6 Interesting Traditions You Never Knew About Hong Kong
No Christmas celebration feels complete without traditions from hundreds of years ago. But what are Hong Kong traditions all about? Here’s everything you need to know about the history and popular culture behind local traditions.
SHEUNG WAN: THE HUNGRY GHOST FESTIVAL & PRINTING
The Hungry Ghost Festival
The Hungry Ghost Festival is an ancient tradition that pays homage to the spirits of the dead. Every year, local residents burn paper creations for their ancestors during the annual Hungry Ghost festival. As part of the festival, the historic neighborhood of 30 Houses hosts a unique celebration for Yu Lan, the Hungry Ghost Festival.
Printing
Long before the magic of computers could do everything a click of a button, there were once more than 200 print shops in Central and Sheung Wan. Most people say it’s the birthplace of traditional letterpress printing. If you’d like to learn more, visit News Expo. It’s a museum that offers a window into an essential part of Hong Kong’s past.
TSIM SHA TSUI: THE STAR FERRY
The Star Ferry is one of the city’s oldest modes of transport and a beloved icon of Hong Kong. No picture of Hong Kong’s skyline is complete without the ferry plying through Victoria Harbour.
WAN CHAI: THE BLUE HOUSE CLUSTER
The Blue House cluster is a historic cluster of buildings that are known for their bright colors. It was recently given the Award of Excellence as part of UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Today, it’s a complex that includes residential homes, museums and exhibition space.
CAUSEWAY BAY: PETTY PERSON BEATING & HORSE RACING
Horse Racing
Horse racing is a popular pastime in Hong Kong — starting from colonial times. Today, it has evolved into a social event with a life of its own. It brings together an international crowd mid-week to enjoy a unique social horse racing experience in the heart of the city.
Take a look here at our past events with tenants @ Happy Wednesday, during horse racing season.
Petty Person Beating
Some might say it’s an odd tradition, but Petty Person Beating 打小人 is a practice involving an older lady beating away bad vibes (or cursing enemies) by beating their shoes.
