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The Home Affairs Department (HAD) has today (December 5) launched "Cultural Tourism Hong Kong" to raise the profile of fascinating heritage and cultural locations around the city.
The promotion ¡ª which includes thematic routes, map booklets and a photo competition ¡ª will stimulate interest in, and educate people about important heritage and cultural locations.
Officiating at the launch ceremony, the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, said: "Hong Kong people have been caring more and more about the local heritage in recent years.
"Apart from the historic buildings worthy of preservation, there are many historical and cultural heritage sites all around us.
"To help promote and introduce these areas of heritage and cultural value to our residents and visitors, the Centre for Culture and Development of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has researched various locations under four themes, ethnic group culture, historical figures, religions and arts.
"Information from the research has been collated and used in map booklets which will be distributed free of charge."
There are two cultural heritage map booklets. Book One introduces spots and routes related to ethnic group culture and historical figures. It is already available for collection at Public Enquiry Service Centres in all 18 districts. Book Two, which focuses on religions and arts, will be distributed in late December.
In addition to the map booklets, the HAD has identified a number of hot spots and will organise free guided tours from mid December to February 2011 for the public to experience the unique cultural characteristics of these locations.
People are also invited to take photos of the heritage and cultural spots around Hong Kong and enter the "Cultural Tourism Hong Kong Photo Competition".
The competition, co-organised by the HAD and the Photographic Society of Hong Kong, will run from December 6, 2010 to February 25, 2011. Winning entries will be exhibited in March 2011.
The "Cultural Tourism Hong Kong" launch ceremony was held this morning at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park in Sai Ying Pun. After the ceremony, around 250 people from across Hong Kong joined five tour routes to visit various heritage and cultural spots. A separate guided tour to the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum was arranged for officiating guests, District Council members and participating artistes.
For more information about the activities of "Cultural Tourism Hong Kong", please visit the dedicated website www.hca.gov.hk or call 2835 2353.
"Cultural Tourism Hong Kong" is a highlight event under "Vibrant People, Harmonious Community Activities", which is organised by HAD with the support of District Councils, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Activities are arranged to promote the four themes of the campaign, namely, "Get into Vitality", "Get into Creativity", "Get into Harmony" and "Get into Discovery".
Ends/Sunday, December 5, 2010
Issued at HKT 13:22
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