From pandas to Peak vistas, Hong Kong sets out to captivate Apec delegates

For the ongoing Apec finance ministers meeting in Hong Kong, city authorities have curated a diverse social programme packed with attractions from Monday to Wednesday evening, according to the South China Morning Post. Roughly 500 delegates and guests from the forum’s 21 member economies are expected to partake in the activities from Monday evening to Wednesday.

Visitors can explore the city’s natural beauty via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, bask in the skyline from The Peak, and meet the city’s beloved giant pandas. Cultural sites and heritage sites are also part of the itinerary. Some senior officials and delegates even arrived early to partake in the festivities, which commence at dusk on Monday with open-top Big Bus tours.

Activities include visits to the Xiqu Centre, a premier venue for Chinese opera, and a harbor cruise. Two full-day tours on Tuesday and Wednesday focus on cultural heritage, beginning with a Ngong Ping Village and Po Lin Monastery visit, followed by a tour of Tai O Village, a traditional fishing village on Lantau Island. The other itinerary primarily stays in the city center, starting at The Peak and ending with a cooking class at the Chinese Culinary Institute.

On Wednesday, senior officials and delegates will enjoy a sunset cruise on Victoria Harbour. Other options include visits to the Hong Kong Palace Museum and the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The city's Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Christopher Hui Ching-yu, expressed that Hong Kong has much more to offer, including natural landscapes, heritage, and advancements in technology.

He hopes that the curated tours will help delegates see the broader side of Hong Kong that is relevant to both their work and personal lives, which may encourage their return.