CA15/2017 Press Release Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival Shaolin Martial Arts, Kid Kung Fu Performances, Shaolin Weapons and Kung Fu Workshop to pass on martial arts culture (29 September 2017, Hong Kong) Ngong Ping 360 has long had close ties with Shaolin martial arts. This October, the Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival is returning to Ngong Ping Village with an array of weapons on show! Veteran Shaolin performers will dazzle guests with marvellous Kung Fu routines such as rope dart, a first-time performance at Ngong Ping, and a Kid Kung Fu show by the incredible kid from Shaolin. During the festival, the 18 main weapons used in Shaolin Kung Fu will be showcased guests will be able to view them at close range and take photographs with the Shaolin performers. A Shaolin Martial Arts Workshop will also be held, allowing guests of all ages to experience the culture of Shaolin martial arts. Challenging Kid Kung Fu routines to be showcased Blend of Zen and martial arts Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival aims at bringing Shaolin martial arts culture to the cultural themed Ngong Ping Village. By turning the Village into a stage and hosting the best Shaolin Kung Fu performances, the Festival is set to offer an unforgettable cultural experience to guests. The rich and diverse Shaolin martial arts require more than physical strength, with Zen Buddhism considered to be their essence. During the Festival, 13 Shaolin performers will stage incredible Kung Fu routines, including group Kung Fu moves such as flag march, gymnastic formation and Shaolin daggers, requiring both physical coordination and Zen-induced mental unity to block out worldly interference. Guests will enjoy these marvellous performances up close and witness what Shaolin Kung Fu is all about. Besides group routines, duels are an indispensable and spectacular part of the martial arts. Classic Shaolin moves such as splitting spears with daggers and grabbing spears with bare hands will be performed. The sparks generated from the duels, the clanging of weapons and the breath-taking speed will leave spectators in awe. Guests will also witness the splendour of traditional Chinese Kung Fu in such areas as fist-fight routines that have been passed on for generations, transporting them back to the glory days of martial arts. This year s Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival will also lift the veil of mystery surrounding the practice of Kung Fu by children with the Kid Kung Fu performance led
by ten-year-old Liu Xiangzhou. Shaolin Kung Fu for children features highly complex fist-fight routines based on very demanding training. Shaolin Kid Kung Fu for children features highly is one of the most complex fist-fight routines and are especially suitable for children. Varieties such as the Guanyin Goddess worship and the kick in the air are well-known. Few have the ability to perform the routines as the performers need to fill their bodies with amazing strength while retaining the physical flexibility of a child. Liu Xiangzhou will compete against other Shaolin Kung Fu performers to showcase the power of this highly sophisticated form of Kung Fu. Bertha Chan, Head of Marketing at Ngong Ping 360, said that as a world-class attraction, Ngong Ping 360 strives to provide extraordinary events for our guests coming from all over the world. Our previous Shaolin martial arts performances were acclaimed by our guests, so we invited the performers back this year, with 18-weapons as the theme. Some weapons are not commonly seen in other performances in Hong Kong. We believe this performance will bring a brand new and exciting experience to all guests. In addition, as the gateway to Lantau West, we hope our guests can enjoy the marvellous Shaolin Kung Fu performance and experience the culture of Shaolin through the interaction with the performers. 18 Shaolin weapons to be unveiled As the place of origin of various Kung Fu schools, Shaolin boasts an arsenal of superior weapons. Apart from the popular Shaolin spear, the Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival will feature many rare long weapons that add to the intensity of the Kung Fu routines. Among the soft weapons to be used will be the rope dart, which is portable and easily concealed, making it the best choice for stealth attacks. When practising their moves with this weapon, the performers have to manoeuvre every part of their bodies, requiring a high level of agility. Guests will see for themselves the power of the 18 weapons and can strike the fiercest-looking pose with the performers after each show. Shaolin Kung Fu has always been the legend in the martial arts world. Ngong Ping 360 is one of the many famous tourist attractions in Hong Kong, and we are very glad to have been invited there to perform again, commented Zhou Peng, a Shaolin adept at the jiujiebian (the Chinese version of the cat-o -nine-tails). We hope that the workshop will spark off more interest in martial arts. Shaolin babies to join Kung Fu practice Families to learn from the masters Shaolin Kung Fu is suitable for people of all ages given its benefits to both the mind and the body. Ngong Ping 360 today invited a group of 3 to 5-year-old Shaolin babies to learn Kung Fu from the performers, and with the Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival, those efforts will be extended to the whole family. The event will include a Shaolin Martial Arts Workshop for parents to participate in with their children, which
will focus not only on physical health but also on discipline. Participants will learn about Shaolin culture and basic etiquette, including the Shaolin style of greeting. With a half-bent left thumb against the right fist, this greeting symbolises a promise to practise Kung Fu with humility, to not abuse it and to uphold the faith that Kung Fu is a gesture of goodwill and friendship. Participants can have a taste of being a Kung Fu practitioner and experience the fusion of Zen and martial arts. Let s join the world of martial arts together and pass on Shaolin culture. Super Star Chinese restaurant launches, Shaolin-themed cartoon dim sum To celebrate the long-awaited return of the Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival, the Super Star Group has specially prepared Shaolin Kung Fu themed cartoon dim sum, which will be available in its Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Wan Chai branches from 5 to 31 October. During this period, guests of the Festival will be able to enjoy 15% off when dining at these branches by presenting the stubs of their Ngong Ping Cable Car tickets. Guests will also receive a free ticket to the Walking with Buddha attraction when they present a receipt from any Super Star restaurant in October while purchasing Ngong Ping Cable Car tickets from 5 to 31 October. Furthermore, in October guests will be able to redeem a single-day single-trip MTR ticket for free in the Holidays 360 Information Centre with receipts (no more than 4) of $200 or more from dining or shopping in Ngong Ping Village, while stock lasts. Martial Arts performance timetable Date 1-31 October Time 12:45 pm, 2:30 pm and 4 pm (15 minutes per session) Location Ngong Ping Village Square Shaolin Martial Arts Workshop timetable Date 1-31 October Time 3 pm every day from Monday to Friday (about 15 minutes per session) 1:15 pm and 3 pm every day on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays Location Ngong Ping Village Square How to sign up Sign up at the Holidays 360 Information Centre at Ngong Ping Village
About Ngong Ping 360 As an important tourist attraction located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360 offers an exciting opportunity for guests to experience a unique natural and cultural experience. The Ngong Ping Cable Car stretches 5.7 km from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping. Guests can visit the Chinese architecturally designed Ngong Ping Village, where they can enjoy a wide range of dining, shopping and entertainment options and culturally themed attractions, including Stage 360, Motion 360 and Walking with Buddha. The Ngong Ping Cable Car is a rare example of a bi-cable gondola circulating lift system, and is the longest aerial cable car system of its kind in Asia. It offers a visually spectacular 25-minute journey with panoramic views of the flora and fauna of North Lantau Country Park, Tung Chung Bay and the Hong Kong International Airport. Ngong Ping 360 received the CILT Award 2013 Enterprise Award presented by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong (CILTHK) during 2014. It was also selected as one of the Cable cars: 10 amazing rides around the world in the same year by the Daily Telegraph in the UK and named amongst 10 of the world s best cable car rides by CNN.com in the USA in 2015 and 2017. It was also recognised as one of The world s 10 best cable cars by USA Today in 2017. Ngong Ping 360 also received a Certificate of Excellence 2015 from TripAdvisor.
Photos Photo 1 13 Shaolin kung fu performers coordinate expertly to stage incredible group kung fu moves such as flag march, gymnastic formation and Shaolin daggers. Photo 2 & 3 Performing classic Shaolin moves such as splitting spears with daggers and grabbing spears with bare hands, even with blindfold. Guests are taken back to the glory days of martial arts.
Photos 4 Shaolin Babies, who are learning Shaolin Kung Fu in kindergarten, acquire fundamental Shaolin kung fu skills from the performers. Photo 5 and 6 Shaolin Babies stage a fabulous performance at Ngong Ping Village, looking adorable in their costumes.
Photo 7 Ten-year-old Liu Xiangzhou takes the lead in the Shaolin Kid Kung Fu performance, which requires a high level of flexibility. Photo 8 To celebrate the Ngong Ping 360 Martial Arts Festival, the Super Star Group has specially prepared Shaolin kung fu themed cartoon dim sum.