Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [157]
In the home town of so many legendary martial artists such as Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, it’s no secret that Chinese martial arts are also well represented, from the full contact variety to the slow-motion art of t’ai chi practised with balletic grace in the parks each morning.
If watching rather than doing is your thing, there’s a busy spectator sports calendar, too, and often plenty of atmosphere to be found (especially where there’s the possibility of having a flutter on the result, or a beer for that matter). Hong Kong’s Rugby Sevens in particular have a legendary status among rugby fans worldwide, both as a sporting event and as an excuse for a raucously good-natured carnival atmosphere.
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HEALTH & FITNESS
Hong Kong is bursting at the seams with gyms, yoga studios, spas and alternative health clinics offering everything from aromatherapy and foot care to homeopathy. And if your hotel doesn’t have a swimming pool, there are three dozen public ones to choose from.
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GYMS & FITNESS CLUBS
Getting fit is big business in Hong Kong, with the largest slices of the pie shared out among a few big names. The South China Athletic Association ( Map; 2890 7736; 88 Caroline Hill Rd, So Kon Po; Happy Valley) has a massive (1000 sq metre) gym, with modern exercise machinery and an aerobics room, as well as a sauna, a steam room and massage (monthly membership $250, or $50 per visit). The following two are notable in that they offer short-term memberships.
CALIFORNIA FITNESS Map
2522 5229; www.californiafitness.com; 1 Wellington St, Central; daily $150; 6am-midnight Mon-Sat, 8am-10pm Sun; MTR Central exit D2
Asia’s largest health club has six outlets in Hong Kong, including a Wan Chai branch ( Map; 2877 7070; 88 Gloucester Rd; MTR Wan Chai, exit A1), which keeps the same hours.
PURE FITNESS Map
2970 3366; www.pure-fit.com; 1st-3rd fl, Kinwick Centre, 32 Hollywood Rd, Soho; daily $200; 6am-midnight Mon-Sat, 8am-10pm Sun; Central Escalator
This favourite of the Soho set (entered from Shelley St) has a Central branch ( Map; 8129 8000; 3rd fl, Two IFC Mall, 8 Finance St, Central; MTR Hong Kong Station), which is open the same hours.
SPA TREATMENTS & THERAPIES
Whether you want to be spoilt rotten by sleek Priestesses of Wellness applying thousand-dollar caviar and lotus flower facials, or have a simple foot rub to soothe those throbbing bunions, Hong Kong’s extensive pampering sector can assist. Most of the top hotels in town operate their own spas, with some of them essentially mini resorts. For less elaborate treatments you’ll find plenty of places in Central and (to a lesser extent) Kowloon, offering spa treatments, massages and reflexology.
DK Aromatherapy ( Map; 2771 2847; www.aroma.com.hk; Ground fl, 16A Staunton St, Central; 11am-10pm; Central Escalator) Full body aroma-therapy treatment $500 to $550.
Elemis Day Spa ( Map; 2521 6660; www.elemisdayspa.com.hk; 9th fl, Century Sq, 1 D’Aguilar St, Central; MTR Central, exit D2) Pampering and treatments range from basic facials to deep-tissue massage. There are separate sections (and treatment menus) for men and women.
Happy Foot Reflexology Centre ( Map; 2544 1010; 6th, 11th & 13th fl, Jade Centre, 98-102 Wellington St, Central; 10am-midnight; MTR Central, exit D2) Foot/body massage starts at $198/250 for 50 minutes.
Healing Plants ( Map; 2815 9448; info@ehealingplants.com; 13th fl, Capitol Plaza, 2-10 Lyndhurst Tce, Central; 10am-8pm Mon-Sat; Central Escalator) Acupuncture, reflexology, Swedish massage and homeopathic doctors at hand.
Spa at the Four Seasons ( Map; 3196 8900; www.fourseasons.com/hongkong/spa.html; 8 Finance St, Central; 8am-11pm; Hong Kong MTR, exit F) A 20,00-sq-ft, ultra-high-end spa with a comprehensive range of beauty, massage and health treatments, plus ice fountain,