Artwork by William
Isabel Li, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Stand atop the heights of Victoria Peak and peer into the intimate pages below to discover the depths of a Hong Kong love affair.
A Love Letter: Dear Hong Kong…
By Isabel Li
“Why is my love affair with Hong Kong still burning bright?”
The question hangs in the vibrant air, reverberating through the canyons of skyscrapers and the narrow lanes of Mong Kok. For many who were born and raised here, Hong Kong is the steady granite rock of their lives—forming a deep, quiet sense of belonging. But as a non-local student, I look at this city with different eyes.
I was first drawn here by the waves of light, and it is here that I truly found myself. Today—because of the salty sea breeze, because of the fusion of the concrete core with the forested periphery, and because of the melodic sanctuary of honest Cantopop—I find myself still deeply, stubbornly in love with Hong Kong.
Why do I say “still”? Because my romance with Hong Kong didn’t begin with my university admission. It started three years ago during a brief spring trip. I remember stepping out of the MTR and being swept up by a tide of organized chaos that felt incredibly alive. I remember the taste of a mango pancake in a small dessert shop and the way the red taxis looked like rubies moving through the rain. Too soon after, I had to return to my home, but the echoes of the city followed. That sense of wonder turned into a persistent longing that eventually drew me back. “Still” means that the magic I felt as a tourist has survived the reality of living here as a resident.
Part of my Hong Kong romance involves the language here—Cantonese.
It is a tongue both foreign and comfortably familiar to me. While my native Mandarin feels too transparent at times, almost too blunt when sharing my more private emotions, the Cantonese tones act as a filter that softens potential awkwardness. This allows me to express myself truly in a medley that offers a new set of lyrics to my emotional repertoire.
There are other aspects of my deep attachment to Hong Kong.
I love the ocean. I love the humidity that it brings and the strolls along Victoria Harbour, where the air tastes like well-salted memories. I love standing by the Star Ferry Pier just as the sun begins its temporary descent, its golden rays blowing a promising kiss of return. It is the moment when the backlit city feels most grand and global, yet the whispering sea winds make it all feel intimate.
This sense of intimacy leads me to the man, the singer, the legend, who embodied it most—Leslie Cheung.
I love this city because Leslie Cheung loved it. To the world, he was a superstar; to me, he is the iconic soul of Hong Kong—brave, elegant, and unapologetically himself. To my generation, Leslie represents a rare and unfiltered aesthetic purity. His footprints are stamped into every corner of the winding streets. I often find myself wandering along neon-lit boulevards, hoping to catch the same lyrical breeze he once did. Chasing his steps through the slopes of Central isn’t just nostalgia for a “golden age” I missed; it is a way to anchor myself. In a city that changes so fast, his legacy transcends time and space, giving me a sense of belonging and, yes, a connection to an era I never personally witnessed.
I love the transportation here that bridges all the city’s contradictions. The MTR provides seamless convenience and the freedom to wander between the concrete jungle, with its towering glass giants, and the untouched green of the hills. At 3:00 AM, whether I’m on Hong Kong Island or in the heart of Kowloon, I can find solace in the fact that a bus will always take me home. From the aromatic, late-night kitchens of Tin Hau to the moonlit, velvet silence of Repulse Bay, all the gems of the City of Victoria are within easy reach—just a one-hour radius.
Despite knowing that a world of opportunities beckons, I am lingering in this small piece of land. Like many who chose to stay and build their dreams here, I am still deeply, stubbornly in love with Hong Kong. It is a messy and beautiful romance—but it is a romance that makes every day feel like an adventure with a dear friend.
And so, my love still burns bright.
About the Author
Isabel Li is a sophomore studying digital finance and investment. She is training to be a forward-thinking professional in the digital finance sector, leveraging technology to drive sustainable investment. Her interests include movies, Cantopop, and writing to capture the memories and tiny fragments of life before they completely fade away.
Author’s Reflection
I chose to write about Hong Kong’s cultural identity because I wanted to capture the lingering nostalgia that defines our generation. The biggest challenge was translating raw, late-night emotions into a structured narrative without losing their authenticity. Through the feedback from peers and the editing process with Inscribe, I learned how to refine my voice to be both personal and universal.
This composition is a milestone for me; it signifies my growth from a technical student into a storyteller who can bridge the gap between memory and reality.