Enjoy WinterFest in Hong Kong

Visit Hong Kong this December as the city is transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the annual WinterFest celebrations between 30th November and 1st January 2008. With a host of special events taking place, Hong Kong is the ideal place to get into the festive spirit at the same time as grabbing some Christmas shopping bargains.

During WinterFest, Hong Kong’s famous skyscrapers will be festooned with colourful lights, animated illuminations and special seasonal decorations. The city takes on a Christmas carnival atmosphere as different districts vie for attention with each other through vibrant events and street parties.

Shops in Hong Kong will be holding winter sales throughout December, whilst the strength of the pound against the Hong Kong dollar represents even better value for money. Visitors will be spoilt for choice, whether looking for international brands in fashion or electronics, gifts with a Chinese flavour, or more individual ideas such as tailor-made clothing. The sales continue throughout January and as Hong Kong is a duty free port, visitors can shop ‘til they drop in the bustling markets and modern malls. Look out for shops displaying the Quality Tourism Services (QTS) scheme logo, which indicates places you can trust for superb service and quality products.

As well as the festive decorations adorning the main districts of Central, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui, the Christmas spirit will be invoked by special events including the Times Square Christmas Wonderland, with carol singers, street entertainers and games; musical performances by the Hong Kong Philharmonic and Hong Kong Children’s Choirs; Swan Lake on Ice at the Academy for Performing Arts; Christmas countdowns; and seasonal spectaculars at attractions including Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland.

One of the best ways to experience the sights of Hong Kong during WinterFest is on a night-time tour - aboard an open-top bus or from a boat or ferry on Victoria Harbour. The harbour tours provide stunning, uninterrupted views of the nightly Symphony of Lights illuminations show, involving 44 of Hong Kong’s iconic buildings and skyscrapers on both side of the harbour. Follow this with a meal at one of the many restaurants in Hong Kong offering tantalising seasonal menus.

The WinterFest activities will culminate on 31st December with street parties and a countdown to an extravagant pyrotechnics display. This is the first time such a celebration has been held on the Western New Year’s Eve, with the purpose of welcoming in the start of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games year.

For further information on Hong Kong, visit DiscoverHongKong.com.