Certainly Asia is the largest and most populated continent. However, Asian culture is even more popular than its demography thanks to all the traditions of the countries that are grouped there. Moreover, the various customs of many countries are still spread out in Hong Kong.
Asia is the great temple complexes, a Buddha at rest, but also the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. It is the world of great religions, Asian cuisine full of exotic spices and the extreme architecture of the Chinese. In Asia, everyone can find their way back to spirituality and inner peace. Asia could not be more different and always has the right program for everyone. In addition to being the largest continent in the world, Asia is also the most populated. With this expanse of land, it offers a multitude of climatic zones that are perfect for a travel destination. Speaking of nature, it is unique and special not to mention endless rice paddies, the Himalayas, giant pandas, volcanoes and the Gobi Desert. On the question of culture, they go from Master Buddha to the fastest builders in the world without mentioning the high technology and the unique and extraordinary architecture. There is no lack of experience with Chinese architecture, the shopping streets of Singapore, Asian culture in Hong Kong and the diversity of cuisine.
Why is Hong Kong so special among the many countries on the mainland?
Asian culture is special and unique because it is full of different customs and traditions of ethnic groups around the world. Hong Kong is considered to be the cradle of Asian culture because many cultures, customs and traditions are still present there. Asian cultures in Hong Kong are represented by culture and heritage, Chinese temples, Chinese festivals, modern architecture, museums, historical sites, living culture and other places of worship.
The heritage sites of the Chinese clan and European colonial history side by side form the Taoist temples and buildings. Hong Kong’s temples are hidden in lush hills and wedged between shiny skyscrapers. But they are also lively places of worship and the centre of the city’s festivals. Places of worship for migrants from all over the world illuminate Hong Kong’s unique history and its melting pot of cultures created by their diverse beliefs. Traditional festivals in Hong Kong are celebrated in an extraordinary way with glowing lanterns, populated temples, dancing lions, flaming dragons and puddles of smoke from incense sticks. Hong Kong’s museums are abundant, varied and very entertaining with a wide range of subjects. Today, there are more than 7,600 skyscrapers and other iconic buildings in Asia’s world city, making Hong Kong a living showcase of the best in international contemporary architecture. Hong Kong lives the duality of a modern city, which is enriched by the abundance of an ancient society so as not to forget the ancient rituals and proven wisdom of the East. The story of Hong Kong’s journey is told through the burial chambers of the East Han dynasty, elegant Victorian architecture and relics of the Second World War.
Having many diverse cultures, beliefs, backgrounds and traditions, Asian culture in Hong Kong is at its peak. Shiny facades, an explosion of construction and rapid economic growth: for many, Hong Kong is the best of wealth, glamour and globalisation. But the city is also a cultural and religious melting pot and has many nature reserves. It is more than just a city, it is a green oasis between satellite cities. But it is also the highest and largest economy. The roots are Chinese but it is a two-system country due to lack of space. Since the country is on mountainous terrain, not all areas are suitable for housing. So high buildings are built in order to be able to provide this huge amount of people with enough living space. Today Hong Kong has become one of the largest financial centres in the world. Low taxes and customs duties as well as the excellent infrastructure keep trade and finance flourishing. It is true that Hong Kong has been governed by the British, who have left little cultural substance. However, the roots of most Hong Kong residents are Chinese. As a result, their culture and traditions live on everywhere in spite of everything. Traditional Chinese medicine dominates in health care, Chinese theatre and Chinese opera dominate in culture. All daily life is oriented towards the correct interpretation of the Chinese zodiac signs and the philosophy of Chinese number.
Hong Kong is an Asian city, but its education system does not reflect this. Linguistically, the official languages of Hong Kong are Cantonese (a Chinese language in Guangdong Province) and English, which are used in traffic signs throughout Hong Kong. Although most local schools use Cantonese or Mandarin as the medium of instruction, Hong Kong international schools still teach students in English. Why?
For a long time, Hong Kong’s language education policy has been a political rather than an educational issue. During colonization, a “colonial education policy” was adopted, with the aim of educating a small group of local elites in English so that they could mediate between the British authorities and the local Hong Kong community. In this way, it happened that: colonialism brought the English language to the forefront, being seen as a key to economic prosperity. However, since 1997, there has been an increase in immigrants from mainland China which has resulted in a growing number of people who speak Putonghua. The links between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, on the one hand, and the island’s relations with mainland China, on the other, have influenced the language policy implemented in the territory, thus reflecting society’s use of the language. Today, Hong Kong is a de facto trilingual (Cantonese, English and Mandarin) but legally bilingual (Cantonese and English) environment. However, Cantonese does not have as high a status as English because of its role as a language of international exchange, business and academia. This is why English in Hong Kong is the most widely used secondary and post-secondary education in Hong Kong.
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With the adoption of English for mass education in the 1970s, it is clear that there are many (if not most) children who have little or no exposure to English outside the classroom and have difficulty learning English lessons. In addition, most teachers themselves have not received English language training. In response to these difficulties, teachers adopted an adaptation method called the “blended teaching method,” which involved using Cantonese with English terminology for oral presentations and English as the medium for textbooks, written assignments, and examinations. In the 1980s, the Government issued a number of reports noting official disapproval of the mixed mode and encouraging schools to switch to mother-tongue instruction (Cantonese with written Chinese) if they felt that their students were unable to benefit from English instruction. The government was of the view that instruction should be 100% in English or Chinese, but not in a mixture of the two.
Initially, few local schools used English in their education systems. As a result, students have very few opportunities to use English, Cantonese and Mandarin at the same time. As a result, a 2008 study found that because of their English, the proportion of graduates from Chinese schools were able to enter universities. This is partly explained by the fact that students living in low-income communities are less likely to attend English-language colleges that are generally located in high-income communities. In addition to all institutions of higher education using English as their primary medium, parents also believe that English schools offer convenience for higher education. Given that English is a global language, parents also believe that studying in English schools can be an advantage in improving children’s employment prospects and social status. Meanwhile, CMI students are considered to lack sufficient knowledge of English, as their lack of confidence in spoken English will make them unable to deal with foreigners.
Studies have shown that there are many advantages to being bilingual or even trilingual. Being able to speak a second language indicates that you have better attention span than someone who can only speak one language and that you are good at multitasking. This is because your brain is already accustomed to switching quickly from one language to another, making it easier for you to handle two tasks at the same time. There are also other studies that suggest that being bilingual reduces your chances of having a stroke. Proficiency in a second language is also an advantage when looking for work. Superior language skills mean better communication with colleagues or clients, which means that the company benefits. Language integration should start at school, and students would do well to get started. It may be out of their comfort zone, but in the end, it’s a good thing.
Hong Kong is a must-see destination for lovers of architecture and travel. Its squares, streets and monuments make visitors want to come back. Being the capital of China, Hong Kong is one of the most beautiful symbols of success in all Asia. In particular, it has been able to stand out from other cities in China. Hong Kong is rich in historical sites, in addition to its many ancient monuments. The many visual influences of the colonial era are still clearly visible. A visit to this city is therefore highly recommended, even if it is only for a single visit.
Compared to mainland China where religions are controlled by the state, the practice of religion is free in Hong Kong. Indeed, Hong Kongers are a religious people, with 90% Buddhists, Taoists or Confucians. These beliefs are indeed the traditional religions of the Chinese. As a result, the city of Hong Kong is made up of places of worship, including the monastery called Po Lin which is located at the top of the Ngong Ping plateau. The latter is home to Hong Kong’s famous monument “The Great Buddha”, known as the Tian Tian Buddha. So if you manage to overcome 260 steps, you will be rewarded with the chance to admire this gigantic 34-metre high status. It is indeed the first historical site in Hong Kong that attracts more visitors. Apart from that, the new territories, the farmlands are home to the monastery of the 100,000 Buddhas, another magnificent place to discover.
If you are lucky enough to visit this megalopolis, take the time to explore the different temples it houses. According to Chinese philosophy, the dead are honored by the living, hoping in return for their blessings. However, the majority of these temples are made to honor ancestors. Perhaps the most famous of these is the Chen Family Ancestors Temple, the most famous historical site in Hong Kong. There is also the Wong Tai Sin Temple, a vast Taoist complex at the foot of Mount Kowloon. The Man Mo Temple, built in colonial times by Taoists, which is the oldest, and where the god of literature, the god of war and other gods are praised. Pak Tai Temple and Wan Chai, to worship the god Pak Tai, the Supreme Emperor of the North. Tin Hau Temple, built to honor the sea goddess. On the other hand, there is also the Lin Fa Kung temple, the most mysterious because according to the mythical, this place was built where the goddess of mercy appeared. Finally, there is the Tam Kung temple, intended to honour Tam Kung, a specific deity of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong, a welcoming city, is a destination to choose for its rich history and variety of cultures. Moreover, the large number of historical sites in Hong Kong is not enough to describe its multi-faceted character, as it also abounds with countless tourist attractions to discover. One example is the Tsing Ma Bridge, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, which is 2.2 km long and 41 metres wide. What would Hong Kong be without the famous Victoria Peak, the island’s highest peak, which rises to 554 metres. It is a unique spot that will allow you to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. As for the Hong Kong History Museum, it also has some amazing surprises in store for you. Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, you will find various exhibitions. Children won’t be disappointed either by visiting Disneyland, a must-see place to meet your favourite Disney characters. Not forgetting the great park of Hong Kong, which is a real oasis of greenery, calm and tranquility. Birding tours are also organised every Wednesday to explore the local wildlife. Also, a night walk in Hong Kong is highly recommended, to allow you to contemplate the sumptuous play of light in the city. This show usually starts at around 8pm.
Although a country’s cultural richness can be felt through its culinary arts, Hong Kong also has a wide variety of gastronomic specialties. The major hotels offer mostly fresh and delicious products. Dim Sum, which means “light up the heart”, is a speciality that cannot be ignored. They are in fact shaped and stuffed dumplings, steamed. Hong Kong is also known for its iconic drinks, such as Hong Kong Milk tea style, Yuanyang and cream soda with milk.
Located in southern China, Hong Kong is an economic powerhouse in its own right. With a population of more than seven million, the city is attracting more and more expatriates from all over the world. If you’re considering moving to Hong Kong, you’ll have to search through countless advertisements before you can find a home that fits your budget. There is a wide variety of offers, both in terms of price and type of accommodation. Here is the main information you need to make an informed decision.
The city of Hong Kong is divided into eighteen districts, each comprising residential and industrial areas. In the centre, most of the buildings are home to financial institutions, businesses and territorial administrations. There are also luxury hotels and high-end residential complexes. This area is preferred by expatriates to stay in Hong Kong because of the easy access to major services. In the Victoria Peak area, accessibility for migrants is less obvious: residences are mostly very luxurious, as are restaurants and shops. Not far from the centre is also Mid Levels, a very popular area with mainly modern facilities and housing. On the other hand, there is Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo, renowned for their nightlife, with the majority of renowned nightclubs and clubs, but also shopping malls and trendy restaurants. On the other hand, the Western District is mainly home to shops. As for Admiralty, Aberdeen, Tsim Sha Tsui and Stanley, despite their residential character, they are home to new constructions, including housing.
With the multitude of offers, it won’t be difficult to find a place to stay in Hong Kong: from furnished and unfurnished apartments and studios to villas and multi-storey residences. If you are planning a short stay, the ideal is to find a hotel room or an apartment hotel, depending on your budget. Furthermore, it should be noted that the majority of furnished villas or apartments have air conditioning. As far as cost is concerned, rents are higher than those in other Chinese localities. In fact, the price of renting real estate in Hong Kong is among the highest in the world. But as everywhere else, the rates depend on the location, the level of comfort and the nature of the accommodation. For example, the cheapest apartments are located in older residential buildings. The rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment is around 5,000 yuan. To rent a residence, it will take between 15,000 and 25,000 yuan per month.
The size of housing in Hong Kong being quite small, there are very few offers for renting a home. If you wish to go through dedicated websites, please keep in mind that you will certainly not be the only candidate. Applications received by a single host can be up to ten per day. Therefore, you should draw up the most complete profile possible and take the time to write a well-personalized message. The other possibility is to stay in Hong Kong with a private host. This solution is very economical and you will find different offers on the platforms dedicated to accommodation rental. However, this option is not guaranteed: some advertisers offer bed and breakfast accommodation and sometimes even dormitories.
Some emigrants choose to buy real estate to live in Hong Kong. Of course, prices vary from district to district, but on average, it costs about 25,000 yuan per square meter for a one-bedroom apartment. For a four-bedroom apartment, the price can go up to 70,000 yuan per square meter or more. The real estate sales system in Hong Kong is quite particular: the land is government property. Therefore, your investment will include not only the purchase of the building, but also the purchase of the land. In reality, it is a rental right, associated with a lease of up to 999 years and the rates vary according to this duration.
Local banks can finance your purchase up to 70%. You will also need to make provision for various fees that vary according to the value of the property. When looking for a place to buy, the best option is to go through a real estate agency. The latter will help you save time and find a home that meets your expectations. You can also look at the advertisements on the Internet or in local newspapers. It should be noted that the cheapest residences, despite the high purchase price in any region, are located in the New Territories.
Travelling is a great way to get to know the culture and history of a country. It also means discovering the country’s own culinary specialties. Hong Kong is one of the dream destinations where the culinary riches are diverse and authentic. Its gourmet dishes and the delights of its good food reach the summit of the world’s most beautiful flavours. If you have a passion for good food, here are the culinary specialities of Hong Kong that are really worth a visit.
Nothing is more extraordinary than savouring the salty, fragrant and typical dishes of the city of Hong Kong. The famous Dim Sum offers a variety of flavors and can be taken during the three meals and even as a snack. Accompanied by tea, soy sauce, Dim Sum is a kind of bite usually steamed, baked or fried. This bite is presented in pretty bamboo baskets. Each bite is more appetizing from the other, such as steamed shrimp ravioli, stuffed or filled brioche and flavoured with pork or shrimp. As you wander through the streets and restaurants of this city, you will also find succulent rice noodles and congee in every nook and cranny. The noodles are often eaten in the form of ravioli soups. They are also prepared for a traditional dish such as egg noodles with dried shrimp. Fried noodles with beef or chicken, noodles with fish balls, wheat noodles or rice noodles, you won’t get tired of them. The congee is moist boiled rice with fish, eel or coriander. Don’t forget the Lo mai gai, a dish made with sticky rice, Chinese mushrooms and chicken wrapped in a lotus leaf. The culinary specialties of Hong Kong with its thousand and one variety of savoury dishes will only delight the palates of gourmets and gourmands
Even with soups and broths, it is amazing to realize that tea is not just a drink, it is a whole culture inherited from English colonization. Hong Kong style tea with milk is drunk hot or cold. Black tea well mixed with condensed milk, it is prepared in a tea sock. The tea remains a faithful companion at any time of the day, both for sweet and savoury dishes. Medicinal tea can be found in every corner of the city, therapeutic remedy and culture, it is the essential drink of Hong Kong. This city is so full of gastronomic varieties that it has been dedicated to holiday cooking. The festival of the Small Breads is celebrated in May, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. In autumn, it is the festival around cakes such as moon cakes. It is impossible to list all the exquisite, exotic and flavoured flavours of the sweets of this gourmet city. Travelling to Hong Kong means tasting the best and most gargantuan egg waffles called Gai daan tsai or Bubble waffle. All the sweet treats are often related to eggs, there is the egg pie related to custard, the Lai Wong Bao: sweet brioche, impregnated with egg, milk and custard powder mixed together. Pineapple Buns or pineapple brioches remain the must-have for breakfast, a pure marvel of Hong Kong’s culinary specialties. From mooncake, tofu or mango puddings to sweet red bean soups, you will enjoy a pleasant gastronomic stay. Hong Kong proudly boasts Michelin-starred restaurants for these rolls.
After tasting the best restaurants and tea rooms, it is highly recommended to take a stroll in the street kitchens or Street Food. For savoury dishes, fish balls scent the streets, in curry, sliced on a stick or accompanying noodle soups, they are a pure delight. Surely, this street food offers the most beautiful facets of barbecued meats. Duck, chicken, whole pigs are displayed hanging in the windows and littered the streets of Hong Kong. Duck or lacquered chicken meat, grilled goose are as many tasty dishes to be tasted obligatorily. If you are looking for new culinary sensations and open to all kinds of dishes, Street Food will allow you to taste fried whole chicken legs, fried vegetables such as eggplant, garnished chilli peppers, pork intestines, rotten tofu, grilled skewers and various other equally incredible dishes. You will find in the streets, all the good pastries and desserts such as egg waffles with ice cream. Street Food brings a whole mix of flavours, aromas and colours. For sweets, you will have at low prices, white mushroom and pear soups or Tonguyen, sweet rice balls, durian desserts. If you want to discover all the culinary specialties of Hong Kong, you will simply have to extend your stay.
It should be noted that there is a certain resemblance between the people of Hong Kong and China. Being both parts of the Asian continent, people often tend to confuse them. What about the correlation between the two countries? How much territory is occupied by China and Hong Kong? These are the questions that arise.
Hong Kong is generally an island, the second largest island that makes up China, about 133 km southeast of Guangzhou. It is made up of bas-reliefs and most of Hong Kong’s territory is covered with forests or short grass. With the emergence of the New Territories, there are approximately 236 islands in the region. It should also be noted that the name of the city of Hong Kong comes from the name of the island of Hong Kong which means “scented port” or “port with perfume”. In addition, Hong Kong is considered the fourth largest city in China today, with a high population density. The island is located on the southern coast of China and is situated at the mouth of the Xi Jiang River. However, even though this area is overpopulated, it is part of the most expensive city in the world and the richest city in China. Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with a hot and very rainy summer (presence of typhoons and storms). Precipitation and frost are rare in winter, sometimes accompanied by snowfall.
The history of Hong Kong and China has not always been correlated. Before Hong Kong was ceded to China, the people of Hong Kong underwent several changes. Indeed, this region has been the subject of several conquests, several dynasties, several battles, many explorations, and even until colonization. But, what has most marked this period before the attachment of Hong Kong to China is the British occupation of Hong Kong territory in the mid-nineteenth century. Following the first Opium War, China ceded the city of Hong Kong and the Kowloon peninsula to the British in perpetuity. Hong Kong thus became an English colony. The United Kingdom made this territory a strategic Asian base for trade. But with the development of the Hong Kong territory that gave birth to the New Territories, China and the United Kingdom entered into a 99-year long lease.
As the borders between Hong Kong and China are very close, their separation becomes almost impossible after the birth of the New Territories in 1898. During British colonial rule, Hong Kong was governed by a governor elected in London. However, following the victory of the communists in 1949, after the Second World War, China wanted to retake Hong Kong and let the British know. Moreover, with 80% representation, the New Territories were too big for the British to maintain. As a result, a meeting between the British and China for the handover of the entire territory of Hong Kong took place in 1979. Also, on July 1, 1997, the handover of Hong Kong to China was officially proclaimed and the 99-year lease was terminated under certain conditions. Hong Kong became Chinese territory. As a result of this handover, even though Hong Kong was taken over by China, the People’s Republic of China maintained the economic, legislative and liberal way of life of the Hong Kong people for the next 50 years. This policy is called the “one country, two systems” policy.
Since the handover of Hong Kong, it has become one of the four Asian dragons along with Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea, as it is one of the richest cities in Asia. With the “one country, two systems” system, Hong Kong retains its monetary value (the Hong Kong dollar) as well as its international sports teams. Between Hong Kong and China, political, economic, judicial and administrative organizations also differ. On the legal level, Hong Kong keeps its legal system established during its colonization: the rules of “common law”. For China, the system in force is civil law. As far as political organisation is concerned, the Hong Kong Parliament is made up of the Legislative Council called “Legco” which is made up of 60 members appointed every four years. The island is governed by a Chief Executive for five years following an election and must be appointed by the Chinese president. Hong Kong has been under Chinese sovereignty for 20 years now and is not yet independent in terms of diplomacy and defence.