Ordered chaos is a frequent descriptive for the Temple Street Night Market, also known as Men's Market. Vendors in garishly lit stalls offer the gamut of bargains ranging from designer jeans, watches and CDs to iPods, cell phones, cameras and full sets of luggage. Join the frenetic crowds around the food stalls (fresh seafood and hotpot anyone?) or unravel your future with one of the fortune-tellers. Impromptu Cantonese operas aren't unheard of.
6. Elements Shopping Mall
Elements Shopping Centre is located above the Kowloon MTR Station. This upscale everything-you-need centre has more than 125 shops, a 1600-seat cinema and a full-size indoor skating rink. The expansive mall is divided into five zones representing the five elements of nature: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. You can shop 'til you drop or enjoy a cappuccino in a café overlooking the rink. Too cool!
7. Flying in comfort
If you are flying a long distance, especially across numerous time zones, why not travel in style and comfort? If it's your first time to Asia, it's good to know that Cathay Pacific airlines provides a culinary immersion en route as you dine on dim sum, Chinese pastries, sushi and Japanese noodles.
8. Festivals, festivals and more festivals.
In addition to popular Chinese New Year, Hong Kong offers an infinite choice of festivals.
The tiny island of Cheung Chau hosts the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, an annual bun festival in May to honor Pak Tai, god of the sea. Spectacular bun towers, some as tall as 60 feet, are constructed in front of the Pak Tai Temple as an offering, and the blessed buns are handed out to the faithful at the end of the festival.
The Dragon Boat Festival held each year in early June commemorates the death of a national hero, Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest against the corrupt third-century rulers. Elaborately carved, wildly painted dragon boats compete in races in the Shing Mun River in New Territories.
The Moon Festival in mid-September is a time for family reunions in Hong Kong. Families parade outdoors with traditional multi-coloured lanterns to watch the full moon rise and eat sweet moon cakes.
For more Hong Kong festivals, visit www.discoverhongkong.com
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