We are sure that most expats would agree that one of the most interesting aspects of expatriate life is absorbing the culture of your new temporary home. Luckily for open-minded expats in Hong Kong, there is so much to see, experience, and taste in the city that there hardly will be a dull moment.
Hong Kong is sure to offer something worthwhile for every taste. Being a modern metropolis, Hong Kong boasts every kind of entertainment imaginable. With a wealth of museums and theaters (both traditional Chinese and Western), lively and active music and art scenes, and a film industry which has produced countless classics, Hong Kong has earned its reputation as a cultural hotspot.
If you are a sportive person you will enjoy the fact that sports of all kinds – be they martial arts, team sports, boat racing, or gym workouts - are hugely popular in Hong Kong. You can find associations for any kind of sport here; a great way for expats to connect to like-minded locals.
If to you being outdoors mainly means shopping on the weekends, you might still want to take your time and enjoy the many architectural marvels of the city. Seeing how the gigantic size of the city makes an all-encompassing guided tour somewhat unfeasible, this is a great way of exploring the city and its famous sights.
Articles about Culture, Shopping & Recreation
Culture, Shopping & RecreationBeyond Business: Hong Kong ArtHong Kong presents itself as having a strong focus on professional business and development. However, there is more to see than countless office blocks in this dynamic city. Even if you have traveled to the city to …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationCinema in Hong KongFights with swords or bare hands, ghosts, spirits of dead ancestors and other fantastic elements are only some of the ingredients cinema in Hong Kong is famous for. These films made ‘kung fu’ popular, and the names …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationHong Kong Literature: The Book SceneTiny Hong Kong may not strike you as having the most internationally-renowned literary tradition. Nevertheless, you will soon find out that the city does have its own distinct ‘Hong Kong’ literature style, with a large …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationHong Kong Music: Opera to CantopopThe Hong Kong music scene is typically a mixture of both traditional and popular modern genres. While pop and classical music from abroad is popular in Hong Kong as well, the city has developed its own distinct genres …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationHong Kong Theater: An Active SceneThe Hong Kong theater scene is extremely active, and proves that Hong Kong is far from being a ‘cultural desert’. Different Hong Kong theater groups offer high quality performances, and local playwrights are popular in …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationDining in Hong Kong: EtiquetteAre you already looking forward to dining in Hong Kong? You should be: the startling variety of eateries has tempted plenty of people before you. However, before you begin your experience of dining in Hong Kong, you …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationFood in Hong Kong: A Culinary CapitalIf you cherish good food and have just moved to Hong Kong, you are a lucky person: the ‘culinary capital of Asia’ offers thousands of restaurants, and some of the world’s best food. In fact, some say that the food in …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationShopping in Hong Kong: Bargain ReadyEven though it is no longer the cheap shopping paradise of old, shopping in Hong Kong still attracts thousands each year. Hong Kong’s shopping malls are among the largest and most impressive in the world: you would …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationHong Kong NightlifeHong Kong nightlife offers you everything you could wish for, from Chinese beer in a traditional pub to fancy cocktails with Hong Kong’s high society in one of the city’s hippest lounges. Find out where to enjoy bars and …Read more
Family, Children & EducationLanguage in Hong KongLanguage in Hong Kong is not easy to figure out for a newcomer: expect to hear and see a lot that you cannot understand! Although …
Family, Children & EducationLearn Cantonese in Hong KongLanguage is the key to culture. By beginning to learn Cantonese in Hong Kong, you can communicate easily with local people and make your stay much more enjoyable. Starting to learn Cantonese in Hong Kong can be very …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationHong Kong Culture: Social EtiquetteRespecting and honoring others is crucial in Hong Kong culture. Be careful to never embarrass someone in public– this will have a negative effect on their social standing among their acquaintances. Read on to discover …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationHong Kong HolidaysThere are 17 official Hong Kong holidays in a year. These are a mix of traditional and political holidays, including those celebrated by various religions and cultures. So you can celebrate Labor Day, Chinese New Year, …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationReligion in Hong KongWhile traditional Chinese religion remains the most important religion in Hong Kong, you can find believers from plenty of other world faiths. Most of these faiths were brought to the country by missionaries in the …Read more
Culture, Shopping & RecreationSports in Hong KongMost people barely associate Hong Kong with particular achievements in sports. But did you know that the popular dragon boat racing …
As language is one of the cornerstones of any culture, learning a few basic phrases in Cantonese is highly recommended to any future expat in Hong Kong before they actually relocate. If there is no time for that, no worries – Hong Kong has a multitude of excellent language schools. While it is true that you will probably be able to lead an enjoyable life here only using English, both given Hong Kong’s past and its current status as a global city, there will be a huge part of life in Hong Kong you will only be able to fully access when you have an understanding for the language. Don’t miss out!
Cuisine and Dining
Many of the traditional dishes found anywhere in Hong Kong have made a name for themselves all over the world – just think Dim Sum, to name one example. But with several thousands of restaurants and an innumerable amount of street vendors offering snacks, the abovementioned dish is of course just a tiny fragment of the giant menu available to you. Needless to say that, apart from local cuisine, dishes from virtually any place on earth can be found in Hong Kong.
One thing to make sure when entering a culture you are unfamiliar with is to adhere to its dining etiquette. Get acquainted with the usual and acceptable table manners in Hong Kong before you go eat out – social fauxpas is embarrassing anywhere in the world!
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