7 Incredible Facts about Hong Kong

Posted By Phin Upham

Hong Kong has a pollution problem, but what people don’t know is that China may be close to cracking green technology.  Here are some interesting facts about the region.

Official Name

The official name for Hong Kong is actually “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.” The name “Hong Kong” actually means “Fragrant Harbor.”

Official Languages

The official language of Hong Kong is Chinese, with the spoken version being Cantonese. Hong Kong also recognizes English as an official language, so native speakers will be able to switch between the two.

Car of Choice

By far, China’s car of choice is the Rolls Royce. Hong Kong has more Rolls Royce vehicles per person than any other region in the world.

Architecture

Hong Kong has 114 skyscrapers, more than the city’s closest rival New York. It is also one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with its vertical residential apartments stretching high above the city.

Flag

The Hong Kong flag is symbolic of the region’s reunification with China. The emblem in the center is actually representative of the Chinese White Dolphin.

Bun Festival

Between the months of April and May, the residents of Chang Chau island hold a festival to feed the ghosts of the island. Until recently, a tower of buns were baked to feed the dead. Today residents use plastic versions.

Hong Kong Cinema

Hong Kong cinema remains one of the country’s biggest exports, with titles like Flashpoint and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon at the forefront. Even American films like Dark Knight and Kill Bill draw on Hong Kong imagery and locales for shooting.

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About the Author: Phin Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media & Technology group. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or LinkedIn page.