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Hong Kong has long been one of the world's great trading
centres and it's multi-cultural heritage, extremes of wealth
and poverty, hi-tech and historic make this global cross-roads
one of the most exciting places to visit and shop. In this
episode, Megan McCormick explores the contradictory
elements that make Hong Kong so special. Having measured up
for a suit at the famous Sam's tailor shop in Kowloon,
she takes a room and afternoon tea at the traditional Peninsular
Hotel. It's a classic edifice from the British colonial
days and was long known as the finest hotel east of the Suez
Canal.
From this base she explores the islands and mainland areas
of Hong Kong and Kowloon. She meets Renee K, Hong Kong's
enfant terrible of glamorous fashion design to see how western
and Chinese concepts interact. She discovers the importance
of Feng Shui in the design of every building and finds
out how this belief even affects the success of different
Hong Kong banks.
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While Hong Kong's space age skyline might rely on ancient
beliefs in its design, older buildings and antiques are attracting
greater significance as Hong Kongers begin to think more fondly
of their colonial and Chinese past. So, Megan visits Murray
House on its new site, following outcry at its planned
demolition and cruises the Chinese antique shops of
Hollywood Road in search of investments opportunities
in ancient art. She also finds a new trend in more recent
"antique" furniture from the fifties and sixties,
as well as fittings and fixtures from some of Hong Kong's
British government buildings.
The next day, Megan catches the train to Shenzen, in
China's Special Economic Zone. She takes advantage of the
high-quality low priced beauty treatments available before
seeking out bargains galore among the myriad clothing, home
entertainment, art and jewellery stalls and shops in this
packed temple to trade. Back in Hong Kong, after an open-air
Tai Chi lesson on the waterfront, she stuffs herself
on a delicious dim sum lunch in the City Hall and
then goes to the Happy Valley racetrack for a flutter
on the horses - one of Hong Kong's favourite pastimes. Then
on to the best of Hong Kong's nightclubs for an encounter
with, of all people, Mick Jagger! It's all part of
the glamorous, crazy lifestyle that makes Hong Kong so exciting.
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Bazaar shopping guide to
Pilot
Destination Guide: 
