How to Hong Kong?

In no doubt, being in Hong Kong is like sandwiched with concrete as we are always besieged by buildings growing to the skyline. Even locals are lost and suffocated amongst this concrete jungle. However, Lena and Nicholas, authors of “How to Hong Kong”, discover breathing places, allowing us to take a break in this bustling and dense metropolis.

“A pastiche of a million untold stories to make up something intangible that many simply refer to as the ‘energy’ of this city” - Lena Sin

From nostalgia to appreciation: this book connects past to present

Lena Sin was born in Hong Kong and more or less raised here, but also stayed for a few years in Canada. Since Lena’s mother is always prone to remind her of the old days in Hong Kong, her impression of Hong Kong encapsulates the footprints of her childhood and her mother’s remembrance. In 2007, Lena came back to Hong Kong for her second wedding banquet. Roaming around tranquil hillside treks, noisy restaurant gatherings and cluttered grocery stores, Lena falls in love to Hong Kong all over again. Under the encouragement from Nicholas, her husband, Lena decided to encompass all her thoughts, stories, experiences and memories into this book as to express her obsession with Hong Kong.

This is a travel guide, a storybook, a history book, and an art portfolio

The most distinctive feature of the book is its descriptive approach. In contrast to informative travel guidebooks, this book resembles Lena's travel diary describing her tales of growing up and feelings of return together with stories from locals. With exquisite portrait along with the elegant wording, all the attractions are easily projected to reader’s minds. Lena also links her life of Hong Kong with that of Vancouver from time to time which highlights the historical and cultural values of Hong Kong and presents the Hong Kong unique characteristics.

“So here we go: Notebook, camera and sketchbook in hand.” - Lena Sin

Another fascinating feature is that this book showcases a large number of photographs and watercolour illustrations created by the authors. Lena and Nicholas captured countless magnificent scenarios by triggering their shutter. Other than ordinary travel guidebooks with immense information, authentic scenes coexist with the illustrations allowing readers roaming between imagination and reality, leaving a large room to romance.

“Hong Kong has everything except its characteristics,” noted by author Miss Long Ying-tai once commented on Hong Kong in her book. Hong Kong uniqueness is omnipresent: it could be the smell of dried seafood; it could be the sound of quarrels amongst shoppers; it could be neon lights igniting the skylines. Only live in the present like Lena and Nicholas could find the ruby from the dust. Thus, here we go: explore Hong Kong with this book.