I’d like to Moo It, Moo It! – Chinese New Year Walk

Come to Wanchai and experience the many folk customs and practices throughout the Chinese New Year of the Ox

You’ve enjoyed a nice break over the Chinese New Year. You might think the Chinese New Year festivities are over. Well, not quite.

Chinese New Year in Hong Kong combines tradition and modern practices. Beneath the surface of a modern and westernized city, is a place still filled with tradition and folk beliefs. On our docent-led guided walk, we will visit a Grade I heritage temple, the Pak Tak Temple, where you will see this ritual being performed by Taoist priests. Wander through the 80-year old open market and you will find stalls selling talismans and small ornaments of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs used to ward off evil spirits. Friendly stall owners will be glad to tell you which particular animal pendent suits you.

At the end of our walk, you will be invited to The Pawn for a free drink to cool your heels.
Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to catch a bit of the local culture throughout this new year period and soak in the trendy and yet retro ambience of The Pawn.

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Date : 28 February 2009 (or private tour upon request)
Time : 2:30 – 4:30p.m.

“A Glimpse of the Past” into the Old Quarters of Wanchai

Wanchai, known as “Ha Wan”, a small cove was a quiet sandy bay and home to a handful of villagers and fisher folks. From its humble beginning, it is now Hong Kong’s second business district. Unique to Hong Kong, Wanchai is also a densely populated residential locale with old quarters which collide with the modern sky scrapping office towers.

Here are just some of the highlights of what you will see and find out in our guided tour:
1) Blue House - a Chinese tenement block built in 1920s. Hong Kong’s only livelihood museum.
2) Pak Tai Temple - Built by local residents in 1863, is now listed as Grade I historical building for permanent preservation.
3) The last surviving Post office and a declared monument built in 1912.
4) 80-year old Wanchai street market with a maze of streets bustling with life and colour.

You will learn about the changing faces of Wanchai. The impact it has on the social fabric over the past decades. The vanishing facets of folk life and tradition.
At the end of our walk, you will be invited to The Pawn for a free drink to cool your heels and your docent will share with you stories and folklife of Old Wan Chai.
Come and experience the richness of Wanchai’s culture and heritage.

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Date: Every first & last Tuesday
Time: 2:30 – 4:30

Fee: $180 per person (with one non-alcoholic drink at the Pawn and a souvenir from the Wanchai Blue House Livelihood Museum. Proceeds go to St. James’ Settlement after expenses.)
Reservation: 2835 4376 (Ms. Suki Chau)
Payment: Payment in advance. Cheque payable to ‘St. James’ Settlement’. By post to 7/F Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai. Cash payment in person during office hours.
*Private walks can be arranged for a minimum of 6 persons.