In addition to the Yungang Grottoes, Datong City has many other attractions, such as Shanhu Temple and Southeast Village. Shanhu Temple is one of the first national key cultural relic protection units. Inside, there is a Liao dynasty wooden structure and three Jin dynasty wooden buildings. The two hosts, accompanied by the newly met architectural scholar Mr. Ma, take an in-depth tour of Shanhu Temple. Southeast Village, on the other hand, is a unique cultural and artistic space transformed from an ancient architectural complex. It hosts many artists, along with a coffee shop and various local specialty boutiques, creating an intersection of historical and modern time, making it a significant contemporary cultural and artistic space. After exploring Shanxi and seeing numerous ancient architectural sites, the hosts' interest in Chinese ancient architecture and culture has grown even stronger. They decide to take another stylish journey together and travel to Japan, first going to Nara to visit Tang dynasty architecture, specifically Todai-ji Temple. They will then seek out various local cultural experiences, such as a tea ceremony workshop and an ink-making workshop, both of which have an inseparable connection to Chinese culture.

Hong Kong is one of the cities with the highest living costs in the world. Research shows that low-income families spend about 30% of their monthly income on food expenses. When faced with sudden financial hardship and unable to afford daily meals, people can seek help through food assistance programs. Since 2009, the Social Welfare Department has been funding NGOs to provide short-term food assistance service, offering food to individuals or families struggling with daily food expenses. Additionally, food banks run by social welfare organizations help support the grassroots in times of need. How do these programs function? Are they sufficient in assisting those at the grassroots level?

Mega Events Mega Hong Kong

Episode 95

To keep up with trends, fashion brands launch new designs every season, allowing consumers to purchase stylish clothing at low prices and with quick turnaround. According to the Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong 2022, 388 tonnes of old clothing and textiles are discarded in local landfills every day, equivalent to 2.7 million T-shirts. However, growing awareness of the environmental damage caused by the fashion industry has sparked efforts to change the "fast fashion" culture. Jasmine Leung, a local fashion designer, has founded a sustainable fashion brand that uses natural, biodegradable fabrics. Her designs incorporate materials made from fibres derived from roses, oranges, bananas, and other natural sources, creating clothing that is both stylish and eco-friendly. Beyond sustainable design, the roles of consumers and producers are equally crucial. In Mong Kok, Tiffany Wong has opened a second-hand fashion store to challenge stereotypes about pre-owned clothing. Meanwhile, the non-profit organization Redress collects and sorts old clothes, providing alternative uses for discarded garments. Additionally, a local textile factory has begun recycling old school uniforms, using advanced technology to break down fabrics into fibres, which are then rewoven into yarn to produce new textiles, giving old clothing a second life.

Pina Bausch’s dance theatre group, Tanztheater Wuppertal has appeared in Hong Kong many times, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, to perform such iconic works such as “The Window Washer”, “Café Müller”, “The Rite of Spring”, “Carnations”, and “Vollmond”. One of the dancers frequently seen in Bausch’s works is Christiana Morganti who presented her solo dance performance, “Jessica and Me” at this year’s Hong Kong Arts Festival. We spoke to her while she was here. The Stallery gallery in Wan Chai is currently celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its opening, and is doing so by presenting a solo exhibition of works by its founder, Ernest Chang, now creating under the artistic alias of CHANG. The works in the exhibition, “Artifice”, explore duality and contradiction in life, centring on the fascination of many traditional Chinese literati with unique rocks and their shapes. The Croatian pianist, Maksim Mrvica is one of the world’s best-known classical crossover musicians. Classically trained, he started playing the piano when he was nine. His rock star image, performance style and repertoire soon made him an international success. To date, his albums have sold over four million copies in 57 countries. He last visited The Works studio in 2011, and last week he joined us again the morning after his performances last month at the Hong Kong City Hall.

Since its founding, the Challenge Family triathlon series has redefined the spirit of endurance sports. Known for its unique courses, passionate community, and athlete-centered values, Challenge Family offers races in some of the world’s most iconic locations. From the breathtaking landscapes to the demands of each event, Challenge Family is about more than just competition. It’s about athletes pushing beyond their limits, fueled by the support of fans, family, and each other. Through the journeys of athletes, everyone can understand what it takes to prepare, to overcome, and to race with a purpose that goes far beyond the finish line.

Award: Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Merit (General Studies) School: Y.C.H. Chan Iu Seng Primary School Awardees: Chan Shiu-tung, Ho Bik-kei, Ho Wing-shuen Learning is a limitless competition, and this round it's General Studies. Three teachers from Yan Chai Hospital Chan Iu Seng Primary School have adopted a "problem-based" teaching approach, encouraging students to ask questions and solve problems encountered. In planning the lessons, the teachers do not take the ordinary approach but integrate various fields of knowledge, from the sky to the sea and everyday life, making learning more comprehensive. This is like a competition without limits. Ms. Ho Bik-kei, an astronomy enthusiast, shares her passion with her students. She applied for an education fund to set up a small planetarium at the school, where students can immerse themselves in learning about the eight planets and the universe. She even takes her students to Sai Kung to see the starry sky. Mr. Chan Shiu-tung teaches students how to make water rockets, guiding them to "learn by doing." Witnessing the water rockets soar into the sky helps students better understand the principles of mechanics. In Addition, Mr. Chan teaches computer programming, where students attempt to design robotic arms to solve everyday problems. Ms. Ho Wing-shuen, who enjoys cooking and gardening, finds the fun of learning in daily life. She encourages students to unleash their creativity, such as designing model boats that collect marine litters or creating noise monitoring systems for the library. Ms. Ho also leads her students to participate in the Science Fair. No matter the students win or lose, they experience a lesson that pushes beyond their personal limits! Both teachers and students are seeking breakthroughs in this limitless learning competition, striving to become better versions of themselves!

This young mother of two is an aerobatic champion and dances in the air like no other between the mountains. She amazes everyone who crosses her path and has made it her goal to inspire other young women to follow her example. Spring is the start of climbing season in Denali National Park. Frozen rivers are freed, activities are resuming. Melissa, who lives at 100 miles an hour, begins her second job as an aerial taxi pilot for the most famous taxi company in Alaska. Pilots must master the art of mountain aviation and glacier drop-off. Before joining this group of elite pilots, Melissa will have to pass a series of high-flying tests.

Hong Kong startups have been venturing into the Middle East in recent years, tapping into the emerging market with creativity and green technology. Vriko Yu is one of the founders of Archireef. By developing 3D printing technology to create a reef tray suitable for coral growth, it not only saves dying corals, but also pioneers the local marine conservation market. SleekFlow's Henson Tsai, on the other hand, has developed a one-stop instant messaging platform that combines various messaging applications such as SMS and live chat into a single, easy-to-use platform that enables a complete customer journey for more effective marketing, sales and customer service dialogue. Both of them have successfully penetrated the Middle East market and seized the first opportunity.