HKTB Extends “Hong Kong Neighborhoods” to Launch “West Kowloon” for Promoting Art and Culture Tourism of the Neighborhood
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HONG KONG & LOS ANGELES – (BUSINESS WIRE) – The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) today officially launched a neighborhood program in West Kowloon as part of its ongoing Hong Kong Neighborhoods campaign, following very successful programs with the Old Town Central and Sham Shui Po neighborhoods. The West Kowloon neighborhood program highlights the district’s rich heritage and vibrant street life in Yau Ma Tei and Jordan along with its two new world-class museums – M + and the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). which will open at the end of the year or next year and will become landmarks of art and cultural tourism.
With art inextricably linked with life, the West Kowloon Neighborhood Program bridges the gap between the local life of the bustling communities of Yau Ma Tei and Jordan, which are home to many historic architectural sites, time-tested shops, and traditional handicrafts, and the artistic allure of the WKCD. During the continuous development and revitalization, the district offers numerous amazing experiences for the public and visitors. The campaign will attract people from all over the city to rediscover them from new perspectives, to encourage deepening local tourism and stimulate economic activity in the neighborhood while international borders are not yet fully open.
Dane Cheng, Executive Director of HKTB, said, “Experience tourism is an emerging and inspiring trend, especially where it combines art and culture with authentic local life. HKTB decided to start this large-scale action before the borders are reopened because we want residents to enjoy the experience first and discover hidden gems in their community, rekindle their enthusiasm and appreciation and a harmonious aura of art life in the West Kowloon neighborhood. We hope that Hong Kong people will then share their experience with friends and relatives outside Hong Kong. Plus, once travel restrictions are relaxed, visitors all over the world are eager to travel, and we can take advantage of the opportunities if we are well prepared in advance. We also encourage tour operators to create detailed tours for Hong Kong residents to help them plan returns for international visitors.
HKTB believes that West Kowloon’s Neighborhood Program will not only boost domestic tourism and consumption, but also spread a positive message and bring Hong Kong’s new art and cultural travel opportunities to the world and generate interest in the district among interested visitors, will return, as soon as the borders are open again. ”
Five hiking routes to discover a rich heritage
Starting from the beautiful coastline in the West Kowloon Cultural District, the West Kowloon neighborhood program spans Yau Ma Tei and Pitt Street and stretches along Nathan Road to reach streets and paths around Austin Road in Jordan.
To reflect the unique characteristics of each area, there are five themed tours focusing on Heritage & Craftmanship, Cultural Arts and Culinary Arts. The routes pass through many little-known corners of the city that are often overlooked by residents and visitors alike, such as a bookstore hidden in the Tin Hau Temple, a seafood restaurant that has been converted into an art hotel, and a spice shop that sells Western dishes combined with traditionally fermented tofu.
The routes offer recommendations for more than 50 points of interest, shops and restaurants and are available as an interactive e-map on the West Kowloon Neighborhood Campaign page of the HKTB website. With shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, special offers have been arranged for those taking part in the walks to encourage spending.
Photo spot with spectacular large-format art installations
Art is a central theme of the West Kowloon neighborhood program. In addition to the M + and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the HKTB has teamed up with “FriendsWithYou”, a pop art duo with Samuel Borkson from Florida and Arturo Sandoval III from Cuba, to present their gigantic art installation and characteristic Pop Art characters Hong Kong and share the positive vibes in the neighborhood. The installations will be on view for free at Art Park in the West Kowloon Cultural District from September 23 to October 14, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy international art exhibitions and create photo memories.
Various areas will be decorated as part of the campaign. The pedestrian bridge and the subway between the WKCD and Jordan will be converted into an “art corridor”. Thematic pennants with a QR code on the program website will be attached around the MTR stations Yau Ma Tei and Jordan and on lampposts along Museum Drive. Virtual visitors can also enjoy commercials with well-known personalities from the neighborhood, which guide viewers through the streets and sidewalks and give viewers worldwide who are not currently there in person their first-hand perspectives.
For more information on the Hong Kong Neighborhoods – West Kowloon campaign, visit www.discoverhongkong.com/westkowloon-en.
Media representatives can download the press release and photos from the following links:
Press release: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/hktb/newsroom/press-releases.html
Photos: https://hktb.filecamp.com/s/2021_West_Kowloon_Neighbourhood/fo
Program page “West Kowloon”: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/westkowloon/en
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