Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [163]
MARTIAL ARTS
The HKTB ( 2508 1234), through its Cultural Kaleidoscope program, offers free one-hour t’ai chi lessons at 8am on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on the waterfront promenade outside the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Click here in Tsim Sha Tsui. A further class runs at 9am on Saturday on the Peak Tower Click here rooftop. On Sunday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm a display of traditional Chinese martial arts takes place at Kung Fu Corner near Sculpture Walk in Kowloon Park Click here.
Fightin’ Fit ( Map; 2526 6648; www.fightinfit.com.hk; 303a, 3rd fl, Peter Bldg, 56-62 Queens Rd, Central; MTR Central, exit D)
Hong Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association ( 2504 8164)
Hong Kong Tai Chi Association ( 2395 4884; www.hktaichi.com)
Hong Kong Wushu Union ( 2504 8226; www.hkwushuu.com.hk) Has classes for children.
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KUNG FU & YOU
Chinese gùng-fù (kung fu) is the basis for many Asian martial arts. Hundreds of styles of martial arts have evolved since about AD 500, including mó-seut, which is full of expansive strides and strokes and great to watch in competition; wing-chèun, the late actor and martial-arts master Bruce Lee’s original style, indigenous to Hong Kong, which combines blocks, punches and low kicks; and taai-gik (t’ai chi), the slow-motion ‘shadow boxing’ that has been popular for centuries.
As you can see every morning in the parks throughout Hong Kong, t’ai chi is the most visible and commonly practised form of kung fu today. Not only is it a terrific form of exercise, improving your muscle tone, developing breathing muscles and promoting good health in general, but it also forms a solid foundation for any other martial-arts practice. Its various forms are characterised by deep, powerful stances, soft and flowing hand techniques and relaxed breathing.
In China martial arts were traditionally passed down through patriarchal family lines and seldom taught to outsiders, as these skills were considered far too valuable to spread indiscriminately. During the Cultural Revolution, when all teachings outside Maoist philosophy were suppressed, the practise of innocuous-looking t’ai chi was allowed, helping kung fu to live on when so much traditional culture had disappeared.
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Wan Kei Ho International Martial Arts Association ( 2544 1368, 9885 8336; www.kungfuwan.com)
Wing Chun Yip Man Martial Arts Athletic Association ( Map; 2723 2306; Unit A, 5th fl, Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; MTR Tsim Sha Tsui, exit E) Charges $500 a month for three lessons a week (two or three hours each) and has a six-month intensive course (six hours a day, six days a week) for around $5000, depending on the student.
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RUNNING
It’s hot, humid, hilly, crowded, congested and the air quality can be shocking. Apart from that Hong Kong is a great place to run.
The best places to run on Hong Kong Island include Harlech and Lugard Rds on the Peak, Bowen Rd above Wan Chai, the track in Victoria Park and the Happy Valley racecourse (as long as there aren’t any horse races on it!). In Kowloon a popular place to run is the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade. Lamma makes an ideal place for trail runners with plenty of paths and dirt trails, great views and, best of all, no cars.
For easy runs followed by brewskis and good company, contact the Hong Kong Hash House Harriers (www.hkhash.com), the main local branch of a lively organisation with members worldwide, or the Ladies’ Hash House Harriers (www.hkladieshash.com). The inappropriately named Ladies Road Runners Club (www.hklrrc.org) allows men to join in the fun. Another group that organises runs is Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong (www.avohk.org).
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SCUBA DIVING
Hong Kong has some surprisingly worthwhile diving spots, particularly in the far northeast, and there is certainly no shortage of courses. One of the best sources of information for courses and excursions is Sai Kung–based Splash Hong Kong ( 2792 4495,