CityUHK launches City Quest programme: Discovering Hong Kong’s multifaceted charm and in-depth travel experiences

JULIAN NG

14 Jul 2025

Officiating guests at the launch ceremony include, (from left) Ms Rita Pang Yat-sum and Mr Rex Wong Siu-han, CityUHK Council Member; Mr Chang; Mr Edward Yu; Mr Qu; Mr Ngai; Miss Law; Professor Chan; Mr Shang Jin, Honorary Vice Chairman of the Group Technical Committee of Xiaomi Corporation; Mr Frederick Yu; Mr Wong; and Ms Grace Yu Ho-wun, CityUHK Council Member.

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) connects with the community by consistently fostering cultural exchange and broad community participation through various events. To reinforce its role as a leading local and global university, CityUHK launched City Quest. This docent-led initiative aims to connect the education sector, local communities and tourists, creating a platform to share Hong Kong’s rich, diverse and unique charm and culture. The programme also seeks to develop Hong Kong into a premier tourism destination and enhance the "Study in Hong Kong" brand.

On 12 July, CityUHK hosted the launch ceremony for City Quest. CityUHK is honoured to have Miss Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government as the Guest of Honour and other officiating guests included Mr Edward Yu Kin-keung, District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong), Mr Frederick Yu Wai-shing, District Officer (Sha Tin), Mr Ivanhoe Chang Chi-ho, District Officer (Kowloon City), Mr Oscar Wong Ho-yu, District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Qu Heng, Vice President of Xiaomi Corporation, and Chairman of the Technology Committee, Mr Michael Ngai, Council Chairman of CityUHK, and Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement) of CityUHK.

In her remarks, Miss Law extended her heartfelt gratitude to CityUHK and its partners for organising City Quest to promote Hong Kong from fresh perspectives. “I was particularly impressed that this programme is inviting every member of the public to become a storyteller of our city through the ‘Hands’, the ‘Feet’ and the ‘Eyes’. This resonates with what I have been advocating ever since taking office last year, which is ‘Everyone is a Tourism Ambassador’,” said Miss Law.

She added that the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots has recently announced nine hotspot projects to offer new and more in-depth tourist experiences. “I hope the City Quest programme will complement our hotspot projects to curate more fascinating experiences to a wider audience, thereby bringing more visitors to the unique beauty of Hong Kong,” she said.

Mr Ngai (right) presents a souvenir to Mr Qu (left).

In his welcome address, Mr Ngai said that City Quest is more than just a project; it is a large-scale community initiative that serves as a platform to deepen understanding of Hong Kong among local residents and visitors. This includes the city’s history, its fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, and its beautiful landscape. He expressed hope that the programme would offer an unforgettable journey of discovery, diversity and delight.

“City Quest embodies CityUHK’s commitment to fostering community engagement. By promoting the idea that ‘tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong’’ and embracing the spirit that ‘everyone is a tourism ambassador’, we hope to encourage all Hong Kong citizens and the CityUHK community to explore Hong Kong in a multidimensional way to foster a deep connection with our vibrant metropolis and showcase the unique charm of Hong Kong to tourists,” said Mr Ngai.

Professor Chan extended his gratitude to the Hong Kong SAR Government, particularly the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, as well as the four District Affairs Offices, Xiaomi Corporation and all the sponsoring organisations, partners and participating institutions, for their support for the programme. He emphasised that by engaging various community sectors, City Quest aims to both drive mega events and provide community members with a deeper understanding of Hong Kong, enabling them to discover new elements, attractions and unique features, while integrating education, tourism, culture and community into a unified initiative.

The main activities of City Quest are the Story Writing Competition, the Docent Ambassadors and the Smartphone Photo Contest, which are designed to showcase Hong Kong’s unique characteristics from a comprehensive perspective across various community sectors.

The Story Writing Competition is open to both local schools and the public. Participants can introduce Hong Kong’s attractions, people and cultures through prose, short stories or AI poetry to promote cultural tourism. The competition has received an enthusiastic response. The second round of registration has begun. The closing date for submissions is 15 September.

The Docent Ambassadors initiative will feature guided tours to explore Hong Kong’s iconic architecture, heritage and cultural landmarks. In addition to city walk tours, the programme will include sports tours and experiential learning tours, revealing diverse possibilities for tourism in Hong Kong.

CityUHK students perform at the launch ceremony.

The Smartphone Photo Contest invites students, the public and tourists to capture Hong Kong’s unique landscapes, people and culture through various types of photography. This contest aims to attract visitors from around the world.

At the launch ceremony, approximately 100 primary and secondary school students, including members and alumni of the Strive and Rise Programme, were invited to visit CityUHK to participate in tablet drawing and smart phone photography workshops, allowing students and alumni to experience diverse cultural activities and strengthen ties with the community.

For more details about City Quest, please visit: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/vpce/city-quest