Kai Tak was an international airport situated in the heart of Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula. Twenty-five years ago, it was replaced by the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok. But Kai Tak Airport (1925-1998) still sparks nostalgia among both aviation professionals and Hongkongers alike. While Hong Kong’s "new" airport is considered one of the best in the world, fond memories remain of old Kai Tak, a city symbol with a memorable place in local history.
For Hongkongers, a beautifully crafted kwan kwa, or traditional Chinese wedding dress, symbolises love, happiness and power. Red satin often provides the background for a rich embroidery of silver and gold threads, with each set taking three months to a year to complete. Wing Lung Embroidery in Hong Kong has been selling Chinese wedding gowns in Kowloon’s Shanghai Street for 50 years. Its owner, second-generation wedding seamstress Ng Lan Fa, has been running the family business for more than a decade. She explains why they only sell the traditional dragon and phoenix design and why the black kwan kwa is no longer in fashion.
Hong Kong remains one of the world’s most eye-catching filming locations, with both Hollywood and local film crews using the city’s iconic architecture as the backdrop for stories past, present and future. How did Hong Kong become such a sought-after movie destination and what do filmmakers see in its crowded streets?
Neon signs used to be synonymous with Hong Kong’s nightscape, but recent enforcement of government building rules has left the city’s streets mostly devoid of their famous glow. In this episode of Hong Kong Authentic, we look at what is replacing the traditional look of the Pearl of the Orient, and what Hongkongers are doing to preserve the city’s visual culture.
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A musical genre for the local market that became popular among Chinese speakers and others around the world, Cantopop is a reflection of Hong Kong, with its international influences but distinctly Chinese culture. Initially seen as vulgar and unpresentable, the genre contrasted sharply with traditional Cantonese opera. But over the years, Cantopop has produced some huge stars, including Roman Tam Pak-sin, Paula Tsui Siu-fung, Andy Lau Tak-wah, Leon Lai Ming and Aaron Kwok Fu-shing to name a few. The genre initially reached its peak in the 1990s before taking a back seat to artists from mainland China and boy bands from Japan and South Korea. But in recent years, Cantopop has seen a resurgence, proving that it has become an irreplaceable part of the fabric of Hong Kong.
Why is Bruce Lee’s “be water” philosophy so powerful? The Chinese-American martial artist and film star is widely credited for popularising martial arts, paving the way for mixed martial arts, and changing the perception of Asians in Hollywood and beyond. He did this – and much more – in a short period, since he died at the age of 32. Though more than 50 years have passed since Lee’s death in Kowloon on July 20, 1973, his spirit and philosophy live on.
Hong Kong’s trams have been rolling through the streets for nearly 120 years and through historic events including the Japanese occupation during World War Two and riots coinciding with China’s Cultural Revolution. Although faster forms of transport such as buses and the MTR underground railway are now in place, the trams have continuously served passengers moving across Hong Kong Island and evolved into a cultural symbol of the city. In bustling Hong Kong, the slow-paced trams are also a prized and practical way for tourists and locals alike to get around.
Hong Kong is, by most measures, a very superstitious place. The city is home to spiritual “hit women” as well as fortune-tellers offering life advice and skyscrapers built with feng shui in mind. What does this focus on the spiritual and supernatural tell us about Hong Kong’s culture? In this episode of Hong Kong Authentic, we explore the superstitions that help shape the lives of Hongkongers.
Lion Rock, an imposing and iconic peak separating Hong Kong’s Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories further to the north, has long been seen as a symbol of the city. But this wasn’t always the case, according to local culture and media expert Kenny Ng. He recently told the Post how an iconic television show that aired in a time of turmoil and hardship helped make the Lion Rock much more than a cat-shaped mountain.
Distinct, delectable, but disappearing: streetside hawker stands in Hong Kong known as dai pai dongs, and the classic comfort food they serve are an iconic part of the city’s history, offering up a striking contrast to the modern polished skyscrapers that throng the city skyline. While many have closed down over the years, others have adapted to the times. From the classic food stands to cooked food centres to mushroom pavilions nestled in public housing estates known as dung gu ting, this episode of Hong Kong Authentic explores the history behind the famed food stalls and the families that run them.
Few celebrity idols lived and worked like Anita Mui Yim-fong. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she began performing at the age of four to help provide for her family. Mui landed a record contract by winning a prestigious singing competition, and in a career spanning two decades, became known as a bold and versatile singer and actress. She was also known for her charity work and for standing up against injustice, qualities that earned her the title "Daughter of Hong Kong". Two decades since her death, her legacy lives on with fans who say she's left an indelible impact on their lives.
