Every facet of Hong Kong's art, culture and nature is intriguing. And the best way to discover this kaleidoscope is through Hong Kong's innovative Meet the People programs. Offered free of charge year round, they give visitors and locals alike the opportunity to meet some of Hong Kong's cultural connoisseurs and experts. There's a program for every day of the week, and an activity and subject to suit every taste.

Active travelers may choose to join Ms Pandora Wu and Mr William Ng in a courtyard overlooking spectacular Hong Kong Harbour for a Tai Chi class, where participants learn to balance the yin and yang of the mind and body. Or they may prefer a talk on Kung Fu and a chance to practise one of the Chinese martial arts.

To sample a little of Hong Kong's traditional boat culture, board an authentic Chinese junk any Thursday afternoon or early evening and enjoy Hong Kong's spectacular skyline on the Duk Ling Ride in Victoria Harbour.

Feng Shui may be a fashionable concept, but how many people really understand it? Now visitors to Hong Kong may join a Feng Shui class, and learn as expert Alex Yu unravels the mystery of positioning objects in harmony with nature to ensure good fortune in home or office.

A guided Architecture Walk and a Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum & Historical Trail Guided Tour help visitors to discover the history and modern landmarks of Hong Kong.

After such stimulating activities, a nice cup of tea will be welcome. Join expert Master Wing-chi Ip at Lock Cha Tea Shop, KS Lo Gallery in Hong Kong Park to learn the magical lore of this marvellous drink and how to prepare it properly. There are also new kaleidoscope programs in Chinese Medicine and Chinese Cake Making.

Shopping is on the itinerary for most visitors to Hong Kong; in this department a little knowledge can be a valuable thing. The Meet the People program offers talks on Jewellery Appreciation, and Chinese Antiques Appreciation. Each talk is given by an expert, not only allowing participants to better understand each area of interest, but also to shop more wisely.

Museums play an important part in the cultural kaleidoscope of Hong Kong. With a museum pass (US$4) visitors may enjoy unlimited access to six of Hong Kong's major museums for one week from the date of issue. Art enthusiasts will be impressed by the fine Hong Kong Heritage Museum at Sha Tin in the New Territories. And visitors timing their arrival for a Saturday afternoon will experience another Meet the People activity: the Cantonese Opera Appreciation Tour in the Opera Heritage Hall, together with a live performance.

The Meet the People program has arranged for a museum docent to take visitors through the Hong Kong Museum of History in Kowloon every Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday. A multi-media "Hong Kong Story" exhibition outlines the fascinating development of Hong Kong over the years.

Other museums accessed with the pass include the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Science Museum, and the Space Museum with one of the largest planetariums in the world plus Omnimax and Sky Shows. Science and history merge at the Museum of Coastal Defence, where visitors discover the enormous Brennan Torpedo Station, a super secret at the end of the 19th century and an installation that terrified the navies of the world.

Free talks and activities of the Meet the People program take place on different days of the week and in locations all around Hong Kong. Potential participants will find a brochure giving full details of day, time and place at any of Hong Kong Tourism Board's Visitor Information & Services Centres. The museum pass may also be purchased there.

Unveiled as part of the kaleidoscope program in March 2007, Tourism Board now offers a wide range of green experiences for the avid nature lover. Most can be reached within an hour from the urban areas! For example, you can explore Hong Kong’s internationally recognized Wetland Park in the New Territories, or go on Outdoor Adventures, hiking through some of the region’s most spectacular countryside. Through one of the Visitor Information Centres, you may also sign up to visit a working agricultural farm, a botanical garden, or go dolphin watching. Tours are offered on different days of the week, so be sure to consult the Nature Kaleidoscope web pages of the Discover Hong Kong website below in advance to learn what is available for the dates you are visiting there.

For the official tourism website, Discover Hong Kong, click here.
For a complete menu of Cultural Kaleidoscope programs, click here.
For a complete menu of Nature Kaleidoscope programs, click here.