Attending a race meeting under the dazzling lights of the Happy
Valley Racecourse is an opportunity to capture the essence and the
vitality of Hong Kong Chinese culture.
It was first built in 1845 to provide horse racing for the
British people in Hong Kong. Before it was built, the area was a
swampland, but also the only flat ground suitable for horse racing
on Hong Kong Island. To make way for the racecourse, Hong Kong
Government prohibited rice growing by villages in the surrounding
area. The first race ran in December 1846. Over the years, horse
racing became more and more popular among the Chinese
residents.
On 26 February 1918, there was a tragic fire and at least 590
people died. It is the fire with the highest casualties in Hong
Kong history.
To enjoy all the action of this spectacle, join a Come
Horseracing Tour during the annual Sept-June horseracing season.
Today, the track is ultra-sophisticated with computerised betting
and races broadcast live on gigantic screens. Night racing was
introduced in 1973 and was an immediate success. For sheer
excitement and the opportunity to rub shoulders with the locals,
nothing beats a night at the races in Happy Valley. The nearby Hong
Kong Racing Museum offers a fascinating glimpse of the sport's
exciting history.
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How to get there:
1. Causeway Bay MTR Exit A, walk along Wong Nai Chung Road
towards Happy Valley Racecourse for about 20 mins.
2. Take tram to Happy Valley Tram Terminus.
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(discoverhongkong.com)
