China Tours

Day 01 Arrival, Hong Kong - 13 February, 2010 (New Year's Eve)
Arrive in Hong Kong , transfer to hotel for accommodation. Evening visit the Flower Market. During Chinese New Year Eve, huge flower markets sell seasonal flowers from delicate potted varieties to immense flowering tree branches ready to burst into bloom.

The Flower Market is a gathering place for families to take in the dynamic atmosphere and enjoy arts & crafts activities and performances. A range of auspicious flower and blooms, used to decorate one's home to bring luck and prosperity in the New Year, will be available for purchase.

New Year celebrations last for fifteen days afterwards, but preparations including cleaning and decorating the home begin as early as two weeks prior. The market is a significant kick-off event in many Asian countries. The flower is one of the most important and symbolic decorations: "fa" in Cantonese shares homonymic qualities to the word for fortune, "fat." Therefore, to have flowers blooming in one's home during the New Year is a prosperous and fortuitous sign. Among the propitious plants and flowers are azaleas, dahlias, chrysanthemums, peach and plum blossoms, peonies, narcissi, orchids and small orange trees. Kumquat trees, narcissus and peonies bring prosperity; peach blossoms add fire to romance; while tangerine plants with their leaves intact help ensure long-lasting relationships and 'fruitful' marriages.

Day 02 Hong Kong – 14 February, 2010 (the first day of 2010 in Chinese Calendar)
Morning Hong Kong Island Tour with stops at Expo Promenade (Wan Chai District) , the imposing Golden Bauhinia standing on Expo Promenade outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the waterfront in Wan Chai, marks the most significant occasion in Hong Kong 's History. Victoria Peak where you can see a spectacular 360° view of Hong Kong. Aberdeen, once a quiet fishing village, now still houses a community of boat people. Walk on Repulse Bay and visit the Life Guard Club, built in traditional Chinese style, features statues of Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, both protectors of fishermen. Afternoon free for own activities.

Evening attend Hong Kong Chinese New Year Parade. It's the greatest Chinese New Year parade on the planet. The parade will be held at night with festive illuminations. Don't miss this fun event with its spectacular harbour-view backdrop, magnificent floats and multicultural performers from around the world. Come and celebrate the start of the Year of the Tiger!

Aberdeen harbour is home to hundreds of people living on fishing junks. Their traditional lifestyle is dramatically juxtaposed against a modern high-rise community spread over the nearby hillsides. In the evenings, the thousands of twinkling lights reflected on the water are a magical sight.

To get a close-up look at the Aberdeen way of life, many visitors take a sampan ride or take in the view from one of two magnificent floating restaurants anchored here. Three storeys high and elaborately decorated with swirling red and gold dragons and other traditional Chinese motifs, the experience is not to be missed; neither, of course, is the delicious fresh seafood and the excellent Cantonese fare on offer.

Primarily an upmarket residential area, sun-drenched Repulse Bay has a relaxed resort-like atmosphere. The wide, wave-lapped beach is popular with locals and visitors alike and great for sandy strolls in the early morning when the sun is up and the sunbathers are out in force, or at sunset when all is at peace.

This crescent-shaped stretch of sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong . The beach features a lifeguard clubhouse built in traditional Chinese style. Its ceiling is decorated with magnificent swirling dragons. Towering twin statues of Kwun Yum and Tin Hau, both protectors of fishermen dominate the picturesque gardens that lead down to the beach.

Nearby, the colonial-style ‘The Repulse Bay', houses designer shops and award-winning restaurants and resembles the luxury hotel built in 1920 that originally occupied the site. Most of the grounds were redeveloped into luxury apartments more than 20 years ago. Only the original arcade remains. This is the ideal place for a romantic dinner under the stars. For something more down-to-earth, several open-air restaurants nearby specialise in wholesome barbecued food, including the freshest prawns, squid and fish. All are cheery hives of activity every night of the week.

The parade in the evening, billed as the ‘World's Happiest Party' featured elaborately decorated floats accompanied by spectacular international and local marching bands and cultural performers. There was a carnival atmosphere, as festive crowds lined the route around Tsim Sha Tsui East to watch the colourful parade pass by with Victoria Harbour serving as the stunning backdrop.

Day 03 Hong Kong – 15 February, 2010
Morning New Territories Tour with Chinese dim-sum lunch at local restaurant. Highlights of this tour includes visit to The Centuries Old Walled Village located in the district of Kam Tin. It is the grandest of the five remaining walled villages in Hong Kong . Ancient Buddhist Temple , an impressive Buddhist monastery nestled in the hills in quiet dignity is home to three enormous “Precious Buddha” statues and other colourful religious paraphernalia; and the enchanting Wishing Tree which make your wish come true by writing on coloured papers. Evening depart for “Chinese New Year Fireworks Cocktail Cruise” with drinks served on board. The fireworks display will be held in Victoria Harbour and is subject to final sponsorship. After the cruise, a Chinese dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

A visit to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees is a great way to take part in a local Chinese tradition! This place is popular with locals who come to worship, hoping their wishes come true. During Chinese New Year, many Hong Kong people make a pilgrimage to this spot to make their Chinese New Year wishes. According to tradition, wishes will be granted if the paper catches one of the branches of this enchanting Banyan tree. Participate in this tradition and your wish may come true.

Day 04 Hong Kong– 16 February, 2010
This is a day for Chinese New Year Horse-Racing tour. It includes transportation to/from the track, entry to a box inside the members' enclosure with a buffet lunch at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Nothing sets Hong Kong abuzz with excitement quite like the thrill of horseracing. It is the territory's favorite sport and, outside the local lottery, the only legal form of gambling. If one image sums up the spirit of Hong Kong , it is the passion of the race day crowd. Since the first Plenipotentiary's Cup of 1846, horseracing has continued to be one of the few social activities that have truly brought the diverse cultures of Hong Kong together. You will experience the fever-pitch atmosphere of Hong Kong races in style.

Day 05 Departure, Hong Kong – 17 February, 2010
Free until transfer to airport for departure.

Service Ends