Study university in Hong Kong

Do you know that less than half of the Hong Kong students prefer studying in university?

47.2% to be exact. The figure is way higher in other places though, with 80.9% in South Korea and 70.2% in Singapore. It’s not really healthy for a modern society like Hong Kong, is it?

How about we consider this: only 18% of the students in Hong Kong gain admission to publicly funded university, while South Korea has more than 80%.

What about the remaining 82% students? Well, what else? They pay the school fee themselves.

Some researchers suggested that the fierce competition and the school fee scared the students away and worried that since the students are not expecting university education, they may not put much effort in their study.

Aside from the financial burden, Hong Kong students also have to worry about the “usefulness” of a university degree.

A recent study shows that the median income of Hong Kong fresh university graduates has dropped by nearly 20% in the last 20 years. That seems to be the result of the huge increase in university places over the years. The abundant supply of university graduates means employers have way more choices and can offer a much lower salary level. Not to mention the increase of university places without careful planning leads to the mismatch between the degrees available and job vacancies.

So in other words, the value of university degree is depreciating.

And the government officials plan to make Hong Kong’s economy a knowledge based one…

Good luck, because they will need it, lots of it.

I mean, who would want “knowledge” if it’s not affordable or practical?

Un-Happiness in Hong Kong

Do you know most Hongkongers can’t live a happy life?

No, I didn’t make that up. Ever heard of Gini’s coefficient?

For those who haven’t, Gini’s coeffieient is a statistical measure which can represent the income distribution of a nation’s residents. So in other words, more or less an indicator of inequality, with 1 (100%) indicating the maximal inequality. This basically means the higher the number, the sadder a place is.

South Africa has the highest Gini’s coefficient in the world (0.62).

And Hong Kong gets 0.537 in 2016.

Of course this number isn’t an absolute yard stick of how happy (or sad) a place is.

But I can tell you that number does make sense. Hong Kong has the worst economic inequality in Asia; over-population in such a small city results in the lack of housing and resources; over-competition leads to really stressful and apathetic lives; government and corporation exploiting Hongkongers means non-wealthy citizens don’t have much chance in “moving upward” in the social hierarchy…

I can keep the list going, but I guess no one is genuinely interested.

Well, who am I anyway? I am just some random dude whining on the internet…

Now, if you excuse me, I will proceed to cry in the corner. Have a nice day.

*sob*   

Octopus in Hong Kong

Do you know that the Octopus card of Hong Kong is the one of the first electronic money in the world? Uh, no… It has nothing to do with octopus.

Lame joke aside, it is called “Octopus” card because an octopus has eight tentacles, and the number eight matches the Chinese name “八”達通(literally eight-arrived pass), which is actually from the Chinese proverb “四通八達” (reachable from any direction). And “to reach everywhere, and can be reached from anywhere” is more or less what to Octopus card was designed for.

It was first launched in 1997 as an alternative method to pay for the trains’ fare (pay for the train and you can go anywhere, see where the name comes from?) in Hong Kong. Seeing the success, the card company later expanded its usage so that it can be used for payment in stores, supermarkets, restaurants, car parks and even for vending machines.

It does have its security problems and scandals about selling its user’s personal data, though. So even though it does “make our everyday lives easier” as the company suggested, there are still issues that we can’t overlook. I guess everything has it upside and downside?

Relaxation in Hong Kong

Do you know that according to a recent survey, Hong Kong has the worst work-life balance in the Asia-Pacific region, like Hongkongers still have to take work-related calls or emails even on Holidays?

But let’s not talk about work today, life is about enjoyment! What should we do if we want to relax in Hong Kong?

How about embracing the nature? There are so many scenic trails and country parks in Hong Kong; you are bound to find at least one you love! Hiking, sightseeing, meeting wildlife animals (the non-dangerous one), picnicking...there are so many things you can do in the countryside.

What? You don’t like trees and grass?

That’s totally fine, we have even more things to do in the urban city.

Is museum your cup of tea? You have so many choices when it comes to museums in Hong Kong, like museums for astrology, science, trains, historical heritage, art, food, wax figure…Makes you wonder why Hong Kong is ridiculed as “cultural desert”, no?

Or maybe you prefer shopping? Then you really should go to Sheung Wan to buy some dried seafood and Chinese medicines; or visit Graham Street Market in Central to experience how people buy and sell, old school Hong Kong style.

Wet market is “dirty”? What about Mong Kok, where you can buy “expensive things” from modern shopping centers, and “cheap things” from small shops and street stalls.

And if you like amusement parks, why don’t you visit the Ocean Park or Hong Kong Disneyland?

…Though these two places get really crowded during holidays, so “relaxation” may not be what they can provide.

You still can’t relax?

Then stop thinking of going anywhere, just be a couch potato, drink some soda, eat some snacks and watch some TV.

Or join me, and be an internet potato.

Hong Kong has the highest internet speed in the world, remember?

Wildlife in Hong Kong

Do you know that around 75% of land in Hong Kong remains undeveloped in the name of “nature reserve”? Of course there are other sneaky reasons behind, but let’s just leave them for now…

But thanks to the reserve, a huge variety of wildlife gets to live peacefully on the countryside.

You can find different species of butterflies in the Butterfly Garden; meet the famous crocodile Pui Pui in the Hong Kong Wetland Park; enjoy the scene of migratory birds taking refuge in the Mai Po Nature Reserve; look for the Chinese white dolphin around Hong Kong waters…

You don’t want things that only flourish in eco-tour ads? What about something more common?

Like monkeys? If you have been to the country parks in Hong Kong before, you may have run into them, or the other way round. They are there for food. They can be pretty hostile when fighting for their stomach, and they come in groups. So if they see you carrying anything that looks like food or plastic bags from grocery stores…then beware, and be prepare to abandon what you have in your hands.

And have you seen wild boars before? Usually they can be found in New Territories. While they tend to stay away from humans and urban area, some will stumble upon parks or residential area by accident. And you think hungry monkeys are bad? Well, wait until these things charge at you… They may look like cute piglets, but they can be dangerous, especially when scared.

There are also the dangerous Homo sapiens called “Hongkongers”, which can use weapons and can get really aggressive over monetary interest…

Oh look, I am so witty that I make fun of my own species!

…Yeah, that’s why I have no friend.

Transportation in Hong Kong

Do you know that over 90% of daily journeys in Hong Kong are on public transport, which is the highest rate in the world?

That’s what the government says anyway…But then again, Hong Kong’s well developed infrastructure and transport network does make travelling around easy. Here is some iconic transportation you can find in Hong Kong.

Taxi…Well, there are taxis all over the world, and it’s not like they can fly or something. What is so iconic about those in Hong Kong? What is special is that there are 3 kinds of taxi, each with different color. The green one runs in New Territories; the red one is urban taxi; and the blue one can only be found on Lantau Island. Their fares are the same.

Then there comes the classic tram. Yup, that thing you see in those Hong Kong tourism ads running on the tramways. They can be found in northern part of Hong Kong Island. Despite being slow, they serve as a pretty interesting contrast to our fast-pace and modern lives. People said that the tram lines mark the land which came from reclamation.

I hope you don’t get seasick, because we are going on the ferries! While there are different ferry companies serving different coastal parts in Hong Kong, Star Ferry is probably the most famous and historical one. Founded in 1888, Star Ferry is still a reliable maritime transport between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Taking the ferry is a great way to enjoy the view of Victoria Harbor, too.

What? Rickshaw?

No, we don’t actually use them to travel. Not anymore, at least. Though you may still find some in tourist districts. But it looks a bit inhumane to those who drag the rickshaw, don’t you think?

Hong Kong Railway Museum

Do you know that the Hong Kong Railway Museum was originally the Old Tai Po Market Railway Station?

The (old) Tai Po Market stop used to be one of the stops for the Kowloon-Canton Railway (British Section), which was opened in 1910, connecting Kowloon and Guangzhou. Later, since the trains started to be electrified, the station was out of service in 1983. It was then declared a monument in 1984. The railway company gave the abandoned station to the government and the museum was finally finished and opened in 1986.

What can you do inside?

Well, you can read about the detailed history of the museum and how Hong Kong’s railways were developed; you can admire the old train station’s unique and classic architectural style; you can walk along the rail tracks and be amazed by the display of locomotives, old station sign, old ticket samples…; you can also get on the old train compartments and experience what a train journey in the past feel like; there are also the exhibitions of Japanese Shinkansen and Eurostar. In simple words, you can do everything that makes a train lover’s blood boil!

The museum is in Tai Po Market, just a 10-minute walk away from the (new) Tai Po Market train station. And did I mention that it’s free to enter? Just don’t be like me and visit on Tuesday because it’s when it will be closed (on Christmas and Lunar New Year as well).

Oh man…I got so excited just from the talk. I was so crazy for trains when I was a kid, and the museum was more appealing than any theme park to me.

Right, let me go there and be reminiscent…

Dang it! It’s Tuesday again!