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Lifestyle
Hong Kong offers a
stimulating, dynamic and cosmopolitan lifestyle. It's a city that never
sleeps, but you can choose more tranquil options too!
As an international city with an expatriate population of various overseas
communities, there is a wealth of choice for all members of the family and to
suit all budgets. For HK$2.20, you can view arguably the most spectacular
cityscape from the over 100 year old Star Ferry!
Hong Kong is truly a city of
contrasts with the most modern malls just around the corner from the most
traditional markets; the latest architecture adjacent to stone buildings of the
colonial era; the most decadent and lavish lifestyles next to the most simple.
It is a intriguing combination of old and new, east and west, local and
international, that titilates the senses. Life in Hong Kong is anything but
dull. The city is compact, accessible, safe and welcoming. The only limiting
factor is your imagination!
International Communities
Aptly
named as Asia's world city and widely known to be one of the most international
cities in the world, of
Hong Kong
's population of around 7 million, approximately 5% or 350,000 are of
non-Chinese descent.
This means that alongside the Chinese culture, art, history, sports, pastimes
and leisure activities, there are diverse international groups that form their
own cultural centres and follow their own cultural traditions within the city;
adding more colour, sounds, tastes, sights and dimension to an already vibrant
place.
More on the
Canadian
community in Hong Kong....
Living in Hong Kong
Living in Hong Kong is
easy - things work and processes are in place to make life happen efficiently
and effortlessly.
English is widely spoken and is one of the two official languages of Hong Kong
(the other being Chinese). Local Hong Kongers are adept at operating
bilingually.
Hong Kong enjoys a constitutionally-guaranteed free press and freedom of
speech, which coupled with the telecommunications strengths means the city is
well served with international media, from all channels including TV, print
and online.
There are a number of places, on line and otherwise, to meet foreign nationals
in the city. Private clubs, chambers, consulates and clubs for a special
interest are a good first stop. There are many other associations and
networking groups that can help you assimilate into the city. One example is
asiaxpat.com.
More details about other lifestyle elements:
Healthcare - in addition to the many Government clinics and hospitals, Hong
Kong has a broad range of private practitioners, who offer healthcare ranging
from Western medicine, to traditional Chinese medicine, to holistic
approaches. The standard of medical care is very high and the hospitals are
very efficient.
Safety - Hong Kong is one of the safest international cities
in the world. The overall crime rate is lower than that of many other
metropolitan cities. For example, you don't have to think twice about walking
around the city at night.
Cars - not many people own a car in Hong Kong. The transport systems is that
efficient and good value! Second hand cars are very good value although Hong
Kong is also the place with the most Rolls Royce per capita in the world.
There are a very few places where you may hire a car. Cars require separate
registration to be able to drive in the Mainland. There are rules governing
the import of cars to Hong Kong.
Weather - Hong Kong is sub-tropical. It is located in the
Eastern Hemisphere, about 2,475km or 1,537 miles north of the equator. It is
at approximately the same latitude as the Bahamas, Hawaii, and Mexico City.
More information about the climate in Hong Kong is available from the
Hong
Kong Observatory.
Hong Kong has a weather warning system to ensure the populace is safe during
the heavy rain season (in June/July) and in the typhoon season (in
August/September). Hong Kong is not in an earthquake zone.
Help at home - It is very common for individuals and families
to employ someone on a full or part-time basis to help with looking after the
family, household chores and such like. These helpers, typically called amahs,
sometimes live with the family they help.
Pets - Hong Kong allows quarantine-free entry for inoculated
animals from nearly 40 countries. Details are available from the
Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department
. A special permit is required to import many animals into Hong Kong.
There are many veterinary and kennel/catery services.
Leisure, Sport and Outdoors
Many are shocked to
learn that not far from the typical Hong Kong cityscape of the island are Hong
Kong's country parks. These are protected areas, where development is
forbidden. They account for some 40% of the land area and include wild
marshlands, home to the widest varieties of bird life in the world.
In fact about 70% of Hong Kong is undeveloped comprising woodland, grassland
and agricultural land. There are many hill walking tracks, and for the more
adventurous and action seeking, rock climbing, paragliding, cricket, hockey
(ice and field), golf, tennis, mountain biking and the fullest range of water
sports.
There are also many opportunities to pursue Asian-origin interests such as
yoga, tai chi, dragon boating, martial arts, mahjong to name but a few.
There are many public and private clubs that have tremendous indoor and
outdoor facilities, like lawn bowls, squash courts, ten-pin bowling, gyms,
badminton halls, basketball, and lots more. Kids (young and old!) are well
catered for.
Rugby has grown in stature since Hong Kong began hosting its annual
international sevens tournament 20 years ago. In 2005, Hong Kong played host
to the IRB World Cup Sevens for the second time.
Horse racing is the most popular leisure activity, with enthusiastic
spectators frequenting Happy Valley and Sha Tin race courses, either just to
watch, but more often to bet and try to win some money. Horseracing and
football betting are the only legal forms of gambling in Hong Kong.
More on What's
on in the city...
Nightlife, Food and Drink
In Hong Kong, people
really do work and play hard. Many malls and markets are even open very late,
to let office workers enjoy another favourite Hong Kong pastime - shopping!
Hong Kong's dining, bar and clubbing scene offers the widest range of choice
and variety in Asia, with something for everyone. Every Chinese regional
cuisine is present. Beyond Chinese, diners are spoilt for choice! Sri
Lankan, Russian, Nordic, Dutch, Nepali, Argentinean restaurants are all here,
alongside the usual US, French, Italian, Irish, UK, Thai, Indian favourites.
There are many mainstream cinemas and some art cinemas that regular feature
blockbusters as well as low budget productions. Films are often shown in
English with Chinese subtitles. Other films in foreign languages are also
screened in Hong Kong. An annual international film festival is very popular.
A restaurant guide -
www.foodeasy.com
With
its east and west influences, Hong Kong is a fascinating place culturally,
with many arts centres, concert halls, museums and libraries. The annual Arts
Festival and cultural events all year round feature top performers from around
the world.
Hong Kong
is well served for venues so our local arts academy and amateur clubs have
suitable performance space.
For those who prefer to participate rather than speculate,
there are any number of opportunities for learning new skills and crafts at
night or day classes.
Dance
HK Ballet
HK Dance Company
City Contemporary Dance
Company
Music
HK Arts Festival
HK Chinese
Orchestra
HK Philharmonic Orchestra
HK Oratorio Society
Opera Hong Kong
Museum
Art Museum The
Chinese University of Hong Kong
HK Maritime Museum
Police
Museum
Racing
Museum
University Museum
and Art Gallery
More Cultural Programs in HK
Leisure &
Cultural Services Department
HK
Tourism Board event calendar
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