Tommy Yu

With Japan lifting its limit on daily arrivals on October 11 to welcome tourists worldwide, and the announcement of Hong Kong's new '0+3' measure, which sees the cancellation of mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals, legions of people have been rushing to flight-booking websites to snag tickets, book hotels, and fly to one of our favourite travel destinations – Japan. Despite the long travel hiatus, new hotels still sprouted on the map, with companies like Banyan Tree, Okura Nikko Hotels, and Tokyu Corporation debuting destinations all over Japan. Ahead, we have rounded up five new hotels in Kyoto that we’ve got our eyes on.  RECOMMENDED: Stay up to date with the latest arrangements on entering Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is home to over seven million people, of which over 88 per cent speak Cantonese. The former fishing village has seen the blossoming of commerce and trade, with Cantonese and English taking root as the two official languages. But there's another hue that's silently taking shape on the city’s bilingual palette – Chinglish. Like the singsong Singlish brandished by the Singaporeans, Hong Kong people have carved out their own language, with terms only the locals understand. Although it started off as a substitute for Chinese characters, over the years, Chinglish has flourished into something of its own – but what is it really all about? Read on as we decipher this unique code of language that's humorous, provocative, and reflective of the Hong Kong and Cantonese spirit. RECOMMENDED: Stay up to date with the latest Cantonese slang on the internet.

Raging waves, delicious seafood, urban cattle, and fishery rites – these are all in and around a small patch of land called Tap Mun, also known to some as Grass Island. Just a short boat ride from Wong Shek Pier, the outlying island is packed with memorable treasures for city dwellers to discover. Read on and follow our handy guide to Tap Mun for a quick getaway trip from the city. RECOMMENDED: Visit these beautiful country parks in Hong Kong, or these great places for a day trip in Hong Kong.

Christmas is fast approaching and we’re checking off the calendar to Christmas day. Aside from checking out Christmas markets and displays, why not book yourself into some Christmas workshops and come out with some lovingly handmade gifts? Bond with friends and family and learn how to make unique gifts from the festive creative workshops available this season.  RECOMMENDED: Need help with Christmas decorations? Check out the best places to buy your Christmas tree in Hong Kong to help you get started!  

Autumn is the onset of hiking season, with silvergrass fields coming alive in October and November. The dancing grass blades create a cascade of rippling waves, drawing in many shutterbugs and hikers around this time of year. Keep reading to discover the most picture-perfect places to see silvergrass in Hong Kong. A few words before you go: hike to the best of your ability, don’t litter, and stay safe! RECOMMENDED:  🚶‍♀️ Best hiking trails in Hong Kong🏞 Most beautiful country parks in Hong Kong🌳 Best parks for a stroll in Hong Kong

Cats, like us, come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. Some turn their masters into 'cat slaves' and ruin their furniture; some are clingy and forever cuddly; while others help protect their owners and guard their properties. Down the meandering streets of Sai Ying Pun, agile, sassy, and observant fur-suited sentries take up their posts in restaurants and shops, warding off mice and nighttime critters that get in their way. For the cat lovers amongst you, read on and meet some of Sai Ying Pun’s most adorable shop cats. RECOMMENDED: Discover great bites while you're in the neighbourhood with our pick of the best restaurants to try in Sai Ying Pun.

Hong Kong’s reading scene is not just dominated by the major chain publishers. There are also plenty of local businesses peddling the wares of secondhand books while hidden from plain sight. Whether you're looking to clear up some space on the bookshelves, hoping to discover rare titles and limited editions, or simply down for a bargain, a visit to one of these humble booksellers is what you need.  RECOMMENDED: Support more local businesses and visit some of Hong Kong's best independent shops.

Cantopop is a gorgeous mosaic interspersed with hip-hop tracks, classic tracks, and underground beats, with Mirror kicking things up a notch in recent years. As we unequivocally proclaim the intrinsic value of our singing legacy, why don’t we cue up a themed playlist to understand the cradle of Cantopop a little better, with each song narrating a story of our familiar spots? Read on with our musical itinerary, plug into a soundtrack, and start exploring Hong Kong by ear. RECOMMENDED: Explore the offbeat, underground side of Hong Kong with these tracks.

Bzzt, bzzt, bzzt… In a city that never sleeps, neon signs illuminate a gorgeous mosaic of reds, lavenders, blues, oranges, and more. Back in the 1970s, they shone bright and brilliant, but for the past two decades, its prosperous glaze has been ebbing fast, gradually leaving behind a dismal-looking asphalt jungle. Jive Lau is a neon sign artist based in Hong Kong who creates neon sign artworks in every possible form; Cardin Chan is the manager of Tetra Neon Exchange, a non-profit organisation dedicated to researching, preserving, and restoring Hong Kong's neon signs. Speaking with them, we uncover the neon sign's history, tradition, and glowing affair with Hong Kong.

From light displays to holiday shopping and indulgent meals, there’s plenty of things to see and do during December to get into the Christmas spirit. But sometimes that can get too overwhelming, and all we need is just to relax and give ourselves a break during the holidays. If you’re planning on spending quality time with your family and loved ones indoors, here’s our handpicked selection of classic and modern Christmas films that you can stream online. RECOMMENDED: Check out our other recommendations for new shows and movies to stream on Netflix.

The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is about to kick off! Played from November 20 to December 18, the quadrennial championship is one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide. Luckily, Hong Kong has quite a few spots where sports fans can catch the games live and feel the tournament craze. Read on to find out all the best places to watch the World Cup in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: If Christmas is the only thing on the agenda for you this winter, check out our ultimate guide to celebrating Christmas in Hong Kong.

Nestled in the heart of Sheung Wan, Beauty Salon Choice Threading is one of the few beauty parlours in Hong Kong that still provides an age-old beauty treatment – face threading. We sat down with the salon's beautician, Ah-lok, to find out just exactly what it is, how it works, and what the future holds for this unique beauty technique that's been around for thousands of years. RECOMMENDED: Curious about other unique trades and crafts in Hong Kong? Read all about these disappearing trades and crafts in Hong Kong and where to find them.