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Autumn in the Orient
Dear A&K Partner,
Greetings from the Orient!
As we start to leave behind a hot and humid summer, we are looking forward to a cooler, yet normally still mild and dry, autumn. September to November are the perfect months for outdoor activities, bringing with them more comfortable temperatures and colorful scenery.
To prepare your clients for our next season in this part of the world, we have handpicked our top recommendations for celebrating the mid-autumn festival in China, for witnessing the autumnal leaves of Japan and for hiking throughout the region.
Enjoy reading about our recommendations and please enquire if you’d like to add them to any of your itineraries.
Best regards,
Kath Fok
Managing Director
Abercrombie & Kent Hong Kong
Three Local Ways to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival
Recognised on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, this festival brings families together to celebrate the fullest, brightest moon of the year, since full moons are synonymous with harmony, happiness and reunion in China. This year, the festival will be held from 23rd to 25th September and we have three tips on how to celebrate like a local.
Try Mooncakes
To mark the Mid-Autumn festival, you will notice many locals eating a small, round cake. These cakes, made from ground lotus, sesame seed paste and egg-yolks have come to be known as mooncakes. Head a local park in the evening in almost any Chinese city and you’ll see children with lanterns and families enjoying these delicious treats with warm tea. As you walk around you may even notice some innovative flavours of this once simple cake, with fillings such as chocolate, strawberry jam and durian. The latest craze is a Snowy Mooncake where the traditional treat is served cold with a glass of iced tea.
Watch the Fire Dragon Parade
If you’re in Hong Kong during the festival, make sure you head to the streets of Tai Hang to watch the fire dragon parade. The streets will be lined as dancers, performers, firecrackers and a 220-foot-long fire dragon wind their way through. The dragon will be adorned with thousands of incense sticks and over a century ago, this was believed to cast away any plague in the region.
Share a Reunion Dinner with a Local Family
The pinnacle of this festival for most people in China is the Reunion Dinner where the heads of the family (usually grandparents) prepare a feast for as many as 20 people and the whole family sits down to eat together. As an exceptionally exclusive experience, A&K can arrange for you to join a local family for this extremely important meal.
Three Hiking Trails for All Abilities
Thanks to cooler temperatures, lower humidity and colorful scenery, autumn is the best time to go hiking. Our team of hiking guides are well-equipped and knowledgeable of the area ensuring our tours are well-planned, safe and plenty of fun. Here are three of our recommended routes, ranging from easy to difficult, depending on your ability.
Geopark Trail in Hong Kong
This easy trail through Hong Kong’s UNESCO Global Geopark, just one hour outside of the city, provides two unique geological features. In the Sai Kung section, appreciate a network of widely distributed hexagonal rock columns which are of international geological significance. In the northeast New Territories region, you will find sedimentary rocks formed at different stages throughout history, showcasing the complete geological past of Hong Kong. This trail is perfect for even the most amateur of hikers.
Mount Fuji in Japan
Mount Fuji is divided into ten stations with the first station at the foot of the mountain and the tenth station being the summit. Paved roads go as far as the fifth station, which is around 1,400 to 2,400 meters above sea level. For those who enjoy a bit of challenge, our experienced guide can take you beyond this and as far as the summit. The highlight is between the seventh and eighth stations where the mountain huts are picturesque and the scenery stunning.
Great Wall Hiking in Beijing
This one is for the real experts. A challenging and rewarding trek, for the seasoned hiker. This three-day hike begins at Beijing, passing Jiankou, Mutianyu, Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Simatai West on both restored and original paths of the Great Wall. Along the way, you are welcomed into local homes to rest up for the night. There is an old saying “If you have not climbed the Great Wall, you cannot be considered a true hero” and after this 13-hour, 25-kilometer journey, you will know exactly what they mean.
Three Activities to see Japan’s Autumn Colors
The leaves turning into their autumnal hues in Japan is such a magical time, that it even has its own name. During Momijigari, forests, woodland and even roadsides transform into the most beautiful canvas of reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Japan becomes a photographer’s dream and here are three tips to ensure you make the most of this vibrant time of year.
Chasing Colours
Travel south from Hakkaido to Kyoto and notice how, as you do, the leaves turn from lush green to glorious shades of red, orange and yellow along the way.
Spot the Trees
Learn the best trees to look out for. The leaves of the Maple Tree turn slowly from green to yellow, to orange and finally to a glossy red throughout the course of autumn. Tokyo’s symbol – the Gingko Tree – transforms from green to the most brilliant yellow, adding sunshine and vibrancy to the landscape. The Japanese Rowan is another one to try and spot, often brightening up entire mountain slopes with their ever-changing colors.
Transform your Adventure
Those wanting to add action into their autumn-leaf adventure, can consider cycling, high ropes and train rides. Since autumn is harvest season, our guides can take you for a local farmer’s meal to include noodle soup, freshly-picked mushrooms and, for dessert, rice-filled chestnuts.
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