Einstein's brief visit and words to Hong Kong (1922)

Unlike in Singapore, Einstein did not give any public appearance in Hong Kong 102 years ago. He
  ... had resolutely "washed out" all public engagements and merely wanted to come ashore.. [1]

  ... he also made the jaunt much appreciated
  by tourists - round Victoria Peak by way 
  of the new Lugard Road, which affords
  an "aeroplace view" of Hongkong, the
  harbour and Kowloon; returning by
  Harlech Road which gives such delightful
  vistas of the islands. [2]

In fact, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize on 9 Nov. 1922, while he set foot on Hong Kong for the first time. [3]
It is said that he received the telegram about the Nobel Prize for Physics (1921) on his arrival in Shanghai three days later (on their way to Japan).

Short interview by Hongkong Telgraph :  [4]

 

  PROFESSOR EINSTEIN 
                ARRIVES.
                     ____
  Charmed with Hongkong
                 Scenery.

......

  A representative of the Hong- 
kong Telegraph succeeded in 
gaining short interview with 
the Professor this morning. 
Language difficulties presented 
themselves, the Professor speak- 
ing German and also broken 
French. Mrs. Einstein, however, 
is able to speak English and it 
was through her courtesy that 
the interview was possible. 

......

  Speaking of Hongkong, the 
Professor stated that he was
immensely impressed by what he
had already seen. The scenery 
reminded him very much of 
Switzerland, and he was extreme- 
ly pleased to come into cooler 
weather, for tbe heat of the South 
had been very trying. He 
had been very interested to 
learn of the Hongkong Univer- 
sity, where the British were 
instructing the Chinese, and 
thought that such an institution 
should have a great future. He 
regretted that he could not give a 
lecture here, but he was feeling 
in need of a rest. For that 
reason he had asked the 
local Jewish community to 
forego the reception they had 
wished to give him. In Japan he 
expected to give some lectures at 
the Imperial University, after 
which he would probably visit 
China and then return to Europe 
by way of Palestine. He did not 
intend visiting America this trip. 

  This morning Professor and
Mrs. Einstein were given a trip 
round the Island, calling at the 
Repulse Bay Hotel, and later 
they visited the Peak and enjoyed 
a rickshaw ride along the Lugard 
Road. They leave early to-morrow 
morning on the Kitano Maru.  

   [1] China Mail 1922-11-9
   [2] Hong Kong Daily Press  1922-11-10
   [3] Albert Einstein website, Germany
   [4] Hong Kong Telegraph  1922-11-9

p.s. incidentally, his words about HKU are seconded in some way just few months later on the history timeline by another visitor to HK. The two did not know each other personally, I think. 

       (to be continued)