Wellness treatments in Hong Kong focus on the restorative powers found in plant and animal products, which are typically boiled down into tonics and consumed by the patient. Traditional pharmacies store a wide variety of specimens such as various herbs, roots, mushrooms, dried fish, antlers, coiled snakes and more. Focus is placed on balancing the body’s competing and complementing forces of Yin and Yang with doctors treating the entire body rather than solely the illness.

Back to top

INDIGENOUS OR SIGNATURE TREATMENTS

The Art of Tea – At once therapeutic, healing, relaxing and meditative, tea drinking is a way of daily life in Hong Kong. Tea shops sell hundreds of Chinese tea varietals, which fall into six major categories: Black Tea (fermentation process turns the grade from green to black), Compacted Tea (easy-to-store tightly packed black or green tea), Green Tea (famous for its freshness and fragrance), Scented Tea (green tea mixed with florals), White Tea (a silver colored tea), and Wulong Tea (reputed to aid in weight loss – a mix of black and green teas). Traditional Tea Houses throughout Hong Kong feature a tea master whom expertly prepares the leaves for drinking pleasure.

Cupping – Ancient Chinese practice in which a cup is applied to the skin in such a way that the pressure in the cup is reduced causing the skin and top muscle layers to be drawn into and held by the cup. The cup can also be moved while the suction is active thus stretching the skin and muscle. Cupping is recommended for treatment of pain, respiratory diseases, digestive diseases and other disorders.

Tui Na – Chinese manipulative body massage where the practitioner uses a range of motion often using the elbow or back of the hand to knead pressure points and areas between joints. Thought to be particularly suited for the elderly.

Back to top

REGIONS

Sheung Wan Neighborhood on Hong Kong Island – One of Hong Kong island’s older neighborhoods housing a collection of old Chinese apothecary shops for browsing traditional remedies.

Back to top

WELLNESS CLASSES

Chinese Medicine Class – A complimentary course for visitors, this seminar is hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and features experts and practitioners of Chinese medicine. Participants gain basic knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine such as the concept of yin and yang and the purposes of some widely used herbal medicines. The modern scientific techniques for the identification and control of Chinese medicines are explained. The course is held on Wednesdays from 2:30pm to 4pm in Central on Hong Kong Island. Visitors may register at any of the Hong Kong Tourism Board visitor centers.

Qigong – An Internal Chinese meditative practice combining graceful movement and controlled breathing to promote circulation of qi, life energy force, to ensure overall body health. Many practitioners start their day with quigong as a wakeup stretch and method to warm up the metabolism.

Feng Shui Class – Feng Shui, literally ‘wind and water,’ is the ancient practice of positioning objects and buildings in harmony with nature to ensure good fortune. Often referred to as geomancy, its origins stem from an ancient Chinese respect for the environment as well as a belief that cosmological influences strongly affect our lives. Learn from a feng shui master as he explains the traditional concepts and how the art continues to play a significant role in Hong Kong life. Weekly workshops are hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board at the HKTB Visitor Centers on Fridays from 10:30am to 11:30am.

Fortune Telling or Suan Ming “Fate Calculating” - In Chinese society, fortune telling is a respected and important part of social culture akin to psychotherapists in Western society. Fortune tellers offer advice and help people discuss and resolve personal issues without the stigma of illness. Fortune tellers can be found at Wong Tai Sin Temple as well as the popular Temple Street Night Market.

Tai Chi in Hong Kong’s City Parks – Tai Chi is a popular martial art offering meditation in movement. At daybreak and sunset, the city’s open spaces are filled with practitioners, mostly elderly, for their daily tai chi exercises. The slow flowing movements and deep breathing techniques promote calm, tranquil disposition and keep joints flexible. Join large groups in Victoria Park and Kowloon Park to experience tai chi first-hand. The Hong Kong Tourism Board hosts Tai Chi classes for the public from 8am to 9am in front of the Hong Kong Museum of Arts in Tsim Sha Tsui (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday) and at Harcourt Garden in Admiralty on Hong Kong Island (Saturdays).

Kung Fu Corner – Kung Fu refers to a multitude of martial arts or anything that requires time and skill to perfect. Wushu, a particular form of one such martial art, uses natural movement with bare hands or traditional Chinese weaponry and can be performed individually or in pairs or groups. The art stresses detail, style, speed and power. Free Kung Fu demonstrations take place Sundays from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at Kowloon Park’s Sculpture Walk in Tsim Sha Tsui.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD