(Hong Kong, February 29, 2016) The Hang Lung As One Volunteer Team organized its first Architectural Tour of the year last Saturday (February 27), taking in the sights and sounds of Yau Ma Tei, a district with rich history. Joining them, celebrity Joyce Cheng, who had previously attended the team’s recognition ceremony, recalled her memories of Hong Kong with the Hang Lung volunteers and secondary school students as they learned about how people lived in the past.

The Hang Lung Volunteers, who received thorough training in the lead-up to the tour, accompanied the group of around 30 Form 4-6 students from Po On Commercial Association Wong Siu Ching Secondary School to Yau Ma Tei as they explored how Hong Kong people strived for a better life. Some of the distinctive buildings on their itinerary included the Red Brick House – part of the former Yau Ma Tei Pumping Station, which distributed water to the then-fast-growing population of Kowloon; Yau Ma Tei Theatre – the only surviving pre-World War II theatre in Kowloon; and the Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market – a Grade III Historic Building that is still in use today and is a hive of activity in the dead of night.

Arnold Chan from the Leasing and Management department has been a docent for three years and has joined four Architectural Tours so far. Sharing his feelings about the tours, he said, "The tours help local youngsters to understand the story behind each building. Through explanations from volunteers, young people can revisit the past and understand more about the city. For the volunteers, they can also learn new knowledge and skills. Participating in the tours has even helped me with my personal studies in surveying."

Although Joyce Cheng is not a native speaker of Cantonese, she prepared notes for the tour and did online research about the area. Talking about her own experience, she said, "Although I grew up in Canada, I have considered Hong Kong my home since I returned in 2006. Hong Kong's unique history has crafted a distinct culture mixing the east and the west. I seldom have the chance to visit Yau Ma Tei, but today I can say that I understand a lot more about the past and present character of this district through taking part in this Hang Lung tour."

Since 2014, the Hang Lung As One Volunteer Team has regularly organized thematic Architectural Tours. Hang Lung volunteers become docents after professional training and then lead secondary school students to tour districts around Hong Kong, giving young people a hands-on experience and understanding of the city's culture and development over time through its architectural landmarks. This year, Hang Lung will use "Discover the Real Hong Kong" as its theme. Apart from visiting Yau Ma Tei, students will also get to explore Sham Shui Po and Tai Po to discover how these districts have evolved into what they are today. With the aim of achieving the essential goal of cultural transmission, the Architectural Tours have already benefitted about 200 students, led by over 100 Hang Lung volunteer docents.