Hong Kong celebrated Christmas and is still celebrating with some wonderful events bringing in 2022 in style.
Hong Kong has it good! As part of the Greater Bay Area, along with Macao and nine municipalities in southern China’s Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing, this area possesses the most extensive cluster of ports and airports in the world.
This winter, the famous Hong Kong skyline shone as Christmas Town welcomed the brand-new international art and culture hub of Hong Kong. It was all about attractions, privileges and offers provided by shopping malls and shops, special menus and dishes at hotels and restaurants as well as tours and themed itineraries. ‘A Symphony of Lights’ illuminated the skyline every evening.
Famous magician Louis Yan performed at Ocean Park’s Magic Viva Stage. The X’mas festivities included festive workshops, marvellous holiday surprises, a beautiful European-style Christmas market, the giant Christmas tree, glass spheres with snowflakes and lots more including the immersive
multimedia show ‘Visions of Hong Kong’.
The venue partner, West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) ensure that the signature high-rise Christmas Tree and Christmas Town was created at the WKCD Art Park for the first time – as an extension of the “Hong Kong Neighbourhood” – “West Kowloon” promotion.
The 20-metre Christmas was lit on 26 November 2021.
Highlights of Hong Kong WinterFest’s Christmas Town
Besides the soaring Christmas tree and surroundings of the festive Santa Lodges and decos, 2021’s Christmas Town was designed after the fantasy town of Colmar, France, which also inspired Howl’s Moving Castle, a worldacclaimed animated picture directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
The outdoor Christmas Tree is more than 6 storeys. With festive music and lighting effects, the Tree decorated the skyline of Victoria Harbour and appeard spectacular.
First global museum
M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture opened on 12 Novembe 2021. The opening exhibitions include six thematic exhibitions which feature visual artworks, moving image works, design objects, architectural projects and archival items. The exhibitions are:
Hong Kong: Here and Beyond — the exhibition is divided into four chapters to capture the city’s transformation and unique visual culture from the 1960s to the present;
M+ Sigg Collection: From Revolution to Globalisation — a chronological survey of the development of contemporary Chinese art from the 1970s through the 2000s drawn from the M+ Sigg Collection;
Things, Spaces, Interactions: a thematic and chronological exploration of international design and architecture over the last 70 years and their relevance to our lives today;
Individuals, Networks, Expressions: a narrative of post-war international visual art told from the perspective of Asia;
Antony Gormley: Asian Field: an expansive installation of tens of thousands of clay figurines created by British sculptor Antony Gormley together with over 300 villagers from a Guangdong village in five days in 2003; and
The Dream of the Museum: a global constellation of conceptual art practices at the heart of M+’s unique Asian context.
In and around Hong Kong
Macao
A small city it may be, Macao is both a major centre for entertainment read
casinos on the world map and a historic centre characterised by cultural
hybridity which also manifests itself in the delicious local fare.
Visit Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (San Ma Lo), from where you can walk
to the iconic Ruins of St Paul’s in about 10 minutes. Along the way, it is possible to stop by other monuments, such as the ‘Leal Senado’ Building (now known as IAM Building), the Senado Square and St. Dominic’s Church.
Shenzen
In 40 years, Shenzhen has transformed itself from a fishing village to a special economic zone, from the world’s factory to a world city leading in the development of innovation and technology, completed with a wellestablished metro network.
Visit the Overseas Chinese Town (OCT Station) in Nanshan District, home to a range of theme parks, cultural facilities, restaurants, department stores and hotels.
For art lovers and culture vultures, the OCT-LOFT (Qiaocheng East Station), an art hub occupying what were once abandoned industrial plants, has a score of independent shops. One will also find in this enclave for
designers, avant-garde artists and creative enterprises plenty of graffiti and art installations.
Guangzhou
A commercial hub in the Lingnan region for centuries, Guangzhou developed rapidly and now has a sprawling metro network.
Visit the Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street as Guangzhou has the best food to offer in China. Try Xihua Road (Chen Clan Academy Station), a traditional food street, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (Changshou Lu Station).
The Canton Tower (Canton Tower Station) is a landmark – with its twisting architectural structure. Visit the Skyone Celebrity Wax Museum and those looking for a thrill take a ride on the Bubble Tram or Sky Drop.
