HONG KONG's CITY OF LIFE AUGUST RECOMMENDATION: SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT

27 July 2002

Hong Kong's Sham Shui Po District, filled with a host of unexplored attractions, will be in the spotlight during August as the City of Life Hong Kong is it! campaign's "Recommendation of the Month".

The Opening Ceremony and Parade for Tourism Promotion in Sham Shui Po, organised by the Sham Shui Po District Council Working Group on Tourism, took place today (27 July) at the Dragon Centre in Yen Chow Street. Officiating at the ceremony were Sham Shui Po District Council Chairman, Mr Tam Kwok-kiu, MH; Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) Director, Corporate Support, Mrs Grace Lee; Acting District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Ms Romy Cheuk; Sham Shui Po District Council Vice-Chairman, Mr Chan Tung, BBS, JP; Sham Shui Po District Council Working Group on Tourism Chairman, Mr Tai Yuen Ming; Hong Kong Police Force District Commander, Sham Shui Po, Mr P G Hunt, PMSM; and Sham Shui Po District Leisure Manager, Ms Stella Luk. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Sham Shui Po District Council Working Group on Tourism Chairman, Mr Tai Yuen Ming, said the district was best known for having numerous shopping areas that offered unique products of good quality and reasonable price. "For example, Golden Shopping Centre and Golden Computer Arcade are popular computer centres attracting local and overseas visitors," he said.

"Streets like Apliu Street, Cheung Sha Wan Road and Yu Chau Street are characterised by theme shops where all kinds of treasures can be unearthed. On the other hand, one should not miss the Dragon Centre and Festival Walk, which serve as the major shopping centres in the district.

Mr Tai also noted that apart from its shopping places, Sham Shui Po District was home to numerous heritage and cultural sights, such as the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum and Lingnan Garden. "This is the first garden of its kind in Hong Kong and it has a real treat in store for local and overseas visitors," he said.
Acting District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Ms Romy Cheuk emphasised that tourism development not only involved the enhancement of existing facilities and the introduction of new attractions, but also relied heavily on support from the public.

"I would like to appeal to all of you to become ambassadors of the district," she said. "Your smiling faces and caring attention will impress every visitor to Sham Shui Po and ensure they enjoy an unforgettable stay in the district."

Marking the launch were a series of Chinese traditional performances, including face-changing (bian lian), Mongolian wrestling, acrobatics and a marionette show. Afterwards, a procession of over 200 performers, led by a marching band, set off from Yen Chow Street and wended its way along Yu Chau Street to Wong Chuk Street.

Featuring colourful Cheung Chau Bun Festival floats, Chinese folk dancers, artistic cyclists, lion and dragon dances, the parade ended at Maple Street Playground for another showcase of exciting performances.

Sham Shui Po District boasts a diverse range of shopping experiences. It is home to modern shopping malls like Festival Walk at Yau Yat Chuen and the Dragon Centre. Meanwhile, very different shopping adventures await visitors to Cheung Sha Wan Road's "Fashion Street" and Apliu Street, which have been chosen by Sham Shui Po District Council and the Home Affairs Department as the main feature for the month-long promotion.

Most of the garment shops along Cheung Sha Wan Road can be found at the section between Wong Chuk Street and Yen Chow Street near Sham Shui Po MTR station. These were originally wholesalers who started retail businesses in recent years.

The section of Apliu Street between Nam Cheong Street and Yen Chow Street is well known for its roadside stalls that first appeared more than 20 years ago. Similar to flea markets overseas, they carry small electronic items, antique clocks, coins and other knick-knacks, both new and secondhand.

Celebrations of the Hungry Ghost Festival in Sham Shui Po are especially fascinating. This Chinese tradition, also known as "Yue Lan", is marked on the 15th day of the 7th moon, which falls on 23 August this year. According to age-old beliefs, the gates of the underworld open on this day to allow the spirits of the dead to make their annual visits to earth.

For one whole month - and particularly on the 14th day of the 7th moon - religious ceremonies are held, fires built and paper money burnt to appease the spirits. Residents of Chiu Chow origin observe the festival with particular reverence, staging street operas and distributing free rice and bread to help the elderly. 
As part of this year's Hungry Ghost Festival activities in Sham Shui Po, Chinese opera performances are being staged between 12 August and 2 September at Po On Road Playground.

The Sham Shui Po District Council is organising a "Shopping and Dining Privilege Plan" during August. Visitors and residents will enjoy exciting offers at more than 200 shops and restaurants that bear a special emblem. 

To tie in with the "Recommendation of the Month", bunting and lighting decorations at various locations will add to the celebratory mood. Further information on these and other attractions in Sham Shui Po District can be found in August'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.