Valentine’s Day is coming up (psst… next Monday, Feb 14), which means it’s time to plan cute dates with your SO (aka. significant other) and/or besties! As with many holidays, V-Day has been gobbled up by consumerism over the decades and is now very much a “commercial” event that encourages impulse buying and materialism.
This Valentine’s Day, why not try something a little different and take a look at our sustainable date ideas in Hong Kong that won’t have a negative impact on the planet:
Go veg
Instead of going for a meat-heavy meal on Valentine’s Day, try a delicious vegetarian or vegan meal instead. Most of the meat we consume these days are industrially produced, which takes a huge toll on the environment, using huge amounts of natural resources like land, crops, water, and energy, while emitting a massive amount of greenhouse gases. For something different, Miss Lee provides a wide variety of modern veggie interpretations of Chinese classics.
Camp under the stars
What’s more romantic than enjoying the natural yet incredible beauty of the sunset or sunrise with someone you love? Time to grab your gear and finally go on that camping trip that you’ve been talking about forever! It’ll be a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, and for urbanites, there’s always the option of “glamping”! Tap Mun (Grass Island) is a great spot for Instagram-worthy pics.
Head for the hills
It may sound like torture to some, but hiking is more than just walking up a steep hill whilst panting and sweating bullets. Removing yourself and your other half from the hectic pace of Hong Kong can not only be meditative, but a way to make new memories in the beautiful scenery. The Peak is a relatively easy hike with beautiful scenery.
Plan a picnic
With the fifth wave of Covid restrictions still in place in Hong Kong, a picnic is an easy and economical way to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day – just make sure it’s a zero-waste picnic as nature intended. Sai Ying Pun’s Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park is a relaxed yet lively picnic spot.
Do some good
Enjoy each other’s company while doing good for the planet. Join an organised clean-up via organisations like Hong Kong Cleanup, or bring along a trash bag and gloves for just you and your company at a local beach or park. You’ll feel good knowing it was a truly productive date, and you can discuss your shared values while doing so.
Visit a local farm
Not everyone knows this about Hong Kong – but there are farms here, too! Take your pick between visiting the alpacas at Go Green Organic Farm or strawberry picking at Kam Tin Village Club (the season runs from December to April). This is a great opportunity to venture out and learn more about sustainable farming in Hong Kong’s countryside.
More Valentine’s Day stories:
- Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Her
- Sustainable Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Him
- Introducing 8Shades’ Sustainable Gift Hampers
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