CITY OF LIFE’S OCTOBER RECOMMENDATION: WAN CHAI

Wan Chai District on Hong Kong Island is well known for its many world-class commercial complexes and wide range of shopping, cultural and entertainment attractions. This is why this perennially popular tourist area will be a highlight of the City of Life: Hong Kong is it! tourism campaign.

Until February 2003, each of Hong Kong’s 18 Districts will get their turn to promote their own tourism-related activities as a “Recommendation of the Month”. For October 2001, it is Wan Chai District.

Announcing the details of “Recommendation of the Month: Wan Chai”, a ceremony was held today (28 September) at the Expo Promenade (commonly known as Golden Bauhinia Square). Officiating were the Chairlady of Wan Chai District Council, Mrs Peggy Lam, SBS, JP; Hong Kong Tourism Board[1] (HKTB) Executive Director Ms Clara Chong; Chairlady of Wan Chai District Promotion Group on Culture, Heritage and Tourism (Wan Chai District Council) Ms Ada Wong, JP; Assistant Director of Home Affairs Mrs Kenny Wong, JP; and Acting Assistant Commissioner for Tourism, Ms Estella Fung.

Speaking at the ceremony, HKTB Executive Director Ms Clara Chong encouraged visits to Wan Chai, saying that the district has a diverse range of shopping and sightseeing experiences.

“The district is a ‘miniature’ of the City of Life, filled with exciting cultural activities, world-class exhibitions, conventions, and a traditional community ambience,” she said.

Ms Ada Wong expressed her delight that Wan Chai would be the recommended district in October, noting that the district’s Leisure and Cultural Services Committee had set up the Wan Chai District Promotion Group on Culture, Heritage and Tourism in April this year to showcase the district’s culture, history and sightseeing spots. “Working closely with different organisations, the Promotion Group will identify and repackage our unique festivals, historical buildings and tourist sights, so as to promote Wan Chai to both local and overseas visitors,” she said.

Jointly recommended by the Home Affairs Department and the Wan Chai District Council, Expo Promenade is a popular tourist spot. The major landmark of the promenade, the imposing Golden Bauhinia, was a gift from the Central Government of the People’s Republic of China commemorating the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

On 1 July and 1 October each year, spectacular flag-raising ceremonies are held here to celebrate the establishment of the HKSAR and China’s National Day. As part of the “Recommendation of the Month: Wan Chai” activities during the month of October, special flag-raising sessions will be held between 7:45am and 8:00am each Friday and on the first two Saturdays. A squadron from the Hong Kong Police Force will perform marching drills accompanied by the Chinese national anthem.

Because Wan Chai is one of Hong Kong’s earliest developed areas there is a lot to see in terms of heritage and culture. Built in 1932, the Wan Chai Police Station on Gloucester Road is one of the remaining Edwardian-style police stations in Hong Kong. The Old Wan Chai Post Office, built between 1912 and 1913, was initially a police station until March 1915, and is now the office of the Environmental Resource Centre. It is the oldest post office building in Hong Kong.

Further east, Wong Nai Chung is an area that once played an important part in the defence of Hong Kong. Today, one can still see traces of military history, at the Wong Nai Chung fort, the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir catchwater and the Wong Nai Chung Gap pillbox.

Wan Chai also plays host to dozens of traditional activities each year. From this Sunday through to Tuesday, the well-known Fire Dragon Dance takes place along the streets of Tai Hang.

This tradition dates back to 1880 and features a dragon made of thousands of lit joss sticks, some 60 metres long, designed to ward off evil spirits and bring for happiness to the community.

Other traditional rituals exclusively practised in Wan Chai include the “Da Siu Yan” (asking spiritual powers to help do away with those people one dislikes) around Ngor Keng Kiu (near Canal Road) and worship at Lovers’ Rock on Bowen Road.

Creating an even more festive ambience during October, a series of cultural and entertainment activities will take place at various shopping malls in Causeway Bay. (Please refer to details attached).

Specially designed City of Life: Hong Kong is it! arches will be set up by the HKTB at Expo Promenade and Times Square providing visitors and residents with excellent opportunities to take memorable snapshots of Hong Kong. The area called Jardine’s Bazaar will also be ornately decorated for the month.

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