Memories of Kai Tak, Hong Kong's iconic airport, renowned for its dramatic landings
Explore the captivating history of Hong Kong's legendary Kai Tak Airport, famous for its challenging landings, thrilling flight path low over the Kowloon skyline and, of course, it's rather distinctive welcoming aroma for air travellers.
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From its vibrant beginnings to its closure in 1998, delve into unforgettable memories, pioneering flights, and the airport's lasting impact on the city and its residents.
When Kai Tak Airport closed after 73 years of operation it had become an icon of the city and a civic treasure renowned worldwide for its challenging landings. Revisit the airport's vibrant history, its impact on the residents of Kowloon living directly under its approach path, and the unforgettable experiences of passengers and pilots.
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport was renowned for its thrilling landings and its dramatic approaches over Kowloon. But it was also a place where local kids gathered to do their homework thanks to the ever-present air con, and one which greeted air travellers with a rather distinctive smell.
Discover the fascinating history of the first 'direct' flight from Hong Kong to London as reported by the South China Morning Post. The pioneering air service was not quite as direct as modern airlines would envisage the term as the flight took an epic 11 days, with stops in exotic locations such as Penang, Saigon, and Cairo.
The Kai Tak runway under construction in the mid-1950s. Picture: Dragages Hong Kong
A de Havilland Comet 4 in the livery of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was the first jet-engined aircraft to land at Kai Tak on September 11, 1958. Explore the runway's construction, its significance in Hong Kong's place in global aviation, and the iconic aircraft that landed there.
A Cathay Pacific Airways DC-3 took off at 8.30pm on July 18, 1959, in a landmark event that marked Hong Kong's first ever night flight. The short 20-minute trip carrying newsmen and assembled special guests was made possible by Kai Tak Airport's new runway lighting system.
Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI
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South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's Golden Week draws mainland tourists with pandas and bun festival
Hong Kong businesses are making significant efforts to attract mainland Chinese visitors during the five-day Labour Day 'golden week' holiday. However, many tourists are likely to rely on recommendations from the social media platform RedNote. The government estimates that approximately 840,000 mainland visitors will arrive between Thursday and Monday, representing a 10 per cent increase compared to last year during the same period. The dining industry is optimistic about a 5 per cent boost in business compared to an average weekend. To identify popular trends for this holiday, the South China Morning Post examined RedNote, often regarded as the 'bible' for mainlanders on food, shopping and lifestyle. Pandas Hong Kong's Ocean Park is home to the city's beloved six pandas, including long-term residents Ying Ying and Le Le, and their twin cubs born last August, known as 'Elder Sister' and 'Younger Brother.' Five-year-old An An and Ke Ke, gifts from Beijing, arrived last September and were introduced to the public in December. They began their first mating season in the past week since their arrival. The park is open daily from 10am to 7pm, although visitors should note that the 'Giant Panda Adventure' area, which houses the twins and their parents, Ying Ying and Le Le, closes earlier at 3pm. Special additional tickets are required to enter the zone and are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the 'Mark's Mine' ticket counter. Visitors will be given a designated entry time, and each person will have around three minutes to view the exhibit. An An and Ke Ke, meanwhile, stay in the separate Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures area, where crowd control measures may be implemented if there is a large number of visitors. Hong Kong celebrates panda twins' 100 days Bun Festival The Cheung Chau Bun Festival may boast a centuries-old history, but it was only in recent years that authorities began promoting it as a tourist attraction. More recently, its popularity on RedNote has increased significantly due to its timing this year, which overlaps with the Golden Week holiday. This uniquely Hong Kong annual festival, held on the outlying island of Cheung Chau, is a weeklong event with Taoist origins that sees the entire island's residents go vegetarian, with the local McDonald's even taking part by replacing its menu with a mushroom burger. The festivities culminate in a children's float parade known as Piu Sik on the final day, before a bun-scrambling competition at midnight. This year, the Piu Sik will take place on May 5, while the competition will occur at 12am on May 6. Competitors scramble up a bamboo bun tower to collect plastic buns during the annual Bun Festival in Cheung Chau. Photo: Yik Yeung-man Hiking Exploring Hong Kong's extensive mountains and hills has become a popular activity for mainland visitors in recent years, as they swap traditional urban activities like shopping for the countryside. Popular trails on RedNote include the relatively easy and scenic MacLehose Trail, which runs across the New Territories from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung to Tuen Mun. The High Island Reservoir East Dam in Sai Kung is also an often mentioned destination, known for its picturesque anchor shape and its connection to other High Island landmarks such as the hexagonal rock columns and Biu Tsim Kok. Hikers often conclude their excursions by refuelling in Sai Kung town centre. 5 easy hikes in Hong Kong perfect for a beginner Drone shows While the government has said that it will be ditching the monthly drone show schedule this year, special shows will still be organised for major holidays and festivals. A 12-minute drone show celebrating the themes of the Tin Hau Festival, Tam Kung Festival, and Cheung Chau Bun Festival will take place at 8pm along the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade on May 1. Viewers can expect to see hundreds of drones forming images of bun towers, traditional Chinese decorations, and more.
South China Morning Post
15-04-2025
- South China Morning Post
Memories of Kai Tak, Hong Kong's iconic airport, renowned for its dramatic landings
Explore the captivating history of Hong Kong's legendary Kai Tak Airport, famous for its challenging landings, thrilling flight path low over the Kowloon skyline and, of course, it's rather distinctive welcoming aroma for air travellers. Advertisement From its vibrant beginnings to its closure in 1998, delve into unforgettable memories, pioneering flights, and the airport's lasting impact on the city and its residents. When Kai Tak Airport closed after 73 years of operation it had become an icon of the city and a civic treasure renowned worldwide for its challenging landings. Revisit the airport's vibrant history, its impact on the residents of Kowloon living directly under its approach path, and the unforgettable experiences of passengers and pilots. Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport was renowned for its thrilling landings and its dramatic approaches over Kowloon. But it was also a place where local kids gathered to do their homework thanks to the ever-present air con, and one which greeted air travellers with a rather distinctive smell. Discover the fascinating history of the first 'direct' flight from Hong Kong to London as reported by the South China Morning Post. The pioneering air service was not quite as direct as modern airlines would envisage the term as the flight took an epic 11 days, with stops in exotic locations such as Penang, Saigon, and Cairo. The Kai Tak runway under construction in the mid-1950s. Picture: Dragages Hong Kong A de Havilland Comet 4 in the livery of the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was the first jet-engined aircraft to land at Kai Tak on September 11, 1958. Explore the runway's construction, its significance in Hong Kong's place in global aviation, and the iconic aircraft that landed there. A Cathay Pacific Airways DC-3 took off at 8.30pm on July 18, 1959, in a landmark event that marked Hong Kong's first ever night flight. The short 20-minute trip carrying newsmen and assembled special guests was made possible by Kai Tak Airport's new runway lighting system. Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI
South China Morning Post
23-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Spark Study Buddy (Explorer): ‘High-five cat' brings good vibes
Content provided by British Council [1] A domesticated cat at a temple in China has earned the nickname 'high-five cat' because of how it greets tourists visiting the site in hopes of finding good luck. The moggy, which wears a gold chain, greets tourists by raising its paw to meet the palm of people's hands. [2] Xiyuan Temple in Suzhou, eastern China, is a cultural landmark. It is known for its stunning gardens and traditional Han Buddhist architecture. It dates back to the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). With numerous stray cats roaming the grounds, the temple has been described as a 'cat petting paradise' by visitors. The entrance fee is just five yuan (HK$5.35) per person. [3] Tourists go to the temple just to interact with the cat, hoping for good luck. In Chinese folklore, cats are considered lucky symbols. The animals are often shown with raised paws to attract wealth. A tourist surnamed Zhang said that she has visited the cat for three days in a row. 'Sometimes you have to wait half an hour to high-five it, but it is totally worth it because it is so healing,' said Zhang. [4] Staff at Xiyuan Temple said the cat is not a stray, but a pet brought by a visitor. 'Since the cat is outside the temple, we cannot manage it,' the staff said. The cat's owner, surnamed Liu, introduced it as Jellybean, a lively four-year-old that loves going outside. Liu often takes Jellybean to sunbathe in the plaza outside the temple at the weekend, where a group of pet lovers gather to interact. He told the mainland media outlet Dahe News: 'Jellybean has ear mites, and after applying medication, its ears become wet and need to be dried by the sun.' [5] Critics suggested Liu might be overworking the animal for online traffic. However, Liu defended the level of love and care he shows the feline. He said the live streaming is meant to document Jellybean's growth, and is not for commercial gain. 'We always take good care of Jellybean. Sometimes its facial expressions may look like it is 'grumpy', but that is not the case,' he added. [6] Concerned about the crowds, Liu plans to stop taking Jellybean to the temple for a period, fearing the attention might harm the cat. Xiyuan Temple staff have also advised tourists not to buy cat treats from nearby shops, as many are unbranded and of low-quality. Last summer, several stray cats at the temple fell ill and died after being fed such poor-quality 'treats'. Source: South China Morning Post, March 9 Questions 1. In paragraph 1, the cat got its nickname because of … it greets visitors. A. where B. when C. why D. how 2. When was Xiyuan Temple built, according to paragraph 2? 3. According to paragraph 5, how are cats often shown in Chinese folklore and why? (2 marks) 4. According to paragraph 4, why does Jellybean need to be in the sun? 5. Liu said: 'Jellybean is well cared for. Sometimes its face looks like … in a bad mood, but it is not.' A. its B. it is C. it has D. its' 6. Circle the correct measures. (3 marks) Xiyuan Temple in China is popular with much / many tourists due to a special cat that gives 'high-fives'. The cat's owner brings it to the temple's outside area. However, because too many / much people are visiting, Liu will bring Jellybean there less / few often. Concerns are growing over the cat's welfare and commercial exploitation. Photo: Douyin Answers 1. D 2. during the Yuan dynasty 3. They are often shown with raised paws to attract wealth. 4. to dry its ears after medication is applied (accept all similar answers) 5. B 6. many; many; less
