Page 128 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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Striking facade of the Hong Kong Museum of Art in Kowloon

Appealing interior of G.O.D. (Goods Of Desire) Museums and
Hong Kong Park, a delightful urban oasis
Antiques and Galleries Parks and
Homewares
Often dismissed as a shopping-and-dining city that Natural Spaces
views culture with disdain, Hong Kong is seeking
Hong Kong loves to shop, and boasts Asia’s most to emphasize its appreciation of history and the
exciting portfolio of glitzy malls and designer labels. arts. An annual contemporary art fair has been Hong Kong is far more than a chrome-and-glass
But tucked discreetly away from the melee of big launched, and the long-running Hong Kong Arts urban jungle – in fact, some 40 percent of the
names and their insatiable shoppers is a world of Festival draws an eclectic mix of creative talents. terrain is dedicated as protected parkland. When
more refined retailing, a refreshing alternative to But as well as importing global performers, the downtown temperature rises, Hong Kongers
the mall culture of Central, Kowloon, and Causeway Hong Kong is reassessing its own cultural and head for the hills for fine hiking and cycling trails,
Bay and the over-touristed markets of Stanley and historic identity. Emerging from its recent slumber or to one of myriad national parks and beaches for
Temple streets. is the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Several guest family relaxation and convening with nature.
Halfway between Victoria Harbour and the curators have breathed new artistic life into this Even in the urban areas, pleasant parks and
Peak is the aptly named Mid-Levels, where the long-neglected museum – a space always imbued gardens can be found. The delicately landscaped
sloping streets around Hollywood Road are home with potential. The Open Dialogues contemporary Hong Kong Park sits on a grassy incline overlooking
to elegant, authentic antiques shops and low-key art series presaged bolder, more conceptual shows. the Financial District. Paths weave between rocks
art galleries. Since 1982, the Altfield Gallery has Somewhat more cerebral is the often-overlooked and ponds, attracting city elders, schoolchildren,
been a leading purveyor of fine 18th- and 19th- University Museum & Art Gallery, which takes an bank workers, and families, while the fountains are
century Chinese furniture and artworks, and has intellectual but accessible approach to ancient popular spots for pre-wedding photo shoots.
also diversified into high-quality Southeast Asian Chinese art and archaeology. Opened in 2006, the 150-acre (61-ha) Hong
artifacts. The Red Cabinet is another specialist dealer, Though not usually a topic to lure visitors, urban Kong Wetland Park in the Northern Territories is a
showcasing antique furniture and accessories for planning is critical to Hong Kong’s future vision – modern ecotourism center, demonstrating the
private collectors and export dealers, as well as especially as land reclamation alters the shape of its dramatic diversity of the wetland habitat, which is
superior reproduction items. shoreline. The Hong Kong Planning & Infrastructure often overlooked by city folk. Set in the heart of a
Farther afield, in Aberdeen, China Art sells Exhibition Gallery offers a glimpse, via videos, picturesque rolling valley, the Kadoorie Farm &
exquisitely restored antique Chinese beds, models, maps, and interactive exhibits, of the city Botanic Garden is beautifully maintained and
cabinets, chairs, tables, and soft furnishings. of tomorrow. Going back in time, the Museum of showcases new initiatives for sustainable living
Promoting a quirkier, contemporary angle on Coastal Defence, located in a 19th-century former and improving wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
Asian home furnishings is G.O.D. (Goods of Desire), British fort, explores Hong Kong’s military past. Keen walkers should head to Shek O Country
with shops in Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Park. The undulating 2½-mile (4-km) Dragon’s Back
Tsui. Their stated aim is to promote unconventional Peak trail, linking Wan Cham Shan and Shek O Peak,
Practical Information
and desirable furniture for modern consumers. Hong Kong Museum of Art Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; affords fine views of Big Wave Bay.
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts
Practical Information Hong Kong Planning & Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery 3 Edinburgh Place, Practical Information
Altfield 248–9 Prince’s Building, Chater Road, Mid-Levels, Central; Central; www.infrastructuregallery.gov.hk Dragon’s Back Trail Southern District; http://www.afcd.gov.hk
www.altfield.com.hk
Museum of Coastal Defence Shau Kei Wan, Eastern District; Hong Kong Park 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong Island
China Art Aberdeen; www.chinaart.com.hk www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Coastal Hong Kong Wetland Park Tin Shui Wan, New Territories;
G.O.D. Several outlets; www.god.com.hk University Museum & Art Gallery Pok Fu Lam, Central; www.wetlandpark.com
Red Cabinet 1–3 Hollywood Road, Central; www.red-cabinet.com.hk www.hku.hk/hkumag Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden Tai Po, New Territories; www.kfbg.org.hk

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