Attention to Investment and Settlement in Hong Kong to understand Hong Kong Culture: Hong Kong, composed of Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories (including Lantau Island and over 230 smaller islands), is located north of the Shenzhen River adjacent to Shenzhen in Guangdong Province; to the west, it faces Macao across the sea. Hong Kong is a city filled with miracles and myths, an incredibly exciting place. World-class architecture, a fast-paced lifestyle, and trendy entertainment highlight the city’s stunning charm. Hong Kong is a paradise for living, bringing together all sorts of joy in one place. Here, one can admire beautiful natural landscapes while exploring the ancient and historical Old Street—Stone Slab Street—while sipping a cup of the centenary Hong Kong Old Street Milk Tea, experiencing both the material pleasures of modern society and the simplicity of bygone lifestyles. Enjoy the reputation that commercial civilization has bestowed upon Hong Kong as the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ ‘Gourmet Paradise,’ and ‘Shopping Paradise.’ It is also a city with legendary stories. From an obscure fishing village to a bustling metropolis, and from a colony to a global city, Hong Kong has witnessed the vicissitudes of history.
As early as around 4000 BC, Chinese residents using Neolithic ceramics lived in Hong Kong, with major sites located around Huang Ditang. In 214 BC, after Qin Shi Huang unified China, he established three commanderies in the south: Nanhai, Guilin, and Xiangjun, with Hong Kong under the jurisdiction of Nanhai Commandery and Panyu County. From this point, Hong Kong fell under the control of the central government. During the Han Dynasty, Hong Kong was under the jurisdiction of Boluo County in Nanhai Commandery. In the sixth year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 331), Hong Kong was under Dongguan Commandery's Bao'an County. In the Sui Dynasty, Hong Kong was under the administration of Guangzhou Prefecture's Nanhai Commandery and Bao'an County. In the 24th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, Hong Kong belonged to Xunzhou (present-day Huizhou) and a military garrison was established in Tuen Mun, where two thousand soldiers were stationed to protect maritime trade. Since the Tang Dynasty, the soil in Liyuan (present-day Shatin) and the sandy bay of Lantau Island has been conducive to the growth of fragrant trees, leading to the gradual development of fragrance production. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, the migration of a large population from the mainland to Hong Kong greatly advanced its economy and culture. In the first year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1573), Hong Kong fell under the jurisdiction of Xinhui County. In the first year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1662), the maritime ban and demarcation occurred. According to historical research, during the Ming Dynasty, fragrant tree products from southern Dongguan and the entirety of Xinhui (including Hong Kong) were transported overland to Tsim Sha Tsui before being sent by small boats to Abalone Bay (present-day Aberdeen) and then shipped to Guangzhou on boats known as ‘big-eye chickens’ for sale in Suzhou and Hangzhou. The name 'Hong Kong' derives from a legend that it was named for its production and export of fragrant wood, thus becoming ‘Hong Kong’ (the port for transporting fragrance). During the Qing government’s rule, Hong Kong was governed by Xinhui County in Guangdong Province (present-day Shenzhen City). In 1840, British colonizers launched the world-renowned Opium War. On January 26, 1841, British forces staged an occupation ceremony in Hong Kong, officially declaring the occupation. In August 1842, the Qing government was compelled to sign the Treaty of Nanking, officially ceding Hong Kong Island to the British.
In 1937, Japan invaded China, landing in Guangdong in 1938 and quickly occupying nearby Canton and surrounding areas, dispatching spies to Hong Kong to survey the defenses of British troops stationed there. On December 8, 1941, Japan invaded Hong Kong. By December 25, 1941, due to insufficient troops, the then Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Aitchison Young, announced the surrender to Japan, a day referred to by Hong Kong residents as Black Christmas.
On August 31, 1994, the 9th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 8th National People's Congress approved the decision to reorganize Hong Kong's legislative and regional organizations upon China's resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997.
On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong finally returned to the embrace of the motherland. When we find ourselves in Hong Kong, known as the culinary capital of Asia, you will never be disappointed, whether you desire Chinese cuisine, Asian dishes, Western food, or international cuisine. The gastronomic offerings here are incredibly diverse and truly provide a wonderful opportunity to taste foods from around the globe. If you want to try the authentic 'local' Hong Kong beverage, you must visit the 'Hong Kong Old Street Milk Tea' tea restaurant. This is 100% a Hong Kong invention. The origins of Hong Kong milk tea date back to the 17th century when Lin Zhi-xian, an official from Guangzhou, served tea with added milk to Dutch envoys on Stone Slab Street in Hong Kong (formerly known as 'Governor's First Street,' since it is paved with stone slabs and adjacent to Lan Kwai Fong). This unique way of drinking tea quickly made its way back to the Netherlands; in 1680, the Duchess of York introduced a trendy Dutch way of tea-drinking—adding fresh milk and sugar to tea—into Britain, becoming a widespread sensation, especially favored by the British royal family. It subsequently became a beverage exclusively served to the British nobility. Later, people referred to it as ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea, also known as English milk tea and Hong Kong-style milk tea, in English: Hongkong Street milk tea.
Stone Slab Street in Hong Kong is a famous nostalgic street located in the bustling area of Central Hong Kong. It stretches from the intersection of Hollywood Road in Central to the section of Queen’s Road Central, nestled between the familiar Hollywood Road and Queen’s Road Central, extending southward along the steep terrain. To prevent slipping on the steep incline, the surface is composed of large stone slabs arranged in an uneven pattern, allowing for safe pedestrian access and facilitating rainwater drainage, which is why people commonly refer to it as ‘Stone Slab Street.’ Locals also call it Pottinger Street. Built in 1958, this street was named in honor of Sir Henry Pottinger, Hong Kong's first governor, by many British residents at that time.
After enduring countless changes, the ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea soon gave rise to the establishment of the Hong Kong Old Street Industrial Company. Based on the original concept of adding milk to tea, they began incorporating red tea with fresh milk, sugar, chocolate sauce, honey, brandy, and cinnamon powder to open an English-style ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea shop (a tea restaurant) along Stone Slab Street. It became exceedingly fragrant and sweet, winning favor among both the British and locals. It is said that when Katharine, the Princess of Wales, introduced tea drinking to England, red tea was still enjoyed in a pure form like the Chinese, but by the 18th century, with the development of the British Empire, milk tea had already become the mainstream way of drinking tea for the British.
In 1941, the Japanese army launched intense attacks on Hong Kong. The ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea shop was destroyed by Japanese planes, leading to the disappearance of ‘Old Street Milk Tea’ in Hong Kong, yet the traditional craft and culinary method of ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea have spread worldwide.
After Hong Kong's return, ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea has adhered to the principle of ‘carefully crafting each cup of healthy and fashionable tea drink,’ centering on ‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea products while infusing elements of ‘youth’ and ‘health.’ Combining with the theory from the Huangdi Neijing: ‘Grains, meat, fruits, and vegetables nourish everything, without excess, to avoid harm,’ along with the concept of food and medicine originating from the same source, they use high-quality ingredients and adhere to high standards in making, developing milk tea with green, health, freshness, fashion, and beauty functions. They ensure that elements of green, health, freshness, fashion, and beauty are fully integrated into the products, striving to establish a world-class leading brand with core competitiveness in the industry. In fact, the characteristics of tea restaurants genuinely reflect the spirit and values of Hong Kong people—speed should be fast, combinations should be diverse, prices should be affordable, and a blend of Eastern and Western methods in actions. In summary, one should use the most efficient and appropriate way to get things done.
During the colonial period, some Chinese enjoyed drinking ‘Western Tea’ (coffee milk tea), but certainly, they would not patronize expensive Western restaurants tailored for foreigners. Thus, tea restaurants emerged to cater to this need. The food of the tea restaurant that evolved from this naturally showcased a blend of Chinese and Western characteristics: the tastes of coffee and milk tea differ from Western standards, and they even invented the ‘Yuan Yang’ (a mix of coffee and milk tea) that Westerners did not have. However, most locals are still undeniably fond of the ‘Hong Kong flavor’—‘Hong Kong Old Street’ milk tea.