Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Move over, Chiikawa – the kings are in the house! After teasing the possibility of a BTS collaboration two days ago, McDonald’s has finally confirmed on their social media channels that they are releasing a range of TinyTan Happy Meal toys, and Hong Kong is on their list. For non-Armys, TinyTan are official animated characters created by Big Hit Music, each based on a BTS member. In the announcement video, the seven characters are shown blowing glitter onto a McDonald’s Happy Meal container, transforming it into a TinyTan-themed box. Going by their hairstyles and clothes, these toys don’t seem to represent any of BTS’ eras or albums, but rather seem to be styled after the members’ looks just before they went into their respective military service in 2022 and 2023. For example, the Suga character has long hair, which was a style that the real-life Suga sported during his D-Day world tour just before he enlisted. The initial teaser showed seven figurines, but we’ve since heard that there will be two versions of toys to collect – the Throwback edition, and the Encore edition. The last time we saw a BTS-related event in McDonald’s was back in 2021, and even then it was just a meal with no specific merch, so we’re excited to see what’s been cooked up this time. The TinyTan x McDonald’s Happy Meal will be released on September 3, while the Encore edition of the toys will drop on September 23. We’ll be back with more information on the meals and if this BTS collab will include special food, but in the meantime, practise your queuing skills because this drop will be one to kill for. View this post on Instagram A post shared by McDonald's Happy Meal (@officialhappymeal) 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: Marks & Spencer Food is closing its Mong Kok flagship store this week All the Chiikawa events happening in Hong Kong right now Celebrate all things feline at SPCA x HKJC SumMEOW Festival

Marks & Spencer Food in Langham Place is bidding shoppers adieu on August 24 after almost 10 years of operation in one of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping malls. Opened in November 2015, the 3,600-square-foot branch in Mong Kok was once one of the largest M&S food speciality stores in town. It was notable for introducing the British retailer’s ‘Hot Food to Go’ concept to Asia, rivalling brands such as Pret a Manger with its freshly baked goods, sandwiches, soups, and more, alongside ready-to-eat meals. News of the imminent closure was shared on the official Marks & Spencer Hong Kong & Macau Instagram account, along with details of a week-long farewell sale at Langham Place to thank customers for their support. From now until August 24, shoppers can enjoy a 12-percent discount on food and beverage purchases of $250 or above. Don’t mind us while we stock up on bags of Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar sweets! While M&S has not commented on the reason for closing its long-standing Langham Place branch, it’s not difficult to make the leap that challenging conditions in Hong Kong’s retail and dining sectors may have contributed to this shutdown decision. If M&S Food is your go-to for groceries, fear not – there are other branches across the city where you can still shop for your favourite staples, including the Queen’s Road Central location, Windsor House in Causeway Bay, and Cityplaza in Quarry Bay, among others. Over on Kowloon side and in the New Territories, there are also several M&S Food stores in iSquare, Olympian City, Festival Walk, and New Town Plaza, to name a few. Photograph: @doomoham / Threads But here’s a bit of good news – it appears that a new outlet of M&S Food will soon be unveiled on Bonham Road in the Sai Ying Pun neighbourhood, with eagle-eyed netizens circulating the update on social media earlier this week. You know what they say: One door closes, another one opens! 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 weekend (August 22-24) All the Chiikawa events happening in Hong Kong right now Celebrate all things feline at SPCA x HKJC SumMEOW Festival

If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in Hong Kong, you’ll probably have noticed that whenever something is popular here, it tends to start cropping up everywhere as brands frantically jump on the bandwagon. So we absolutely mean it when we say the fuzzy little guys from Chiikawa are all over Hong Kong at the moment – great news for fans of these characters from the Japanese illustrator Nagano. Here are the Chiikawa-related events and happenings you can find in Hong Kong right now. Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved Chiikawa Days exhibition The highly anticipated Chiikawa Days exhibition has finally taken over K11 Musea! Expect to see multiple giant inflatable sculptures in the mall’s outdoor areas, including some adorable food-themed ones that we love. There are also over 100 3-D figures and lifelike recreations of scenes from the beloved manga. Observe the cute Chiikawa Days critters at play, in battle, in jail, at mealtime, and more. Don’t forget to stop by the merch store afterwards to pick up themed cookies and snacks, as well as the special Hong Kong collection of yum cha-themed plushies designed exclusively for this event by Nagano! Photograph: Courtesy Octopus Cards Limited Chiikawa Days Octopus cards Two special-edition Octopus cards themed after the popular Chiikawa Days characters have been released in honour of the large-scale exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui. Featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi running around with their extermination sticks, these cards will have a day design with recognisable buildings from the Hong Kong cityscape in the background, and a dark blue night version with fireworks. For those who don’t want to lug around another card in their wallets, the Chiikawa-themed cards are also available for digital purchase on the Octopus app. After the theme is purchased and applied, the Chiikawa characters will grace the app’s home screen, the Octopus activation screen, as well as the digital card image. Photograph: Yuen Chiikawa Ramen Buta Take your cute aggression out by chomping on Chiikawa and friends at this massively popular Chiikawa-themed restaurant that’s newly opened in Hong Kong. As the brand’s first overseas location and their largest in the world, this ramen eatery takes inspiration from the manga, featuring life-size sculptures of Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi, as well as decorative elements tucked throughout the premises. Aside from ramen in various sizes, there is also Chiikawa merchandise on sale such as bowls, glassware, apparel, stickers, and more. Photograph: FB/mcdonaldshongkong | © Onagano / chiikawa committee Jul © 2025 McDonald's McDonald’s Chiikawa Happy Meal toys Up until the end of August, you can purchase a McDonald’s Happy Meal to receive a Chiikawa toy at 40 specified branches. There are eight versions of the toys, released on Mondays and Fridays throughout the promotion period. Granted, this McDonald’s collaboration is almost coming to an end, but consider this your reminder to go get your Happy Meal soon. Currently, they’re giving away the Chiikawa notepad, which will change on August 22 to the final toy, an Usagi sticker dispenser.  Photograph: CH Chiikawa in the MTR Coinciding with the Chiikawa Days exhibition, the Light Rail has launched a Chiikawa-themed train which will run until August 31. On weekdays, the special train runs along various routes around Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai, while weekends will see it on the Tuen Mun Voyager sightseeing route. There is no extra charge for taking the Chiikawa train on weekdays, while weekend rides will require a Light Rail Travel Pass Package.  There’s also a Chiikawa-themed MTR train running along the Tuen Ma Line that features the characters in a nighttime forest with fireworks. Additionally, tap in and out of designated gates at East Tsim Sha Tsui station to hear Chiikawa sound effects instead of the usual boops and beeps. Photograph: Courtesy Casetify Chiikawa x Casetify Inject an additional dose of summer into your days with this Chiikawa collaboration with Casetify. Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi decorate a large range of phone cases, tech accessories, earbud holders, laptop cases, and more, mostly showing them enjoying summertime wearing sunglasses, hiding under parasols, cooling down with ice cream, and more. Buy the premium box set from the Chiikawa collection to receive one floatie phone holder as well. Photograph: Courtesy Uniqlo Chiikawa x Joke Bear at Uniqlo Uniqlo gathers Chiikawa’s posse along with other characters from their creator Nagano for this Chiikawa and Joke Bear collection. Head to Uniqlo outlets across town to find a range of t-shirts for adults and children, decorated with Nagano’s cute characters fighting, dancing, eating spicy food, and more. If you’re a fan of wearing adorable accessories on your clothing or bags, then this collection is worth looking into.  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: Celebrate all things feline at SPCA x HKJC SumMEOW Festival Popular Tai Hang dai pai dong Bing Kee Cha Dong has closed until further notice Cathay Pacific ranks the 5th best for first-class airplane food

Looking for meow-nificent way to spend the weekend? The SPCA x HKJC SumMEOW Festival takes over the SPCA Tsing Yi Centre until August 31 to present feline-related activities! Cute photo ops, a scavenger hunt, a themed exhibition, and opportunities to visit the SPCA cattery to hopefully welcome a new family member are all part of the month-long programme. Specifically on August 23 to 24, the SPCA x HKJC SumMEOW Festival will stage a series of workshops, seminars, and leisure activities. Visitors can expect two days dedicated to all things cats, starting with a marketplace where owners can shop for toys, treats, and products for their pets, as well as themed merchandise commemorating the event.  Hong Kong-based pet photographers Danny Kwan and Kenneth Kwan will be on-site to snap stunning images of your feline friends, and guests of all ages can join classes such as name-tag creation, toy making, balloon twisting, and face painting. All proceeds will be donated to the SPCA to fund their charitable initiatives.  Photograph: Courtesy SPCA HK August 23 will be centred around a Cat Conference that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the SPCA’s Cat Colony Care Programme. Four industry experts will help to raise awareness for feline welfare in Hong Kong through an afternoon of lectures, starting from 2.05pm. From discussing research on improving our understanding of feline well-being and health, and how to enrich cat welfare at home, to caring for an aging cat population and an in-depth look at feline welfare in Hong Kong, attendees will leave with a deeper appreciation of how to enhance our pets’ lives. SPCA members can purchase tickets for the Cat Conference at $500, while non-member tickets cost $600. A portion of the ticketing price will be donated to Cat Colony Care Programme as well. On August 24, registered cat owners can participate in a 10-minute basic health check for their feline pets with SPCA veterinary surgeon Dr Barnaby Howarth, available from 11am to 5.30pm, with a minimum donation of $100 required for the session. KMB is also hosting a pet-friendly bus route to offer better transportation options for the occasion, running at one-hour intervals along several routes with stops at the SPCA Tsing Yi Centre: from Central to Ma Wan, from Yuen Long to the West Kowloon Cultural District, from Tung Chung to Ma Wan, and from Tuen Mun’s V City to the West Kowloon Cultural District. You’ll need to download the KMB app, App1933, to purchase your tickets for these buses, available starting from mid-August. 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: Popular Tai Hang dai pai dong Bing Kee Cha Dong has closed until further notice Cathay Pacific ranks the 5th best for first-class airplane food Kai Tak Sports Park opens Hong Kong’s largest covered climbing wall and playground area

Say it isn’t so! Bing Kee Cha Dong – an iconic dai pai dong in Tai Hang – announced on its Instagram account last weekend that it is “taking a long holiday” indefinitely due to staff shortage and lack of manpower. Loved by Hongkongers and tourists alike, the old-school, tin-roofed dai pai dong has been in operation for more than half a century, and is frequently listed in Hong Kong travel guides as a foodie destination, growing its appeal as a social media ‘check-in’ spot. Bing Kee has a long history stretching all the way back to the 1950s. It first appeared on the scene as a bakery specialising in traditional Chinese pastries before transitioning into a casual dai pai dong serving local, down-to-earth diner fare. Bing Kee’s claim to fame is its authentic Hong Kong-style milk tea – it was even ranked by CNN as one of the top four spots in the city for the classic beverage – and the eatery is also notable for its pork chop noodles, Hong Kong-style French toast, and corned beef and egg sandwiches. Hong Kong superstar Eason Chan has been spotted dining at this no-frills diner on Shepherd Street multiple times, and Bing Kee has even been featured on the silver screen in Hong Kong comedy The Romancing Star 2 and mainland Chinese drama The First Frost. Open-air food stalls like Bing Kee are a dying breed in Hong Kong these days, but there are still a handful of them kicking around, including Sing Kee on Stanley Street, Sing Heung Yuen on Mei Lun Street, and Yuk Yip Dessert on Elgin Street, all in Central. If you’re keen to venture deeper into the heart of Kowloon, Oi Man Sang in Sham Shui Po is a must-visit for its killer wok hei aromas and irresistible salt-and-pepper squid dish. Fingers crossed that Bing Kee will return from its ‘hiatus’ sooner rather than later! 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: Cathay Pacific ranks the 5th best for first-class airplane food Kai Tak Sports Park opens Hong Kong’s largest covered climbing wall and playground area Summer International Film Festival 2025 returns with more than 40 films

It’s something that we’ve all heard complaints about: Airplane food is the worst. Bland flavours, mushy textures, and lukewarm temperatures have not endeared passengers to the in-flight meals commonly found on commercial airliners. But is that stereotype truly the reality of dining at a flight altitude of 35,000 feet above sea level? Certainly not when you’re in first class, says Skytrax, which has just released its rankings for the top 10 airlines offering the best first-class food in the world. Hong Kong’s home carrier, Cathay Pacific, would likewise disagree, having snagged fifth place on the global list, trailing behind Singapore Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, and Emirates. (While Lufthansa may have us beat in the Best First Class Onboard Catering category, Cathay Pacific is ranked 4th overall in the World’s Best First Class Airlines of 2025.) Photograph: Courtesy Cathay Pacific Airways Limited Aside from food presentation, variety, and flavour, the availability of diverse and premium beverages sets airlines apart. Cathay Pacific’s approach to in-flight dining blends Hong Kong flavours with international influences, presenting dishes designed around seasonal produce and paired with signature drinks, classic cocktails, a selection of wines sourced from France, New Zealand, Italy, and Portugal, as well as the airline’s own citrus-forward Betsy pale ale by local brewery Gweilo Beer, finely tuned to be enjoyed at altitude. Menus tend to differ between flight routes, but some of the dishes available on Cathay Pacific’s first-class offerings include boneless US pork ribs with strawberry sauce served with braised bean curd rolls; white asparagus, carrots, and mushrooms in oyster sauce with steamed jasmine rice; pan-fried black cod with edamame and gremolata, sautéed kale, roasted artichokes, and cherry tomatoes; and smoked duck with sweet and sour dressing. Even Hong Kong’s famous sampan congee with a selection of dim sum and Mak’s signature wonton noodle soup is in the offing! Notably, Cathay Pacific also partners with award-winning restaurants in Hong Kong to present special menus and dining experiences, both in the air and in its lounges – Louise and Duddell’s, for example. Photograph: Courtesy Cathay Pacific Airways Limited In comparison, the winner on the top of the list, Singapore Airlines, presents first-class menus that feature Iberico ham with slow-roasted tomato and padron peppers, Jerusalem artichoke soup, braised beef cheek in red wine sauce, Teochew-style pomfret porridge, Singapore carrot cake with prawns, chicken noodle soup, and pandan gula melaka cake. We can probably all agree that airplane food, even in first class, is not going to win any fine-dining awards compared to prestigious brick-and-mortar restaurants, but at least the thought of noshing at 35,000 feet above sea level is no longer so dire. Top 10 best first-class airplane food in 2025: Singapore Airlines Air France Lufthansa Emirates Cathay Pacific Airways Qantas Airways ANA All Nippon Airways Swiss International Air Lines Etihad Airways British Airways Check out the full list with other ranked categories here. 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: Kai Tak Sports Park opens Hong Kong’s largest covered climbing wall and playground area Summer International Film Festival 2025 returns with more than 40 films Live Nation launches a new live music venue in the iconic Whampoa ship

Lace up your trainers – Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong’s leading integrated sports and entertainment destination, has opened new outdoor facilities for leisure and fitness! Dubbed the North Garden, this outdoor sports zone is now home to Hong Kong’s largest covered climbing wall at 17.5 metres tall, with different sections to be introduced in phases. An eight-metre auto-belay area designed for children and beginners will open first in the third quarter of the year, followed by a 10-metre top-rope zone, 15-metre speed climbing zone, and 17.5-metre lead climbing zone towards the end of October. North Garden also contains a dynamic covered court for urban games such as three-on-three basketball, dodgeball, pickleball, futsal, handball, dodgebee, and teqball, as well as a beach ball court for volleyball, beach tennis, and even beach football. With misting cooling systems installed and washing facilities on-site, it means that visitors can still feel comfortable even in the hot and muggy clutches of summertime. Photograph: Courtesy Kai Tak Sports Park A multi-purpose tennis court, fitted out with three standard courts, is scheduled to open in the third quarter of the year, and the flexible space can also be configured for basketball and volleyball matches. Athletes and hobbyists can use the venue for warm-ups during competitions, community activities and tournaments, and even training. Aside from the North Garden, the new outdoor facilities will also cater to families. Playfield 5 stands out as one of Hong Kong’s largest children’s playgrounds, and it’s also notable for its distinctive design. Inspired by the landscape of Song-dynasty-era salt fields, the layout of this 4,300-square-metre wonderland is divided into colourful zones, following the five elements in Chinese philosophy – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Kids can expend their energy exploring sand pits, swings, slides, a zip line, two play towers, water features, trampolines, a climbing wall, and other interactive facilities. When it’s time to refuel, the Dining Cove, also set to open in the third quarter, will be your one-stop-shop for food and beverage options, allowing access to other attractions in the Kai Tak Development Area for a holistic sports, leisure, and entertainment experience. 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: Summer International Film Festival 2025 returns with more than 40 films Live Nation launches a new live music venue in the iconic Whampoa ship Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong: Symptoms, treatment, and what you shouldn’t do

One of Hong Kong’s most anticipated film festivals makes its return this month! From August 13 to 25, the Summer International Film Festival (Summer IFF) organised by the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) brings a diverse curation of more than 40 films to the city, from movies making their Asia premiere to beloved classics. Summer IFF 2025 is currently taking over five cinemas in town, including Emperor Cinemas iSquare in Tsim Sha Tsui, Premiere Elements and M+ Cinema in West Kowloon, the Louis Koo Cinema at the Hong Kong Arts Centre in Wan Chai, and Emperor Cinemas Times Square in Causeway Bay, with ticket prices ranging from $100 to $75 available on Urbtix. Photograph: Courtesy A24 / Summer International Film Festival Ari Aster’s Eddington – starring Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone – is poised to be one of the highlights of Summer IFF 2025 as it makes its gala premiere. Featuring black comedy and absurdist violence packaged as a neo-Western satire, the story follows the escalating conflict between a fictional New Mexico town’s progressive mayor and its right-wing sheriff as their confrontation fuels a growing societal divide. Kowloon Generic Romance, a Japanese film directed by Ikeda Chihiro scheduled as the closing film of the festival, turns the Kowloon Walled City trope on its head, eschewing criminal underbelly for a quirky take on an office romance that sparks between two coworkers, played by Yoshioka Riho and Mizukami Koshi. In a tribute to director David Lynch, who tragically passed at the age of 78 earlier this year in January, Summer IFF 2025 will show the Asia premiere of Welcome to Lynchland by Stéphane Ghez, a documentary recording the auteur’s artistic legacy and impact, with commentary from frequent collaborators and actors Kyle MacLachlan and Laura Dern. Photograph: Courtesy FilmFour Productions / Summer International Film Festival Summer IFF 2025 will also feature a selection of movies by the award-winning Iranian director Jafar Panahi, whose influential art depicting contemporary life in Iran is at odds with the strict state censorship imposed by the country’s regime. His debut feature film, The White Balloon, released in 1995, won the Cannes Camera d’Or, followed by The Mirror in 1997, honoured with the Golden Leopard for Best Film at the Locarno Film Festival. Both films, and more, will be screened during this movie festival. Cinema heritage will also take up a prominent place at Summer IFF 2025 with a collection of restored classics, from the Anno Hideaki-directed Love & Pop and Walter Salles’s The Motorcycle Diaries, to Milos Forman’s seminal One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest starring Jack Nicholson, Ernst Lubitsch’s black-and-white One Hour With You, and more. Short films are set for a time to shine in the Nowness Shorts Selection, with five curated selections from China, Australia, and Japan earmarked for screenings. Photograph: Courtesy Activator Co. / Summer International Film Festival Unfortunately, the original event programming did not emerge completely unscathed. Family Matters – a Taiwanese film scheduled for screening at the festival on August 16 and 18 – has been pulled from Summer IFF 2025 at short notice for ‘not meeting the revision requirements set by the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration (OFNAA)’, HKIFFS shared in a Facebook post. Disappointing news for film lovers who wanted to see the drama directed by Pan Ke-yin, which was recently honoured with the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film at the 24th New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) in July! 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: Live Nation launches a new live music venue in the iconic Whampoa ship Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong: Symptoms, treatment, and what you shouldn’t do Hong Kong chosen as one of the best cities for Gen Z in Asia

Get ready, music lovers! Live entertainment company Live Nation is unveiling Hong Kong’s first venue purposely dedicated to live music events, so it looks like we’ll have a great gig venue soon. Interestingly, this music destination designed entirely in-house by the Live Nation team will be housed in the iconic ship-shaped Whampoa complex. It only makes sense that they’ve named it Tides in a nod to the sea nearby and Whampoa’s maritime history. Once it fully opens, Tides will be a mid-sized music venue boasting fully integrated production capabilities with top-grade sound and lightning – perfect for touring music acts looking to perform in Hong Kong.  We used to have KITEC but that wasn’t a venue solely dedicated to music, so we’re excited to see the kind of artists and concerts that Tides will eventually host. Of course, it’s not only open to music events, but also welcomes all kinds of corporate functions, brand activations, and mid-scale productions. Apart from artist support areas, Tides also contains a VIP lounge with dedicated food and beverage services for pre- and post-show gatherings, which is very rare in Hong Kong’s music venues. Tides will be housed in 1/F and U1/F of The Whampoa, and is set to open soon in autumn. Who would you like to see perform in Tides? 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: Chikungunya fever in Hong Kong: Symptoms, treatment, and what you shouldn’t do Hong Kong chosen as one of the best cities for Gen Z in Asia Hong Kong ranks 8th place in the global Smart City Index 2025

In early August, Hong Kong recorded its first case of chikungunya fever (CF) since 2019, and numbers have gradually risen to reach eight confirmed patients in the city as of August 15. With cases by the thousands just across the border in mainland China, the unfamiliar nature of the CF 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 many people in Hong Kong have chikungunya fever? As of August 15, there are eight confirmed cases of chikungunya fever in Hong Kong. While the ages of patients range between eight and 79 years old, all cases have been imported – that is, the virus was not caught in Hong Kong – with the majority of our CF carriers having travelled to Guangdong province in mainland China or Bangladesh. 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. Chikungunya fever is rarely fatal and even when death occurs in a patient, it is usually related to other coexisting health issues.   Photograph: Yuri Cortez/AFP   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. There is also no rapid test available to check if you have CF, so prevention is really the best course of action. If you have fever or acute joint pain, especially after returning to Hong Kong from regions where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic, it’s best to seek medical advice promptly so they can keep you in a mosquito-free environment where there’s no chance of being bitten and spreading CF elsewhere in Hong Kong. The Department of Health has also urged the public not to self-medicate if suspected of having chikungunya fever, particularly using aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, as these can have serious side effects such as increased risk of haemorrhaging.  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.    Photograph: Shutterstock   What are the Hong Kong authorities doing about chikungunya fever? 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. They are also intensifying mosquito control measures at the residence of confirmed patients, as well as the locations they visited after showing symptoms. These include intensive fogging in the scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations, which will kill adult mosquitoes, and inspecting the sites to remove stagnant water, apply insecticide, and dispose of containers that could accumulate water every week, which will prevent mosquito breeding. 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: Hong Kong ranks 8th place in the global Smart City Index 2025 Burger King is closing its last urban branch in Hong Kong this month Hong Kong is the sixth best city for Gen Z in Asia    

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.