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)