Chapter 3.9: Sightseeing in Hong Kong

Hello, future explorers! Get ready to become a tourist in your very own city. In this chapter, we're going on an exciting adventure to discover the amazing sights of Hong Kong. We'll learn about special traditions, old buildings that tell stories, and beautiful natural places. It's important to know about these treasures so we can help protect them for everyone to enjoy!


What is So Special About Hong Kong? Our Heritage!

Have you ever heard the word heritage? It sounds a bit tricky, but it's super simple! Think of it like your family's special recipes or stories that are passed down from your grandparents. Cultural heritage is like that, but for our whole city! It includes the special traditions and festivals that make Hong Kong unique.

Let's look at some amazing examples of Hong Kong's cultural heritage:

• Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance:

Imagine a huge dragon, over 60 metres long, made of straw and covered with thousands of burning incense sticks! Every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, people in Tai Hang parade this glowing, smoky dragon through the streets. Wow! They do this to chase away bad luck and bring good health to the community. It's a tradition that's over 100 years old!

• Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade:

In the fishing village of Tai O, they have a very special dragon boat festival. Fishermen decorate their boats and pull small boats carrying statues of gods through the water. They do this to pray for safety at sea and to calm hungry ghosts. This unique parade is called "Tai O Deities' Parade on Water" and it's a very important part of their culture.

Did you know?

Both the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade are so special that they are recognised as part of China's national cultural heritage!

Key Takeaway

Cultural heritage means the special traditions, festivals, and stories that we inherit from the past. They show us what makes our community special and connect us to the people who lived here long ago.


Visiting the Past: Monuments in Hong Kong

What's a monument? A monument is a special building or place that is protected because it is very old and tells an important story about our history. It's like a history book made of bricks and stone!

Let's visit two of Hong Kong's famous monuments:

• Mei Ho House:

This building might look simple, but it has a huge story. Many years ago, a big fire left thousands of people homeless. Mei Ho House was one of the first public housing blocks built to give these families a safe place to live. Today, it's a museum that shows us what life was like in the past and reminds us how Hong Kong has always cared for its people.

• Old Tai Po Market Railway Station:

Choo-choo! This beautiful old building was once a busy train station. It has a special Chinese-style roof that makes it look very different from modern stations. It shows us how people travelled in Hong Kong a long, long time ago. Now, it's a museum where you can learn all about Hong Kong's railway history.

Key Takeaway

Monuments are important old buildings that teach us about our city's history. They are protected so we can learn from them for many years to come.


Exploring Nature's Wonders: Natural Landscapes

Not all of Hong Kong's treasures are made by people. We also have amazing natural landscapes, which are beautiful places created by nature itself! They are home to many plants and animals.

Let's explore two of these natural wonders:

• Hong Kong Wetland Park:

This is an amazing park where you can see birds, butterflies, fish, and even a famous crocodile named Pui Pui! It's a special place that protects wetlands – areas of land covered by water. The park teaches us why wetlands are so important for animals and for keeping our environment healthy.

• Hong Kong Geopark:

Get ready to see some of the oldest things in Hong Kong... rocks! The Hong Kong Geopark is a huge area with incredible rock formations that are millions of years old. You can see amazing hexagonal rock columns that look like giant honeycomb. This park shows us the powerful forces of nature that shaped our land.

Key Takeaway

Natural landscapes are beautiful areas like parks, mountains, and coastlines created by nature. They are vital for wildlife and for us to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.


Our Job as Super Sightseers: Protecting Our Treasures!

Now that we know about these amazing places, we have a very important job: to be "Heritage Heroes" and "Nature Guardians"! It's our responsibility to protect these places. Don't worry, it's easy to do!

How to Protect Our Historic Landmarks and Monuments

1. Look, but don't touch! The walls and items in old buildings can be very fragile. Touching or leaning on them can cause damage.

2. No drawing or writing. Never write or draw on a monument. We want to keep it clean for everyone to see.

3. Share their stories. The best way to protect a monument is to learn its story and share it with your friends and family. When people know why a place is important, they will want to protect it too!

How to Care for Our Natural Environment

1. Take your rubbish with you. Always leave a place cleaner than you found it. Rubbish can harm animals and make beautiful places look ugly.

2. Stay on the path. Sticking to the trails helps protect the plants and soil around you.

3. Be kind to animals. Observe animals from a distance. Don't feed them or try to catch them. We are visitors in their home!

Quick Review Box

To Protect Heritage & Nature, I will:

• Respect the rules and signs.

• Keep my hands to myself in historic buildings.

• Take all my litter home.

• Leave plants and animals alone.

• Share what I've learned with others!