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Horse Racing

Even if you have zero interest in horse racing or gambling, you must—must—attend a horse race if you really want to understand Hong Kong culture. Locals are simply nuts about gambling, and the Wednesday-night races at Happy Valley give them the chance to pull out all the stops. The upper boxes at the racetracks fill with the wealthiest local movers and shakers (who place bets more than most people's yearly salaries); down below, in the cheap seats, the masses alternately yell, cheer, and pray as the horses make their rounds. It's Hong Kong society in microcosm.

Insider's Tip: To get right in the middle of the action, elbow your way toward the terraces overlooking the finish line, where the thrum of beating hooves and the guttural urgings of the crowd combine into one almighty noise-fest.