Jenny Leung

We may live in a concrete jungle but nature has its way of enlightening us with its pops of colour. From dreamy pink cherry blossoms to fields of sunflowers, we’ve sorted out a list of flowers that bloom during different seasons and the best places to find them. Check them out below. Note: Blooming periods for different flower species may vary depending on external factors such as weather, location, and time of year. RECOMMENDED:  🌅 Lesser-known places to view Hong Kong’s skyline✨ Free things to do in Hong Kong💦 Best hikes in Hong Kong

Ask any Hongkonger and they will tell you that Leslie Cheung is one of Hong Kong’s lost gems, with debonair charm and striking presence, heightened by a baby-faced sweetness. This musical and film legend is also a major queer icon and was open about being bisexual in a time when ideals were way more conservative. It’s been over 20 years since the singer-slash-actor passed away, but every year on this anniversary of his death (April 1), fans still leave flowers, placards, and tributes outside the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central. To pay homage to ‘Gor Gor’ (a loveable nickname often used on Cheung, meaning ‘Elder Brother’ in Cantonese), we’ve gathered a few of the most iconic films he has starred in over the years. RECOMMENDED: Check out our list of the 100 best Hong Kong movies – that’s many, many weekends’ worth of plans sorted!

You never really need an excuse for an indulgent feast – but an Easter long weekend with four days off sure is a pretty great one. Whether you're in the mood for a lavish buffet, a free-flow brunch, or a chocolate-filled afternoon tea, we've rounded up the best Easter menus in Hong Kong right now. Here's where to book.

Easter in Hong Kong means a long weekend, bunny-shaped treats, and quality time with the family. This year's holidays fall on April 3 to 6, and if you're looking to fill up the calendar with more than just chocolate eggs, we've got your back. From egg hunts to hotel packages, here's what's worth your time this Easter. RECOMMENDED: 🎒 5 best cities in China for a quick weekend getaway🏝 Best day trips to take in Hong Kong

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is

This list is from 2025. Our latest ranking for 2026 is live here. People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared… RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The coolest n

We all know how unpredictable the weather in Hong Kong can be – one minute it’s the perfect beach day, and the next rain is pelting down hard enough to hurt. But don’t let our bipolar weather stop you from having fun in the city. Whether you’re trying to dodge the summer heat or escape a sudden rainstorm, Hong Kong has an incredible lineup of indoor venues and activities that promise just as much excitement as hitting up a hiking trail or exploring a country park. Here are all the best places to go when the weather won’t cooperate, rain or shine. RECOMMENDED: 😍 65 things you need to do at least once in Hong Kong🎉 Free things to do in Hong Kong🛍️ Hong Kong shopping mall guide

You don’t need any occasion to show your appreciation for someone with some beautiful blooms, but they sure do make a celebration that much more special. Even if you don’t have a lavish present or a Michelin-starred booking in the works, a beautiful bouquet of flowers can still be a lovely gift to melt someone’s heart. From well-established spots to modern florists with a hipster spin, here are some of our favourite places to pick up blooms. RECOMMENDED:  🕰 The latest Hong Kong shopping news🛍 Places for cheap shopping

In a city where life moves at warp speed, plenty of people turn to palm readers, tarot cards, kau cim sticks, face reading, or even bird fortune telling to get a second opinion on love, money, career or just whether tomorrow will be less chaotic than today. It’s all part cultural habit, part harmless entertainment, and occasionally, part genuine comfort when the future looks a little foggy. Whether you’re a die-hard believer or just want to see what a bird picks out of a cage for a small fee, Hong Kong delivers every flavour of fortune telling imaginable. Here are some fantastic recommendations to get you started.  

Sure, there’s plenty to do when exploring Hong Kong, but if you’re planning for a big date – well, that’s a whole different game. Lucky for you, we’re here to point you in the right direction. Whether it’s a sweet first date, a special occasion, or something to reignite that spark, here are some great date ideas that will get those butterflies going. RECOMMENDED: 💕 Hong Kong’s most romantic restaurants💐 Best flower shops and florists in Hong Kong🍫 Chocolate shops we love in Hong Kong

Chinese New Year in Hong Kong means red packets, family chaos, and the question: where and what are we eating? Skip the home kitchen stress this Year of the Horse and let some of the city’s most talented chefs handle the auspicious spread. From Cantonese classics to glorious buffets, we’ve rounded up the city’s top CNY menus this year so you can enjoy all the festive eats with none of the hassle. RECOMMENDED: 🐴 Chinese New Year events to celebrate Year of the Horse in Hong Kong 2026 🌺 13 auspicious fruits and flowers for Chinese New Year

In Hong Kong’s rapidly changing landscape, it has become increasingly difficult to stay connected to our deep cultural and historical heritage. Luckily, over the past years, there have been many revitalisation projects across our city that recreate spaces with new functions but still celebrate history. Take a trip down memory lane as we visit some of these iconic buildings that used to have different uses back in the day.  RECOMMENDED: Read more about the city’s historical landmarks and lost architectural gems that will make you nostalgic for old Hong Kong 

The Rescued Feast is back to prove that sustainability can be a high-end affair. Taking over the terrace at Terrible Baby on April 26, this Earth Day special marks the event’s first-ever weekend daytime slot. Eaton HK’s executive chef Alex Lee will lead his team through a high-stakes 24-hour window to assess donated food scraps and transform them into a gourmet spread for 200 guests. Since the menu is entirely dependent on what is ‘rescued’ in the hours leading up to the event, expect a creative, zero-waste mystery buffet that leans into Lee’s signature mix of Western techniques and Chinese influences. Tickets are priced from $500, and your entry includes the full buffet, a welcome glass of prosecco (or a soft drink), and a goody bag filled with vouchers and gifts. To truly close the loop on waste, guests are often handed takeaway boxes at the end of the session to ensure every last plate is cleared. Get your ticket now at chomphk.com.

Chef Teppei Zama of Okinawa’s Pastaione takes over the kitchen at Tsim Sha Tsui pasta bar Zozzona for two nights only. Trained at two-Michelin-starred Taverna Estia before opening his own restaurant in Denmark, Zama brings a distinctive approach that blends Italian tradition with Japanese precision and seasonal ingredients. The special menu features a selection of antipasti, handmade pasta dishes including mezzi paccheri ai frutti di mare with Japanese seafood, and pappardelle al ragù di Agu pork, followed by Japanese beef sirloin and an Okinawa tiramisu made with the region's signature chinsukō cookie. Reservations can be made via Bistrochat.

Hong Kong’s first homegrown IP and pop culture festival lands at AsiaWorld-Expo on April 4 and 5, bringing together anime, music, immersive experiences, and a whole lot of Japanese and local pop culture. The two-day event is split into three zones: Mix Some NOISE! features heavyweight IPs including Gundam, Godzilla, Jujutsu Kaisen, Haikyuu!!, and Yu-Gi-Oh! with large-scale installations and photo spots. Mix Some FUN! offers hands-on experiences from Sony, J.League, JAL, KADOKAWA, Kodansha, bilibili, and Pepsi, plus voice actor meet-and-greets, cosplayer interactions, and a lineup of Asian creators speaking on panels. Lastly, Mix Some MUSIC! brings a stacked roster of J-pop and J-rock acts, including Takahashi Yoko, Okui Masami, MIYAVI, Do As Infinity, FLOW, and Goto Maki, alongside Hong Kong's own AK@MIRROR and Tyson Yoshi. Tickets range from $228 for exhibition-only access to $2,288 for a two-day pass covering both the exhibition and music festival.

Hong Kong’s biggest street art festival is back for its 11th edition, taking over Central and the Western District from March 21 to 29. More than 20 local and international artists from 14 countries will transform the neighbourhood into an open-air gallery, creating large-scale murals in real time. This year’s lineup includes Italian artist Fabio Petani with his geometric botanical style, Indonesian artist Hardthirteen painting a Bruce Lee portrait, and Hong Kong’s Enoch Wong bringing his signature realism to city walls. Irish artist Asbestos will also roam the streets throughout the week with a three-metre roving character named BORN. For 2026, HK is also collaborating with GoGoX for “Art on the Move”, turning cargo trucks into mobile exhibitions that visitors can step inside. The festival kicks off on March 21 with an opening night at PMQ featuring live art battles, while HKwalls Digital lights up the Sino LuminArt Façade along the harbour and Kai Tak Mall’s LED screens throughout the week. Guided mural tours depart from PMQ on March 28, and the whole event wraps on March 29 with a grand finale on Chater Road, where live painting, art trucks, and hands-on workshops bring nine days of dazzling street art to a close.

The Pizza Project is giving indecisive diners exactly what they want this March: the 3-in-1 Pizza alla Pala. This long, Roman-style pizza lets you pick any three flavours from the menu and get them side by side on a single base! Go for a classic Margherita next to something bolder like the Frutti di mare seafood pizza, pair the meaty Carnivore with a creamy Carbonara, or let the table build its own dream combination from the full menu – everything from the ‘Orgogliosa’ with burrata and pesto to the creative Pistacchiosa with pistachio paste and mortadella. The 3-in-1 Pizza alla Pala is available daily throughout March on the à la carte menu at both the Wan Chai and Central locations.

Century-old teahouse Lin Heung Lau has teamed up with digital bank ZA Bank on a limited-time collaboration that brings fortune-themed dim sum to Central. From now until April 18, diners can order three special dishes: ZA Golden Eggs (quail egg siu mai with gold foil), ZA Treasure Bowl (ingot-shaped custard bun) and ZA Piggy Bank (piggy-shaped steamed bun), each at a discounted price of $25 with a ZA card. Beyond the food, there are photo spots at the venue and a lucky wheel check-in booth where diners can win limited-edition ‘Foodie Series’ plush blind boxes while stocks last (until March 31). ZA Bank users dining at the venue can also participate in flash ‘God of Wealth Opens the Vault’ events for a chance to share $2,000 in a group lai see, along with additional perks like rebate coupons and a 12 percent discount on bills over $300 paid with ZA card. 

In the lead-up to the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on March 25, the 50 Best Signature Sessions is coming to town to bring a series of exclusive culinary collaborations. Guests will be able to enjoy one-off menus hosted across some of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants, each pairing local talents with visionary chefs from around the world for one night only. These carefully curated menus will blend distinct culinary worlds in the most innovative and delicious ways. Expect boundary-pushing takes on Chinese traditions with Joseon-era Korean royal influences, organic seasonal cooking fused with Himalayan reinterpretations, French foundations mixed with innovative Indian accents and standout pastry work, as well as modern southern Chinese classics with contemporary twists.  Find out more about the 50 Best Signature Sessions events here.

Hong Kong's Lunar New Year flower markets are in full swing, transforming parks and playgrounds across the city into colourful, bustling bazaars that capture the festive spirit like nothing else. From February 11 to 17, these 14 markets offer a mix of auspicious plants, festive decorations, toys, handicrafts, gadgets, and plenty of street food stalls.  Victoria Park in Causeway Bay remains the biggest market with a total of 400 stalls this year, including a special 'Red Hot Chef' collaboration between HSBC and Korean star chef Anh Sung-jae featuring over 20 festive bites from top local restaurants. All markets vary in size with different opening hours each day, so pop over to our complete guide for the full rundown.

Swire Coca-Cola HK is closing its 60th anniversary celebrations with ‘The Bottling Hunt’, an exclusive public guided tour of the newly upgraded Hong Kong Coca-Cola Museum on March 7. The one-hour experience takes place inside the world’s tallest Coca-Cola bottling plant in Sha Tin and takes on a time-travel theme to follow the brand’s ‘Made in Hong Kong’ story since 1965. Highlights include vintage collectables, a scent challenge in a recreated 1886 pharmacy, views of the production lines, sustainability insights, and interactive moments. Admission is completely free, but only 30 places are available per session (1.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm-4pm, and 4.30-5.30pm). Online registration opens at 2pm on February 12 on a first-come, first-served basis – so set your reminders.

The Harbourside Swing Fest is back from April 24 to 26 for a three-day celebration of swing dancing and jazz culture. Produced by Rhythm Studio, this festival brings together world-class international instructors for inspiring workshops, alongside dance parties, competitions, and live jazz music curated by renowned local music director Nate Wong. The event welcomes dancers of all levels, but if you're a complete beginner, then be sure to check out the 'Dance in a Day' programme, where you'll get an introductory session before dancing the night away at the Harbourside Swing Fest Saturday Night Social. Registration is now open with a range of passes, while details of venues and the full schedule will follow soon. 

Stanley Plaza's annual Christmas market is a must-visit every holiday season. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the seaside holiday market is amping up the merriment with the playful theme ‘Merry Gingermas’, a nod to ginger as both a warming spice and the Cantonese slang for ‘gutsy’ (gau geung; 夠薑). For 10 consecutive days (December 19-28), the piazza and Murray House will gather over 100 stalls packed with creative gifts, handicrafts, and seriously good food. With nearly 30 food and drink brands joining in the festive fun, visitors will be pleased to see returning favourites like Hugo’s Cheese, Biergarten’s German classics, and The Nutter Company’s local gelato, alongside newcomers such as Michelin-recognised Fisholic, Curry Boy, and Jacques n Grill’s pop-up serving exclusive ginger-spiced dishes. Clan & Company by Magnolia Lab will also offer a special ginger cocktail to keep everyone warm and buzzy while browsing for gifts.

For the first time, Citygate Outlets is teaming up with Asian design platform Pinkoi to bring a massive Christmas market where you can check off your Christmas gift list all in one go. Running from December 19 to 21 and 24 to 26, the Ho~Ho~Holiday market will play host to over 100 independent designers – many of whom will be making their Hong Kong debut – flying in from all across Asia, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and beyond. Expect a joyful mix of Japanese minimalist jewellery, stylish Korean fashion, stationery from the UK, Thai artisan bags, plus award-winning coffees and festive treats from around the region.  Live indie buskers and Christmas carollers will keep the atmosphere warm, while CLUB CG members can redeem points for wreath-making or paper-clay crystal-ball workshops. Spend anything at the market and you’ll walk away with a free gift, plus a $100 Citygate e-voucher if you sign up as a new CLUB CG member on the spot.

Clockenflap and Umami are teaming up to bring the globally acclaimed DJ, singer-songwriter, and producer Haai back to Hong Kong for an electrifying showcase by the Wan Chai waterfront on April 17. Since her breakout residency at London’s Phonox in 2016, Haai has built a reputation in the circuit for a sound defined by a “tempo-shifting philosophy”. Her sets typically blend heavy-duty techno and euphoric breakbeats – a style she has taken to major stages including Glastonbury, Sonar, and EDC Las Vegas. This one-night event is a return of sorts for the DJ, who was one of the highlight acts at Clockenflap in 2023. This time around, the action moves from the Central Harbourfront to the more intimate, panoramic setting of Pier 1929 in Wan Chai. Supporting Haai on the night is a talented lineup featuring Mr. Ho, Eugene, Sleepy, and Yee. If you are looking to get on the dance floor, general access tickets range from $399 to $439. There is also a fast pass option for $529, which gets you a drink, a free merch item, and re-entry throughout the night. You can grab tickets now through Umami’s events website, and given the popularity of her last Hong Kong appearance, you better move quick. 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: Siobhan Haughey and Ryan Choi awarded top honours at Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards Hong Kong’s first permanent Chiikawa shop is opening in Mong Kok this month Cha

It has been a massive year for Hong Kong’s sporting scene, and the Cathay 2025 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards – the city’s very own “Sports Oscars” – was the perfect celebration of that success. The city’s top athletes recently gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for the ceremony, where impressive sporting feats across individual and team categories were recognised for their contribution to a standout year for the city. Taking home the top honours were swimming sensation Siobhan Haughey and world’s number one fencer Ryan Choi, who were named the female and male Best of the Best winners, respectively. For Haughey, this marks the fourth time she has secured the award, having previously won in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This win comes on the heels of a dominant run at the 15th National Games, where she bagged two gold medals in the women’s 100m and 200m freestyle events, alongside bronze medals in the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke. Despite the repeated victories, the swimmer remains humble about the recognition, noting that winning the award again was particularly difficult this year given the high bar set by her fellow athletes. She also expressed that while she does not swim simply for the awards, she is happy to receive them as they’re a testimony to how much the city’s sporting scene is truly flourishing. On the men’s side, Ryan Choi scooped the Best of the Best award on his very first nomination. It has been a whirlwind year for the fencer, who became

It is time to accept that the Chiikawa obsession isn’t going anywhere. After months of endless pop-up queues and frantic online refreshes, Hong Kong is finally getting its first permanent Chiikawa Shop! From city-exclusive collections to how you can actually get in, here’s everything you need to know before the madness begins. When and where is Chiikawa Shop opening in Hong Kong? The new flagship is scheduled to officially open its doors on April 18 at Mong Kok’s MOKO mall, spanning more than 4,000sq ft across two levels. On the ground floor (MTR level), shoppers will find Hong Kong-exclusive collections as well as themed photo spots, while the second-floor shop will feature rotating themes to keep things fresh. The first themes to take over the upper floor are ‘Magical Chiikawa’ and ‘Chiikawa Baby’, both of which will offer dreamy decorations and limited-edition merchandise. Photograph: Courtesy Nagano / Niko-Niko Lifestyle Store Chiikawa Shop Hong Kong exclusive series The highlight for local fans will undoubtedly be the two exclusive series designed specifically for our city. The red-white-blue collection pays a playful tribute to our ubiquitous iconic tri-colour nylon bags, with the Chiikawa characters peeking out in the most endearing way. There’s also a cha chaan teng collection that sees the gang dressed up as local food staples like lemon tea, egg tarts, and pineapple buns. These items are exclusive to the Hong Kong shop, so they’ll likely be the first things to dis

We all love a good Sunday brunch, but if you’re looking for something different – say, an upscale feast made entirely from just food surplus and scraps – then Eaton HK and Chomp might have the perfect table for you. Taking over the terrace at Terrible Baby on April 26 (12 noon-3pm), The Rescued Feast is back for its first-ever weekend edition to celebrate Earth Day. According to the Environmental Protection Department, over 3,000 tonnes of food are discarded daily in Hong Kong, contributing significantly to our city’s landfill problems. The Rescued Feast is here to spotlight this issue, proving that surplus ingredients can be transformed into an exceptional dining experience while educating guests on the importance of food waste reduction and sustainable practices. Photograph: Courtesy The Rescued Feast Stepping up to the plate is Eaton HK’s executive chef Alex Lee, who brings over two decades of culinary experience spanning some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens and Michelin-starred restaurants. Lee and his team will have a tight 24-hour window to assess the donated ingredients before deciding how to transform them into an inspiring spread for 200 guests. Chef Lee’s style usually leans into a mix of Western techniques and Chinese influences, which should make for a pretty interesting spread given the zero-waste brief. Photograph: Courtesy The Rescued Feast Tickets are priced from $500, which covers the event entry, the full buffet, a welcome glass of prosecco or a

The days of bracing yourself for crossing the dreaded mainland Chinese borders are soon to be over. If you’ve ever spent a humid public holiday morning standing in a line that seems to stretch into the next decade, you’ll know the feeling of a day trip being overshadowed by the sheer volume of the crowds and the long wait at the borders. The good news is, a high-tech overhaul at the redeveloped Huanggang Port is set to finally ditch the drama and significantly improve the way we cross. According to the latest updates from the Legislative Council and secretary for security Chris Tang, the new facility is moving to a collaborative inspection and joint clearance mode. This means the new Huanggang Port building will house both Hong Kong and mainland authorities under one roof, allowing passengers to clear both jurisdictions in a single location. This streamlined setup is expected to turn a slow half-hour shuffle across the Chinese border into a smooth five-minute transit. The new port will be equipped with 134 automated e-channels and 68 traditional manual counters. For those using the e-channels, there are two ways to navigate – document-reading takes a quick scan of your papers, followed by facial and fingerprint verification. Alternatively, contactless face-scanning uses facial recognition to retrieve your information before you proceed to a final scan and fingerprint capture. Eligibility for these systems depends on your age and residency status. The document-reading process

Between the price of movie tickets and the expensive bucket of popcorn that you’ll probably finish in the first 10 minutes anyway, a simple trip to the cinema can really do some damage to your wallet. If you’ve been meaning to catch a movie on the silver screen but the thought of a $100+ ticket makes you wince, just know that Cinema Day is back on April 25, meaning you can pick up tickets for any film at any participating cinema in Hong Kong for just $30. Organised by the Hong Kong Theatres Association as part of the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2026, the initiative is a massive thank you to the public for their continued support of local cinema. Whether you are looking to catch a blockbuster in Causeway Bay or an indie flick in Kennedy Town, the deal covers all films (apart from private screenings and special programmes) at various commercial cinemas across the city. This includes: Bestarfilm Cinemas, Broadway Circuit, CGV Cinema, Chinachem Cinema, Cineart Cinemas, Cinema City, Emperor Cinemas, Golden Scene Cinema, Lumen Cinema, Lux Theatre, MCL Cinemas, Newport Circuit, Sunbeam Whampoa (applicable to VIP house, though food and beverages will not be provided).  Tickets for Cinema Day are set to go on sale at 12pm on April 22. You can grab yours by heading down to the box offices in person, or online via various cinema websites and mobile apps (except Lux Theatre). Just keep in mind that there is a limit of four tickets per person for those queuing up at the counter, and on

How many portable chargers do you usually travel with? If the answer is more than two, then you might want to do a quick check of your carry-on before hitting the departure gate. The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has just updated their safety protocols, and all passengers flying out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are now limited to carrying only two power banks with them. Under this new regulation, using portable chargers to charge devices mid-flight or recharging the batteries themselves via the plane’s USB ports is also strictly prohibited. Passengers must ensure their two permitted units are kept in carry-on bags only and stay within the 100Wh capacity limit, though some airlines may allow up to 160Wh with prior approval. The clampdown, which comes in alignment with the updated International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines (ICAO), is a direct attempt to prevent ‘thermal runaway’, a volatile state where a damaged or overheating lithium battery can catch fire and spread rapidly in a pressurised cabin. This builds on previous restrictions introduced in 2025 after several lithium battery-related incidents. The ICAO’s global push is about limiting total risk from multiple high-energy devices in one cabin, especially on long-haul flights or with families and tech-heavy travellers who might otherwise carry more. Despite the safety logic, the transition hasn’t been smooth for everyone, with recent reports suggesting a fair amount of confusion on the ground. Man

Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, Hong Kong is back with a new look – and it’s not just a lick of paint and some new cushions. Reopening its doors on June 1, the hotel has undergone a total transformation, with a renewed arrival experience, refreshed rooms and suites, and expanded culinary and wellness offerings.   Photograph: Courtesy Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, Hong Kong   Guests will immediately notice the difference when stepping through the brand-new entrance, now located on Queen’s Road Central. Designed by local interior architect Joyce Wang, the arrival foyer is a nod to the heritage of Hong Kong’s grand residences. Taking cues from the façades and gardens of historic structures such as Yu Yuen and Tai Fu Tai Mansion in the New Territories, the space sees a blend of Qing dynasty and Western influences, swapping cold marble for warm terracotta tones and deep greens. A curved stone staircase leads guests up to an intimate lobby lounge, with the ascent lined by commissioned artworks that reflect the city’s skyline and energy. Photograph: Courtesy Mandarin Oriental The Landmark, Hong Kong Upstairs, the 109 rooms and suites have also been given a major makeover by Wang. Starting at 42sqm, the L450 rooms have been stripped back and lightened with timber floors, silk wall coverings, and custom rugs inspired by historic brickwork patterns found across the city. The hotel’s signature curved glass bathrooms and seven-foot round bathtubs remain in the larger L600 rooms, bu

If your weekend plans usually involve sinking into your sofa while catching up on the latest K-drama, then you might not want to hear that your next Netflix binge is about to cost a little more. The streaming giant is upping prices across all three of its subscription tiers in Hong Kong, marking the first time the platform has adjusted its local rates since April 2024. Depending on your plan, you’re looking at an increase that ranges between 6.8 percent and 11.4 percent. Subscribers on the basic plan will have to dish out $78 per month instead of $73. Those on the standard plan will see their monthly bill rise from $88 to $98, while the top-tier premium plan has climbed from $108 to $118. Even the cost of adding an extra member to your account has been adjusted, moving up to $31 per month from the previous $28 for each person living outside your household.  If you’re an existing subscriber, expect to see an email about the new rates one month before your next billing cycle. As for new users, these prices are effective immediately. The platform stated that the price changes are to reflect local market conditions, such as tax adjustments or inflation, and to continue funding its ever-expanding library of content. For comparison, a monthly subscription to Disney+ currently starts at $81 for its standard plan, while Apple TV remains one of the more affordable options at $68 per month, and HBO Max’s standard plan sits in the middle at $78 per month. So, while a few extra dollars e

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has officially been crowned the best airport in the world at the Global Travel Awards 2026. The result comes from a vote where 2.5 million travellers from more than 150 countries across the globe had their say. After years of playing catch-up with top-tier airports in Asia, the Middle East, and other regions, the people have spoken – and they’ve put Hong Kong at the top. What seems to have impressed voters is the airport’s consistently high performance in areas including security processing, aviation infrastructure, passenger services, and continuous enhancement of passenger facilities. The journey through the terminals has become a notably smoother experience, thanks to some snazzy tech upgrades like its facial recognition technology, which now powers fully automated security gates, immigration channels, and boarding gates. Photograph: Cara Hung The airport is also in the middle of a major overhaul of its security screening process, where traditional X-ray channels are being replaced by CT-driven screening. This will also be available at the upcoming Terminal 2 – set to fully open next month – alongside other upgrades of passenger facilities. The Global Travel Awards win was not the only achievement added to the wall this year. HKIA also picked up two significant accolades at the 2026 World Airport Awards by Skytrax. The airport was named the winner for World’s Best Airport Security Processing and, perhaps more impressively, we a

After a five-year hiatus that left a denim-shaped hole in our high streets, the American retail giant Gap is officially staging a comeback in Hong Kong. The news marks a major pivot for a brand that packed its bags and shuttered all eight of its local outposts in 2020. While we are still waiting on the exact details, the relaunch was announced as part of the brand’s massive regional expansion, which involves opening 50 new stores across the region this year, targeting major hubs and hotspots in both Hong Kong and mainland China. Whether they will go for another sprawling multi-storey flagship like the previous Central store or opt for more curated boutiques remains to be seen. While everyone is busy speculating on what the new-and-improved shopping experience might actually look like, things are expected to be a little different this time around. The brand is now under the wing of Baozun Inc., an e-commerce and brand management powerhouse that took over the Greater China business in late 2022. The strategy has shifted from a one-size-fits-all American approach to a much more nimble, locally tuned operation. Think faster product cycles, sharper pricing, and a renewed focus on the stuff they actually do best – denim, sportswear, and those adorable tiny baby clothes that almost trick you into wanting kids. This new business model seems to be paying off. Speaking to Bloomberg TV in a recent interview, Vincent Qiu, the chairman and chief executive of Baozun, noted that the brand r

The H&M flagship on Paterson Street – which has been an unofficial Causeway Bay landmark for years – is officially gone, and new players have already claimed the massive space it left behind. The new name on the lease is W.Management (WM), a retail powerhouse out of Ningbo that has spent the last few years dominating the Gen Z fashion scene across the border in mainland China. Reportedly, WM has secured a substantial 30,000-sq-ft area, accounting for about two-thirds of the former H&M flagship space. They are said to be paying just over $2 million a month in rent – a staggering figure, to be sure, but still nowhere close to the $10 million H&M was shelling out at its peak. While the official floor plan hasn’t been confirmed, market chatter suggests the brand is likely to occupy the first and second floors of Hang Lung Centre. This follows reports that local pharmacy and beauty giant Lung Fung Group has set its sights on the 10,000-sq-ft ground floor for a reported $1.2 million, leaving the expansive upper levels for WM’s mega-store concept. Much like the wave of Chinese fast-fashion brands that have popped up in recent years, W.Management is heavily inspired by the Brandy Melville aesthetic. Their stores prioritise visual impact over traditional retail layouts, famous for having elaborate fitting rooms, model-like staff, and camera-friendly lighting. Visitors can expect everything from the edgy ‘hot girl’ Y2K revival of the flagship WM line to the softer, more feminine aesthe