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Everything about HK

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    Get the most out of your trip to Hong Kong! Below here are all kinds of different tips and interesting reads from the HK Free Walk team. Some are practical, some will lead you to fun activities and some are just fun to know. Hope you like it!

     

    Transportation

    OCTOPUS CARD is a very useful tools. It is an electronic fare card that is accepted by almost all forms of public transport, and at many restaurants and stores. It’s easy and convenient to use, save time and eliminates the need for small change. Add money to it wherever you need to, and any unspent value in On-Loan Octopus is refundable along with the HK$50 deposit (minus $9 handling fee for cards returned within three months). You can also opt for a non-returnable Sold Octopus. For more details, please call (852)2266 2222

    Currency

    Hong Kong Dollar of course! We just want to let you know you can use it in Macau too! (Hailed as the Las Vegas in Asia, this little former Portuguese Colony is a very attractive destination for you too.) However, the Macau Currency Patacas (MOP) does not valid in Hong Kong.

    Where to live?

    It is not easy to find a nice Hostel in Hong Kong with good price, but we sourced great hostels for your reference! Go to our favorite hostels to have a look!

    What to eat?

    Dai Pai Dong (Open-air food stall) and Cha Chaan Tang (Tea Restaurant) is a must-try if you want something very local. But we know, the Chinese menu is not easy for you, so we translated some signature dishes for you!

    • 鴛鴦 Coffee mixed Milk Tea
    • 紅豆冰 Red bean ice (a drink with red bean, evaporated milk and ice, quite sweety)
    • 干炒牛河 Fried noodles(made from rice) with Beef
    • 福建炒飯 Hokkien Fried Rice (with thick sauce with mushroom, meat, vegetables, or whatever the chef likes!) *Origin is Hong Kong instead of Hokkien
    • 西炒飯 Western Fried Rice (with ketchup, sausage, egg, ham, or whatever the ched likes!) *Origin is Hong Kong instead of Western countries
    • 揚州炒飯 Yangzhou Fried Rice (Shrimp, pork, green onion, egg, or whatever the chef likes!) *Origin: Yeah finally it’s from Yangzhou not Hong Kong.
    • 餐蛋麵 Spam, Fried Egg instant noodles
    • 牛腩麵 Sirloin noodles
    • 牛雜麵 Beef Offal noodles
    • 雲吞麵 dumpling noodles (with pork and shrimp inside the dumpling)
    • 炸魚皮 Deep Fried fish skin (Crsipy like a snack)

     

    Read our Blog to understand Hong Kong as a local!

    Brother Cream, the local Cat Celebrity

    Like all legends, he started humble and unheard of. Luckily, a local convenience store owner took him under his wing. In return, he helped the store owner look after the place and met his wife during that time. Fast forward, he has become a well-known local icon and even started a foundation for animal welfare. He is none other than Brother Cream, a local cat that has been covered by the likes of CNN International and CNN Money, KBS and SBS of South Korea, Kansei and ANN TV of Japan, Phonenix TV and various local news paper in China and also TVBS, China Time of Taiwan, etc.

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    Rising to fame

    When Ko Chee-Shing (owner of the now renowned 24-hour convenience store in Tsim Sha Tsui) adopted Brother Cream, the British Shorthair cat’s cute and chubby appearance already attracted many fans – both residents and tourists – in the neighbourhood. Among them, Koey and Momo were the most devoted two. They regularly took photos of the feline and started a Facebook Page called “Tsim Tung Cream Brother” to share their adoration with other fans. Slowly, the page accumulated thousands of fans and Brother Cream has become one of the fastest growing online celebrities in the city.

    However, he did not get the offline population’s attention until 2012. On 10th July, he was reported missing and his fans volunteered to spread the word both online on Facebook and offline by posting notices in the hope of finding him with the help of people around the area. The campaign indirectly increased the number of fans on Brother Cream’s page and when he was found in a nearby alley 26 days later, fans all over Hong Kong went to the store to congratulate Ko. Some visitors brought Brother Cream cat food, some signed on the store’s wall, and some even cried out of joy. The incident made headlines in major local newspapers and officially turned Brother Cream a household name in Hong Kong.

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    Reaching Superstardom

    The rest was history – brands like Nikon and Wing On Travel casted Brother Cream in two television advertisement in 2013. In the same year, Ko published two books, Brother Cream in East TST and Cream Chicken Soup, featuring Brother Cream’s photos. A book-signing event was even held with the cat’s paw acting as a signature. In true celebrity style, merchandises like postcards, bags and cushions have been created with images of the cat so that fans can be with him whenever they want.

    Since Brother Cream’s disappearance has inspired love and care among many local citizens, the cat (and his owner) set up the Cream Bro Foundation in 2013 to use his popularity to inspire people’s concern about animal welfare. The charity regularly donates food and supplies to animal welfare organizations to help the poor stray animals.

    Not afraid to speak up for his belief, he posted a status (presumably written by Ko) regarding the missing publishers in Hong Kong in early 2016. He reminded his fans that he was found in 2012 only because citizens at that time worried about him and tried hard to locate him. He also asked his fans not to accept everything that is happening and become numb to unreasonable happenings.

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    Visiting Brother Cream

    To see Brother Cream in real life, you can go to Shop 1, G/F, South Seas Centre, 75 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. The cat is off on Mondays and every day from 2pm to 6pm. Still, you may not be able to see the cat outside this timeframe neither as he may not want to go out and may be hiding in Ko’s room. Join us and we will show you the way during our walks!

    How to get a Chinese bride – the complicated Traditional Chinese Marriage Ceremony

    Chinese Valentine’s day is over, what’s next? The marriage!

    In our walks, we mentioned how complicated the Traditional Chinese Marriage Ceremony is. Still want to get a Chinese pretty girl? Do you have 6 millions yuan as this Chinese man to get your bride?

    Yes, it is a tradition that the groom has to pay a lot to get his bride, to thank for the nurture of the parents. The more the groom pays, the more respect they feel and the better the marriage is.

    So now you make sure you have enough money to pay for the love, but that’s just the beginning! There are plenty of tradition to follow which keeps you busy for a whole year!

    Before the wedding…

    Meeting with both parents: to discuss how many guests in the banquet, how much the groom to pay the bride and other requirements mainly from the brides’ family. Make sure you practiced a good negotiation skill before you attend this critical meeting!

    Pre-wedding photo shooting: We love taking photos! A big day like Wedding, of course we take a lot! We even have pre-wedding photo shooting a few months before! So if you regret for the marriage, make sure you run away early enough before shooting as it may cost you a lot!

    Guest list: Most of the guests are invited by parents. The proportion is usually :

    The parent’s friends+ relatives: The couple’s friends+ colleagues = 7:3

    That’s why you will see a lot of people you’ve never met before in your wedding!

    3 Letters & 6 Etiquette: Some traditional families are still following this complicated system. In short, watch this:

    Hair combing ceremony: On the eve of the wedding, the bride and groom change a new set of clothing and shoes after showering with water infused with pomelo or pomegranate leaves. Attending female family members bless them aloud as they sit in front of an open window with the visible moon or in front of the mirror. A sweet dumpling will be served after the ceremony which symbolize a complete and sweet marriage.

    On the wedding day…

    ‘Receive the bride’ challenge: Groom and groomsmen have to pass through all the challenge given by bridesmaid in order to get the bride! So, make sure you have groomsmen with all kind of strength like a singer, a drinker, an actor, a big eater and a fitness expert. The most important is they really love you very much to help you passing through all those brutal challenges.

    Tea Pouring: the couple has to kneel down in front of the Senior relatives and hand them tea modestly.

    This is not a bad job, as they will give you gold accessory or a red pocket (with money) in return.

    At the wedding night…

    On the bed: This is not yet time of romance. You toss your bride, crossing each other’s arms. And you will find many things on your bed with red bedsheets like dried longans, lotus seeds, red dates, persimmons, sprig of pomegranate leaves together with 2 red pockets. All these are there to make sure you will have a son soon!

    Yeah! Now you know how to get a Chinese bride? What are you waiting for? Explore the city and find foreign love!

    Want to know more how complicated and extraordinary the Traditional Chinese Marriage Ceremony?

    And what’s the trend now in Hong Kong? Join our Walks to know more!

    Things to do on Chinese New Year 2016

    It has only been a month into 2016, but in just a few days we are once again celebrating the new year. This time we’re of course talking about the Chinese New Year celebrations! If you happen to be in Hong Kong this week, then you must be wondering what fun things you can do during the celebrations. Well, no worries because HK Free Walk got you covered! Here we’ll tell you all the things you can do on Chinese New Year 2016 in Hong Kong.

    Things to do on Chinese New Year 2016


    Chinese Lantern Festival @ Tsim Sha Tsui, Tseung Kwan O Po Tsui Park or Tuen Mun Park

    When: Tsim Sha Tsui – February 4 to 28, lit-up time on Thursday through Sunday from 6 PM to 11 PM
    Also at: Tseung Kwan O Po Tsui Park – February 19 to 22
    Tuen Mun Park – February 19 to 22

    For the Chinese New Year celebrations you’ll probably head to Tsim Sha Tsui at least once. While you’re around, definitely go check out the lantern displays at the Cultural Centre Piazza (where the Clock Tower is)! Unfortunately at the Chinese Lantern Festival there will be no air lanterns released, but the lantern displays are still beautiful and definitely Instagram-friendly.


    Flower markets @ Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and other areas

    When: February 2 to 7 – On New Year’s Eve on the 7th it will be open throughout until the early hours (6:00 am) of New Year’s Day February 8!
    Where: Victoria Park at Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park at Mong Kok (MTR Mong Kok East or Prince Edward). For smaller, less touristy flower markets you can take your adventure to Cheung Sha Wan playground, Lok Fu Morse Park or Kwun Tong Playground in the Kowloon area.

    All Hong Kong locals will go to a flower market to buy their little tangerine trees for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Why you ask? Well you can guess it – tangerines represents wealth, just like bamboo and the number 8. Along with oranges (symbol of good luck), tangerines are a must during Chinese New Year celebrations. Whether you’re up for getting your own little tangerine tree or not, visit a flower market if you want to soak up some more Hong Kong culture!


    Chinese New Year Parade @ Tsim Sha Tsui

    When: February 8, official start time of the parade is at 8 PM
    Route: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza -> Canton Road -> Haiphon Road -> Nathan Road -> Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers
    Also: Prefer to avoid the crowd? The parade will also be broadcasted live on TVB Jade channel from 8 to 9:45 PM

    The Chinese New Year Parade is a must-see for visitors! Think of over 30 different spectacular looking floats, marching bands, colourful dragons and dancing lions. Traditional Chinese dancers, (international) troupes and of course loud firecrackers, drums and music! If you’ve seen one of these Chinese New Year Parades in your hometown (outside Asia) before, well expect to see the same ensemble but even bigger and better. Go early if you want to have a good spot!


    Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival @ Tai Po Lam Tsuen

    When: February 8 to 22

    Make a wish during the Well-Wishing Festival on a piece of paper, then throw it onto the wishing tree. At night you can see the amazing release of the wishing lanterns – it’s so beautiful! Oh and if you missed out on the Parade, you’ll be able to see the floats of that day on display at this festival anyways. And there will be some nice performances, so the festival is definitely worth visiting.


    Chinese New Year 2016 Fireworks @ Both sides of the Victoria Harbour

    When: February 9 at 8 PM

    For about 20 to 30 minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy some amazing fireworks at the skyline. Firecrackers and fireworks are believed to scare away evil spirits so that we can have a good and auspicious year. The louder the better, so expect a spectacular bang! Once again it will be super crowded, so go early to find a good spot.


    Pulse Chinese New Year 3D Light Show @ Tsim Sha Tsui

    When: February 10 to 29 every evening at 8:20, 8:45, 9:15 and 9:45 PM

    The Pulse 3D Light Show is always fun to see so if you’re around Tsim Sha Tsui after a nice dinner, you might want to stick around to see the mini film. The Cultural Centre’s building will be used as the screen and you’ll be able to see the entire thing as long as you’re standing at the Piazza.


    Chinese New Year Race Day @ Sha Tin Racecourse

    When: February 10 from 11 AM to 6 PM

    What’s a Chinese New Year without gambling? Every year there’s a Chinese New Year Race Day where people go bet on horse races, but also just to have a great time. Get some fortune tips from the famous Feng Shui Master Mak Ling Ling or enjoy a fun show with famous celebrity Aaron Kwok. And guess what? Tourists with valid identification or travel documents will have free access to the public enclosure! Aaand from 10:15 AM to 2:45 PM there will be a free shuttlebus to the racecourse at the Wong Tai Sin MTR Station D2 Exit (Ching Tak Street). So more time and money to spend at the racecourse!

    Public transportation during Chinese New Year

    For all special traffic and transport arrangements at Hong Kong Islands and Kowloon during the Chinese New Year, please check this list to make sure you can get back to your hostel. As for the Star Ferry, we weren’t able to find any updates so it is probably running as usual. However, the MTR will be running all night at February 7th! If you want to make sure, you can always go to the Tourism Board and ask. Enjoy your Chinese New Year celebrations!

     

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    • Tours
      • Hong Kong Free Night Tour
      • Hong Kong Hiking Tour – Fisherfolk’s culture, Boat trip and Seafood
      • Hong Kong Island Free Walking Tour
      • Free Walking Tour Tsim Sha Tsui
    • Who Are We
    • Concept
    • Partnership
    • Everything about HK
    • Work with us
    • Contact us
    HKFreeWalk