Hong Kong - Live It! Love It!

Exuberant festivals and celebrations are a way of life in Hong Kong, Asia's world city. To truly appreciate this stunning cultural kaleidoscope and to discover all the excitement that awaits, explore our 12 reasons to visit Hong Kong.

Celebrate this holiday season with someone you love in Hong Kong with WinterFest, running from the end of November through December. Statue Square in Central district will be transformed into a Santa’s Town along with different Santa-themed settings. It will feature festive entertainment, lights and decorations that are sure to fill your heart with delight. You’ll be amazed by the towering Christmas tree rising 35 meters into the heavens decorated with beautiful garlands, and ornaments; its sparkling lights creating a beacon of joy for people on both sides of Victoria Harbor. The entire city will be bathed in holiday lights with dazzling displays adorning the skyscrapers. You'll find lots of events specially designed for parents and children, festive shopping and dining delights. The stunning harbor night view gets even better as dozens of buildings are decorated for A Symphony of Lights, the glorious multimedia show featuring synchronized lighting effects

February 9 rings in the Year of the Rooster and the Chinese New Year celebrations are the city's biggest festival. And what a celebration it is - from the spectacular A Symphony of Lights multimedia show starring Hong Kong's magnificent skyscrapers to the grandest Chinese New Year parade in the world. In the night sky, dazzling, awe-inspiring fireworks displays flash over Victoria Harbour. The festivities continue for two weeks with flower markets, New Year's horseracing, a soccer tournament, temple pilgrimages, the Yuen Siu Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day), shopping, dining, sightseeing and much more. It's an extraordinary experience not to be missed.

The Hong Kong Arts Festival is the major event on Asia's international art scene. Theatre, opera, music and dance are presented by local, Asian and Western performers. In 2005, the festival will feature the acclaimed Frans Brüggen's Orchestra of the 18th Century playing the Beethoven Symphonic Cycle. Then there is jazz with Cassandra Wilson, who Time Magazine calls, "America's best singer". From the Netherlands comes the inspiring Nederlands Dans Theater. The renowned Béjart Ballet Lausanne from Switzerland and Ballet Nacional de España from Spain are also not to be missed. Footsbarn Travelling Theatre from France will treat the audiences to a magical play called Perchance to Dream.

Take time out to literally smell the flowers, as thousands of flowers and potted plants and floral arrangements will be on display to delight the senses. A multitude of local, Mainland Chinese and overseas organisations provide stunning examples of floral art and landscaping. Every year a different theme flower is chosen to exhibit. There is also a photography competition and beautiful blooms and gardening products to buy. A totally enjoyable experience is to be had by flower lovers.

You're invited to the Tin Hau Festival, a birthday celebration for Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Goddess of the Sea. Join the festivities at the Tin Hau Festival and see colorful dragon and lion dances and the elaborate fa pau (paper floral shrines) that fishermen believe bring good luck and protection. Seafarers adorn their boats with colorful ribbons praising the goddess for past protection and praying for future luck. And at Joss House Bay in Sai Kung, there is a lively ceremony, where traditional rites are observed at a temple. Celebrations are also held at major Tin Hau temples on the outlying islands of Lamma, Cheung Chau and Tap Mun. The grandest takes place in the New Territories at Yuen Long.

Join the celebrations at the Bun Festival and the Birthday of Lord Buddha. Tiny Cheung Chau island hosts the unique and elaborate Bun Festival where enormous bamboo towers covered with sweet buns honor the Taoist God of the Sea and a large, colorful street procession with floats and costumed children "floating" in the air wends its way through town. During the Birthday of Lord Buddha, visitors can join in the spiritual celebrations at Lantau Island's Po Lin Monastery.

The Dragon Boat Festival remembers a popular Chinese national hero who died in protest against corrupt rulers over 2,000 years ago. The highlight of the festival is the fierce dragon boats racing in a lively, vibrant spectacle. The special boats, measuring over 30 feet long, have ornately carved and painted dragon heads and tails with each carrying a crew of 20 or more paddlers. Participants train extensively for the competition. Sitting two abreast, with a steersman at the back and a drummer at the front, the paddlers race to reach the finish line, urged on by the pounding drums and the roar of the crowds. A traditional treat at the races is the rice-and-meat dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves.

This sensational extravaganza highlights the best of Hong Kong - the amazing selection, the sophistication and diversity, the superb quality service, the wonderful shopping and dining and of course great prices. Participating shops and restaurants have some grand offers for you such as special summer promotions. Look for shops and restaurants displaying the Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme. QTS is the sign you can trust for superb service and genuine products with clearly displayed prices. And be sure not to miss the wonderful entertainment we have lined up for you, too.

An hour away from the city are a magical combination of outlying islands offering some of the best outdoor activities in Asia. Whether it's hiking, cycling or just lazing on the beach, the outlying islands offer a wide choice of options. Cheung Chau, famed for its Bun Festival, is perfect for exploring by bike since no cars are allowed on the island! Close by Lantau Island offers spectacular mountain walks, great beaches and of course, the inspiring, Giant Buddha high on a plateau. On Lamma Island, try the fresh seafood while taking in the scenic surroundings. Get a money-saving Island Hopping Pass and escape to the outlying islands for a day.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival people eat special sweet cakes known as "moon cakes" while gazing at the huge autumn moon. The city is aglow with Chinese paper lanterns from the waterfront to The Peak. Thousands of lanterns of all colors, shapes and sizes adorn public parks. And not to be missed is one of the most spectacular celebrations you'll ever see - the fire dragon dance in Tai Hang, Causeway Bay. A 200-foot fiery dragon performs a dance commemorating a century-old dragon dance performed by villagers to protect the community from total destruction by storm, sickness and a killer serpent!

When it comes to cuisines, no matter what your taste, Hong Kong has it. Over 9,000 restaurants offer endless options, from Asian delicacies to the best in Western fare, from gourmet dining to tasty snacks, day or night. For fans of alfresco dining there is no better place to eat than Stanley, Sai Kung, Lamma Island and Lei Yue Mun. Check out the Best of the Best Culinary Guide to find award-winning restaurants and then, sample Hong Kong's best. Each October, masterful chefs compete to create the finest Chinese cuisine in four categories of classic Hong Kong dishes. The winners receive a Best of Best Culinary Award. The guide lists the winning restaurants and is available at HKTB Visitor Information & Services Centres in Hong Kong.

The spectacular night-time skyline of Hong Kong becomes even more dazzling with the unique A Symphony of Lights multimedia light and sound show. Using special interactive light and musical effects, it tells the story of Hong Kong by showcasing the buildings along the Victoria Harbour waterfront. A Symphony of Lights is an impressive prelude to next Chinese New Year and its festive atmosphere.

Note: All events are subject to change without notice.