Kowloon's Hidden Ninth Mountain

Filed in archive Hidden Gems on February 18, 2008

China is obsessed with lucky numbers. This dates back to elements of Taoism, which was, if you consider it a religion, one of the world's first religions. Liam Fitzpatrick of Time points out that Kowloon, which means nine dragons in Cantonese, follows Taoist principles of naming things using lucky numbers. The nine dragons refer to nine mountains (a lucky number). An observant (and perhaps bored) visitor would be quick to point out that Kowloon is home to only 8 mountains. Further study would yield no new information on Kowloon's 9th mountain. Wherever it is, it must be the ultimate hidden travel gem.

Our man Liam in Hong Kong explains the 9th mountain:

Centuries ago, an astute counselor complimented a visiting emperor by calling him "the ninth dragon" (or mountain)-hence Nine Dragons.

No secret. It was merely an ambitious provincial official trying to gain some brownie points from the most powerful man in the land.

No new hidden travel gem in Hong Kong, but you'll be a hit at the next cocktail party when you bust out the "nine dragons" material contained in this post.

You're welcome.

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