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Virtual Hong Kong: New World, Old Traditions

Discover Hong Kong, its people, culture and customs with this free online course using 360° video and virtual reality.

5,750 enrolled on this course

  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours

Discover Hong Kong, its people, culture and customs.

As a melting pot of Eastern and Western characteristics, Hong Kong has experienced a unique history from Chinese immigration to colonization by the British to the subsequent transformation into a Special Administration Region of China.

We’ll go on a journey around Hong Kong, using 3D virtual reality, exploring its history, culture and some of its distinguished traditions.

East-meets-West style can be seen in every aspect of the city including architecture, traditions and cuisine - this offers unique experiences and challenges for those living and working there.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 9 seconds Today we are going to start an exciting journey to Hong Kong through our brand new immersive learning platform. An exciting trip, an exciting course.

Skip to 0 minutes and 43 seconds Hong Kong has seen enormous changes and transformation over the past century. Evolving from a small fishing village into a unique cosmopolitan city today, it straddles the cultural traditions of two worlds, East and West. Hang on Hong Kong is more than that. Beneath its facade of modernity and East-meets-West features. People’s lives are highly dynamic, hybrid and deeply influenced by tradition.

Skip to 1 minute and 25 seconds Through this course you will travel through time exploring the past, present and future of Hong Kong. So enjoy this amazing Virtual Reality learning journey with me.

What topics will you cover?

  • Brief introduction to the history and cultures of Hong Kong
  • Selected ritual practices and folk beliefs in Hong Kong
  • Key concepts and philosophies in Chinese cultures
  • People’s daily life in Hong Kong
  • 360-degree video and 3D virtual reality technology

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe Hong Kong’s traditional buildings and cultural events through a unique, virtual reality immersive learning experience
  • Identify social and cultural characteristics of Hong Kong as a city where East meets West with a unique legacy of traditions, beliefs, and folklore
  • Compare the social and cultural changes in Hong Kong taking place through the transformation of traditions in different stages: from the mid-nineteenth century to World War II; post-war to 1997; and from 1997 to the present
  • Explore the traditional Chinese concepts of Heaven, Earth and Mankind and their influence on folk beliefs in Hong Kong
  • Reflect on the co-existence of eastern and western values in Hong Kong and their impact on modern-day life

Who is the course for?

No prior knowledge is necessary. We welcome anyone interested in:

  • culture, history, religion, and society,
  • a new immersive learning experience (VR), and
  • Hong Kong and China.

What software or tools do you need?

You can take part in this course without needing special equipment. However, to get the best experience we will encourage you to try the low-cost personal virtual reality device called Google Cardboard, in combination with your smartphone.

Don’t worry - we will explain how to do this.

Who will you learn with?

Vice-President (Student Affairs) and Chair Professor of Computer Science at City University of Hong Kong, Professor Ip is a pioneer in virtual reality technology and its applications in education.

Ka Fai MA
Assistant Professor, Department of Chinese and History.
Now work on Cultural Sociology and Cultural Studies. A well-known novelist in the Chinese community and won the 2017 TIBE Book Prize.

Instructor in the Department of Chinese and History, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. He teaches Chinese social, cultural, and urban history.

Who developed the course?

City University of Hong Kong

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has risen rapidly to become a leading institution for research and professional education in Asia’s World City where East meets West.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

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