Hong Kong Tourism Board Recreates Cha Chaan Teng Café in Paris in First Event of Three-Year Art Basel Global Partnership to Showcase City’s Cultural Charm
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has successfully held the first event of a three-year global partnership with Art Basel at Art Basel Paris, held from 16 to 20 October. Visitors from around the world were invited to visit a replica of an authentic Hong Kong-style Cha Chaan Teng café at the Grand Palais where they were able to experience Hong Kong’s vibrant culture through the café’s iconic dishes and décor, embodying the city's distinctive East-meets-West synergy.
Guests at the Cha Chaan Teng enjoyed a selection of Hong Kong’s best-loved delicacies, including roast pork char siu with rice, pineapple buns, egg tarts, mango pudding, and classic Hong Kong-style milk tea. The cultural experience was lit up by a special chandelier-like illuminated installation by Hong Kong based artist Trevor Yeung, from his Chaotic Suns series which earlier this year featured at the 24th Biennale of Sydney. By combining Hong Kong art with traditional cuisine, the HKTB sought to deepen international audiences’ understanding and appreciation of the city’s lifestyle and cultural heritage.
The Cha Chaan Teng at Art Basel delighted visitors with its vibrant atmosphere and genuine Hong Kong cuisine. The manager of the café said, “Our guests have been full of praise for the food and drinks from Hong Kong. Everyone is truly enjoying their experience here.” One of the visitors reflected that it had been a while since they visited Hong Kong, so they were very pleased to savour the city’s signature dishes in Paris. Another visitor complimented the café’s comfortable design and high level of authenticity and said it brought back memories of their time in Asia.
As well as showcasing Hong Kong culture through the Cha Chaan Teng, the HKTB joined hands with Art Basel to host a networking cocktail reception at the event, inviting curators, collectors, and gallerists from the arts and tourism sectors. The HKTB also facilitated cultural exchanges by supporting art representative Mr Doryun Chong, Artistic Director and Chief Curator of M+, in discussions with counterparts from Shanghai and Abu Dhabi. These exchanges encouraged major cultural hubs to engage in enhancing cultural connectivity through cross-regional collaboration.
Upcoming Activations: Art Basel Miami Beach and Hong Kong
HKTB is excited to build on the success of its first activation at Art Basel Paris, travelling to Art Basel Miami Beach later this year (6 – 8 December 2024, VIP days 4 – 5 December) with another themed pop up showcasing Hong Kong culture.
Plans are also already underway for HKTB’s anticipated activation in its home city during Art Basel Hong Kong (28 – 30 March 2025), for which more details will be announced in due course.
