Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Finally, the King of K-pop G-Dragon (GD) is almost here in Hong Kong! The multitalented rapper, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and global fashion icon announced in March 2025 the Asia leg of his Übermensch solo world tour, just shortly after releasing his third studio album ‘Übermensch’ in February, which was a long 12-year wait since his second studio album.  The K-pop star kicked off the tour on March 29 and 30 in South Korea at Goyang Stadium. He then continued the tour in May, hitting up locations such as Japan, the Philippines, Macau, Taiwan, and Indonesia, before rounding things off in Hong Kong. When and where is G-Dragon’s Hong Kong concert? K-pop fans couldn’t be more excited to see Hong Kong on the list of concert locations for G-Dragon’s Übermensch tour. The K-pop star was originally scheduled to perform in Hong Kong for two nights on August 9 and 10. But due to overwhelming demand for tickets, he has added another date to the Hong Kong leg, so we’ll be seeing him on August 8, 9, and 10, 2025, at the AsiaWorld-Expo. What is the Übermensch concert setlist? Here are the songs that G-Dragon performed on his March 29 show in Goyang. Act I Intro + Power Home Sweet Home Super Star Middle Fingers Up One of a Kind R.O.D (feat. CL) The Leaders Crayon Act II Bonamana That XX Butterfly I Love It Who You Today Crooked Act III Heartbreaker Bullshit Take Me Too Bad Drama Encore A Boy This Love 1 Year IBelongiiu Untitled, 2014 Home Sweet Home Of course, this setlist is always subject to change. For example, since G-Dragon’s May 10 show in Tokyo, ‘Gyro-Drop’ was performed during the encore and ‘A Boy’ was moved to Act III. In the Philippines show, ‘Middle Fingers-Up’ was not performed and was replaced by ‘MichiGo’ instead, while ‘Untitled, 2014’ was not performed in his Macau concert in June. It remains to be seen what the full Hong Kong setlist will be, but they’ll all be bangers regardless. Photograph: Courtesy Galaxy Corporation Any special admission arrangements? Audiences are encouraged not to bring bags or backpacks to the concert – there will be express admission lanes for those who are going free and easy. This request is especially valid for those who are in the free standing zone, where bulky personal belongings can get in the way of people around you enjoying themselves.  Admission to the standing zone is based on the queue number printed on your admission ticket. The holding area for this zone opens four hours before the concert starts, and standing zone ticket holders can enter the hall three hours before showtime. Once admission to the event hall starts, the queuing number on the ticket won’t matter any more, and any arrivals after admission commences will have to wait until everyone already in the holding area has gone in, no matter what the queue number on your ticket is. Can I re-enter the concert hall? If you need to leave and re-enter the venue, you’ll need to present a re-entry token along with the original concert admission ticket to be allowed back in. For concertgoers in the standing zone, there may also be security wristbands handed out at bag or ticket checkpoints, and this will also need to be shown with the re-entry token and concert ticket for re-entry. What items are not allowed? See below for a list of items prohibited from the concert venue: Professional cameras Video and voice recorders Stools and folded chairs Long umbrellas Selfie sticks Outside food and beverages Glass bottles Inflated objects like balloons Remote-controlled aerial devices or toys Fireworks, pyrotechnic products, or laser devices All bags must also fit within the dimensions of 38cm x 30cm x 20cm. Articles bigger than this, plus any restricted items, must be stored at the baggage storage counter or self-service lockers in AsiaWorld-Expo. Photograph: Courtesy Galaxy Corporation How to get to AsiaWorld-Expo The easiest way to reach the AsiaWorld-Expo is via the Airport Express, which takes only 28 minutes from Hong Kong MTR station or 25 minutes from Kowloon MTR station. On select event days, you can show your concert ticket at Airport Express counters to redeem a same-day return on your Octopus card for just $65. A variety of buses also run to and from Hong Kong island, Kowloon, New Territories, and Lantau Island, stopping at Skycity Transport Terminal, which is under the 11 Skies mall. From there, AsiaWorld-Expo is easily accessible via covered footbridges. Taxis also service the AsiaWorld-Expo – just make sure you get dropped off at the east lobby entrance which is pretty much right around Hall 1. Otherwise, alighting at the west lobby entrance will mean walking the length of the AsiaWorld-Expo.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by AEG Presents Asia (@aegpresentsasia)  Full list of dates and locations for G-Dragon’s Übermensch world tour 2025 May 10-11, 2025: Tokyo, Tokyo Dome  May 17, 2025: Bulacan, Philippine Arena  May 25-26, 2025: Osaka, Kyocera Dome  June 7-8, 2025: Macau, Galaxy Arena  July 12-13, 2025: Taipei, Taipei Arena  July 19-20, 2025: Kuala Lumpur, Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil  July 26, 2025: Jakarta, Indonesia Arena  August 8-10, 2025: Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo  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 reading: Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong: What you need to know about this mosquito-borne illness G-Dragon’s global Übermensch exhibition arrives in Hong Kong this month See Wan Chai through the eyes of Hong Kong writers with these literary walking tours

Last week, Hong Kong recorded its first case of chikungunya fever since 2019, swiftly followed by three more confirmed cases by Wednesday, August 6. The unfamiliar nature of the virus, more commonly seen in South and Southeast Asia, is giving rise to a lot of questions and concerns among Hong Kong residents fearful of an outbreak. From 2016 to 2019, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health recorded between one and 11 imported cases of chikungunya fever cases per year, with no new cases being reported in the city since then – until now, that is. Here’s what you need to know about chikungunya fever, the symptoms, how to prevent it, and more. What is chikungunya fever? Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne illness, transmitted to humans through the bite of the female Aedes mosquitoes, which carries the virus. Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is common in Hong Kong and can transmit chikungunya by biting affected individuals during the early stages of infection, when the patient still carries a large amount of the virus in their blood, and passing on the virus through further bites. How did the Hong Kong patients get chikungunya fever? A 12-year-old boy was reported to be Hong Kong’s first imported case of chikungunya fever since 2019. It is believed that he was infected in Foshan in Guangdong province between July 17 and 30, when he travelled to the Shunde district with his mother. Last week, the boy developed symptoms, and he was confirmed to have been infected with the chikungunya virus on Saturday, August 2, after being admitted to United Christian Hospital the previous day for treatment. His condition is now stable, the CHP reported. On Wednesday, August 6, three more cases of chikungunya fever were confirmed in Hong Kong, all of them imported cases. A 79-year-old woman started experiencing symptoms after travelling to Foshan in July, while a 55-year-old man and his 10-year-old son developed symptoms around late July and early August after travelling to Bangladesh between July 12 and August 3.  Is it contagious? Fortunately, chikungunya is not contagious between humans. Dr Edwin Tsui, controller of the CHP, said in an official press release that chikungunya fever ‘is not transmitted from person to person’, so it cannot be caught directly from an infected patient. What are the symptoms? Once bitten by a mosquito carrying the infection, patients will develop symptoms in the span of three to seven days. Similar to dengue fever, another mosquito-borne virus, chikungunya symptoms can manifest as a fever, rashes, inflammation, and joint pain, but the effects are reported to be milder than dengue fever. Individuals with weak immunity and other pre-existing health conditions may be more severely affected by chikungunya. In most cases, symptoms begin to alleviate in about a week, but in severe cases of chikungunya fever, discomfort in the joints can last for months or even years. Photograph: Shutterstock How is chikungunya treated? At the moment, chikungunya is treated with medication designed for relieving pain, fever, and inflammation, as there is no medicine or treatment that targets the virus specifically. Is there a vaccine? Not in Hong Kong at this time. A spokesperson for the CHP has shared that research into chikungunya vaccines is still ongoing. Wong Hoi-kei, senior medical and health officer of the CHP, said that ‘chikungunya vaccines are a relatively new thing, and they have not been widely used by any country and region.’ In the US, two chikungunya vaccines are on the market – however, these have not been approved for use in Hong Kong (yet). Is there likely to be an outbreak in Hong Kong? It’s too early to say if the chikungunya virus has already been locally transmitted within the city, though – with the high flow of travellers to and fro mainland China – it is likely that Hong Kong may see more imported cases in the coming days and weeks, which could lead to a greater risk of local transmission.  Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has raised concerns about the spread of the chikungunya virus and called for urgent action to prevent an epidemic. In an official government press release, Dr Tsui comments that environments with serious mosquito infestations can also lead to a large-scale outbreak of chikungunya.  Health authorities in Hong Kong are already gearing up to respond to the possibility of an increase in cases. Mosquito prevention measures are being put in place across districts, with targeted control actions being carried out at sites suspected of higher infestation risks to eliminate adult mosquitoes and mosquito breeding grounds, and remove stagnant water. How bad is the chikungunya fever situation in mainland China? Cases of chikungunya fever have surged in various places in mainland China, with Shunde district in Foshan logging a significant number – about 5,660 cases as of last week – but there have been no fatalities thus far. Foshan has recorded more than 7,000 chikungunya fever cases since July, and the outbreak is still ongoing. Experts believe that as many as 30 to 70 percent of residents in Shunde may already be infected by the chikungunya virus. Infections in 12 other cities in Guangdong province, such as Guangzhou, Zhongshan, and Dongguan, have also been reported, with Chinese authorities sharing updates that all reported cases have been mild and patients are recovering. What to do to prevent it Avoiding mosquito bites is going to be the best way to prevent potential infection, so layer up on insect repellant and DEET, and wear loose clothing that covers your arms and legs. Removing stagnant water or potential mosquito breeding grounds in your home and frequently occupied spaces will also go a long way. As there are no widely used rapid testing kits available for chikungunya fever, the CHP urges individuals who develop symptoms or have recently returned from places with notable chikungunya cases to consult a medical professional as soon as possible to aid in early identification and safeguard public health to minimise risk of local transmission. 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: G-Dragon’s global Übermensch exhibition arrives in Hong Kong this month See Wan Chai through the eyes of Hong Kong writers with these literary walking tours Liverpool FC lands in Hong Kong with a new flagship store

G-Dragon is taking the Hong Kong stage for his Übermensch concert soon, but if you haven’t managed to get tickets, you can still enjoy a slice of this K-pop legend’s star power with his Übermensch media exhibition.  The show was first launched in March this year to accompany GD’s latest album release and quickly became a viral sensation, drawing global fans through its doors when it toured to Tokyo and Taipei. Now, Hong Kong VIPs will also have the chance to experience GD’s creative universe with cutting-edge technology and art for themselves. A combination of virtual reality, 3D motion graphics, and real-time hologram projections will bring visitors into the heart of G-Dragon’s newest single ‘Take Me’, offering an immersive concert experience like no other. Photograph: Courtesy Galaxy Corporation / SEEIN Multiple 5G-powered hologram projectors throughout the venue will also screen life-like performances of ‘Take Me’ and ‘IBelongIIU’, bringing the K-pop star closer to fans than ever before – it’ll certainly feel closer than watching him in concert. The Tokyo and Taipei editions of the exhibition used projection technology, but the Hong Kong show will feature double-sided LED screens arranged along a corridor, paired with immersive sound design, to truly make it feel like G-Dragon himself is guiding fans through his unique universe. The exhibition will be split into three zones, so don’t miss the special art installations such as the ‘Daisy Garden’, where a giant 4.4-metre daisy stands as the centrepiece. Official merchandise that is exclusive to the Übermensch exhibition will also be brought in from Korea and available for sale on-site – look out for special limited-edition gift sets and the chance to collect the G-Dragon art series in full. ‘G-Dragon Media Exhibition: Übermensch Hong Kong’ will run in Harbour City from August 15 to September 7. Tickets cost $188, and will be sold exclusively on Klook from August 11 at 12 noon. 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 Wan Chai through the eyes of Hong Kong writers with these literary walking tours Liverpool FC lands in Hong Kong with a new flagship store Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong’s pet-friendly buses

If you’re a bit of a bookworm with a soft spot for Hong Kong’s cultural history, then this event should interest you. The Museum of Hong Kong Literature (MHKL), in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), has organised a series of literature-themed tours of Wan Chai, integrating local stories of the neighbourhood with literary elements and history. This ‘Touring Wan Chai with Locals’ series is part of the URA’s efforts to preserve and highlight the individual characteristics of neighbourhoods while revitalising them. Starting from the group of pre-war Grade II historic buildings on 7 Mallory Street named M7, the tour focuses on revitalisation projects in Wan Chai, as well as historical or specialty architecture, streets, and shops, highlighting sights around town that you may otherwise overlook in our busy everyday lives. The tours will be conducted by local Hongkongers who know Wan Chai like the back of their hands, supplemented by research from the MHKL on literature that has mentioned this area’s history, culture, native ways of living, and places of interest, bringing to life people and events that have ties to Wan Chai. Expect to see this corner of Hong Kong through the eyes of local and visiting writers such as Eileen Chang, Yesi Leung Ping-kwan, and Xiaosi, who have all recorded their memories of Wan Chai in their published works. Photograph: Courtesy Wallce Chan / URA Some of the locations covered in these tours include the old Wan Chai Market, Blue House, the old Wan Chai Post Office, Spring Garden Lane, as well as 186-190 Queen’s Road East. Make sure to grab a ‘tour passport’, available at M7 and select locations along the route, so you can collect specially designed stamps to document your journey. The tours are free to attend, and interested parties can register to be chosen via lottery. ‘Touring Wan Chai with Locals’ will run on August 10, 13, 20, 24, and 27. Since Hongkongers are such foodies, there will also be a special tour session that combines literary stories with Wan Chai’s food spots, led by Dr Ames Siu Yan-ho, who is a university lecturer with a passionate focus on Hong Kong food culture. While munching your way across Wan Chai, attendees of this session will learn about the origins of Cantonese cuisine, this history of cha chaan tengs, how to properly enjoy Hong Kong-style milk tea, and more. This foodie tour will take place on August 16, and registration opens on August 10. 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: Liverpool FC lands in Hong Kong with a new flagship store Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong’s pet-friendly buses A Hong Kong university makes breakthrough with new shellfish allergy discoveries

Calling all Liverpool FC fans – there’s a whole new reason to visit Kai Tak Sports Park besides live football matches and sold-out Coldplay shows. Before the club’s recent pre-season blockbuster match against AC Milan at the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025, the Reds unveiled their first official store in the Greater China region, marking the club’s 20th standalone retail destination in the world. Naturally, there’s no finer place to plant their flag in the ground than at the swish Kai Tak Mall. Hardcore football fans looking to snap up a wide range of branded merchandise could hardly ask for a better shopper’s paradise. From official jerseys, accessories, and apparel to collectibles exclusive to Hong Kong and the newest product drops, the LFC standalone store is stocked with an extensive selection, and there’s even an apparel display mimicking the team’s dressing room at the Anfield stadium – we predict photo ops galore. Photograph: Courtesy Lawrence Fung / Kai Tak Sports Park Hong Kong wasn’t chosen at random to receive this particular honour. With three Official Liverpool Supporters Clubs in place, a 1.2 million-strong fan base, and 3.9 million viewers tuning in across the 2023-2024 season, our city boasts a significant number of Liverpool FC fans, and the market continues to be an important one for LFC. Sir Kenny Dalglish, a Liverpool FC legend who played for the Reds from 1977 to 1990, and later became their manager, made an appearance at the opening to launch the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Head on over to snag one of the special shirts worn by the Reds during their pre-season match in Hong Kong – fans can get them custom-printed for a limited time only. 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: Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong’s pet-friendly buses A Hong Kong university makes breakthrough with new shellfish allergy discoveries The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (August 4-10)

Ever since Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) launched its pet-friendly bus services, the response has been overwhelmingly positive in Hong Kong’s pet owners. After all, in a city where dogs are not allowed on public transportation and the only option for travelling with pets is to drive or order taxis and Ubers (which gets costly), an affordable bus alternative is a god-send. KMB has gamely added new routes to service more people, with stops now available in neighbourhoods like To Kwa Wan, Sham Tseng, Stanley, and more. Read on to find out more about week day pet bus routes, monthly tickets, and August-exclusive adventure buses. What is KMB’s Pet-Friendly Island Day Trips event? For three days in the month of August, KMB’s pet buses will run to the more far-flung locations of Cheung Sha Beach, Shek Pik Reservoir, and Tai O. Each of the ‘tour’ days will stop by different pick-up and drop-off points, such as Tung Chung, Yuen Long, and Science Park, to allow more pet owners around Hong Kong to experience the bus services. The day trips will last for around eight hours each with itineraries in place, so all you have to do is show up. What are the schedules for KMB’s Pet-Friendly Island Day Trips? KMB’s August 3 trip departing from Sheung Shui, Tai Po, and Tung Chung has already finished, but here are the schedules for the other two pet day trips this month. August 24 trip: Departing from Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, and Tung Chung Bus route: 9.10am pick-up at Long Ming Street in Yuen Long, 9.30am at V City in Tuen Mun, 10am at Tung Chung station on Tat Tung Road → Upper and Lower Cheung Sha Beach (stay for 45 to 60 minutes) → Shek Pik Reservoir (stay for 30 to 45 minutes) → Tai O (stay for two and a half hours) → 4.10pm drop-off at Tung Chung, 4.30pm at V City, 5pm at Yuen Long August 31 trip: Departing from Science Park, Tai Wai, and Tung Chung Bus route: 9.10am pick-up at Fo Yin Road in Science Park, 9.30am at Exit A of Tai Wai MTR station, 10am at Tung Chung station on Tat Tung Road → Upper and Lower Cheung Sha Beach (stay for 45 to 60 minutes) → Shek Pik Reservoir (stay for 30 to 45 minutes) → Tai O (stay for two and a half hours) → 4.10pm drop-off at Tung Chung, 4.30pm at Tai Wai MTR station, 5pm at Science Park How much is it to join KMB’s Pet-Friendly Island Day Trips? Tickets can be purchased via KMB’s App1933 mobile app. One passenger with one pet will cost $228, while two people with one pet will cost $398. After selecting your route and date, and completing purchase, a confirmation email will be sent and a QR code generated within the app itself. On the day of your adventure, simply scan the QR code upon boarding.  For both this special event and other pet-friendly bus routes, tickets will need to be booked in advance, so don’t rock up to the bus spots with your dog in tow expecting to be able to swipe your Octopus card as usual. Photograph: Courtesy KMB What’s the latest with KMB’s pet-friendly bus routes? From mid-July, KMB has launched eight brand-new bus routes to four popular destinations for pet-owners, including Go Park Sai Sha, the West Kowloon Cultural District, the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point, and Ma Wan. Pick-up and drop-off stops have also been increased, adding the areas of To Kwa Wan, Sham Tseng, Stanley, Repulse Bay, and The Mills in Tsuen Wan to the pet-friendly routes for the first time. Tickets for one passenger with one pet will cost $60, while two passengers and a pet will pay $90 – this will allow you to hop on and off stops for an unlimited amount of times for one day along a route. What are the newest routes for KMB’s pet-friendly buses? Route PB1A to Go Park Sai Sha (double-decker bus and coach) Kwai Fong ⇋ Tsuen Wan West ⇋ Sha Tin ⇋ Go Park Sai ShaDeparts Kwai Fong every Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PB1B to Go Park Sai Sha (coach) Kai Tak ⇋ To Kwa Wan ⇋ Diamond Hill ⇋ Tai Wai ⇋ Go Park Sai ShaDeparts Kai Tak every Sunday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PB2A to West Kowloon Cultural District (coach) Yuen Long ⇋ Tsuen Wan ⇋ Nam Cheong ⇋ West KowloonDeparts Yuen Long every Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PB2B to West Kowloon Cultural District (double-decker bus and coach) Tuen Mun ⇋ Gold Coast ⇋ Sham Tseng ⇋ Olympic ⇋ West KowloonDeparts Tuen Mun every Sunday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PB3A to East Coast Boardwalk in North Point (coach) Kowloon Tong ⇋ Mong Kok ⇋ Ho Man Tin ⇋ Causeway Bay ⇋ North PointDeparts Kowloon Tong every Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PB3B to East Coast Boardwalk in North Point (double-decker bus and coach) Stanley ⇋ Repulse Bay ⇋ Central ⇋ Wan Chai ⇋ Causeway Bay ⇋ North PointDeparts Stanley every Sunday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PBS1 to Ma Wan (double-decker bus and coach) Central ⇋ Wan Chai ⇋ West Kowloon Cultural District ⇋ Mei Foo ⇋ Tsing Yi ⇋ Ma WanDeparts Central every Saturday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour Route PBS2 to Ma Wan (coach) Tung Chung ⇋ Tsuen Wan ⇋ Kwai Fong ⇋ Tsing Yi ⇋ Ma WanDeparts Tung Chung every Sunday, from 10am to 6pm; one bus per hour What other services do KMB’s pet-friendly buses provide? KMB has recently also added weekday services to their pet-friendly routes, so your adventures are not just limited to the weekends! Every Friday, this bus runs between Tsuen Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui, because happy Fridays are for pets too. Route PBW1 (double-decker bus and coach)Tsuen Wan ⇋ Mei Foo ⇋ Olympic ⇋ West Kowloon ⇋ East Tsim Sha TsuiDeparts Tsuen Wan and East Tsim Sha Tsui every Friday, from 12 noon to 6pm; one bus every two hours Photograph: Courtesy KMB What is the pet bus monthly pass? If you’re planning on using the pet bus services a lot, it would definitely be worth getting a monthly pass. At $100 for one passenger with one pet, and $150 for two passengers with one pet, pet owners can enjoy unlimited rides on KMB’s pet-friendly buses for 30 days. The monthly pass covers all normal routes and does not include the special trips or activities of the month, and is not transferable to another person who did not purchase the pass. At just a fraction more than a single-day ticket, this is an absolute steal for outdoorsy pups and their owners. How to use KMB’s pet-friendly buses As mentioned earlier, passengers will need to pre-book their pet bus tickets. Make sure you arrive before the scheduled departure time, because late arrivals will not be refunded. However, passengers who have missed their pre-book slot can wait to be assigned on the next service if there is an available spot, at no extra cost. Track the pet buses’ schedules on KMB’s app to avoid this hassle. The back row of buses, including the last row on the top deck, will be prioritised for cat owners, so felines can be separated from other pets that might alarm them. There is no standing room on pet buses, and all passengers will need to remain seated for the journey. Passengers who have been booked on the same ticket will need to board and alight together; if pick-up and drop-off points are different, a new ticket will need to be purchased. 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 university makes breakthrough with new shellfish allergy discoveries The best things to do in Hong Kong this week (August 4-10) Hong Kong unsettled by the fourth Black Rainstorm this month

In a big step towards fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies of shellfish allergies and what triggers them, the Chinese University of Hong Kong has discovered that not all crabs have to be off-limits to those with sensitivities. An in-depth study has allowed the team to isolate 11 allergens from six types of commonly consumed crabs, testing them against more than 60 serum samples from patients with shellfish allergies. Remarkably, CUHK’s findings revealed eight new, previously unknown proteins that trigger allergies in patients, a breakthrough discovery that could pave the way for doctors to give more tailored recommendations to those suffering from allergic reactions on what to avoid when consuming shellfish. Professor Leung Ting-fan noted this as a significant revelation, since shellfish allergies differ from one individual to the next. Among the allergens identified in crab, tropomyosin (TM) and arginine kinase (AK) are major finds, indicating their high allergenic potential. Defining the proteins that cause severe allergic reactions can help experts in pinpointing which specific types of crab or seafood are safe for consumption. However, a bit of bad news: king crab – a popular delicacy in Hong Kong – was found to carry a particular protein, malate dehydrogenase (MDH), which causes increased levels of allergic reactions. Leung explains that MDH is common among other crabs without triggering sensitivities, but this “unique kind of crab allergen” may be due to the king crab not being considered a “true crab,” as it’s more closely related to the hermit crab family. Better keep away from those king crab legs at the next seafood buffet spread! 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 things to do in Hong Kong this week (August 4-10) Hong Kong unsettled by the fourth Black Rainstorm in a week Hong Kong’s panda twins Labubu hangs out with Hollywood stars, thanks to Michelle Yeoh

Remember last week when we were all abuzz with our first Black Rainstorm alert of the year? We clearly spoke too soon, because over the last few days Hong Kong has been pelted hard with rain, with the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issuing our fourth Black Rainstorm Warning Signal in a week today. The city went to bed last night amidst a Black Rainstorm, which was hoisted at 11.45pm on August 4 and ended at 2.10am on August 5, but by 5.50am this morning it had worsened into the highest-level rainstorm warning again, which is still in force at the time of publication and will likely remain in place until at least 3pm, according to the HKO. While intense thundery showers associated with an active southwest monsoon and upper-air disturbances continue to affect Hong Kong, the public is warned that there will be violent gusts, the possibility of flash floods, road flooding, and traffic congestions around the city.  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 the territories. This time, recorded rainfall over Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the Islands district has exceeded 150 ml over the past couple of hours. How has Hong Kong been affected? 32 passengers on a double-decker Citybus and a minibus in Tseung Kwan O had to be rescued by police officers after both vehicles broke down in waters two feet deep on Monday night. Two cases of flooding in Ma On Shan and Tso Wo Hang have been reported, and an open-air carpark in Tseung Kwan O has had waters rising to more than halfway up the park vehicles. Castle Peak Road near Kwai Chung is also experiencing flooding, with several lanes closed off. The entirety of the Garden Road flyover near the Bank of China Tower, as well as all lanes on Lung Cheung Road near Ngau Chi Wan Village leading towards Kwun Tong have also been closed. Photograph: Isaac Lawrence/AFP Is there any transport running? Due to severe floodings or landslides, KMB routes 51, 91, 91M, 92, 94 and HK1 have been suspended, with a number of other routes diverted. Citybus routes are operating as usual, but journey times may be delayed due to road conditions. Similarly, all MTR lines are operating normally, but it would be prudent to expect some delays, especially if the line has overground sections. Are offices, schools, and medical services closed? In general, if a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning is issued early enough in the morning, then Hongkongers don’t have to physically go in to work or school. Since the Black Rainstorm began in the early hours of this morning, students would not have been expected to attend classes. All-day schools and morning classes have been suspended for today, while evening school classes will proceed as usual if it is not a Red or Black Rainstorm any more by 5pm. A&E services at Queen Mary Hospital have been affected by serious flooding in the area, and ambulances originally bound for Queen Mary have been diverted to Ruttonjee Hospital instead. According to the Department of Health, all clinics, except for those serving methadone, will be closed for now. Services will resume if the Black Rainstorm signal is cancelled two hours or more before the clinics’ normal closing times. What’s the weather for the rest of the week? According to the HKO, the weather will remain unsettled tomorrow on August 6, with heavy showers. These should ease off gradually on Thursday, August 7, followed by very hot weather in the following days – the thermostat is forecast to reach 33 degrees Celsius from Friday until next Tuesday. 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: Hong Kong’s panda twins Labubu hangs out with Hollywood stars, thanks to Michelle Yeoh Catch popular Hong Kong musicians and new talents at this music festival Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQIA+ event Pink Dot cancels 2025 edition after venue backs out

In case you haven’t already heard, the latest collectable on the market is Hong Kong’s exclusive panda twins Labubu, released in celebration of our panda cubs, Jia Jia and De De, turning one year old. Regular Joes like us will have to enter a lucky draw for a chance to get our hands on this limited-edition figurine, but meanwhile, the little guy has already made his way to Hollywood. Our queen and iconic actor Michelle Yeoh was gifted a panda twins Labubu, and has already been seen bringing him to star-studded events. She attended a special production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl and posted a series of photos on her Instagram posing with the Labubu and her celebrity friends. Cynthia Erivo, who plays the titular role of Jesus in the production, was featured holding the Hong Kong figurine with Yeoh, as was their Wicked co-star Jeff Goldblum, along with his wife Emilie Livingston. In her Instagram caption, Yeoh also wished our panda twins a happy birthday, adding that it is also in honour of her own birthday celebrations (coming up on August 6). Oh, to be a silly little Nordic monster hanging out with these film and theatre legends! Are you going to try your luck getting a Labubu x Panda Twins birthday collectable? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Yeoh 楊紫瓊 (@michelleyeoh_official) 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: Catch popular Hong Kong musicians and new talents at this music festival Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQIA+ event Pink Dot cancels 2025 edition after venue backs out ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government

Hong Kong’s music scene has long served as an incubator of influential pop artists and performers – just look at the enduring cultural impact of the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop, Anita Mui, and Leslie Cheung! If you’re looking for a dose of exciting music performances shining a spotlight on local Hong Kong musicians, clear your schedule this August for the Gimme LiVe Music Festival at Mira Place. Now in its 13th year, the Gimme LiVe Music Festival retains bragging rights as the first shopping mall music festival in the city, providing emerging musicians and songwriters with a stage and an opportunity to shine. Over four consecutive Saturdays (August 9, 16, 23, and 30), well-known music producer Terry Chui leads the pack as the event’s music consultant, curating the lineup of up-and-coming artists as part of the ‘Voice Arise’ theme – he’ll even join them for live jams on three weekends. As for star power, confirmed acts include popular bands and musicians such as Dear Jane, Kiri T, On Chan, and Gordon Flanders; local indie groups like The Hertz, ROVER, and Locksmiths; and singers and songwriters Chantel Yiu, Dale, Emiko Tsui, Arvin Tsang, Bernard Chan, and many more. With five different acts on the bill each weekend, there’s something for every music lover. Busking showcases are also taking place on Friday evenings, opening up the stage for even more musical potential. From July 31 onwards, Mira Place members can redeem Gimme LiVe tickets for a show of their choice at the Mira Place 1 concierge with a single electronic spending of $300 at any Mira Place outlet – however, the tickets must be collected on the same day as the spending transaction, so don’t forget to keep your printed receipt for the exchange. You’ll also need to follow Mira Place’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, and like their Instagram post to redeem the set of two tickets. If you’re on the hunt for VIP access, there’s also a Gimme LiVe After Party Dining Package for two, available for purchase on the Mira eShop from August 1 onwards, which offers assigned seating. Each show is limited to 200 participants, so the tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis – better move fast. Mark your calendars and head to Mira Place to see the next big sensation in Hong Kong’s music industry! (And who knows, maybe you’ll even get to say you liked their music before they caught their big break.) 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 things to do in Hong Kong this August ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government Relive the heydays of old-school gaming from the 70s to present day at this exhibition

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

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