Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Whether you love or hate gaming culture, it’s undeniably a large part of most people’s childhoods and hobbies even into adulthood. From the Magnavox Odyssey – the first home-use video gaming console – to the latest Nintendo Switch 2 release, gamers have seen the rise and fall of many trends and technologies from the 70s to the present day, and you can now reminisce on them all at this exhibition on gaming, its art and designs, and collective memories. Airside is hosting the ‘Restart! Beyond Gaming Exhibition!’, which explores how gaming extends beyond simple personal entertainment and has become an integral part of Hong Kong’s cultural tapestry. Check out the wall of gaming consoles to find vintage consoles such as the Atari 2600 from the 70s, the Nintendo Famicom from the 80s, over 300 Nintendo games from the 80s and 90s, and more – see how many of these consoles you recognise and once owned. Bringing back to the now-disappearing arcade, the exhibition allows you to redeem coins to try your hand at ‘The King of Fighters ‘98’ and ‘Bubble Bubble’. An interactive installation also transforms visitors into game characters from different eras. If you’ve ever wondered what you’d look like as an eight-bit pixelated dude, a 2-D ‘Street Fighter 2’ character, or a 3-D player from the early years of ‘Winning Eleven’, this is your chance to find out. Photograph: Courtesy Marti Wong / Nan Fung Group Hongkongers of a certain age will remember the ‘Little Fighter’ series by Marti Wong, a single- and multi-player beat ‘em up game released in 1995. Immensely popular in the 90s, its sequel was developed with Starsky Wong in 1999, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘Little Fighter 2’, the remastered game will feature an Airside-exclusive backdrop of the famous Kowloon Walled City for an added touch of Hong Kong heritage. If you have fond memories of video games, this exhibition is a must-visit. ‘Restart! Beyond Gaming Exhibition!’ runs from now until November 9 at the Gate33 Gallery in Airside, and admission is free. 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: ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government The coolest things to check out in Hong Kong this weekend (August 1-3) G-Dragon launches Zo&Friends pop-up in Hong Kong, inspired by his own cat

Ahead of G-Dragon’s concerts in Hong Kong, the K-pop star’s pet cat takes over our city with the Zo&Friends pop-up in Times Square. Inspired by his Scottish fold named Princess Zoa, GD has spent two years creating and designing this original IP, and the results can’t be any cuter. A large Zoa sits in the middle of Times Square’s second-floor atrium, surrounded by flowers and the daisy A&ne. According to the brand, Zoa looks cynical and even somewhat gloomy (it has a literal cloud hanging over its eyes) but hides a soft, gentle nature. Walk through and snap pictures at photo spots, explore Zoa’s room, and see plenty of artworks, decals, BTS captures, and more. Of course, what’s a good pop-up without some merch to bring home? There’ll be a range of Zo&Friends products on sale, such as soft toys, plush keychains, kitchenware, rugs, stickers, and wearable accessories. Visitors will need to register online before being allowed access to the pop-up store – make sure you get there early to queue up.  Visit GD’s cute cat and his daisy friend from now until August 31. 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: 4 Hong Kong ‘peaks’ will become the city’s next big tourism destinations A Scandinavian cafe and wine bar has just opened near Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan WestK unveils new season programmes, including Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival

Aside from our world-famous cityscape with towering skyscrapers, Hong Kong is also known for having plenty of lush nature and greenery with fantastic hiking trails. In a renewed governmental push, eco-tourism is going to be a key part of the strategy to boost our economy. Building on the increase of tourist arrivals in the city – which rose by 10 percent to exceed 16 million visitors in the first four months of 2025 compared to the year before – the Hong Kong government aims to strengthen our appeal to international travellers through promoting a ‘tourism is everywhere’ concept, pushing ecological and cultural attractions to meet changing preferences and travel patterns. Of the nine new ‘tourist hotspots’ named in the scheme’s blueprint in May, eco-tourism is set to be a major focus. Well-known hiking destinations such as the Peak, Tai Mo Shan, Lantau Peak, and Sai Kung will receive special attention as part of the ‘Four Peaks’ tourism project. Highlighting the city’s close proximity to nature, this green tourism strategy focuses on the Peak Trail (High West Section), the Ngong Ping Trail (Nei Lake Shan Section), the Sharp Island Country Trail, and Rotary Park to Tai Mo Shan Viewpoint, chosen for their accessibility, short routes, spectacular scenery, and convenient access to transportation. Upgrading trail facilities is going to be a crucial part of the transformation, including setting up hiking information boards and directional signage, and improving connections to nearby areas of interest, creating a seamless journey for nature lovers that lead to other parts of the city. These developments are planned to reach completion by the end of 2026. Other projects to be implemented include creating the Victoria Park Bazaar for cultural and creative activities, promoting Kowloon City, revitalising the former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier, and turning the former Yau Ma Tei Police Station into a museum. As Hongkongers like to say of large crowds, ‘people mountain people sea’ – so make plans to take in these majestic peaks before the jostling with international travellers begins! 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: A Scandinavian cafe and wine bar has just opened near Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan WestK unveils new season programmes, including Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival Hong Kong ranked as the city with the most skyscrapers in the world

If you’ve been to and liked the Norwegian-inspired cafe Hjem in Sheung Wan, you would have been sad to hear that it closed earlier in April this year. However, the good news is that the hospitality power couple behind Hjem, Nelson Htoo and Elin Fu, are now opening a new Nordic cafe within the same space! Venner, meaning ‘friends’ in Norwegian, is an all-day hangout that serves small-batch cakes, coffee, and curated natural wines. Instead of being just another pit stop for a cup of joe, the idea is for Venner to flow effortlessly from coffees and cakes to drinks and snacks as the day turns to night – the way Nordic cafes are run. Photograph: Courtesy Venner Their menu consists of baked goods that are all made in house, such as the classic cinnamon and cardamom bun ($48), rye sourdough skolebrød ($48), as well as a moreish breakfast plate ($88) with Jarlsberg cheese, homemade lingonberry jam, rye sourdough, and whipped butter. Caffeine addicts can expect medium- to light-roast coffees and ceremonial-grade matcha served straight or in seasonal flavours like matcha coconut ($55) or double matcha ($60). Some signature drinks from Hjem have also made it over into Venner, so we can enjoy their honey golden latte ($48) again. Come evening, the focus shifts to natural wines from small producers, presented on a rotational basis and served by the glass from $88. To go with the drinks, there will also be small plates including a savoury goat’s cheese cheesecake ($98) or dates with prosciutto and brie ($48), among others. Whether you want a chill place to hang out with a good coffee or a welcoming space for drinks with mates, Venner is set to be a friendly neighbourhood eatery that’ll have regulars in no time. Venner is located at 161 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, and is currently in their soft opening period. 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: WestK unveils new season programmes, including Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival Hong Kong ranked as the city with the most skyscrapers in the world Hongkongers prioritise health and longevity more than ever – but men would rather focus on tech

Good news for everyone who loves a good show – the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) has announced its programme for the 2025-2026 season, and its packed schedule of flagship events includes the WestK Cabaret Festival, a first for Hong Kong! Leading these artistic experiences in mid-August is the highly successful Cantonese musical The Impossible Trial, which is returning to Hong Kong for its third run after a mainland China tour. Visitors can also expect to see a mix of tradition and modernity at the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival, with a choice between three award-winning Chinese opera productions running from October 11 to 26. Jazz music lovers are going to be well catered for, with Freespace Jazz Festival coming back from November 6 to 9, presenting a dynamic blend of pop, jazz, and folk music; followed by legendary jazz vocalist and five-time Grammy-winner Dianne Reeves set to headline in November 2025 – an unmissable event in a season calendar of 30 programmes and 700 performances. Photograph: Courtesy Lee Chia-yeh Other notable performing arts during WestK’s 2025-2026 season include Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s Lunar Halo production, which promises to be a mesmerising blend of contemporary dance, LED visuals, and a soundtrack scored in collaboration with Icelandic band Sigur Rós. From November 20 to December 6, get moving with the third edition of Freespace Dance, where avant-garde movement works will explore the evolution of the dance medium – look out for a performance where Hong Kong’s iconic bamboo scaffolding culture meets a football match! Looking ahead to next year, WestK has decided to expand its highly acclaimed WestK Cabaret Nights which launched this May, presenting Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival at the Xiqu Centre in June 2026. Inspired by French traditions and delivered with a Hong Kong twist, the week-long festival will feature top artists, talented performers, and vibrant productions from around the world, showcasing the diverse elements of comedy, music, and theatrical storytelling that make cabaret such a joy to watch. With so much happening on the horizon, keep an eye out for more WestK event details on our page. 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 city with the most skyscrapers in the world Hongkongers are prioritising health and longevity more than ever before – but men would rather focus on tech The first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week

When you’re trying to come up with the image of a city crammed with soaring buildings, Hollywood would have you believe that New York City is the one place that comes to mind – remember all those sweeping shots of the NYC cityscape in everything from Gossip Girl and Sex and the City to Mad Men? But, the fact remains that it is not actually the world leader for skyscrapers – Hong Kong is! According to the UK’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, skyscrapers are buildings that measure 150 metres or taller. Hong Kong, with a relatively small amount of valuable land area sandwiched between mountainous terrain and the sea, has always chosen to expand upwards, and now boasts more than 550 completed skyscrapers, making us the city with the most skyscrapers in the world. The second place goes to our mainland Chinese neighbour Shenzhen, a mega-city that has more than 380 skyscrapers. With a skyline full of enormous buildings like the 115-storey Ping An Finance Center, there’s no doubt that the ‘Silicon Valley of China’ will be expanding its portfolio of architectural giants even further in the years to come. New York comes in at number three, with the city’s iconic builds like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and the residential towers of Billionaire’s Row making up over 320 skyscrapers. The other cities rounding out the top 10 cities with the most skyscrapers are Dubai, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Chicago, and Wuhan, respectively. Of course, with new buildings being constructed every day – especially within fast-moving Asian cities – these rankings are bound to be quite fluid. Check back again next year to see who lands where, but one thing’s for sure: no other city is coming near our skyscraper count any time soon. 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: Hongkongers prioritise health and longevity more than ever – but men would rather focus on tech The first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week McDonald’s Hong Kong releases Chiikawa Happy Meal toys

Even in our city known for its relentlessly fast pace and challenging work-life balance, the need for improved well-being and good health is growing – perhaps imperatively so. Aligning with global health trends, Hong Kong residents are showing a greater desire to prioritise better living instead of simply longer living. Manulife’s Asia Care Survey 2025 highlights a shift in mindset among participants, with 77 percent of respondents redefining health as the power to live well, live independently, and engage in fulfilling activities as part of their preferred lifestyles, not simply living illness-free. Hongkongers also appear to be embracing holistic ageing as part of life’s many milestones over maximising lifespan – almost 47 percent of respondents emphasise maintaining good physical and mental health in order to age gracefully, putting personal freedom, dignity, and purpose on equal footing with pursuing longevity, though achieving financial freedom comes at a close second at 41.3 percent. And how are Hongkongers addressing critical health issues? 68 percent of respondents are embracing preventative health, building up resilience, and taking care of mental health and emotional well-being – all factors identified as key concerns for attaining long-term vitality. Normal ageing is increasingly being seen as less of a negative thing to combat, and the focus is on maintaining a good quality of life instead.  However, another study shows that men have some catching up to do with regards to their health. According to AXA Global Healthcare, men in Hong Kong are less likely to seek help to address serious health issues. In fact, 95 percent of male respondents would rather allocate their time toward repairing broken tech devices than acting swiftly in the face of health concerns (33 percent). High levels of fatigue and stress don’t faze men either, with only 27 percent and 24 percent of respondents, respectively, answering that they would take action when coming across these symptoms in their day-to-day life. Unsurprisingly, money and professional responsibilities are on the top of their minds instead. 99 percent of men surveyed would immediately take care of a lost mobile phone, 98 percent would prioritise dealing with a lost bank card, and 96 percent would place high importance on responding to a missive from their boss – talk about being married to your work. AXA Global Healthcare’s study also shares that pet welfare takes an important seat at the table, with 72 percent of respondents likely to take quick action if their pet seemed unwell. Considering that number is higher than men opting to see a professional when faced with their own health (only 64 percent) – well, at least Fido’s well taken care of! 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 first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week McDonald’s Hong Kong releases Chiikawa Happy Meal toys A Hong Kong-exclusive panda twins Labubu debuts for our panda cubs’ birthday

Hong Kong woke up this morning on July 29 to find dark skies and extremely rainy weather. After rainfall steadily worsened, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal at 9.10am, which later got lowered to the Red Rainstorm Warning at 11.05am.  A broad trough of low pressure is the culprit bringing showers and thunderstorms to the coast of southern China today and tomorrow. As of 10am today, the tropical cyclone Co-May was also centred around 390 km east of Wenzhou, edging closer to the coast of eastern China as it moves across the East China Sea today and tomorrow. The weather for the rest of today will mainly be cloudy with showers and squally thunderstorms, with occasional showers and thunderstorms carrying over into tomorrow. In fact, according to the HKO forecast, there will be rain every day until next Wednesday, with the finest weather on this Thursday and Friday, July 31 and August 1, expected to bring sunny intervals between showers and thunderstorms. What is a Black Rainstorm? A Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued when heavy rain exceeding 70 ml in an hour is falling or is expected to fall over Hong Kong. As of 10.50am today, more than 100 ml of hourly rainfall has been recorded, which means this is a severe rainstorm. The HKO warns that the rain is particularly heavy in the Eastern and Southern districts, where there is an increased risk of landslides. Does this mean we don’t have to go to work or school? In general, if a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued early enough in the morning, then we don’t have to physically go in to work or school. However, since most students would already have arrived at school or at least enroute by the time the signal was issued this morning, they will have to stay where they are for safety reasons.  The same goes for office workers; employers should not require their employees to travel to work during Black Rainstorm conditions. If, however, you are already in office by that point, then you shouldn’t attempt to leave and return home. Employees working outdoors in exposed areas should stop work and seek shelter indoors. Keep an eye on the weather at the HKO 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: McDonald’s Hong Kong releases Chiikawa Happy Meal toys A Hong Kong-exclusive panda twins Labubu debuts for our panda cubs’ birthday Have you watched the 100 best Hong Kong movies of all time?

Hot on the heels of McDonald’s time-limited Chiikawa Days-themed menu items comes more collaboration products between the fast-food giant and these cute Japanese critters. McDonald’s Hong Kong is now releasing a range of Happy Meal toys on Chiikawa and friends, to be changed up each week. From now until the end of August, purchase a McDonald’s Happy Meal to receive a Chiikawa toy. There are eight versions altogether, with each type being offered on specific dates throughout the promotion period, so make sure you keep an eye on the dates to get your favourite. The Hachiware calendar will be released on July 28, followed by the Rakko measuring device on August 1, the Chiikawa pen holder on August 4, the Usagi hotcake box on August 8, the Momonga pen cap on August 11, the Hachiware photo frame on August 15, the Chiikawa notepad on August 18, and finally the Usagi sticker dispenser on August 22. Photograph: FB/mcdonaldshongkong | © Onagano / chiikawa committee Jul © 2025 McDonald's Customers who want to get their hands on their collectable toys must purchase a Cheese Egg Bun Happy Meal set or a four-piece McNuggets Happy Meal via the McDonald’s app to receive specific Chiikawa Days designs, released each Monday and Friday at 11am. After receiving a confirmation of purchase with a QR code, you can then pick up your meal with the toy at selected McDonald’s restaurants. Make sure you go collect them within the specific dates and times, otherwise it will be considered forfeit! Alternatively, you can also visit 40 specific McDonald’s branches in person to purchase your Chiikawa Happy Meal. Be sure you’re ordering from the list of approved branches, or ordering via the designated webpage via the McDonald’s app and not just the normal purchase interface, or you’ll end up with a random book from the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series instead (not bad, but that’s not what you’re here for). Which Chiikawa Days toy do you most want to get? 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: A Hong Kong-exclusive panda twins Labubu debuts for our panda cubs’ birthday Hong Kong is getting two special-edition Chiikawa Days Octopus cards Giant Crybaby installations take over Festival Walk, with a Pop Mart pop-up store

You know how you’ve made it in life when you get an Hermès bag named after you, like the Birkin or the Kelly? Well, Hong Kong’s twin panda cubs have definitely made it to celebrity status from the moment they were born, now further solidified with the fact that popular collectable Labubu is releasing a special figurine in honour of the cubs’ birthday. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has teamed up with Ocean Park, where the bears are homed, and the creator of Labubu, Kasing Lung, to debut a limited-edition Labubu x Panda Twins birthday collectable. The whimsical figurine features a bamboo green Labubu in a polka dot party hat, happily cradling two baby pandas in its arms. Fans of original artwork will enjoy that this doll is designed after Lung’s older drawings of his ubiquitous Nordic monster, instead of the rounded, fuzzy versions we’re used to seeing on plush keychains. You’ll need a spot of luck to get your hands on these limited-edition Labubus. All visitors to Ocean Park Hong Kong – Hong Kong citizens and travellers alike – can now pre-register to join a lucky draw taking place from August 1 to 31, for a chance to win a panda birthday gift box containing the Labubu figurine. The set comes in a custom gift box and also includes a handcrafted birthday card from Lung himself. There will only be approximately 300 gift boxes available during this stage of the celebrations, so get your entry in quickly. Additional birthday-edition Labubu boxes will be available during the pandas’ birthday celebrations from August 15 to 17, so check back from more details soon. 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 is getting two special-edition Chiikawa Days Octopus cards Giant Crybaby installations take over Festival Walk, with a Pop Mart pop-up store All Hong Kong taxis are required to accept e-payment from April 2026

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!

These cool (and just a tad creepy) faceless sculptures are here for the whole of Hong Kong Arts Month, so make time in your diary to visit this month

What is villain hitting and why are old ladies beating paper with a shoe for $50? Of all the weird and wonderful traditions we have in Hong Kong, this one is definitely up there.