The Chinese have had control of Hong Kong for a total of 5,000 years. British influence only remained in Hong Kong for 150 years. It’s obvious that the roots and backbone of Hong Kong certainly is Chinese. But for a short 150 years, the Brits made waves in Hong Kong that won’t be subsiding any time soon.
Architecture:
Before western influence arrived in Hong Kong, the tallest building on the island was four stories high. In 1935, the first true skyscraper was built under British rule. Seventy-three years later, Hong Kong leads the world in biggest skyline with a total of 7,681 skyscrapers. The western world swept through Hong Kong during the twentieth century, building on average ten skyscrapers per year, and transforming Hong Kong into a modern wonder.
It’s easy to find Chinese influence in Hong Kong architecture. It’s just not going to shout out like the famous skyline. The further you get from Hong Kong Central, the more Chinese-style buildings will pop out of the landscape. Pagodas will dot a mountainside, or small Daoist temples will find themselves squeezed between two buildings. Lion statues will guard doors and occasionally you’ll see a traditional Chinese tiled roof.
Fashion:
A fusion of east & west abounds in the threads that Chinese and Westerners wear in Hong Kong. Again, just like the architecture, the closer you are to Hong Kong central, the more western influence you’ll find. Although, I’ve seen some western business women sport a classic Chinese collar or macramé buttons on their daily office clothes.
One thing that I appreciate about the Chinese is their willingness to wear anything. I’ve seen more neon green shoes than I care to admit. Polka dots mixed with zebra stripes never fails to raise my eyebrow! On the flip side, their use of lace, decorative flat shoes, and modest layers can easily turn my head. Because the Chinese are such small framed people, they can get away with wearing practically anything and look good in it. In a Chinese apparel shop, I squeeze into an extra large. In a western clothes store, I comfortably fit into a medium. So the conclusion is that some western women may very well want to wear Chinese fashions, but are just not able to fit into them.
Western and Chinese men, on the other hand, have very different ideas of what’s appropriate, in terms of colors. Dressing up in Hong Kong, in a full suit, is the norm. But pink and purple ties and flower dress shirts are commonly worn by Chinese men. I’ve heard many western men mock the use of light pink and pastel purple in their Chinese colleagues.
Culture:
This subject is essential, and books can’t provide the whole picture on the vast cultural differences between east and west. When I started this travel blog I just didn’t realize what I was getting myself into, attempting to bridge cultural gaps. So, to keep it brief, I’ll explain just a few of my observations.
One thing I have noticed is that both Chinese and Westerners in Hong Kong have a very broad understanding of the other’s culture. For the most part, it is respected and each side tries to show this sensitivity to the other. But neither side will change. No matter how long western influence is in Hong Kong or mainland China, I think the Chinese will insist on being Chinese and remain stubbornly proud of their heritage. And for that, I am happy. Homogenizing the world would be quite a shame and ultimate disaster.
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