Feng Shui is a Chinese philosophical system of harmonizing everyone with the surrounding environment. This practice discusses architecture in metaphoric terms of "invisible forces" that bind the universe, earth and humanity together, known as qi.
An ancient Chinese system of summoning good luck, feng shui - literally wind and water - is a vital part of Hong Kong life and this is clear in the design of its shopping malls, office towers and homes. They all draw on feng shui principles in an attempt to create prosperity. Feng shui also affects people's lives as individuals consult feng shui masters to decide on the best date to get married, give birth or move house.
Here are some of Hong Kong's spots with the best feng shui.
Some of the city's best feng shui can be found in Times Square, the crowded, traffic-clogged heart of Hong Kong shopping district Causeway Bay. It's hard to believe that this buzzing seemingly chaotic area could have such a great feng shui, but you just have to imagine the towering skyscrapers are mountains and the endless procession of cars, taxis and delivery trucks a meandering river and it all begins to make sense.
Causeway Bay draws from the so-called "feng shui meridian" between four peaks and it's built atop two "dragon pulses" that flow into Hong Kong in the shape of mountain ranges.
Accordingly, it is this lucky harmony the one that attracts the masses of shoppers that make the place so profitable for retailers and landlords.
If you are not bothered by crowds and noise, Causeway Bay is also said to be a lucky to place to call home.
Another place blessed with the luck that feng shui brings is the HSBC Building in downtown Hong Kong. At the entrance of the bank, two bronze lions stand guard protecting the money within. Some locals like to stroke their paws and noses in a hope to get some of its good feng shui fortune. Accordingly, the bank harnesses energy from the five mountains nearby which benefit it and the surrounding buildings.
On the contrary, a short walk away at the IFC or International Finance Center - Hong Kong island's tallest building - suffers from a different fate. Built on reclaimed land that interrupts the flow of water in the harbor, the building's "unkind energy" leads to grievances for the family that built it. The three Kwok brothers behind property developer Sun Hung Kai became embroiled in a years-long family feud and the eldest has even been indicted on misconduct charges in a corruption case that had a strong effect on the city.