Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is inseparable from its instantly recognisable Victoria Harbour skyline, whether it’s observed from Hong Kong Island side or from Kowloon side. Dispersed among these towering skyscrapers, humble in height but just as formidable in reputation, are time-worn edifices that carry the city’s colonial past and Chinese heritage, numbering in the hundreds, quietly keeping record of Hong Kong’s past. And that tally only continues to grow: Just last week, the Antiquities Authority added two more buildings to that list, declaring them as monuments under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. On January 30, the Hong Kong government gazetted a notice stating that the Antiquities Authority has added two structures in the Western District on Hong Kong Island to its collection of preserved and protected monuments: the Main Building of Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital in Sai Ying Pun and Kwong Fook Tsz in Sheung Wan. Both buildings are more than a century old, and are expectedly rich in history and purpose. Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk Opened in 1922 by the Chinese Public Dispensaries Committee (CPDC) on Western Street in Sai Ying Pun, the Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital served an important function as a centre for maternity services catering to Chinese women. Chinese midwives were also trained on the premises to learn modern nursing methods, demonstrating the cooperative alliance between Chinese and Western medical professionals to promote maternity health and empower women. After the Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital found a new home on Hospital Road in 1955, the original building – a red-bricked structure standing on a coursed rubble plinth with a granite portico entrance – continued to be a hub for diverse activities and has been used as a community centre since 1961, first operating as the Tsan Yuk Social Centre, later as the Western District Community Centre to this day. Photograph: Courtesy gov.hk Kwong Fook Tsz in Sheung Wan, also known as Pak Shing Temple, is located on the unassuming Tai Ping Shan Street, and was constructed even earlier than the Old Tsan Yuk Maternity Hospital, in 1895. Prominent Chinese businessmen and members of the emerging Chinese elite raised funds to build the first Kwong Fook Tsz in 1956, hoping to establish a benevolent space for worship in which the Chinese community could store the soul tablets for deceased migrant workers who died in the city, honouring their ancestral roots in this final resting place in light of them being unable to return to their hometowns. Later, Kwong Fook Tsz adopted a dual purpose in providing aid for the sick, homeless, and elderly. Due to poor hygiene standards, this makeshift “Chinese hospital” – a desperate choice for local residents who could not afford medical services – served as the impetus for the Hong Kong government to establish a Chinese hospital, leading to the establishment of Tung Wah Hospital in 1870. Following an outbreak of the bubonic plague in the area, the current Kwong Fook Tsz was eventually rebuilt on the same road. Not only is Kwong Fook Tsz’s structural layout unique, but the communal services it provided in housing soul tablets, medical services, and offering refuge are singular among the surviving temples in the city, lending to Kwong Fook Tsz’s lasting significance. Both declared monuments are open for public visits, with respective opening hours and further information available on the Antiquities and Monuments Office website. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong rolls back public transit seatbelt rule just five days after launch Bacha Coffee joins the blind box bandwagon with their brand-new collection This TCM-inspired cocktail bar has opened a new lounge at Épure with a pop-up wellness event

Well, that didn’t last long: A controversial mandatory seatbelt provision that the Hong Kong government introduced on January 25 has been repealed just five days after it came into effect. On January 30, the secretary for transport and logistics, Mable Chan, announced at a press conference that the legal provisions mandating bus passengers to wear seatbelts would be removed, following technical deficiencies in the legal language. Under the short-lived law, passengers who did not wear a seatbelt on buses would face a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to three months of imprisonment. However, the provision’s wording caused confusion and, following consultations with the Department of Justice, it was acknowledged that the legal clause did not accurately reflect the policy’s intent of requiring all passengers on buses to wear seatbelts where available. It was pointed out that the provision seemed only to apply to new buses registered after the law came into effect; passengers riding on older buses did not face the same requirement. Not long after the new seatbelt regulation came into effect, it already met its first obstacle. On January 29, Citybus filed a police report following an incident in which a passenger aboard its 795X route service was trapped in their seat for over 45 minutes, being unable to unfasten a seatbelt buckle that had been tampered with. More than a dozen firefighters were on the scene to assist, in addition to four paramedics, an ambulance, and three firetrucks. Eventually, the passenger was rescued, and sent to Caritas Medical Centre. It’s possible that the recent Citybus incident, alongside an onslaught of public criticism levelled at the public transit seatbelt law, led to its swift repealing on January 30. For now, as the Hong Kong government prepares to roll back the ill-fated seatbelt provision, there is no statutory requirement mandating that bus passengers must wear seatbelts. Wearing seatbelts in private cars, taxis, vans, trucks, minibuses, and other vehicles where it’s a must remain unchanged. However, the government continues to encourage citizens to get into the habit of wearing a seatbelt on franchised or non-franchised buses wherever possible. In other words, the choice is yours. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Bacha Coffee joins the blind box bandwagon with their brand-new collection This TCM-inspired cocktail bar has opened a new lounge at Épure with a pop-up wellness event See yum cha in a chaotic new light at Lousy and Davidgoodtime’s art show

As one of the hottest trends of 2025, it’s not surprising to see the hype for collectibles extend beyond the original reach for toys and figurines. Now, you can get blind boxes of just about anything, even the coffee in your pantry. Singaporean coffee brand Bacha Coffee has just hopped on the bandwagon with its latest launch that features two types of blind boxes, each filled with a surprise variant of the brand’s finest 100-percent Arabica specialty beans.  The Discovery Blind Box is ideal for casual coffee enjoyers and includes a box of Bacha’s signature coffee bags, either milk or dark chocolate-covered coffee beans, raw sugar candy sticks, plus an exclusive gift certificate. To embark on your blind box discovery journey, simply select a sealed box from the three bean options on offer: single origin, fine flavoured, and naturally CO2 decaffeinated.  Photograph: Courtesy Bacha Coffee For coffee connoisseurs, the Indulgence Blind Box collection offers a refined flavour discovery. Inside, you’ll get two loose specialty coffees, a box of coffee bags, a set of coffee filters, and one coffee accessory that ranges from a bone china Bacha mug or signature Bacha iced coffee glass to enjoy your mystery brew with. Simply choose your preferred flavour profile between single origin and fine flavoured to begin your discovery!   Bacha Coffee’s blind box collections are available online at bachacoffee.com now until stock lasts. The Discovery Blind Box is priced at $388 each, while the Indulgence Blind Box is priced at $658 each. While you’re picking out your next brew, check out Bacha’s Year of the Horse gift hampers – both the Good Fortune Hamper ($788) and Lucky Brew Hamper ($1,488) include a choice of coffee gift box and loose coffee beans, ideal for curating thoughtful treats for yourself or your coffee-loving friends. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: This TCM-inspired cocktail bar has opened a new lounge at Épure with a pop-up wellness event See yum cha in a chaotic new light at Lousy and Davidgoodtime’s art show Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February

Is drinking unhealthy? Well, yes, consuming alcohol in excess generally results in negative outcomes, but perhaps the whole thing’s a little less dire so if you’re doing it at a bar that serves cocktails inspired by Hong Kong herbal tea culture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Clan & Company Community Bar has been delighting Hongkongers with its unique, drinkable interpretations of the ‘Five Flavours’ of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese cuisine, and their latest project takes mindful drinking to greater heights, from cha chaan teng to Victoria Harbour. Located on the outdoor terrace of the Michelin-starred French restaurant Épure, the Clan & Company Lounge is a new alfresco pop-up bar offering a cocktail experience lifted from Hong Kong’s golden era, blending local flavours with nostalgia and botanical goodness. For those who don’t know, Clan & Company is a heritage concept brand and bar by Magnolia Lab, a Hong Kong liqueur producer founded by a local bartender and a TCM practitioner, known for their modern revival of local herbal tea culture through the art of mixology. Reimagining traditional Chinese medicine into innovative cocktails, Clan & Company’s philosophy is centred around crafting “liquid remedies” designed to heal, soothe, and nourish.  Photograph: Courtesy Clan & Company Lounge / @clan.andco.lounge Inventive libations here are completely different to the menu in their cha chaan teng-themed Community Bar in Yau Ma Tei, and some new highlights here include the Golden Broth ($158) made with Magnolia Lab’s magnolia liqueur, rice wine, chicken double consommé, vegetarian shark’s fin, fresh cream, milk, and steamed rice; and botanical options such as the Bak Kut Teh ($138) made with Magnolia Lab’s roselle liqueur, bak kut teh spices, pepper, garlic, and Yuk Ping Shu rice liquor. Clan & Company Lounge also reimagines nostalgic Hong Kong snacks, so you can enjoy bevvies like the Nine-Fold Tangerine Peels ($128) with Magnolia Lab’s magnolia liqueur, rum, nine-fold tangerine peels, lemon, mandarin cordial, and bergamot soda; the fruity Immortal Peach ($128) with Magnolia Lab’s roselle liqueur, peach purée, peach liqueur, and prosecco; or the mid-century-inspired Aeroplane Olive ($128) with Magnolia Lab’s magnolia liqueur, gin, cinnamon, liquorice, aged tangerine peel, cloves, and soda water. Photograph: Catharina Cheung To celebrate the launch of their new location, Clan & Company Lounge has invited TCM practitioner Tina Yu and mixologist Kosa Law to team up in a wellness drinks pop-up collaboration from February 7 to 8, combining their respective skills and know-how to offer a limited-time cocktail experience ($350) themed after ‘Reawakening’. Available in two-hour time slots from 5pm to 11pm, Yu and Law have designed a package that covers the pillars of wellness mixology, sound therapy, mindful TCM consultation, and sensory experience. Guests are given a questionnaire to find out which one of three limited-edition herbal cocktails best suit their health needs – Clarity for deep hydration and radiant glow, Release for emotional decompression, and Radiance for energy restoration, each paired with a matching snack – and then enjoy the drink to the dulcet tones of a sound healing playlist curated by local singer-songwriter Jocelyn Chan. You’ll even walk away with complimentary auricular therapy patches. We love being told that our indulgences are actually (semi) healthy! Clan & Company Lounge can be found on the terrace at Épure, 4/F, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: See yum cha in a chaotic new light at Lousy and Davidgoodtime’s art show Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products

Love dim sum and surreal imagery? You’re in good company. Hong Kong street artist Lousy, best known for his bold graphics resembling glyphs and pictorial shapes, is collaborating with viral food photographer-artist David Leung – also known as Davidgoodtime, who specialises in capturing reflected food images highlighting pareidolia – for a dynamic exhibition about dim sum and the ritual of yum cha.  Hosted at JPS Gallery, ‘Double Umami’ is an artistic ode to Hong Kong cuisine, reimagined through the unique lenses of two distinctly different creators, who shaped their love of dumplings and morning teas into a visual celebration of Hong Kong’s DNA.  Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery In the exhibition space, visitors will encounter a customised dim sum cart installation, decorated by David and Lousy, in addition to photographs depicting beloved dim sum dishes in Leung’s signature mirrored style, mounted inside bamboo steamers crafted by master artisan Lui Ming of Ming Sang Steel Bamboo Receptacle. ‘Crab’s Kid Burn & Sell’ shows siu mai in a different light, appearing almost like the face of a crustacean, while ‘Char Siu Cat No. 2’ draws parallels between char siu bao and felines. We also particularly liked the birdcage installation which houses real emu eggs and plastic cards from dim sum carts inscribed with the Chinese onomatopoeia for bird chirps. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery Branching out from photography onto canvas and installation work for the first time, Leung is also presenting the ‘Sauce’ series, applying the same mirrored techniques to create patterns reminiscent of Rorschach inkblot tests. Inspired by traditional Fu Lu Shou statues representing fortune, prosperity, and longevity, Leung uses foldable boards loaded with pigment to ‘find’ faces hidden in the paint. In contrast, Lousy – rather than focusing on the food aspect of dim sum – aims to capture the feeling of community and chaos experienced during a yum cha get-together. He paints and draws on top of old dim sum order sheets to give graphic form to the hustle and bustle of a Cantonese restaurant, depicting figures sat at a table, abstract interpretations of food, hands pouring tea, and more. Photograph: Courtesy JPS Gallery David and Lousy’s collaborations don’t end there. Lousy has teamed up with Wendy’s Wok World for a ‘Special Collab Soy Sauce’. 22 bottles of Tiu Yuen small-batch soy sauce are covered in custom packaging artwork created by Lousy. Meanwhile, Leung worked with chef May Chow of Little Bao to wrap 50 bottles of her handcrafted Fook Jiang chilli sauce in original ‘chilli sauce’ Rorschach artworks, bringing the food-focused project one degree closer to the art of Chinese cooking. ‘Double Umami’ is on exhibition at JPS Gallery from January 30 to March 7. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Art book publisher Taschen is having a huge sale in early February Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema

Art lovers and bookworms, our time has come! Premium art book publisher Taschen is once again coming back with their twice-yearly sale on their range of iconic, visually stunning coffee table books. Read on if you’re looking to spice up your bookshelf, or even stuck on a Valentine’s Day present. From February 5 to 8, you can get fantastic deals of up to 75 percent off on the Taschen website and in their flagship stores worldwide. These books span a wide range of categories including fashion, architecture, food, photography, travel, design, and of course art. We’re always scrolling through the Taschen catalogue and this season we’ve got our eyes on Spirit Worlds from ‘The Library of Esoterica’ series, a relatively new volume released last September exploring art’s relationship with death and other realms; The Gourmand’s Lemon, which deep dives into the literary, linguistic, historic, and gastronomic influence of lemons, and make us salivate the entire time; and the stunning Japan 1900: A Portrait in Colour, capturing the Land of the Rising Sun just as the country opened its doors to the world after two centuries of seclusion. Photograph: Courtesy Taschen The child in us who loved the Egyptology book is insisting that King Tut: The Journey through the Underworld is also on the list, which captures in detail Howard Carter’s historic excavation of the Egyptian boy king’s tomb. Meanwhile, we’re also loading our cart with Cultured Traveler from Taschen’s collaborative series with The New York Times, cataloguing – with gorgeous imagery – 100 fascinating travel destinations all over the world “for curious minds”. Photograph: Courtesy Taschen Taschen’s sale runs next week, on February’s first Thursday to Sunday, but in case you’d like to browse the tomes before purchasing, there is an exclusive early shopping day on Wednesday, February 4, held only in stores. Hong Kong’s Taschen flagship is located in Shop 01-G02, Police Headquarters Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Starbucks opens at the Hong Kong Palace Museum with Hong Kong’s first Chinese calligraphy shop sign and exclusive products Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema 30,000 poles, zero blueprints: How Hong Kong’s Master Lai built the world’s largest bamboo altar

Most of us are already familiar with Starbucks and its signature location-specific products, and while Hong Kong branches certainly stock a coveted collection, the San Francisco coffee chain’s new home inside the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) promises one-of-a-kind merchandise alongside beverage experiences that are fit for an emperor. Now open to the public, Starbucks’ new concept store brings tea-centred new menu items to an interior inspired by the museum’s Ming and Qing collections.  Photograph: Courtesy Starbucks The HKPM branch is the only Starbucks location in Hong Kong to sport a traditional Chinese calligraphy shop sign. The sign is modelled after those found on high streets during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the coffee brand’s Chinese name artfully crafted by local calligrapher Westley Wong. Other design highlights include a mural by local artist Elsa Ngai, depicting the life cycle of a coffee tree in detail through mineral pigments and clay-based paints, as well as installations by local sculptor Leo Wong that interprets the humble coffee plant with traditional shan shui painting styles.  These fitting additions to the café are accompanied by an exclusive plum-flavoured beverage line. Using sweet and sour plum sauce and whole plums as bases, visitors can pair this traditional Chinese flavour with Starbucks’ coffee or oolong tea and enjoy it warm or iced as a tonic. Another exclusive menu item, the Turmeric Oatmilk Latte, similarly incorporates oriental flavours into a beloved drink.  Photograph: Courtesy Starbucks / Hong Kong Palace Museum Meanwhile, those visiting the Starbucks’ WestK location on or after February 20 can enjoy two exhibition-exclusive items designed for the HKPM’s latest (and in our opinion, greatest) showcase, ‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums’. The Golden Pistachio Pyramid Cake and Mummy’s Secret Roll sausage roll playfully pairs ancient Egyptian icons with viral food trends to create delectable bites that visitors to the exhibition won’t want to miss.  Photograph: Courtesy Starbucks Beyond the food and beverage programme, visitors will find two exclusive Hong Kong Palace Museum collections at the Starbucks concept store. One takes ancient Egyptian iconography as inspiration for a series of demi mugs, tumblers, passport holders, and other lifestyle goods, while the other references the museum’s collection of imperial treasures from the Ming and Qing dynasties in its product design. Plus, HKPM’s Starbucks is the first concept store in Hong Kong to offer engraving services, so you can make your new travel mug purchase uniquely yours.  This special Starbucks is located at G/F, Hong Kong Palace Museum, 8 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Fujifilm releases a camcorder-instant camera hybrid in the instax mini Evo Cinema 30,000 poles, zero blueprints: How Hong Kong’s Master Lai built the world’s largest bamboo altar Hong Kong International Literary Festival is back this March for its 25th anniversaryv

If you’ve ever stared at your old Polaroid shots and wanted to see them move, or watched old video clips and wished you could capture a shot as a keepsake, we have good news. Fujifilm has just released their brand-new hybrid instant camera that combines video capabilities with their iconic instant photo prints, in a best-of-both-worlds package named the instax mini Evo Cinema. Apart from its ability to capture both still images and videos, the first feature we loved was its vertical grip design, inspired by Fujifilm’s Fujica Single-8 8mm camera from the 60s. The physicality of holding a piece of machinery aloft that isn’t just a smartphone or those discreet little cameras favoured by vloggers and influencers tickles our brain right – it’s reminiscent of using an old-school camcorder, even if the way you hold it and take shots is different. Photograph: Courtesy Fuji Photo Products Co. On the opposite end of the lens sits an LCD monitor that acts as both viewfinder and the digital screen to select favourite shots to print. Users can single out still images from their clips to be printed into an instant photo – these cleverly come printed with a QR code that links to the actual video itself. Of course, normal Polaroids unmarred by the hyper-digital touch of QR codes can also be printed like any of Fujifilm’s instant cameras as well. Another key feature of the mini Evo Cinema is the Eras Dial, which applies visual effects inspired by different eras in time. Think the texture of vintage CRT tv sets from the 70s. Controlled by a spinning dial on the edge of the camera, 10 effects are available to choose from, each with 10 adjustable levels, which means there are 100 possible variations of filters you can apply to shots. These can be used on both videos and still images – on videos they can even add audio effects – and we can already imagine they’re going to look sick on moody city shots and candid street portraits. Photograph: Courtesy Fuji Photo Products Co. There’s also a dedicated app that allows users to edit their videos by remixing clips and even add cinematic opening and ending templates. You can even print instant photos from your smartphone camera roll with the ‘Direct Print Function’, like with the instax mini Link or the mini Evo camera. So really, the mini Evo Cinema is like a three-in-one product, combining photos, videos, and printer functions in one stylish package. We don’t really know how Fujifilm is going to top this, but we’re definitely sat. In the meantime, excuse us while we run around the city shooting an indie film. The mini Evo Cinema is now available in Hong Kong, priced at $2,980. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 30,000 poles, zero blueprints: How Hong Kong’s Master Lai built the world’s largest bamboo altar Hong Kong International Literary Festival is back this March for its 25th anniversary Hikiniku to Come’s hambagu sister brand is launching in Hong Kong next month

Just last month, Hong Kong’s bamboo scaffolding for the Heung Jiao Festival in Kam Tin – also known as the Da Jiu Festival – garnered international acclaim when it officially got certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest temporary bamboo altar structure. Standing at five stories high and over 40,000 sq ft, this massive structure was erected using more than 30,000 bamboo poles, and took a team of 17 craftsmen 60 days to assemble. The man leading this ambitious project was Master Lai Chi-ming, who is now one of approximately 10 theatre scaffolders remaining in Hong Kong. “I don’t need drawings or blueprints; I can start building as soon as I arrive on the site,” Master Lai says with a smile. He fell into the trade in his youth, ‘stealing skills’ by following his father, accumulating experience with hands-on practice before eventually becoming a master craftsman in his own right. Building bamboo theatres is a very different animal than erecting scaffolding for buildings. The latter largely relies on the structure of the building for support, while a theatre scaffold is built from the ground up, essentially forming a ‘castle in the sky’. This process hinges entirely on the craftsman’s visual judgement and ability to picture and design the structure in his mind – this sort of mental gymnastics requires immense experience and is really not something that computer technology can easily replicate. Photograph: Jenny Chan The theatre houses Chinese opera performances known as Shengongxi and is erected in front of the ‘God’s altar’ on the festival grounds. Its central axis has to align perfectly with the altar to ensure that deities have a front-row seat to the performances. Armed with simple tools like saws, gimlets, and gloves, craftsmen deftly build the frame of structure with bamboo and fir timber then cover it with sheets of galvanised steel to provide shade and shelter. This means that such bamboo theatres look imposing, but are actually highly mobile, designed to be assembled and dismantled – a key characteristic that makes this slice of traditional Hong Kong craftsmanship and folk culture so iconic. In Hong Kong, there are two main kinds of bamboo theatres, artistically named the ‘Dragon Boat’ and the ‘Great Golden Bell’. The former is lower and flatter, with a simpler structure, and is typically seen in bamboo theatres for the Tin Hau Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival. For Kam Tin’s Da Jiu Festival, the ‘Great Golden Bell’ style was used for flair, comprising an additional layer of scaffolding on top of the basic ‘Dragon Boat’.  Photograph: Jenny Chan Traditional Chinese scaffolding has a long history with records dating back to the Han, Song, and Qing dynasties. Guangdong craftsmen fled war and political turmoil in mainland China and settled in Hong Kong, bringing these traditional skills with them and gradually refining techniques over the years, such as replacing thatch with galvanised steel sheets which decreased the risk of fires. There were once more than 10 companies which specialised in theatre scaffolding, but most of these have since shifted towards construction site work along with economic development in the city. The decline in younger generations entering the manual labour workforce has also meant that there are now only four traditional scaffolding companies in Hong Kong today. It’s worth remembering that this is a vital cultural legacy within this Asian region that’s well worth conserving, but often it is hard swimming against the currents of time. Kam Tin’s Da Jiu Festival is held once every 10 years, so if you’ve missed the most recent one, you’ll have to wait until 2035. We’ve just held the event’s 34th edition so this is a cultural phenomenon that has already spanned three centuries. In addition to Da Jiu, Master Lai also lends his skill to other celebrations such as the Taiping Qingjiao, the Hungry Ghost Festival, and the birthdays of deities like Hung Shing and Tin Hau – though these projects are usually on a much smaller scale. The next time you pass by such religious and community events, you might also want to stop and admire the bamboo structures that are a quiet testament to Hong Kong’s cultural heritage. Photograph: Leung Man Hei / AFP Despite understanding the unique qualities of his craft and its status as an intangible cultural heritage, Master Lai does not plan for his son to inherit the business and carry in his footsteps, nor does he actively recruit apprentices to pass on his knowledge. “It’s not easy to accept an apprentice,” he admits. “They need a determination to learn, a good memory, talent, and a willingness to perform physical labour. Few young people these days are willing to enter the trade.” Fortunately, there are some promising young talents within his team who could be capable of carrying on the craft of bamboo theatre scaffolding. Lai finds himself heartened by the international recognition of his Kam Tin scaffold, expressing that if he were to be invited to teach this art in the future, he would be more than happy to pass the torch on so Hong Kong’s traditional craftsmanship can thrive in another generation. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong International Literary Festival is back this March for its 25th anniversary Hikiniku to Come’s hambagu sister brand is launching in Hong Kong next month This Hong Kong restaurant is launching Sichuan-inspired pizzas for Lunar New Year

How time flies – the formidable Hong Kong International Literary Festival (HKILF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! In honour of its silver jubilee, HKILF is pulling out all the stops this March to present a diverse programme filled with author talks, literary lunches, workshops, showcases, cultural walks, trivia nights, and poetry events. With more than 60 events taking place from March 1 to 8, the 25th edition of HKILF is shaping up to be one for the books. An exciting lineup of authors has been announced, featuring the likes of award-winning Argentine-American writer Hernán Diaz, whose novel Trust was recognised with the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; acclaimed Indian writer Amitav Ghosh, who will discuss his upcoming work, Ghost-Eye; and Chinese writer Hu Anyan, who will present his poignant nonfiction memoir, I Deliver Parcels in Beijing. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong International Literary Festival Authors-slash-athletes Arshay Cooper and Bonnie Tsui will deep-dive into the power of movement and talk about Cooper’s Let Me Be Real With You: Inspiring Stories of Hope, Grit, and Redemption. Liann Zhang will discuss her debut thriller, Julie Chan is Dead, and Marga Ortigas will present her collection of essays, WTF? Women Turning Fifty. Food lovers will want to clear their schedule for Michael Zee, who will talk about his cookbook, Zao Fan: Breakfast of China, winner of the Fortnum & Mason Cookery Book Award 2025. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong International Literary Festival Marquees and talks will be hosted across venues such as the Hong Kong Central Library, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, Fringe Club, China Club, and Soho House. Programme details, venues and timings for individual talks and marquees, and ticketing arrangements will be released to the public soon. For now, check out the dedicated Eventbrite page for more information on the event schedule and to purchase tickets. More events and ticket sales will be added to the Eventbrite page by the end of January. Alongside HKILF 2026, the Young Reader’s Festival will run from March 2 to 13 to promote education and literacy opportunities. Students and children can join talks and workshops to engage with authors and learn about the art of creative writing. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hikiniku to Come’s hambagu sister brand is launching in Hong Kong next month This Hong Kong restaurant is launching Sichuan-inspired pizzas for Lunar New Year Hong Kong’s next big harbourfront project is the Kowloon waterfront promenade

The popular Japanese mascot series Namagaki is taking over Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong with a themed installation! Since Namagaki characters began popping up inside claw machines and arcades across town, so many hearts have been captured by their simple yet lovable designs and adorably blank expressions. The Namagaki Festival features a series of installations and exhibits for fans to take pictures with, as well as a charming merch pop-up with exclusive items for sale. Photograph: Courtesy Yell / Festival Walk At the centre of the installation is a four-metre-tall giant oyster can, where Namagaki characters spill out alongside rainbow-coloured sweets. Right next door is the pastel-coloured Namagaki Washoku House, where cute oyster characters act as chef and waiter at this makeshift traditional Japanese eatery. See if you can spot the pink pumpkins dotted around the space – it’s the installation’s discreet nod to the upcoming spooky season.  Beyond photo ops, fans will definitely delight in browsing through the themed pop-up store housing over 100 exclusive Namagaki products, including 80 first launches in Hong Kong that span everything from stationery to t-shirts and tote bags. Don’t forget to stop by the Namagaki claw machine and the collectible trading card capsule machine for an adorable surprise!  Photograph: Courtesy Festival Walk In the spirit of Halloween, Festival Walk is inviting visitors to trick or treat around designated stores in the mall. Exclusive to My Festival members, take part in this seasonal activity by purchasing a $1,000 gift card to receive a limited-edition Baby Namagaki birthstone bag charm and candy can clutch – where you can store your hard-earned sweets.  Namagaki Festival will be at Festival Walk from October 24 to November 13. See footage of the Namagaki Festival pop-up here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: 18 hotels in Hong Kong and Macau have been awarded 2025 Michelin Keys OneRepublic is coming back to Hong Kong in February 2026 The best Halloween parties in Hong Kong this year

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture display, there will also be a Water Parade Market at the promenade near Tamar Park. Aside from pop-up stores, F&B stands, game booths, photo spots, and a capsule toy zone, the market will also feature other internationally popular IPs from KPop Demon Hunters, season five of Stranger Things, Squid Games, Snoopy and the Peanuts, as well as Hong Kong’s classic TOLO Founding Duck, which is marking its 40th anniversary. Early-bird tickets to the festivities will be available at $50 for adults, starting at 12 noon on September 26. Walk-in tickets can also be purchased on site, subject to availability. All tickets include a $20 merchandise voucher, which can be redeemed cumulatively on purchases of every $200. Attendees can also buy a viewing platform special ticket at $150, which includes entry to the Water Parade Market. See some footage of the Water Parade here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: The best Oktoberfest events happening in Hong Kong this year The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (September 22-28) Super Typhoon Ragasa: Hong Kong braces for the strongest typhoon of the year as it approaches the city

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Hong Kong newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox Recommended stories: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place! 

Free on Tuesdays? Head over to Hugo's in TST for their unlimited steak and frites night, which also come with Caesar salad, a dessert, and plenty of tipples – just remember to wear loose pants.

G'day foodies! Renowned chef Shane Osborn has just opened a laidback Aussie-style cafe inspired by Australian pit stops. Perfect for a casual meal when in Central.

This arts month, don't miss Hong Kong's first ASMR exhibition that will give you all kinds of tingles.

This ‘Picasso for Asia’ exhibition is the first time that masterpieces from the Musée national Picasso-Paris are being shown alongside works from an Asian museum collection. Find out what makes the Spanish master of Cubism so influential – you have until mid-July!