can also be seen. Don’t miss a meal of fresh seafood at a beach-facing eatery at the island! The historical Kamikaze Cave also catches the fancy of hordes of tourists who spend on flights for enjoying holidays in Hong Kong.

Ferrying to the Bays off Sai Kung

A ferry ride to the bays off Sai Kung is a great way to explore not just the region’s natural magnificence, but also its rhythm and vitality. Popular places to head to include the Lantau island, Cheung Chau Island and Lamma Island. Experience the great natural beauty around Hong Kong from an entirely unique perspective as you relive the exhilaration of a boat ride! Camping, swimming and surfing are other recommended activities during the excursion!

Cheung Chau Island Flaunts a Supremely Serene Side of Hong Kong!

Pak-Tai-TempleHad enough of Hong Kong’s glitterati? Exploring countryside might be a good escapade. Plan a day or two at Cheung Chau Island to immerse in a not-so-flashy lifestyle. Owing to its proximity to Hong Kong Island, numerous locals love to plan their weekends here. Few decades ago, Cheung Chau was a notorious hideout for pirates but today, you can surf on the rolling waves, gorge on delectable seafood and experience a sense of serenity at its historical temples. Here is a list of few attractions enticing travellers to invest in tickets to Cheung Chau.

Cheung Po Tsai Cave

History lovers boarding flights bound for Hong Kong must surely consider visiting this cave in Cheung Chau. According to a legend, the notorious pirate, Cheung Po Tsai kept all his loot in this cave. There are numerous signs in and around the cave depicting a navigable route that led people to the bounty! From here one can admire the captivating views of the dazzling coastline.

Pak Tai Temple

This is the one of the most prominent temples among the local fishing community. It is dedicated to the God of the Sea, Pak Tai and features an impressive design marked by several animal images, particularly the lion stones. Other highlights in this temple are Favourable Wind Ear and Thousand Li-Eye. If you are grabbing tickets aboard flights to enjoy a spring in Hong Kong, you can be a part of annual Bun Festival where magnificent towers of sweet buns are to be found.

Ancient Rock Carving

These carvings are located near Tung Wan Beach and have been added to the list of declared monuments of Hong Kong. According to archaeologists, this rock carving is around 3 millenniums old!!

Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre

Adventurous souls visit this centre especially to glide through the waves! This windsurfing centre is strategically located between two popular beaches – Kwun Yam Wan and Tung Wan Beach. From here you can rent surfing gear as well. After an eventful stint in the waters, surfers can enjoy a drink at open-air bar, located at the second floor of the centre.

Hong Kong – A City Teeming with a Spectrum of Entertainment Choices

Hong Kong features on the itineraries of many travellers who book tickets to explore the multifarious facets of the city, a majority of which are entertaining to the core. What keeps up the spirit of merry-making in Hong Kong is the abundance of varied entertainment venues that are speckled across the city and offer numerous audio-visual and experiential delights.

hongkong

A Symphony of Lights- A Must-See Attraction

Those who disembark their flights in Hong Kong and wish to get enchanted at the very first sight may head straight towards the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, which is one of the best vantage points to enjoy the daily show. A Symphony of Lights portrays the attitude of the city with flashes of multi-hued laser lights depicting Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership and Celebration.

The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts

The aesthetic souls who find pleasure in creativity and art can find their retreat at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. The value for the money invested on flights can be attained by experiencing one of the many theatrical, musical and dance performances that the institution hosts on a regular basis.

The Hub of Entertainment- South of Hollywood Road (SOHO)

A favourite spot for locals and tourists alike, SOHO attracts one and all with its multitude of cafés, bars and restaurants. Tourists who book tickets to Hong Kong must visit the enchanting area which has retained the primitive charm of its architecture amidst the burst of modernity that graces the place. And one must also not miss out on some souvenir shopping before boarding their return flights.

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Visiting Hong Kong necessitates the experience of diving into the cultural affluence of the city. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre boasts of multiple theatres and stages that house a large congregation of masses who are willing to witness some of the finest orchestras and other musical events.

The Alluring Magnetism of Wan Chai

Known for its abundance of affluent literati populace, the Wan Chai district is also the best place to indulge in the opulent indulgences of Hong Kong that have sprung up in the guise of numerous bars, restaurants and shopping complexes.

Hong Kong Summer Fun 2014

The bustling city of Hong Kong comes alive in all its elements at the time of the coveted summer festival, the Hong Kong Summer Fun. The merry-making and frivolity commences in the month of June and continues till the end of August. Many tourists from all the over the world book flights to Hong Kong at this time of the year as they wish to experience the multifarious indulgences that the city offers. The 2014 edition kicked off from 27 June and will go on till 31 August 2014. This colourful jamboree brought along numerous options for entertainment and leisure activities to engage and delight visitors and locals alike.

Shopping

Tourists arriving on flights to Hong Kong are keen to explore the array of markets and shopping complexes which the city houses. There are lucrative discounts which are on offer and visitors cannot help but immerse themselves in the pleasant tide of top brands and local produces. Many retail outlets and boutiques participate in the Hong Kong Summer Fun by setting up themed markets and luring shoppers with a variety of discounted items.

Shows and Exhibitions

The festive spirit is alive with the umpteen shows and exhibitions that are hosted in various parts of the city. Be it the glamorous pop-shows featuring celebrities like Jordan Chan and Jerry Lamb who are popular amongst the youth, or the extraordinary exhibition of the “1600 Paper Mache Pandas” which not only amaze tourists, but also enlighten them.

Entertainment Venues

Visitors boarding flights to Hong Kong during the Summer Fun are elated to find discount offers on many of the top notch entertainment venues in the city. This year the prices of tickets have been lowered for the Summer Fun in many places including Ocean Park Hong Kong, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Hong Kong Disneyland.

Ocean Park Hong Kong by Robert Baxter / CC BY

Ocean Park Hong Kong by Robert Baxter / CC BY

Foodies Delight

Hong Kong is acclaimed for its wide range of culinary delights which comprises mostly of Chinese cuisine, but is not devoid of Western ones too. Thousands of restaurants and eateries clam up with excited foodies during Summer Fun where one gets to relish some of the finest dishes of Asia.
The summer festivity, with a plethora of attractions, entices many travellers to book tickets to Hong Kong.

Experience the Unmatched Vibe of Hong Kong in Just Three Days!

Nan Lian Garden

Nan Lian Garden Hong Kong

A heady combination of past and present, Hong Kong is one of the most stunning destinations in Asia to explore on a 3-night holiday. Scintillating beaches, amazing Disneyworld charms, contemporary arts, high street shopping and delicious food – the Asia’s World City has it all and even more and never fails to spellbind visiting tourists. Although, even a month is not sufficient to explore all this fascinating metropolis has to offer, here is a well-informed itinerary to experience best of Hong Kong in just three days:

Day 1

ferry

Ferry Boat Hong Kong

Commence your holiday by riding the funicular tram to Victoria Peak – Hong Kong’s highest point! Pay a visit to the famous Madame Tussauds Museum and get clicked with your favourite celebrities; the museum houses life-sized statues of many renowned celebrities from around the world. Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware is also worth a visit, if you’re inclined towards history and heritage! Head to the beautiful Hong Kong Park and relish breathtaking vistas and some moment of relaxation before taking Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour! Considered as a heritage and cultural treasure of Hong Kong, the Star Ferry promises visitors the maximum bang for money spent on tickets for the ride and other holiday deals. Don’t forget to enjoy Symphony of Lights and glamorous night vistas of Victoria Harbour!

Day 2

Ngong-Ping-Village

Bronze Buddha Statue

Head out to explore the Ngong Ping Village for a truly unique experience during your Hong Kong holiday! The Tian Tan Buddha Statue, world’s largest seated, outdoor, bronze Buddha Statue, is also worth a visit. Then, head to the splendid Po Lin Monastery, a short walk from the statue, and enjoy a meal (vegetarian) there! After that, take a bus to Tai O Fishing Village and enjoy boating as well as fresh sea food! Dining at any of the upscale restaurants at Tsim Sha Tsui will also delight your taste buds and leave you gloating about the decision of netting air tickets for holidays in the city.

Day 3

Victoria-Harbour

Wan Chai

Visit Central Hong Kong to see some of its iconic buildings such as Man Mo Temple and Sheung Wan. Take a stroll along the traditional shops and art galleries in Soho to buy some souvenirs to take home! Watching a show at the Hong Kong Arts Centre will also be a mesmeric experience. With loads of bars, restaurants and cafes to choose from, those looking to delve into city’s pulsating nightlife will be left spoilt for choice. Wan Chai and Lan Kwai Fong bar are two popular names.

Asian Cities Known for Their Effervescent Nightlife

asian-nightlife

Love to paint the town red? Whether it is savouring intoxicating drinks, enjoying rocking jukebox or taking in some culture; a trip to any of these Asian cities is truly a way to get the party led off! Take your pick, reserve your tickets and enjoy to the hilt!

Pattaya

What was once a bivouac for US troops on Vietnam War has now risen to become Mecca of unmatched hedonism, with fun-seekers from across the world getting into this brilliant Thai city to splurge on drinks and other sinful things! Every inch of this beach city oozes out enthrallment, full moon parties and go-go clubs steal the show with amazing vibrancy and vigour. Stroll around a huge party zone from Soi 13 to Soi 16 in South Pattaya to make the maximum bang for the money spent on flight tickets and holiday deals.

Mumbai

Mumbai is called a city that never sleeps and it’s not without a reason. Be it the rooftop cocktail bars with gorgeous city views, chic clubs with happing crowds or the loudest and hippest bars; Mumbai’s pulsating nightlife never runs out of throb. If your budget allows, try Tryst to dance you night away with a hip-hop track list, a glossy dance floor and countless of lights all around. Trilogy, a swanky nightclub in Juhu, also serves a lot more than the sea views. Additionally, an array of sophisticated restaurants serving drink, dinner and dance also offer a refined taste of Mumbai nightlife

Hong Kong

Full of passion, soul and spirit, Asia’s ‘World City’ has a reputation of celebrating each day in a year. The idea is to dance, dine and drink all year-round. While there are plenty of bars, night clubs and discos to feed one’s social addiction, nocturnal delights in Hong Kong tend to revolve around the magical street shows, events and gatherings on the harbour. Various events like the Symphony of Lights and Rugby Seven is sure to satiate your craving for entertainment and leave you gloating about the decision of netting tickets on flights to Hong Kong.