4 superstitions in Hong Kong you need to know

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, however, many of its inhabitants remain highly superstitious such as beliefs about lucky numbers, bad omens and spirits abound in the local collective psyche.

Lucky numbers 

The numbers have always played an important role, from choosing building floor numbers on which to reside to setting wedding dates or choosing mobile numbers. Each number carries symbolic meaning and significance, and certain numbers are considered more “lucky” or “unlucky” than others due to their pronunciation. For example, number 8 is the most favored number among Chinese because it sounds like “prosperity” & “fortune”.

In Cantonese, the word for “four” sounds similar to the word for “death,” so Hong Kongers avoid the number at all costs. In many buildings, floor numbers such as 4, 14 and 24 are skipped. People avoid gifting things in sets of four, and even prefer phone numbers without the number four.

Taboo gifts

Hong Kongers believe certain things should never be given as gifts, including:

Clocks: In Cantonese, “to give a clock” is song zung, a phrase that means “to prepare for the end,” referring to the rites of paying one’s last respects to a loved one near the end of their life and burying them after they die. Clocks are also reminders that time is running out.

Sharp objects: Gifting knives and blades are inappropriate because they represent a severing of relationships.

Pears: The word “pear” sounds similar to the word for “depart” or “leave.”

Umbrellas: The word for “umbrella” is like the word for “separate.”

Black and white objects: These are colors of mourning, so black and white objects make for inappropriate gifts.

Four of anything: As explained above, “four” sounds like “death,” so anything that comes in a set of four is a no-no.

Green hats: In Chinese, to “wear a green hat” means “to be cuckolded.”

Feng shui 

Feng Shui literally means “wind and water”. It is an ancient Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing with the surrounding environment. Feng Shui masters use a special compass called a “luopan” and a “bagua”, an octagonal pattern determining the significance and auspicious qualities of spatial relationships to analyze feng shui areas in residences and offices in order to improve the inhabitants’ luck and fortune.

Lucky bamboo plants and indoor water fountains are two of the most recognizable and popular feng shui cures. Bamboo plants symbolize strength and luck, different numbers of bamboo stalks symbolize good feng shui for different aspects. For instance, 2 stalks represent love and marriage, 3 stalks mean happiness, while 8 stalks symbolize prosperity. Water fountains are said to incorporate energy into the household and water has long been regarded as a feng shui symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Dragon gates

Coastal high-rises and skyscrapers in Hong Kong sometimes feature rectangular holes called “dragon gates.” Legend has it that dragons (which represent wisdom, courage and prosperity in Chinese culture) live in mountains. The dragon gates serve as a passageway for these mystical creatures to reach the coast, letting positive energy flow through the building as a result.

Source Internet

Top cultural experiences you cannot miss in Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta is the busy capital city of Indonesia. There are many cultures coming together that make Jakarta very unique. If you are interested in learning the culture of Jakarta, here are cultural experiences in Jakarta.

 Explore the Jakarta Old Town

Once one of the most prominent neighbourhoods during colonial era, Jakarta’s Kota Tua (Old Town) is a slice of history in the bustling metropolitan. The area is packed with old government buildings and trade centers kept alive as museums and heritage sites. From riding a colourful bicycle through Fatahillah Square to taking pictures inside the quirky Rumah Akar, you can conveniently explore the Old Town’s highlights just by strolling around the area.

Read more: 5 places you should not miss in Jakarta

Attend Jakarta Fashion Week

If you have the chance to attend Jakarta Fashion Week then you should definitely do. It is a great way to understand the culture within Jakarta in a stunning way. Some clothing design in Jakarta Fashion Week have designers from all over Indonesia that put the Indonesian culture into their fashion statement.

Explore mini Indonesia

This is your best chance to see Indonesia’s different cultures in just a day. Serving as the miniature of the sprawling archipelago, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah has dedicated areas for every major province or culture in Indonesia. Each area highlights everything you need to know about the culture: traditional houses, customs, attires, and more. You can also explore different science and nature museums, watch documentaries in an iconic cinema, and take a ride on a cable car that goes across the compound.

Enjoy the rich artisan heritage in Java

One of Indonesia’s most popular cultural exports is batik, a fabric seen all around the country, often in Indonesian traditional dress. Batik comes in all colours, patterns and sizes, and is created by tracing designs with wax and then dyed to produce impressively intricate patterns. From touristy gift shops to swanky upscale boutiques, you can find batik pretty much anywhere in Indonesia, but Java is where it originates, and there are plenty of amazing opportunities to see it getting made.

Visit the Museums

There are many museums that lie in Jakarta. For example, you can come to the Jakarta History Museum, the Puppet Museum and the Museum of Fine Art and Ceramic. Moreover, definitely spend some time to visit the National History Museum. There is another interesting museum that you can go to in Jakarta. It is the Kite Museum. Kite is a cultural part in Indonesia since a lot of people are passionate about it.

Source Internet

5 interesting things to do in Cambodia

Discover the sacred temples and traditions of one of South-East Asia's most beloved countries. These things below are the highlights of Cambodia that you need to visit to make the most of your adventure.

1. Watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat

Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat is believed to be the oldest and largest temple complex in the world. It was once the capital of the Khmer Empire and its front-facing outline has since become a national symbol, featuring on the Cambodian flag, on beer labels and in the name of countless hotels.

The ruins sit in an archaeological park that extends for 400 square kilometres, a scale beyond what many visitors anticipate. Those with ample time should make the most of a three-day or week-long pass to explore its maze of ancient stone structures and water features coated with blossom-pink lotus flowers – not forgetting to investigate the history of the underground city that lies beneath Angkor Wat.

2. Explore its other magnificent temples

Angkor Wat might take priority on the itinerary, but travellers would be missing out if they were to skip Cambodia’s other fascinating temples. You don't need to go far – Angkor Archaeological Park is home to numerous ancient monuments that can be explored at your own leisure on bike or foot.

Angkor Thom can be found in the shadow of Angkor Wat and showcases a series of ancient buildings including Bayon temple, whose 200 stone-carved faces are believed to depict King Jayavarman VII. Ta Prohm might not measure up in magnitude against its sister temples, but it still proves to be a big hit with travellers, after its unconventional overgrown banyan tree roots made a starring appearance in the movie Tomb Raider.

For those seeking a more off-beat spiritual encounter, venture to northern Cambodia to the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear that stands atop a 525 metre cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains. If the ancient ruins don’t beat your expectations, then the panoramic views over lush green forestry bounding into the horizon most certainly will.

3. Sample the street food of Siem Reap

South-East Asian cuisine opens travellers to a whole new range of alternative street food that travellers wouldn’t typically find on market stalls back home. From deep-fried tarantulas and snakes on skewers, to lime and chilli crickets, there really is everything and anything on the menu to choose from.

Aside from these rather niche foods, Cambodian dishes typically use fried noodles or sticky rice as a main ingredient, with an addition of fried vegetables and meat. Lort cha (noodles, bean sprouts, and chives) is typically cooked with beef, topped with a fried egg and is served in a generous portion enough to satisfy a hungry appetite. While amok (fish soup made with coconut milk and red Thai curry paste) has enough lime zest and chilli kick to warm the stomach, and is traditionally steam cooked in a round banana leaf dish.

4. Visit Battambang Bat Caves at sundown

Every evening at the base of Phnom Sampeau mountain, crowds gather in anticipation to observe thousands of bats burst out of a cave hole for their nightly hunt. A stream of black fills the sky, fluttering overhead in a sound wave motion, before dispersing on the star-lit horizon. This astounding display happens like clockwork at 5.30pm each evening, 15km south west of Battambang.

However, the caves of Phnom Sampeau mountain behold a dark history, having been used as an execution site under the rule of Khmer Rouge. Cambodians regard this natural phenomena as the souls of victims freeing themselves from the darkness. There is also a memorial site where people can pay their respects.

5. Take it slow on Koh Rong Island

Just as you think you’ve seen Cambodia at its best, take a short boat trip west of Krong Preah to Koh Rong Island, where sugar-coated beaches and azure waters welcome off-beat travellers. From discovering sandy coves in remote corners to snorkelling alongside diverse marine life among coral reefs, natural beauty flourishes throughout this little-explored island, both on land and in the surrounding waters.

There really is no better way to finish your South-East Asia adventure than with a relaxed evening clinking cocktails in a beach hut bar, watching the sun set over Koh Rong's palm tree shrouded shores.

See more: 7 reasons why you should visit Cambodia at least one time

Source: wanderlust