After a few rainy days and a few windy days, spring has finally come to patronize Hong Kong. Have you smelled the blooming flowers in Cornwall and Shek Kip Mei Parks? Have you appreciated the youthful buds on Beacon Hill? What does your spring look like?
Food for Spring
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Spring Pancake (春餅) |
On the day spring begins, people in China (especially the northern parts) make pancakes and roll fresh vegetables (cooked and shredded spring onion, vermicelli, spinach and bean sprouts) inside. This is also called “to bite the spring (咬春)”. |
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Soup (靚湯) |
In the southern parts of China, such as Hong Kong, spring is a wet season known as the “humid season”. Spring is also a time with irregular temperature changes. People cook different soups to maintain the balance of the body. |
Customs for Spring
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Outings (踏青) |
Nature awakes in spring. People in ancient China always went outdoors at this time of year, hiking, flying kites, playing tug of war and ball games. |
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Oxen (春牛) |
On the first day of spring, artists make clay oxen and send them as presents to neighbouring households. They name this activity “sending the blessings of spring (送春)”. This is actually a festival custom but the households are always very happy to get this piece of art. |
Hong Kong Places for Spring Outings
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Have a perfect view of Victoria Harbour and the whole city of Hong Kong. |
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Ride bicycles and taste the seasonal seafood. |
Take Care of Yourself in Spring
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Frequent changes of weather may make you vulnerable to influenza. How do you prevent it? Doing regular exercise, drinking more water, wearing suitable clothes and taking medicine whenever you have symptoms will help. |
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Stomach flu |
As days get warmer, the food has a shorter guarantee period. Always make sure you eat food when it is fresh, especially meat, and clean the food well when you eat something raw. |
