Hong Kong's City of Life's February recommendation: Southern District

Hong Kong's Southern District will be in the spotlight next month as the City of Life Hong Kong is it! campaign's "Recommendation of the Month - Southern District". Details of the wide range of tourism-related events and activities taking place throughout the month were announced today (29 January) at Ocean Park.

Officiating at the ceremony were Chairman, Southern District Council, Mr Chan Yuek-sut, Joseph; District Officer (Southern), Mr Lau Kwok-choi, JP; Chairman, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, GBS, OBE, JP; Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Rebecca Lai, JP; Chairman, Ocean Park, Mr Philip Chen, SBS, JP; Chief Executive, Ocean Park, Mr  Randolph Guthrie; Chairman, Working Group on the Programme Showcase of the Southern District Tourism Promotion Month, Mr Ko Kam-cheung; Chairman, Working Group on Tie-in Activities and Project Promotion, Mr Wong King-cheung; Chairman, Working Group on Thematic Activities, Miss Lam Yuk-chun; and Chairman, Working Group on Radio Promotional Programme, Mr Chu Hing-hong.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan Yuek-sut said that the District Council had set up the Southern District Organising Committee for the Tourism Promotion Month to organise various activities and introduce the features and character  of the district to both visitors and the local community.

"The Organising Committee is presenting a wide range of programmes such as a Hand-in-Hand Chinese New Year Carnival, a Fancy Boat Parade and Fishermen's Wedding and a jolly Chinese Lantern Carnival. In addition, there will be a Floating Carnival, a Youth Culture and Arts Fair and the exciting  Waiters' Races and Fair," Mr Chan remarked. "Through these activities, we would like to show the character and special features of the Southern District so as to give visitors a clear picture of the district's uniqueness."

Mrs Chow noted that Southern District boasts a wealth of diversified attractions, such as Stanley Market, the breathtaking views of Repulse Bay and the world-renowned Jumbo Floating Restaurant located in the Typhoon Shelter at Aberdeen, a famous fishing village. "Visitor surveys indicate that  around 25% of travellers interviewed by the HKTB have visited Ocean Park during their trip to Hong Kong. Of the eight most popular attractions named by visitors, half of them are situated in Southern District. This is truly a reflection  of the District's important contribution to the tourism industry," she said. 

From September 2001 to February 2003, each of Hong Kong's 18 districts has taken its turn to promote its attractions as the "Recommendation of the Month", part of the City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign. "The  'Recommendation of the Month' has served to increase both visitors' and local residents' understanding of tourist attractions in each district and has enriched their knowledge and travel experiences," Mrs Chow added. "The HKTB is most grateful to all the District Offices, District Councils, Government  departments and related organisations, who have rendered extra resources to support the programme by promoting and boosting tourism development in their own district."

To tie in with the "Recommendation of the Month", during February, working groups established by Southern District Council are co-ordinating a wide variety of activities under the theme of "Southern District Tourism Promotion Month". 

The programme will be launched with a Chinese New Year carnival on 2 February at Stanley Plaza's Village Square, adjacent to Murray House - the recommended attraction in the District. The carnival will feature a fusion of  local pop singers, traditional dances, Chinese opera performances, dragon dances, handicraft demonstrations, snack and game stalls and lai see giveaways from the God of Wealth.

On 15 February, a Youth Culture and Arts Fair will be held at the same venue, featuring children dressed in ethnic costumes, Hip-hop and jazz dancing, and drum performances. A concert of Chinese and Western love songs will be  staged during the same evening. On the following day, the Waiters' Races and Fair will delight the audience as local waiters carrying trays laden with restaurant items set out to establish who is the fastest runner. The event will also feature live band music, face painting and a beer drinking competition.

A Floating Carnival featuring seafood, local snacks, dim sum and desserts will take place on 15 and 16 February at Tai Pak Floating Restaurant in Aberdeen, another major attraction in Southern District. The programme will also include balloon-twisting by clowns, cartoon characters, cartoon sketching, bookmark production, paper fan calligraphy demonstrations and games stalls.

On 15 February at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter and Promenade, visitors and local residents will be able to enjoy a decorative Boat Parade and a Fishermen's Wedding. Featuring the Duk Ling, the last authentic sailing junk  in Hong Kong, the performance will include a re-enactment of a traditional fisherman's wedding ceremony complete with a boat parade of more than 20 fishing vessels.

During the evening of 15 February, at Kwun Hoi Path, adjacent to the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, a Chinese Lantern Carnival will showcase more than 100 elaborately designed lanterns as well as performances by dancers, singers, magicians, Chinese fortune-telling, sketching, dragon-beard candy stalls and an exhibition displaying pictures of the old Aberdeen fishing village.

Visitors can experience the excitement of Chinese New Year by visiting Ocean Park's Powerpuff CNY (Chinese New Year) celebrations. In addition to cartoon characters and the Powerpuff Girls, the event will feature a Snowy Wonderland, performances by the Shanxi Drum Troupe and a nine-metre tall balloon in the form of Flying Whiskers - Ocean Park's mascot.

A number of locations in Southern District are of important ecological and cultural value. On 16 February and 23 February, a special itinerary entitled Nostalgic Leisure Tour has been arranged which comprises four excursions  to visit various ecological and cultural attractions. The first excursion will wander through the University of Hong Kong, University Hall, Hung Shing Temple and Pok Fu Lam Reservoir. The second tour will begin at Wan Chai Gap and pass through the Aberdeen Country Park to Aberdeen Reservoir.

The third excursion will take in the Chung Hom Kok Fortress, the old Stanley Police Station, the Tin Hau Temple in Stanley, and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum. The fourth excursion will set off from Parkview Mansion to Quarry Gap, offering spectacular views of the green hills along the eastern side of Hong Kong Island.

Visitors and local residents will have opportunities to take photographs of Welcome Arches that have been erected at Aberdeen Promenade and Stanley Plaza, while bunting and banners are being displayed by Southern District Council in various locations to create a festive atmosphere. A publication Dining, Shopping & Playing and Pleasure in Southern District - Tourism Spots and Merchant Privileges has been produced, offering information about recommended attractions and special offers by shops and restaurants. Further information on other attractions in the District can also be found in February's Attractions, published by the HKTB. Both publications are available at the HKTB's Visitor Information & Services Centres. 

The City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign is organised by the HKTB in co-operation with the Hong Kong SAR Government's Home Affairs Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Tourism Commission, with the support of the 18 District Councils and with The Hong  Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as Principal Sponsor.