Hong Kong’s best Chinese New Year displays
From shiba-themed installations to giant Campbell’s Soup cans, here’s the lowdown on the best places to get your selfies this CNY
While there’s a whole host of great things to do this February, there’s no bigger occasion this month than Chinese New Year. Even Valentine’s Day pales in comparison. As Spring Festival approaches, incredible CNY-themed decorations and displays have begun popping up all around Hong Kong, especially in malls. It being the Year of the Dog, there are many adorable canine-themed ones too. Whether you’re into shibas and corgis or Lego and Campbell’s Soup, here are the top places to get the best selfies around Chinese New Year.
And make sure you’ve booked a CNY feast too before checking out these installations!
Hong Kong’s best Chinese New Year displays
Olympian City
In conjunction with the release of Downsizing – a film about people who shrink themselves in order to start a new life – Olympian City is collaborating with the Hong Kong Joyful Miniature Association to present a special exhibition of our small city made minuscule. See places like Lee Tung Avenue, the Tai O Heritage Hotel and Tai O stilt houses rebuilt in miniature via incredible craftsmanship, all of which demonstrate our city’s unique character, landscape, heritage and architecture. There are also art pieces of other cities like Tokyo, Sydney and Beijing. Pop along and feel what it’s like to be a giant in your own city. Until 4th March.
Telford Plaza
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of iconic Hong Kong comicbook character Old Master Q, Telford Plaza has assembled a retro Hong Kong-themed market selling traditional Chinese snacks and confectionary alongside an exhibition showcasing rare manuscripts of the classic comic. There’s even a special booth where you can cartoonify yourself as one of the characters from Old Master Q too. Until 2nd March.
Maritime Square
It’s shiba inu galore at Maritime Square this Chinese New Year! Partnering up with local shiba-themed retail store SHIBAinc, giant shiba plushies are taking over the mall to help celebrate the Year of the Dog. The adorable shibas are all dressed in snazzy CNY outfits, so make sure to grab plenty of photos at the lobby and selfie booths and stock up on merchandise! Until 4th March.
Gala Place
Following the success of its pop-up food truck, Campbell’s Soup is once again taking the city by storm with another pop-up installation. This time, instead of a food truck, the excitement comes in the form of a giant five-metre-tall gashapon machine – in the shape of a Campbell’s soup can, naturally. Shoppers can try their luck and attempt to win limited edition Campbell’s merchandise and goodies. Don’t forget to take pics of the canned soup wall featuring Andy Warhol-style motifs and Chinese art designed by local artist Vivian Ho. Until 4th March.
IFC Mall
Make a wish for prosperity in the new year at IFC’s interactive digital koi pond. Innovative and different from your usual cartoon-themed displays around Hong Kong, this CNY installation features 108 virtual life-like koi fish swimming in the water of the wishing pond, signifying good fortune. The digital pond is also connected with interactive devices nearby and smartphones that allow visitors to make a wish and throw in a virtual coin. Until 25th February.
Pacific Place
Head to Pacific Place to walk among giant birdcages decorated with beautiful traditional porcelain patterns. To welcome in a year filled with happiness, luck and prosperity, shoppers are given a special padlock to secure on one of the birdcages. Best of all, for every padlock added, the mall is donating $20 to Hong Kong Seeing Eye Dog Services (HKSEDS). Get great Instagram shots and help Hong Kong’s visually impaired at the same time. It’s a win-win. Until 4th March.
Fashion Walk
Renowned Thai graffiti artist Rukkit Kuanhawate – you probably know his stenciled fox on Upper Station Street – debuts his first exhibition in Hong Kong in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Inspired by the ‘king’ in Causeway Bay’s Kingston Street and traditional lion dances, Kuanhawate has collaborated with a local lion dance costume maker to craft Hong Kong’s first-ever graffiti-style lion head. See the installation up-close in Fashion Walk’s atrium and a collection of his vibrant street art at the pop-up gallery on the first floor. Until 4th March.
New Town Plaza
Who doesn’t love Lego? Step into its blocky world at New Town Plaza as they welcome in the new year with installations filled with giant Lego Minifigures. The space is designed in the style of a traditional Chinese mansion and the highlight is an impressive 1.6m-tall lion made from 150,000 pieces of Lego. Shoppers can even take home limited edition Lego figures and Lego-themed red packets if they spend more than $600. Until 4th March.
Kolour Tsuen Wan
What’s not to love about corgis? Their short stumpy legs, little perked-up ears and incredibly cute bubble butts are all adoreable features. There’s no better time than the Year of the Dog to celebrate this breed. Head to Kolour Tsuen Wan to stroke, smack or do whatever you wish to a giant two-metre-high plush toy in the form of, well, a corgis’ butt. There’s plenty of photo ops available and the corgi-themed photo exhibition is worth checking out as well. Until 2nd March.
Harbour City
Hosting her first solo exhibition in Hong Kong, famous Colombian paper artist Diana Beltran Herrera showcases her intricate paper sculptures of rare birds at Harbour City. Exploring the intricacy of paper sculptures, the exhibition features a pair of mandarin ducks – 30cm long and made from 25 different coloured papers to reproduce faithfully the intricate patterns of a duck’s feathers – as well as peonies, peach blossoms and lotus leaves as part of an Asian garden. Be amazed by how paper can be transformed into such realistic creations. Until 2nd March.
It’s not CNY without lin go
The best Chinese New Year lin go in Hong Kong
Lin go – a traditional glutinous rice pudding – is eaten during Lunar New Year. Since lin go can be time-consuming to make, especially in the hectic run-up to CNY, we’ve rounded up the best places you can pick some up in case life is giving you no break.
