Catharina Cheung

Looking to make your weekend worthwhile? You’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to catch some live music, check out a new art exhibit, or just find a casual spot to relax with friends, Hong Kong knows how to keep you busy. Come rain or shine, day or night, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect weekend.  RECOMMENDED:  📆 Hong Kong events in July🎡 Top attractions in Hong Kong🛍️ Your ultimate Hong Kong checklist 2025

The Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us and aside from gazing at the moon, messing around with lanterns and candles, and scoffing down a frankly unnecessary amount of mooncakes, one of the traditional things to do during this festival is to guess at lantern riddles. Historically, Chinese people would write these riddles on lanterns – hence their name – and players must guess the answer from a word, a poem, or a phrase, but we’ve simplified things a little to keep things fun. So grab your lanterns and loved ones, and go see how brainy you are this year! RECOMMENDED: Find out more about the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance that happens during this time out year

Not sure how to spend your free time this week? We’ve rounded up some of the best happenings across the city – from art exhibitions and food pop-ups to music nights and kid-friendly activities – so you don’t have to go searching. But if all else fails, you can always turn to one of Hong Kong’s best restaurants, or cross things off our ultimate Hong Kong checklist. Whatever you decide, we’ve got you covered for the next seven days. RECOMMENDED:  🎨 Art exhibitions to check out right now📆 September events in Hong Kong🥹 Free things to do in Hong Kong

September 2025: Autumn has finally arrived in Hong Kong and, to no one’s surprise, the weather remains just as unpredictable. With that in mind, grab a table at these restaurants and enjoy a top-notch dining experience, whether you’re seeking shelter from a sudden torrential downpour or looking to avoid the blazing sun. With countless new restaurants joining Hong Kong’s dining scene, it’s no surprise that foodies in the city can easily get overwhelmed with options. Here at Time Out, we’ve taken the city’s gargantuan list of eateries and whittled them down to the 50 best venues that you need to try. Know of a restaurant that should be included? Tag us on Instagram and use the hashtag #TimeOutEatList, and don't forget to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to get the latest in Hong Kong’s city news, culture, and dining. RECOMMENDED:😋  The best new restaurants in Hong Kong🍸 The 50 best bars in Hong Kong

There are many ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as admiring the full moon, spending time with family and friends, or solving lantern riddles. If you ask us, our favourite way to get into the festive spirit is to stuff our faces with mooncakes. From timeless fillings like lotus seed paste with salted egg yolks to creative flavours like chocolate, tea custard, or cured ham, there are plenty of mooncakes to try. In preparation for the autumnal festival falling on October 6, we’ve gathered some of the best mooncakes you can get your hands on this year.RECOMMENDED: Mark your Mid-Autumn Festival with an indulgent family meal at Hong Kong's best restaurants.

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

October has arrived, bringing with it a splash of autumn to the city! And while we eagerly await the costume-filled fun of Halloween at the end of the month, there’s plenty to keep us entertained until spooky season. This month is bursting with exciting events – think art exhibits, concerts and music fests, and delicious pop-ups that will satisfy any foodie in town. We’ll see you out and about! RECOMMENDED:  🍽 New restaurants to try in Hong Kong this October🍺 Oktoberfest events in Hong Kong👀 65 best things to do in Hong Kong right now

There’s no way you haven’t heard the name Jay Sean, especially if you’re a millennial, and even if you’re bad with names, you’ve definitely had his music earwormed into your brain back in the late 00s. Born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, the British singer-songwriter initially hit the scene as part of the Rishi Rich Project in 2003, with the track Dance With You reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart that same year. In 2009, Jay Sean brought his electropop- and Bhangra-infused R&B sound Stateside with his American debut single Down featuring Lil Wayne, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 – making him the first South Asian artist to ever top the chart – and swiftly propelled him to airwaves and clubbing stardom. If you’re anything like us, you’ll also remember his iconic tracks like Stolen, Ride It, Do You Remember featuring Lil Jon and Sean Paul, Eyes on You, and Maybe. Let the Y2K nostalgia hit you in the face this Thursday, October 2, as Jay Sean takes the stage with a one-night-only performance in Hong Kong! We had the pleasure of having a quick chat with him before he hits up The 33, where he shares his creative process, what makes music from the 2010s hit different, and his plans in Hong Kong outside of the club!

The annual Time Out Recommended is back again, and as always, we spent the year trawling Hong Kong for the best shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more, so you can have the best time in this city. But we care about what you think too, and we want to know your favourite eateries, shopping spots, and places to hang out, so we can add them onto our recommendations! Scroll down to vote for your favourite Hong Kong venues and stand to win some fabulous prizes, including weekend brunch at Mandarin Oriental The Landmark’s Somm for two, Miffy-themed brunch and chocolates from The Peninsula Boutique, buffet for two at the Cordis, Hong Kong, dinner at the Salon Lanson, and drinks with snacks from Kinsman’s new menu for two. Details on the prizes are futher below.  

Hong Kong is relatively safe from natural disasters, but we’ve definitely seen our fair share of typhoons. They’re a regular occurrence during summertime, and though they are mostly more Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day rather than The Day After Tomorrow cataclysm (not that we’re complaining), the worst ones can be pretty terrifying as our city’s history shows. Here’s a look back on some of the biggest typhoons that have ever hit Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Don’t let the drab weather stop you from exploring the city (as long as it’s safe, of course); here are the best indoor activities to escape the rain in Hong Kong.

Sheung Wan is one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Hong Kong – and we’re not just saying that because we’re based here. There are plenty of great eateries and cafés, artsy spots to check out, and hip nooks and crannies to explore, but it also has a historic heart and an unfailingly Hong Kong personality at the heart of it all. Here are the best things to eat, drink, do, and see in Sheung Wan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Jump to a section: EAT / DRINK / SHOP / THINGS TO DO / STAY  What is Sheung Wan known for?A mash-up of old and new. This is the only place in Hong Kong where you’ll find traditional coffin stores, historic temples, and dried seafood stalls next to contemporary art galleries, chic boutiques, and gourmet restaurants.  Why do the locals love it?How many reasons do you need? There’s the easy proximity to Central, the juxtaposition of old Hong Kong and its modern trappings, a smorgasbord of drinking and dining options, and the feeling that it’s got almost all the best parts of Hong Kong crammed into one convenient area. How do I get to Sheung Wan? Transport options abound for Sheung Wan. There’s the Sheung Wan MTR station with numerous exits and a multitude of buses that ply their routes along Queen’s Road West and Des Voeux Road West. Trams run through the area, too – most west-bound routes will terminate at Western Market or carry on through to Kennedy Town.  Map of Sheung Wan

Aside from Halloween, the boozy Oktoberfest is another festival that gets plenty of people excited for October – and the best part is that the parties get started in September! If you’re looking to get into the Bavarian spirit while getting inebriated, then pull on your lederhosen and check out our top picks for Oktoberfest events in Hong Kong this year. RECOMMENDED: Be one of the first people to dine at the best new restaurants in Hong Kong

Seoul’s Soko is known for their impeccably dressed bartenders with suits, bowties, and all, and two of their dashing oppas will be at Red Sugar for a final guest shift. This bar also has a martini shaking routine that’s been tightly choreographed and rehearsed to perfection, almost K-pop band style, so we can expect a bit of a show along with the drinks. See more World’s 50 Best Bars guest shifts in Hong Kong here.

Bourke’s closes off their World’s 50 Best Bars guest shift series with Vagator’s Hideaway Goa, Expect eclectic, inventive cocktails like their signature Mogambo, made with Altos Tequila, Creyente Espadin, Choya Golden Ume, Lillet Blanc, guava, and yuzu; or the Supertramp, with Monkey 47 Gin, blood orange, passionfruit, and Anatamool soda. See more World’s 50 Best Bars guest shifts in Hong Kong here.

Experience the blazing spectacle that is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance in celebration of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival! From October 5 to 7, from 7.30pm to around 10pm, head to Tai Hang to witness a 67-meter dragon crafted from over 10,000 burning incense sticks, paraded through the streets by roughly around 300 performers. This year, the dragon winds its way into a new location, be sure to read our guide for more info about this incredible event.

Drop into Bourke’s from 3pm till midnight for live DJ tunes and a showcase of Campari cocktails done the Aussie way. Catch Alex Burt with Bourke’s Showcase from 3 to 6pm; Evan Strove and Andie Bulley from The Warratah in Darlinghurst from 6 to 8pm; Dre Walters, Adam Cork and Callum Marra from Old Love’s in Sydney from 8 to 10pm; and Kax Kite and Jordan Grocock from Sydney’s Cantina OK! from 10pm to midnight.

Gokan will host a reunion of some of the world’s most respected bartenders and former winners of the Altos Bartender’s Bartender Award, which is also part of The World’s 50 Best Bars. Should you want every single cocktail to be delightful, this guest shift sounds like a pretty good bet.

Three renowned global bars will be stationed at Honky Tonks, each bringing their own unique flair. From 5 to 6.30pm, Eli Martínez from Mexico City’s Tlecān (number three in North America’s Best Bars) will delve into the soul of agave; from 6.30 to 8pm, Rob Libecans of Melbourne’s Caretaker’s Cottage (the Best Bar in Australia 2024) will shake up signatures from home including their famous Plymouth Gin ‘House Martini’. Finally, Iain McPherson from Scotland’s Panda & Sons (number 30 on World’s 50 Best Bars) will be behind the bar from 8 to 9.30pm – order his Coconut Drop. Walk-ins only, the doors open at 2pm.

From 4 to 7pm, a range of Asian bartenders will bring their local flavours and ingredients to The Green Door, ready to make drinks that’ll surprise and delight. Guest bartenders include Phoebe Han, founder of Shanghai’s Healer; Supawit 'Palm' Muttarattana, co-founder of Bangkok’s Drywave Cocktail Studio; and Mitzar Lee from Seoul’s Le Chamber.

Head mixologist Mark Lloyd from Macau’s Wing Lei Bar will be at Bourke’s from 3 to 6pm showing how he reinvents classic cocktails. If you haven’t experienced Lloyd’s almost scientific infusion and distillates in elevated cocktails – or haven’t managed to get seated in his little jewellery box of a bar in Wynn Palace – then don’t miss this guest shift. Sunday roast at Bourke’s runs from 12 noon to 3pm, so you can just stick around after.

From 2 to 3.30pm, visit Coa for an exclusive tasting session of Montelobos mezcal with renowned expert Dr Iván Saldaña. If you’d like to learn more about agave spirits instead of just quaffing it, pop in earlier from 12 noon to 1.30pm for a panel discussion with Dr Saldaña, Freddy Andreasson, co-founder of El Gallo Altanero in Guadalajara, and Coa’s founder Jay Khan. The tasting is priced at $250 per person, and proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong.

One of our favourite neighbourhood watering holes is hosting a 50 Best Signature Session that unites top bartenders and venues from across the World’s 50 Best lists, specially spotlighting the 50 Best Bars Scholarship winners. Drew Fleming, Apoorva Kohli, and Calliope Draper will be behind the stick from 9.30pm until late, with drinks going for $110 each.

From 5 to 9pm, find a transcontinental takeover at Honky Tonks, where Denver’s Yacht Club will serve up crowd-pleasers from 5 to 7pm, followed by Buenos Aires’ Tres Mono – which won seventh place in The World’s 50 Best Bars, and is The Best Bar in South America 2024 – from 7pm onwards. This is a walk-in-only event with limited drink portions, so arrive early – the doors open at 2pm.

From the minds behind popular Soho bar Socio comes Gossip, a nightlife concept that blends a cocktail bar with a nightclub. Their drinks menu is inspired by the many traditional masks of Asia, each with its own personality and story which gives rise to its accompanying cocktail made with distinctly Asian ingredients such as mango sticky rice, Korean gochujang, and Sichuan pepper. The cocktail lounge hosts live music performances on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and when the clock hits midnight from Thursday through the weekend, Gossip transforms into a clubby atmosphere with the tables and chairs moved aside for a dancefloor and multicoloured light strips pulsing overhead. If you’re bored of the thumping, techno-heavy beats that are spinning in most clubs, then you’ll appreciate that Gossip focuses on playing R&B and hip-hop – a win in our books!

2025 is a special one for alcohol-lovers and barhoppers, because the most anticipated bar event of the year – The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony – will be held in Hong Kong for the first time. This is only the second time that this prestigious event has ever been hosted in Asia, and it means that the crème de la crème of bar professionals from all over the globe will be descending upon Hong Kong and taking over bars across the city to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship ahead of the actual awards ceremony on October 8. Here are all the bar guest shifts to mark on your calendar! October 4  Photograph: Courtesy Honky Tonks Tavern Honky Tonks Tavern From 5 to 9pm, find a transcontinental takeover at Honky Tonks, where Denver’s Yacht Club will serve up crowd-pleasers from 5 to 7pm, followed by Buenos Aires’ Tres Mono – which won seventh place in The World’s 50 Best Bars, and is The Best Bar in South America 2024 – from 7pm onwards. This is a walk-in-only event with limited drink portions, so arrive early – the doors open at 2pm.   Photograph: Courtesy Call Me Al   Call Me Al One of our favourite neighbourhood watering holes is hosting a 50 Best Signature Session that unites top bartenders and venues from across the World’s 50 Best lists, specially spotlighting the 50 Best Bars Scholarship winners. Drew Fleming, Apoorva Kohli, and Calliope Draper will be behind the stick from 9.30pm until late, with drinks going for $110 each. October 5 Photograph: Courtesy Coa Coa  F

When it comes to celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, no event is more grand than the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. Listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, this cherished tradition draws massive crowds of Hongkongers and visitors every year, all for a glimpse of this blazing spectacle. Read on to find out when, where, and what is happening this year.  What is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance? With more than 140 years of history, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is an annual tradition commemorating the triumph over a plague that once broke out in Tai Hang in 1880. This ritual sees a magnificent dragon – spanning 67 metres and meticulously crafted using more than 10,000 burning incense sticks – paraded through the streets of Tai Hang by around 300 performers. In 2011, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance was inscribed onto the third national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. When is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance happening? The dance will take place from Sunday, October 5 to Tuesday, October 7, starting from 7pm. Special traffic arrangements will be in place to facilitate the event, so be sure to make note of any road closures, traffic diversions, and the suspension of parking spaces. If an Amber Rainstorm Warning or above is issued, or a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 and above is hoisted, the event will be cancelled, so keep an eye on the weather. Where will the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance take place? Before the parade begins, officiating guests will perform rituals

Earlier this month, Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated their 20th anniversary and among the many parties, parades, and performances, the park also released more news about their two new major expansion projects that are currently underway: a Pixar entertainment offering and new Marvel-themed experiences. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Disneyland The new Pixar adventure will be an immersive theatrical show centred on the world of Monsters, Inc. that promises to be fun, heartwarming, and ‘unlike anything ever done before at Hong Kong Disneyland’. According to the park, the experience will utilise cutting-edge theatrical technology that blends real and digital environments, so our best guess is it might be something similar to the ‘It’s Tough to Be a Bug’ show at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom (which closed to make way for a Zootopia attraction in March this year, RIP!) or the ‘Muppet*Vision 3D’ show in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios (which also finished its run permanently earlier this year in June after over 30 years) – but likely with less animatronics and updated animation style. Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Disneyland Tomorrowland in Hong Kong Disneyland will also be expanding with a new Marvel-themed attraction. According to a teaser posted on Instagram, there will be a brand-new futuristic-looking building in the Stark Expo zone, and if the concept art is anything to go by, the venue will star Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Thor, and Black Panther, and will contain what

Say ‘Olé’ this October as our city spotlights all things Spanish in Eat Spain Drink Spain (ESDS), Hong Kong’s first-ever Spanish food and drink initiative, presented by Food and Wines from Spain (FWS) from the Spanish Trade Commission in Hong Kong and Alimentos de España. From October 1 to 15, this citywide celebration of Hispanic gastronomy promises a fiesta of flavours and fun, featuring exclusive menus, wine tastings, and culinary workshops from top-notch restaurants and retailers.  With 40 eager participants in this two-week event, including 23 restaurants, three physical stores, nine online stores, and five workshops and tasting sessions, Hong Kong is going to be full of Hispanic flair that you can’t miss. Here’s what to look out for: Photograph: Courtesy FWS (Foods and Wines from Spain) and AlimentosdeEspaña Gastronomic gems During ESDS, countless restaurants around town will offer menus full of sumptuous dishes. Head to eateries like El Vaso de Oro HK, Tapas Bar, or Eye Bar for curated tapas offerings and drinks, or visit venues like El Cerdo or La Paloma for special menus full of authentic Spanish fare, such as traditional Rabo de Toro oxtail stew at Plaza Mayor. For an added experience, book a table at Kitchen Savvy or Que Pasa Tapas to experience energetic flamenco performances during exclusive dinners. Additionally, oenophiles can look forward to wine tastings and pairing menus at restaurants like Chinesology, Tsui Hang Village, and 22 Ships, among others. Hit up

If the popularity and hype surrounding Huntr/x and Saja Boys from KPop Demon Hunters are any indication, fictional bands and music groups are all the rage. As more and more music from make-believe bands enter conventional music charts and find positioning on most-streamed lists, it’s safe to say that this trend of real life and fiction blurring together is here to stay. Fans of the highly acclaimed Japanese drama series Glass Heart will be over the moon to hear this, as the show’s fictional band Tenblank is due to make its real-world debut with an exciting fan meet scheduled for November this year! On November 19, Takeru Satoh – who plays Naoki Fujitani in Glass Heart, the frontman of the music group – will come to Hong Kong as part of the ‘Tenblank from Glass Heart Fan Meeting - Asia Tour feat. Takeru Satoh’. Unfortunately, the full band members of Tenblank will not be present at the Hong Kong fan meet, but this one-day event at the AsiaWorld-Expo will be your chance to see the Japanese actor Satoh in the flesh, and he’ll most likely be in character in all of Fujitani’s slouchy, chin-tilting, smirking, rock god glory.  If you watched the series and enjoyed the songs immensely, then this is a great chance to hear tracks such as Crystalline Echo, Unbroken, Lucky Me, and Chasing Blurry Lines performed live. We’re keeping our fingers crossed Satoh also covers Utada Hikaru’s First Love like he did in Glass Hearts as an Easter egg (because he starred in the First Love series back

Every year, Time Out scopes out the coolest corners of the world’s greatest cities and lists them in a definitive annual ranking. These are the places where great nightlife, food and drink, culture, art, and independent business thrive next to each other, the areas that immediately give you a ‘good vibe’ and have you planning a return before you’ve even left. Hongkongers can be proud of the fact that one of our own has made it onto the world’s coolest neighbourhood list, and it is Sheung Wan! Sitting comfortably in the 30th spot worldwide, Sheung Wan is a fascinating neighbourhood that boasts plenty of hip cafés, art galleries, little boutiques, and top-rated bars and restaurants, while still retaining a distinctly Cantonese identity at its very core. This was where the British first set foot onto Hong Kong and planted a Union Jack flag to declare us their colony. This was where the bubonic plague once hit our city the hardest, killing scores but also thereby establishing Hong Kong’s first hospital for the general public. Now, it is a hotspot for stylish cafés, fantastic restaurants both Michelin-starred and down-to-earth, attractive street art, and more than a dose of old Hong Kong nostalgia. Photograph: Courtesy CC/Wikimedia Commons/TudernaPossession Street in Sheung Wan Spend a day or two in Sheung Wan indulging in everything from budget-friendly local fare to Michelin-starred avant-garde Chinese cuisine with a French twist, then walk off the calories by trawling the noo

Mark your calendars for November 19 – Grammy-winning R&B, hip-hop, and pop group The Black Eyed Peas is making its return to Hong Kong for a concert at AXA Wonderland in West Kowloon! It’s been almost 20 years since the last time The Black Eyed Peas came to Hong Kong for a performance at the AsiaWorld-Expo, so fans can look forward to a set list that will probably consist of a mix of new material and the group’s most recognisable chart-toppers. If you’re anything like us, you’ll be keeping your fingers crossed for pop hits such as Where Is the Love?, I Gotta Feeling, Pump It, Boom Boom Pow, and Let’s Get It Started – and are no doubt ready to get on your feet if they play. In its current formation, The Black Eyed Peas consists of members will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, with Filipino-American singer J. Rey Soul serving as the group’s singer after Fergie’s departure in 2018. It’s a bit sad that we won’t get to see Fergie, but we expect this event will still shape up to be a nostalgic night of revisiting and belting along to some of your favourite 2000s clubbing tunes, and dancing your socks off like it’s 2005. No word yet on when tickets will be available for sale and what pricing tiers we’re looking at, so stay tuned for more information! 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: Doraemon, Labubu, and more characters will float down Victoria Harbour in a water parade The best Okt

Remember when we all saw a giant Doraemon sitting unexpectedly at the dockyard along Tsing Yi last week? Well, the news is out and it’s not that a robotic cat is invading Hong Kong – instead, a fleet of floating inflatable sculptures will be making their appearance along Victoria Harbour next month. AllRightsReserved, the local creative brand behind last year’s thousands of panda sculptures and the recent Chiikawa exhibition in Tsim Sha Tsui, is putting on the Water Parade, where a set of four giant, floating inflatable figures will be making a debut at sea. In the lineup is Doraemon, perched on his favourite dorayaki snack; Elmo from the Kaws & Sesame Street collaboration; McDonalds’ purple blob-shaped mascot Grimace; and Labubu, the globally viral Nordic-inspired monster by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. After a trial run in the waters of Tsing Yi on September 20, these four figures will be set afloat along Victoria Harbour on October 25, and will be shown in brand-new poses. Visit them just off of Tamar Park in Admiralty and snap plenty of photos, because when else are you going to see such universally recognised and different cartoon characters all sitting together? Photograph: Courtesy AllRightsReserved On November 1, the floating sculptures will be taken on a water parade between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, sailing along both sides of Victoria Harbour, before departing from our waters on the evening of the same day. For the entire duration of the sculpture displ

During his 2025 Policy Address last week, Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee confirmed that there will be an increase of the quota for non-local student admissions to public universities in the city, raising the cap from 40 to 50 percent. According to Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Education, the city’s eight public universities are well-equipped to accommodate a greater number of non-local students. Not only can the initiative raise the profile of Hong Kong universities among international student hopefuls, but the expansion of student demographics could enhance the city’s global education rankings. Currently, the non-local student intake at public universities in Hong Kong is capped at 40 percent. Prior to the 2024-2025 academic year, it was limited to 20 percent, so based on this track record, the increases are significant and they are coming in quick succession. Some institutions are reported to have already reached the 40-percent cap for the current academic year. According to a source familiar with the situation, the 15,000 government-subsidised university places allocated annually to local students through the University Grants Committee (UGC) will not be impacted by this quota increase. Lawmaker Lau Chi-pang – who also serves as the Special Advisor to the President of Lingnan University – has expressed his support for this initiative: “After increasing the ratio from 20 percent to 40 percent, the academic standards of admitted students continued t

We’ve just come off the tail end of typhoon Mitag, and already another tropical cyclone is sweeping into Hong Kong – and this time it’s going to be a super typhoon. Here’s your breakdown of the weather conditions over the next couple of days. Where is Super Typhoon Ragasa now? As of 12 noon today, Ragasa is centred approximately 550km north-northeast of Manila. According to the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), Super Typhoon Ragasa will enter the northern part of the South China Sea today, September 22. Considering its extensive circulation and high speed of movement, this means Ragasa ‘poses a considerable threat’ to the Guangdong coast and Hong Kong. The Standby Signal No. 1 has been raised at 12.20pm today in preparation. When will the T8 signal be hoisted? As Ragasa edges closer, winds in Hong Kong will strengthen tomorrow and temperatures will remain very hot initially in the day, but then the weather will deteriorate rapidly. The HKO will issue the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 9.40pm tonight, September 22. They will then consider raising the warning to the Gale or Storm Signal No. 8 between 1pm and 4pm tomorrow, September 23. The weather will be persistently adverse on Wednesday, September 24, with gale to storm force winds expected, while winds offshore as well as on high ground may reach hurricane force.  Photograph: Courtesy Hong Kong Observatory How bad is Super Typhoon Ragasa going to be? According to the mainland Chinese weather watchdogs, Ragasa is the strongest typh

Update, September 19, 2025: Due to incredible demand, Blackpink has decided to add one more show to the Hong Kong stop of their Deadline world tour! The four-piece girl band will take the stage at Kai Tak Stadium on January 24, 25, as well as 26, 2026.  After playing across North America, Europe, and the UK this summer, Blackpink’s Asia run starts with Taiwan on October 18 before moving on to Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Hong Kong.  Tickets run from $899 for seats with restricted views to $3,499 for the Blink pit package. The Blink package ($2,899) includes access to the special standing zone, the VIP entrance, an exclusive merch lane, a Blink package exclusive gift, and a VIP laminate and lanyard, while the Blink pit package also includes access to the pit standing zone as well as a pit package exclusive gift. The earliest way to get tickets is to have a Weverse Blink membership, as Blink Membership (Global) holders can register for the Weverse presale from today until September 21 to get their membership verified. The Blink Membership (Global) presale starts on Wednesday, October 8, at 12 noon on Cityline. There will also be a Trip.com presale on October 9 at 12 noon, then tickets to the general public will be released on Friday, October 10, on Cityline.    Photograph: Courtesy Blackpink     Globally popular Korean girl group Blackpink has announced the highly anticipated Asia leg of their Deadline world tour, and Hong Kong’s on their schedule! The

It looks like weekend plans will have to be on hold for Hongkongers again, as tropical cyclone Mitag edges closer to the coast of eastern Guangdong. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 9.45am this morning, September 19, and the signal is likely to be in force for most of today. As of 11.45am, the severe tropical storm Mitag was estimated to be around 140km east of Hong Kong. It is forecast to make landfall over eastern Guangdong towards this evening then turn westerly, bringing it around 100km to the north of Hong Kong. Depending on how it weakens, how far away its gale winds are, and changes in local wind conditions, the HKO will consider issuing a higher cyclone warning signal tonight. Under the influence of Mitag’s outer rainbands that are gradually approaching, there will be squally showers and thunderstorms over Hong Kong today. Showers and thunderstorms will be heavy at times tomorrow and the sea will be rough with swells. The HKO advises the public to stay away from the shoreline and not engage in water activities on either day. As Mitag departs, the weather will improve but become very hot early next week, with the mercury expected to rise to 34 degrees Celsius on Monday and Tuesday. To make matters worse, the tropical cyclone Ragasa is also swirling around the area, and is forecast to intensify significantly as it moves towards the vicinity of the Luzon Strait over the next few days. According to the HKO, Ragasa could reach super ty