Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [156]
These intimate theatres, each seating up to 100 people, host eclectic local and international performances (average ticket price is $80) in English and in Cantonese.
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KOWLOON
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Tsim Sha Tsui
GRAND OCEAN CINEMA Map Cinema
2377 2100; www.goldenharvest.com; Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel Shopping Arcade, Zone D, Harbour City, 3 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; Star Ferry
The Grand Ocean Cinema screens the usual blockbusters.
HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE Map Classical Music
2734 2009; www.hkculturalcentre.gov.hk; 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui
Many classical music performances are held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (just east of the Star Ferry terminal), also home to the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. It is well worth stopping by there to pick up a monthly schedule.
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Yau Ma Tei & New Kowloon
AMC FESTIVAL WALK Map Cinema
2265 8545; www.amccinemas.com.hk; Upper Ground fl & Levels 1 & 2, Festival Walk, 80-88 Tat Chee Ave, Kowloon Tong; MTR Kowloon Tong (exit C2)
This complex with 11 screens at Hong Kong’s poshest mall is the largest cinema in the territory. The films are a mix of Chinese and Western. Check ahead as the latter are sometimes dubbed, rather than subtitled in Cantonese.
BROADWAY CINEMATHEQUE Map Cinema
2388 3188; Ground fl, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square St, Yau Ma Tei; MTR Yau Ma Tei
This is an unlikely place for an alternative cinema, but it’s worth coming up for new art-house releases and rerun screenings. The Kubrick Bookshop Café next door serves good coffee and decent pre-flick food.
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NEW TERRITORIES
The New Territories also has several important cultural centres:
Kwai Tsing Theatre ( Map; 2408 0128; www.lcsd.gov.hk/ktt; 12 Hing Ning Rd, Kwai Chung; MTR Kwai Fong)
Sha Tin Town Hall ( Map; 2694 2550; www.lcsd.gov.hk/stth; 1 Yuen Wo Rd, Sha Tin; MTR Sha Tin, East Rail)
Tuen Mun Town Hall ( Map; 2450 4202; www.lcsd.gov.hk/tmth; 3 Tuen Hi Rd, Tuen Mun; MTR Tuen Mun)
Tsuen Wan Town Hall ( Map; 2414 0144; www.lcsd.gov.hk/twth; 72 Tai Ho Rd, Tsuen Wan; MTR Tsuen Wan)
Yuen Long Theatre ( Map; 2476 1029, bookings 2477 1462; www.lcsd.gov.hk/ylt; 9 Tai Yuk Rd, Yuen Long; MTR Yuen Long).
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SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
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HEALTH & FITNESS
GYMS & FITNESS CLUBS
SPA TREATMENTS & THERAPIES
SWIMMING POOLS
YOGA
ACTIVITIES
Information & Venues
BEACHES
BIRD-WATCHING
TENPIN BOWLING
CYCLING
FISHING
GOLF
HIKING
Maps
Accommodation
Organised Hikes
Hong Kong Trail
Lantau Trail
MacLehose Trail
Wilson Trail
HORSE RIDING
KAYAKING & CANOEING
RUNNING
SCUBA DIVING
SKATING
SQUASH
TENNIS
SPECTATOR SPORTS
CRICKET
FOOTBALL (SOCCER)
HORSE RACING
RUGBY
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* * *
top picks
Horse racing in Happy Valley Click here
Rugby Sevens Click here
Luxury spa escape Click here
Kayaking in Sai Kung Click here
Walking Hong Kong’s trails Click here
Harbour cruising Click here
Waterside morning t’ai chi Click here
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SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Hong Kong’s expansive and sparsely populated green spaces surprise many first-time visitors with both their proximity to the urban centre and amazing accessibility. Rugged outdoor options such as hiking, camping and mountain biking are plentiful. Messing about on boats, boards or skis is another obvious category of activity, given the ubiquity of both salt and fresh water.
Edgier thrills are there for those eager to tackle the area’s granite rock faces, to indulge in paintball firefights in the country parks or to participate in the increasingly busy local adventure sports calendar.
It is, however, possible to raise your heart rate without leaving the urban centres. Shoehorned into the precious spaces between the concrete canyons you’ll find a surprisingly good range of public facilities, from public basketball and tennis courts to swimming pools, parks and gardens.
In short, Hong Kong offers the type of facilities, clubs and