Hong Kong's 'City of Life' September recommendation is Kwun Tong District

A host of attractions and tourism related activities in Hong Kong's Kwun Tong District are being promoted during September as the "Recommendation of the Month", part of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) City of Life: Hong Kong is it! tourism campaign.

Steeped in history, Kwun Tong is one of Hong Kong's earliest developed urban districts and also the location of the picturesque Lei Yue Mun fishing village, a seafood lover's haven, where visitors can buy fresh seafood from street stalls and have it cooked at a nearby restaurant. 

To mark the occasion, the Kwun Tong District Council is providing its full support by organising a series of arts, cultural and entertainment activities under the theme of "Kwun Tong Tourism Month".

Details of events and activities were announced at a launch ceremony held today (1 September). Officiating were Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Chairman, The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, GBS, OBE, JP; Chairman, Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Hau Shui-pui, BBS; District Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Albert Lam, JP; Assistant Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Winifred Chung; Chief Leisure Manager (Kowloon), Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Mr K Y Cheng; District Commander (Sau Mau Ping), Hong Kong Police Force, Mr Ma Wai-luk; Police Community Relations Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Ho Kin-man; and Acting Senior Superintendent (Wong Tai Sin/Kwun Tong), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Mr S S Chan. Accompanying the officiating party were Chairman, Kwun Tong Tourism Month Organising Committee, Mr Sun Kai-lit and Chairman of the Ceremony Working Group, Mr Chan Kang. 

Mrs Chow said the appeal of Hong Kong's cuisine was substantiated by tourism statistics. "In 2001, 43% of visitors interviewed expressed special interest in Hong Kong's food, while 10% stated that fine dining in Hong Kong had left them with a lasting memorable impression." 

She added that, in addition to contributing to Hong Kong's international image, dining was a major area of tourism spending. "Last year, visitors' consumption of meals represented around 14% of their total spending. Gourmet dining, together with quality service, are among the main reasons for our reputation as the 'Culinary Capital of Asia'," she said. 

During the Lei Yue Mun Seafood Festival (1 to 30 September) visitors will be tempted by the variety of mouthwatering seafood choices that can be turned into delicious meals. Throughout the Seafood Festival, Lei Yue Mun's 18 seafood restaurants and 36 seafood stalls will be offering attractive discounts and fixed price menus. During September many of the streets around Lei Yue Mun will be illuminated with decorative lighting. Free cultural activities and an arts fair will also take place at the Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen Waterfront Sitting-out Area on weekends throughout September (1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 September). 

Entertainment at today's launch ceremony featured a seafood mascot parade, lion and unicorn dances, Chinese dance performances, street theatre depicting traditional donkey-training, Chinese instrumental music performances and a variety of games. 

A visitor Goodwill Ambassador oath-taking ceremony was also organised by the Kwun Tong District Council. Chairman of Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Hau Shui-pui remarked that friendly service and a visitor-friendly attitude would help to attract more visitors to Kwun Tong. "The theme of Kwun Tong Tourism Month is about showing courtesy to visitors to Kwun Tong whether they come from near or far. The aim of the message is to remind all members of the Kwun Tong community to treat others with courtesy," he said. "Together, we will make Kwun Tong a more visitor-friendly and attractive destination." 

District Officer (Kwun Tong), Mr Albert Lam said Kwun Tong had developed into a mini 'metropolis' since the 1960s. "Despite changes and reforms over the years, a vast array of traditional attractions can still be found here," he said. "In addition to showcasing the bustling side of the district through the Tourism Month, we aim to promote other attractions such as Lei Yue Mun and Cha Kwo Ling."

Chairman, Kwun Tong Tourism Month Organising Committee, Mr Sun Kai-lit said the variety of fascinating activities taking place in Kwun Tong district during Kwun Tong Tourism Month would delight visitors. "Apart from this grand opening ceremony, other highlights of this month's activities will include arts and opera performances, a photographic exhibition documenting Kwun Tong's history, a Mid-Autumn Festival carnival and much more. These activities are designed to meet the diversity of tastes of our visitors," he said.

Kwun Tong District Council is organising a Chinese Culture and Arts Show at the Kwun Tong Recreation Ground from 14 to 19 September, featuring singing, dancing, martial arts displays, juggling, magic and puppet shows, as well as Cantonese, Shanghainese and Chiu Chow opera and Chinese music performances.

To provide a deeper insight into the Kwun Tong community's development, a "Kwun Tong in Its Old Days" photographic exhibition will be on display during the Chinese culture and art show. The United Christian Medical Service will be organising a Charity Bazaar on 14 and 15 September, when many quality Hong Kong products will be offered for sale.

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Kwun Tong District Council and the Kwun Tong District Culture and Recreation Promotion Association are jointly organising a Mid-Autumn Festival Variety Show. Running from 20 to 22 September, the variety show will feature a lantern design competition, lantern-making demonstrations and a lantern riddle game. There will also be hula-hoop juggling, Chinese folk singing, mask-changing, games stalls, and a special "children's paradise".

Throughout September, Telford Plaza will welcome visitors with free gifts of 1,000 exquisite Chinese lucky knots. Visitors can obtain their lucky knot by presenting their travel documents at the Customer Service Centre at Telford Plaza I. Each visitor will receive one knot while stocks last.

To tie in with the "Recommendation of the Month", Welcome Arches have been erected at Sam Ka Tsuen Waterfront Sitting-out Area, Lei Yue Mun and the Kwun Tong Recreation Ground. Further information on other attractions in Kwun Tong District can be found in September's Attractions, a leaflet specially produced by the HKTB.

Since September 2001, each of Hong Kong's 18 districts has been taking its turn to promote its attractions as the "Recommendation of the Month", part of the City of Life: Hong Kong is it! campaign. The 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.