Hong Kong is a city with many personalities. She is a blend not just of East and West, but of old and new. In this city of contrasts, incense smolders in bread box-sized temples next to modern high rise office buildings, and executives with cell phones stroll past fruit hawkers in traditional broad, woven straw hats.

People here still cling to their roots, to their traditional beliefs and religions. They continue to pray and make offerings at more than 600 old and new temples, shrines and monasteries scattered across the territory. Some are ancient, such as Man Mo Temple on Ladder Street in Western District, Hong Kong's oldest - and one of its most important - places of worship. Others are relatively new, such as Wong Tai Sin in Kowloon, always crowded with worshippers burning incense, praying and consulting fortunetellers.

A perfact blend of East and West
Old and new meet in one of Hong Kong's latest attractions, the Chi Lin Nunnery in Kowloon, a living museum of the Tang monastic style combining ancient architecture and modern technology. The nunnery, with its Buddhist halls, a Zen-style rock garden, a Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda and its many other architectural and spiritual attractions, is due to open at the end of 1998.

Some of Hong Kong's most modern attractions are, in fact, dedicated to ancient religions. The serene, mystical Big Buddha sitting on a plateau on Lantau Island, and at 8 feet high the world's largest bronze outdoor seated Buddha, was only opened to the public in 1990.

 

A Reflection of Chinese Culture
Traditional Chinese culture thrives in this city of life. In Temple Street Market, flamboyant Chinese opera bursting with color and energy is performed on outdoor stages. During Chinese New Year, or any auspicious occasion, lion and dragon dancers bring action to the streets with their dynamic, energetic performances that are part dance, part acrobatics.

Unique Symbol of Hong Kong Culture : Lion Dances
Lion dances are famous world-wide. This colorful display of large lion costumes dancing about is especially popular during festive occasions. This 'kung-fu' style fanfare is sometimes performed on special events such as corporate anniversaries and the opening of new businesses, as it is said that lion dances can bring good luck. The lion is considered a holy animal and seen as a spirit that has its own importance in Chinese mythology. Lion dances are usually accompanied by the blasting of firecrackers to scare away evil spirits.

Two types of Chinese lions exist in this exclusive tradition: the northern and southern lion. The differences are in their appearance and movements. The northern lion is yellow, furry, and has a less movable mouth, while the southern lion has a mobile mouth and a more colorful body with shorter fur.

Tea Drinking : The Symbol of Chinese Culture
Tea drinking is a serious business in both Hong Kong and the Chinese culture. A Tang Dynasty scholar who devised the first definitive treatise on tea making had initiated this tradition, which began almost 1,200 years ago.

Today, this culture remains a thriving tradition. Ardent tea enthusiasts often have their own special tea pots, which is commonly made of clay, when they go for their tea drinking sessions. It is said that the smaller the teapot, the better the tea. The smell of the tea is instilled in the pot and the fragrant is thus stronger. Some teas are bitter, whereas some are sweet. There are different kinds of tea-leaves that give out various smells and tastes. Not everyone will appreciate the same kind of tea as it is acquired by the preferences of the individual.