Cultural Kaleidoscope
Cantonese Opera Appreciation Tour
Chinese Clothing Appreciation Class
Tai Chi
Tai chi, which is sometimes referred to as "Shadow Boxing", was developed many centuries ago. Its graceful movements help to balance the yin and the yang, doing as much for the mind and soul as for the body. To this day, the amazingly fluid motions of this traditional Chinese practice remain one of the favourite means of keeping fit in Hong Kong, especially among the older generation. Tai chi has also proved popular with visitors to Hong Kong who find it an excellent means of relaxation, both here, and once they have returned home. Ms Wu is one of Hong Kong's best-known masters, having practised tai chi for many years. She is also a qualified instructor of tai chi and tai chi swordplay. She performed before British Prime Minister Tony Blair during his visit to Hong Kong. Since 2000, Ms Wu and her husband, Mr Ng, have been helping to make the healthful, beguiling art of tai chi easily accessible to Hong Kong's visitors through this very popular class.
Cantonese Opera Appreciation Tour
Cantonese opera is a highly respected art form that blends Chinese legend, music and drama into an exciting performance style, rich in symbolic meaning. This tour guides you through the Hong Kong Heritage Museum's Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall and its numerous displays, so that you can develop a better understanding of this unique art form. Visitors will be able to view the elaborate costumes worn by performers and attend a live operatic performance by a local troupe.
Cantonese Clothing Appreciation Tour
Traditional Chinese clothing expresses a unique culture and identity of its own. It has lent an air of mystery and exoticism to countless movies, and has influenced fashion designers around the world.
Chinese-inspired clothing is now finding an enthusiastic following in both the East and the West. From the elegant Qipao (dress) for women, to the Changpao (long robe) for men, designers are adapting the classic silhouettes to suit today's lifestyles.
One of the leaders in this fashion resurgence is Blanc de Chine whose designs merge Chinese culture and the zen philosophy with exquisite fabrics, beautiful tailoring and simple lines for a style that is comfortable, elegant and totally at ease.
This talk focuses on the evolution of Chinese clothing in many forms, and how traditional wear has come to inspire Blanc de Chine's designs. The one-hour session will highlight 5 basic types of Chinese clothing including the Ao (or tunic) and the Zhongshan jacket popularised by Dr Sun Yat-sen. Visitors will also have a chance to view the latest Blanc de Chine collections and learn the special influences that have played a role in their creation.
Chinese Tea
A Chinese cup may look small, but it holds a great deal more than tea and water. As you listen to Ms Yu you might believe you are sipping the distillation of thousands of years of culture. While the subtle rituals of the Japanese tea ceremony are famous around the world, they actually derived from older Chinese traditions.
Ms Yu has many years of experience in tea appreciation and has done tea demonstrations at hotels, schools and senior homes. She will introduce you to the many varieties of tea, its proper preparation and tea-drinking etiquette, Hong Kong style.
Real tea appreciation encompasses an understanding of the important qualities of this revered leaf, as well as the contemplative thoughts that tea drinking has inspired throughout Chinese history. Join this introduction to tea and see for yourself why the ancient saying holds true: "Life is like tea. The longer it steeps, the richer it becomes".
Kung Fu Corner
Kowloon Park is the perfect open air venue for the Sunday Kung Fu Corner, and an ideal place for the whole family to spend an afternoon together. This weekly event features a variety of traditional kung fu demonstrations and cultural performances such as ceremonial drumming and lion and dragon dances.
Chinese martial arts, or kung fu, have been widely popularised in Hong Kong films and are attracting new interest from around the world. They include a wide range of styles and utilise many different weapons in their distinctive routines, making these demonstrations, by students and masters, both educational and enjoyable. Following the performances, members of the public are invited to try their skills, and the instructors are happy to lead visitors through typical kung fu movements. You'll find it to be an excellent form of exercise and a great introduction to the Chinese martial arts.