Hong Kong Park - Experience Chinese Tea
Hong Kong Park is a beautiful little green space tucked away in Admiralty, up the hill past Pacific Place It sits in sharp contrast to the steel and glass mountains of downtown Hong Kong. Its large central pond is filled with fish and fowl and surrounded by a nice mix of trees and unique Asian shrubs, making the park a popular spot for wedding pictures. The huge elaborate photo processions of a Chinese couple can be fun to watch. This is a definite must visit for anyone who wants to experience something uniquely Chinese.
The Lock Cha Tea House is on the ground floor of the K.S. Lo Gallery. The Tea House combines the rich history of tea with a wonderful tasting experience. The crisp white Colonial-style building has a warm wood décor inside that has a comfortable, workshop ambiance - ideal for sampling the wide variety of teas available for take away or to enjoy on the spot. Seating is limited, maybe 25 people max, but three of the areas are on mats around low tables, traditional Chinese style, and can be quite relaxing when sipping tea on a lazy afternoon. Some tables have screens to provide an element of privacy.
The helpful and informative staff will fill you in on the history of Chinese tea drinking. They will also walk you through the various brewing and steeping methods while helping you pick out your tea. I went on a sunny but crisp Tuesday morning it was not crowded so I pretty much had the place to myself.
Sitting next door to the teahouse is the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. Built in the 1840s as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong, it is now a free museum housing a variety of tea growing, processing and brewing apparatuses and tools that date back to the earliest days of Chinese tea cultivation. As a culture, the Chinese have been enjoying tea for centuries and have created both an art and science to tea that the British eagerly adopted. The tea museum features some splendid examples of the famous Yixing teapot. The downside is that it’s a quick tour, probably less than 20 minutes to see everything, as some of the displays are a little repetitive. So don’t plan on spending the day here, but as a stop on walking tour it’s a must.
The museum is open 10-5 daily, closed on Tuesdays and public holidays; the tea house is open 10-10 everyday.
