Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

Yes, everyone, the madness of Arts Week is upon us, and the upcoming weekend is bound to be a doozy where the international arts crowd descend onto our city and we emerge at the end of March, reeling, smelling slightly of acrylic paints and plaster dust, but a good bit more cultured for it. One of the biggest art events every year is Art Basel, and it’s huge with a tonne to look at, so here are some highlights that you shouldn’t miss. When and where is Art Basel Hong Kong 2025? Art Basel will take place from March 28 to 30. If you’re confused about already seeing clips online, that’s because March 26 to 27 are designated days for VIP and media guests, so part of the city has already seen previews of the show.  As usual, the fair will be held in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, across floors one and three. Opening hours for the general public run from 2pm to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday’s hours run from 12 noon to 6pm. Photograph: Courtesy Art Basel How much are tickets to Art Basel Hong Kong? Art Basel tickets run from $1,180 for a two-day pass for Friday and Saturday, up to $12,800 for the Premium+ Discovery ultimate VIP package, which includes exclusive visits to renowned corporate collections and private collections, guided tours, and even a temporary membership to Soho House Hong Kong during the duration of the fair. There are also single-day admission tickets that run from $400 to $730. Are tickets still available? They are indeed still available for sale. Hit up Art Basel’s official website to purchase them. Photograph: Courtesy Art Basel What are some of the participating galleries? The core of the fair comprises the Galleries sector, along with solo projects by emerging artists in the Discoveries sector, and curated projects from APAC artists in the Insights sector. This year’s Art Basel edition features 240 world-class galleries from 42 countries and territories. Over half of them are from the Asia-Pacific region, while 23 are participating in the fair for the first time. Galleries such as Rossi & Rossi, P420, Ronchini Gallery, and Lawrie Shabibi are hosting some notable solo presentations, so do check those galleries out. There will also be a special focus on photography from Asia, with contributions from Flowers Gallery, Takuro Someya Contemporary Art, Yutaka Kikutake Gallery, Each Modern, and more. Photograph: Courtesy Yanagi Studio / BLUM Los Angeles, Tokyo, New York Honestly, it’s best to just take your time walking around to see what catches your eye. A work that we find fascinating is a reproduction of Hokusai’s famous ‘The Great Wave off Kanagawa’ by Yukinori Yanagi. The catch is that the work is meticulously made with coloured sand, which houses a colony of ants that are able to travel between the interconnected art pieces, slowly deconstructing and bringing pieces of art with them as they go. Just this one work is worth poking into BLUM’s Stand 1D26. Also see the bright works of British artist Damian Elwes or the stark, almost pop-art lines of Slovakian painter Michael Korman, both on show at Pearl Lam (Stand 1D12). Ben Brown Fine Arts at Stand 3D12 will show selections from some 20th-century masters, including Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso, and François-Xavier Lalanne, as well as cool names in contemporary art like Miquel Barceló and Candida Höfer. Don’t miss a blue and orange version of Robert Indiana’s famous ‘Love’ pop-art sculpture either.  Photograph: Courtesy Art Basel What are some of the large installations? The expansive areas in the middle of the gallery stands will be home to Encounters, the sector dedicated to large-scale installations. Among the many on display, look out for a series of 30 modernist brass sculptures by Hong Kong-born artist Christopher K. Ho – arranged in a row, they can be taken in from the side as a range of different golden shapes, or from the end of the row, where they blend into a curious mass with no discernible edges and borders. Also worth seeing is Shin Min’s work presented by P21, which takes over the whole Stand 1C38 space. This is a series of sculptures and drawings large and small, all featuring a character with wispy hair and displeased expressions.  As with previous years, the art is not just in the convention centre. Go to Pacific Place to see some cool installations by British artist Monster Chetwynd. The piece called Lanternfly Ballet is a colourful installation of three giant beetles that look like they’re dancing together. This will also be accompanied by live performances inspired by cinematic choreography and metamorphosis. Photograph: Courtesy Art Basel Is there anything else to see? Don’t forget that Art Basel also has a film programme. For the first time ever, the fair has collaborated with Hong Kong’s independent art institution Para Site to present works by filmmakers from Asia and beyond. Moving image art is a great medium that can build and bridge worlds, and there are plenty of cutting-edge artists who are opening up new possibilities for artistic expression. Look out for the video artwork by Sasaoka Yuriko named Gyro, which lands the viewer in an imaginary world that is entirely formed of hand puppets, painted body parts, and digitized imagery. Sounds intriguing? We think so, too. Art Basel and M+ have also collaborated to present Night Charades by Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen, which will be screened on the massive M+ façade. Recomposed by AI and constantly re-edited by an algorithm, this artwork is an homage to Hong Kong’s film culture, so see if you can spot the film references. 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 reading: Mooncakes named as one of Asia’s 100 worst-rated foods Dogs and cats will be allowed onto Hong Kong’s light rail trains from May 7 Hong Kong eateries are among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025

Thailand’s Songkran Festival, which celebrates the traditional Thai New Year, is bringing its celebrations to Hong Kong once again this year. The festival traditionally runs across three days, so hit up Kowloon City from April 11 to 13 to check out ‘Day X Night Vibes @ 18 Districts - Thai Festival: Songkran 2025’. The football and basketball courts at Carpenter Road Park will host food stands, performances, and several interactive experiences. Expect a market filled with all things Thai, like authentic dishes, drinks, desserts, handicrafts, and even Thai massages. There will also be muay Thai demonstrations and a boxing match on April 12, followed by training sessions on April 13. When dusk falls, festival-goers can also enjoy a show of traditional Thai dance on both days. Photograph: Courtesy Songkran HK / Facebook And of course, the star of the show is the water-splashing party, which will be held on April 12 and 13. Traditionally, Thai people will don new clothes, bathe their Buddha statues, express their gratitude for the blessings they have received in the previous year, and pray for continued prosperity in the new year. The bathing of the Buddha is usually followed by water fights, when major roads are closed off to make way for this lively activity that everyone takes part in. You can take part in this Thai festival right here in Hong Kong, and since Kowloon City is home to a large enough community of Thai people for it to be nicknamed ‘Little Thailand’, this is the perfect place to celebrate the Thai new year. Getting splashed with water means you’re being cleansed of negativity, so don’t shy away from the water guns and buckets that everyone will be wielding! 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 reading: What to look out for at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 Your guide to Kai Tak Sports Park – home of the Hong Kong Sevens 2025 Mooncakes named as one of Asia’s 100 worst-rated foods

Mooncakes have long been a Mid-Autumn Festival staple in Hong Kong, symbolising reunion and tradition among family and loved ones. But not everyone is a fan, as this local pastry has landed on a not-so-flattering list: TasteAtlas’ 100 Asia’s worst-rated foods. Having sparked some heated debates among locals after being (unjustly) named one of the world’s worst foods, it seems that mooncakes still aren't winning any hearts – or stomachs, for that matter – as it was placed as the 20th worst Asian food on the list. Using 189,858 recorded ratings up until March 20, 2025, from its global audience (with 99,790 verified as legitimate), TasteAtlas compiled the list based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, especially those that the system recognises as knowledgeable. While some extreme dishes like Thailand's fermented fish entrail curry (#1) and deep-fried silk worms (#2), or even Cambodia's fried spiders (#5) may induce more fear than appetite, other more familiar Asian dishes also made their way to the list, including Japan’s rice burgers at number 6 (we know, we’re just as confused as you are); Duck’s head (#15) from Wuhan, China; Balut (#18) from the Philippines, and South Korea’s beondegi (steamed or boiled silkworm) at number 19. Surprisingly, some of Hong Kong’s more notoriously challenging foods that would have been a far better fit on the list, like century-old eggs and fermented tofu, were nowhere to be found. Top 10 worst asian foods, according to TasteAtlas: Thai fish entrails sour curry (Southern Thailand) Deep-fried silk worms (Thailand) Ambuyat (Sarawak; Sabah; Labuan, Malaysia) Yerushalmi kugel (Jerusalem district, Israel) Fried spider (Skun, Cambodia) Rice burger (Japan) Tinutuan (Manado, Indonesia) Khoresh kangar (Iran) Kichel (Israel) Paniki (North Sulawesi, Indonesia) Check out the full list of 100 worst-rated asian foods here. Admittedly, the description of a “hard-boiled egg in a sweet cake” doesn’t sound very appetising, though nowadays, places like bakeries, hotels, and restaurants have gone far beyond the traditional recipe to create everything from molten custard-filled mooncakes to chocolate, ice cream, or even savoury versions of this pastry. Love it or hate it, mooncakes are here to stay. Designed to be shared among families and friends – and not devoured in one sitting like an everyday snack – this irreplaceable dessert is deeply rooted in Hong Kong culture, offering more than just flavours. Don’t you agree? 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 reading: Dogs and cats will be allowed onto Hong Kong’s light rail trains from May Power banks will be banned from usage on Hong Kong flights from April onwards World Happiness Report 2025: Hong Kong hits record low at 88th place

Following on from the news earlier this month that MTR is considering letting passengers travel with their pets, it has now been confirmed that the railway operator will soon run a trial period for dogs and cats to be allowed on board. The two-month trial will commence in May, allowing commuters to travel with pets only on the light rail trains. This is the part of Hong Kong’s rail network that covers parts of Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai in the northeastern New Territories. Travellers who wish to take part in this scheme will need to purchase an electronic pass every month for $99 – these will be available on the MTR mobile app from April 11. This pass will allow passengers to bring one pet along on unlimited rides over weekends and public holidays. Of course, pet owners will still need to pay their own human travel fares as usual. The scheme is only limited to cats and dogs, and owners must keep their furry friends inside a pet carrier or a backpack, and ensure it is fully closed before entering the platform area. You can’t cheat by bringing a huge bag either, as the carrier must be compliant with MTR’s luggage restrictions – so the total dimensions cannot exceed 170cm and the length of any one side of the carrier cannot be longer than 130cm. There’s more: passengers who travel with pets can only board and alight from the last door of the light rail trains, and must remain at the rear of the compartment throughout their journey. This last one sounds like a bit of overkill, considering the animals will already be safely stowed in bags, but Hong Kong’s slowly growing pet inclusivity is still better than no progress. If all goes well, then we might possibly be looking at the expansion of pet-friendly rail travel in more parts of Hong Kong come 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 reading: 7 Hong Kong eateries are among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 Power banks will be banned from usage on Hong Kong flights from April onwards World Happiness Report 2025: Hong Kong hits record low at 88th place

The crème de la crème of Asia’s food and beverage industry gathered in the South Korean capital last night, where Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants hosted a live awards ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Seoul to crown the best eateries of 2025. Hong Kong has held our own against the 16 cities whose restaurants made it onto the list, with seven eateries representing the pinnacle of our industry.   Photograph: Courtesy The Chairman   Contemporary Cantonese restaurant The Chairman has been ranked number two on the list, with a culinary approach featuring luxury ingredients that have been forgotten in time represented once again with creativity. There’s a definite reason why tables at this restaurant are booked out months in advance. Close on The Chairman’s heels at number three is Wing, which serves up contemporary Chinese dishes that utilise local ingredients propped up by European techniques. Wing’s chef-owner Vicky Cheng also received the peer-voted Inedit Damm Chefs' Choice Award during the event. Last year’s list saw The Chairman at number 4, while Wing was number 5.   Photograph: Courtesy Caprice; Ando; Estro; Mono   Further down the 2025 list, Caprice comes in at number 18, making a 14-spot jump from last year’s 32nd rank. French restaurant Neighborhood ranks at number 21, while LatAm diner Mono is at number 24. Meanwhile, Neapolitan eatery Estro makes it onto the Asia’s 50 Best list for the first time, at number 32. And wrapping up Hong Kong’s representative restaurants is Ando’s blend of Spanish and Japanese elements, coming in at number 41. Over in Macau, Chef Tam’s Seasons in Wynn Palace rose a whopping 40 spots to claim the ninth rank on this year’s list, which also means it clinched the Highest Climber Award at the ceremony.   Photograph: Courtesy Gaggan   The restaurant that was eventually crowned the Best Restaurant in Asia for 2025 was Gaggan in Bangkok. Celebrated chef Gaggan Anand has had previous iterations of his eponymously named restaurant, which has also won this top accolade, before launching a reimagined concept in 2019. By 2023, Gaggan had made it back on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, and steadily climbed to this year’s top position. In terms of best-performing cities, Bangkok and Tokyo both have nine entries on the 2025 list, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore both with seven best-ranked restaurants, then Seoul and Shanghai with four entries each. See below for the list of 50 best restaurants in Asia, and visit their official website for more details. Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2025: Gaggan, Bangkok The Chairman, Hong Kong Wing, Hong Kong Sézanne, Tokyo Mingles, Seoul Nusara, Bangkok Odette, Singapore La Cime, Osaka Chef Tam’s Seasons, Macau Onjium, Seoul Sühring, Bangkok Narisawa, Tokyo Potong, Bangkok Meet the Bund, Shanghai Fu He Hui, Shanghai Sorn, Bangkok Florilège, Tokyo Caprice, Hong Kong Masque, Mumbai Le Du, Bangkok Neighborhood, Hong Kong Den, Tokyo 7th Door, Seoul Mono, Hong Kong Eatanic Garden, Seoul Logy, Taipei Ling Long, Shanghai Les Amis, Singapore 102 House, Shanghai Crony, Tokyo Gaggan at Louis Vuitton, Bangkok Estro, Hong Kong Sushi Saito, Tokyo Sazenka, Tokyo JL Studio, Taichung Goh, Fukuoka Labyrinth, Singapore Burnt Ends, Singapore Meta, Singapore Seroja, Singapore Ando, Hong Kong Toyo Eatery, Manila Maz, Tokyo Baan Tepa, Bangkok Myoujyaku, Tokyo Indian Accent, New Delhi Samrub Samrub Thai, Bangkok Euphoria, Singapore August, Jakarta Lamdre, Beijing 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 reading: Power banks will be banned from usage on Hong Kong flights from April onwards World Happiness Report 2025: Hong Kong hits record low at 88th place Asia’s first Time Out Market opens in Osaka – here’s what to expect

Flight safety has always been a bit of a beast, with personal items such as larger volumes of liquid, aerosol sprays, lighters, sharp objects, electronic devices, and more not being allowed in hand-carry bags or being banned from flights altogether. Soon, Hong Kong travellers will have another thing to add to the list of packing requirements, as the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) is set to prohibit passengers from using or charging portable power banks during flights. This regulation will kick in from April 7, and also bans power banks from being stored in overhead compartments. This means that travellers carrying power banks will have to keep them in their hand-carry luggage stowed under their seats, or have them tucked in the seat pockets while their bags are stored overhead. In doing so, power banks can be more easily monitored by airline crew and passengers, and any safety issues can be dealt with more efficiently. The decision comes after a series of recent flight mishaps suspected to be related to these portable electronic devices. In January, a fire broke out on an Air Busan flight bound for Hong Kong. Seven people were injured but luckily, the accident happened as the plane was just preparing to take off, so everyone was evacuated safely. Just last week on March 20, a Hong Kong Airlines flight en route from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was forced to divert and make an emergency landing in Fuzhou after a fire broke out in an overhead compartment approximately 15 minutes into the flight. The cabin crew were able to put out the flames with bottled water and juices, and no injuries were reported, but the overhead compartment was significantly charred and damaged. In both incidents, the suspected cause was portable power banks. These usually contain lithium-ion batteries, which can run the risk of overheating and catching fire under certain conditions. Airlines have already banned lithium-ion batteries from check-in luggage for years, but restrictions will be even tighter going forward.  Hong Kong’s decision follows several airlines that have also prohibited power banks from being used in-flight. These include Singapore Airlines, Scoot, China Airlines, Thai Airways, Tigerair Taiwan, and Air Busan. Passengers are encouraged to consult their respective airlines for the latest regulations regarding power banks before travelling. 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 reading: The Hong Kong cultural experiences to check out before they disappear World Happiness Report 2025: Hong Kong hits record low at 88th place Asia’s first Time Out Market opens in Osaka – here’s what to expect

Well, it’s official: we’re a miserable bunch. The UN’s World Happiness Report has just been published and it looks like Hong Kong is on a slippery slope, declining once again from last year’s 86th place to now 88th out of 147 countries. Since 2016, the World Happiness Report has been published on International Day of Happiness (March 20). This year, the ranking looked at 147 countries based on factors such as the GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, social support, generosity, and perceptions of corruption. Taking the crown for the eighth year in a row is Finland, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Netherlands in the top five. Looking over at our neighbours, Taiwan leads the pack at 27th place, while Singapore sits at 37th. Thailand lands at number 49 this year, with Japan and Korea ranking 55 and 58 respectively. Hong Kong slips to 88th, dropping two places down from last year’s 86th with a score of 5.491 out of 10. The annual ranking also examined six measures of benevolence, evaluating counties based on acts such as donating, volunteering, and helping a stranger. According to the report, Hong Kong ranks 43 in making donations – so, we’re grumpy but still kind. Sounds about right. Here are the 50 happiest countries in the world right now: Finland Denmark Iceland Sweden Netherlands Costa Rica Norway Israel Luxembourg Mexico Australia New Zealand Switzerland Belgium Ireland Lithuania Austria Canada Slovenia Czechia United Arab Emirates Germany United Kingdom United States Belize Poland Taiwan Uruguay Kosovo Kuwait Serbia Saudi Arabia France Singapore Romania Brazil El Salvador Spain Estonia Italy Panama Argentina Kazakhstan Guatemala Chile Vietnam Nicaragua Malta Thailand Slovakia Find out more about the 2025 World Happiness Report 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 reading: Asia’s first Time Out Market opens in Osaka – here’s what to expect Hong Kong will start to phase out its iconic bamboo scaffolding Hong Kong to host The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 in Kai Tak Cruise Terminal this October G-Dragon is coming to Hong Kong for his Übermensch tour in 2025

Osaka has always been one of Hongkongers' favourite getaways. From stunning historic temples to family attractions, not to mention its incredible food scene, there's so much to do that one weekend trip is never enough – especially when you're running all over the city trying to hit up all the landmarks and squeeze in as many meals as humanly possible. Well, it's a good thing that a brand new Time Out Market Osaka has just opened up!  As Asia’s first Time Out Market, Time Out Market Osaka brings the best of Osaka and the Kansai region under one roof, with 17 kitchens, two bars, and a year-round lineup of cultural events packed into one beautifully designed space. Whether you’re looking for Michelin-worthy dishes, creative takes on street food classics, something to satisfy your sweet tooth, or a perfectly crafted cocktail, Time Out Market Osaka is the place to be. Where is Time Out Market Osaka? You’ll find Time Out Market Osaka in the south building of Grand Green Osaka, a sleek new development in the heart of the city. Here's the address: Time Out Market Osaka〒530-0011Grand Green Osaka South Building B1F 5, 54, Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka Photograph: Time Out Market Osaka What are the opening hours of Time Out Market Osaka? The market is open daily from 11am to 11pm, with last orders at 10.30pm. Perfect as your last stop of the night to eat and drink. Photograph: Time Out Market Osaka Full list of food vendors at Time Out Market Osaka #Nikutoieba Matsuda – Wagyu dishes by Michelin-Guide-recommended eatery from Nara. kankokushokudo iru – a la carte dishes offering the flavours of legendary female chef Park Sam-sun. Mel Coffee Roasters – specialty coffee that’s a must-try. Gion Tokuya – a Japanese dessert restaurant known for its Kyoto-style shaved ice. Ayamuya – a new concept by the famous Michelin-star yakitori restaurant. Pizza Timewarp ∈Lacerba – 'No Border' pizza by a renowned Italian cuisine chef. Passion Udon Sanshu – offering an evolved version of Sanuki udon Gihan Siumei – authentic Cantonese and Hong Kong-style roasted meats. Kitaro Sushi – seasonal fish served as bite-sized 'Sharikoma' sushi. Watanabe Curry – a fusion of Japanese dashi culture and Sri Lankan spices. Kushiage001 Produced by kushiage010 – creative shish-kababs. Koala Shokudu – a new twist on classics like okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and takoyaki. Julian♡Sucré♡Acid - a collaboration of three popular stores serving up ice cream. Seiichiro, Nishizono – dreamy desserts from a top patissier. Critters Burger – a local favourite burger restaurant in Osaka Zagin Diversity – creative ramen for global palates Saboten Taqueria – authentic tacos and Mexican snacks by Mexican chefs. Bars at Time Out Market Osaka Time Out Market Osaka is also a great spot for drinks, with two bars offering everything from sake to signature cocktails. The curated beverage programme features a wide selection of draft beers and wines by the glass, sake from the Kansai region, a range of Japanese whiskey, and Osaka-themed cocktails. Those wanting to stay sober can also opt for mocktails and smoothies from the menu. Photograph: Time Out Market Osaka Entertainment at Time Out Market Osaka Visitors can expect a year-round of cultural programmes at Time Out Market Osaka, including DJ sets, live music and performances, art displays, family-friendly activities, and workshops. Don’t miss the stunning mural by Osaka artist Shun Nakao, who adds a splash of colour that reflects the energy of Osaka. What else can I do in Osaka? While you’re in the city, be sure to check out Time Out Osaka’s website for recommendations on the best things to do, see, and eat. You can also follow them on Instagram (@TimeOutMarketOsaka) or grab a copy of the Time Out Osaka print magazine, available at airports, hotels, and tourist spots across the city. What is Time Out Market? Time Out Market is the world’s first editorially curated food and cultural market. Now with 11 locations across the world, including New York, Dubai, and now Osaka, each market is unique to its city, showcasing the best local chefs, drinks, and cultural experiences. For more information, visit Time Out Market Osaka's official website.   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 reading: Hong Kong to host The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 in Kai Tak Cruise Terminal this October G-Dragon is coming to Hong Kong for his Übermensch tour in 2025 Hong Kong's first cheese omakase and bar opens in Central

Calling all cocktail aficionados! If you’re passionate about all things bar-related, you’re probably already familiar with the esteemed World’s 50 Best Bars list. Voted for by a handpicked Academy of over 700 bartenders, consultants, writers, and cocktail specialists from around the world, this prestigious ranking highlights 50 of the finest bars from around the globe each year. Hong Kong has previously hosted Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2023 and 2024, but this year, we’re taking things up a notch by welcoming the 17th annual edition of World’s 50 Best Bars at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal in a thrilling live event on October 8. And that’s not all. The World’s 50 Best Bars is set to kick off a series of events across the city in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The festivities will begin with a Bartenders' Feast, followed by the highly anticipated awards ceremony the next day, and a grand closing event to wrap up the celebrations on the third day.  In addition to naming the World’s Best Bar of 2025, the awards will also honour Michter's Art of Hospitality Award, recognising the bar that has delivered outstanding service to its guests in the past 18 months, and the Altos Bartenders' Bartender award, voted for by the bartenders from the 2025 list. As a teaser, the 51-100 list will be revealed in advance of the actual awards ceremony.  Remember to tune into the live countdown on The World's 50 Best Bars Facebook and 50 Best Bars TV YouTube Channel. 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 reading: Hong Kong will start to phase out its iconic bamboo scaffolding G-Dragon is coming to Hong Kong for his Übermensch tour in 2025 Hong Kong’s top 10 most photographed hiking trails revealed

There are plenty of things that make people think of Hong Kong: dim sum, red taxis, triad movies, and towering buildings clad in bamboo frames. The list goes on, but unfortunately, it looks like the last item might be going the way of the dodo, as the Hong Kong government announced plans to replace the ancient practice of bamboo scaffolding with metal. Citing safety concerns, the Development Bureau announced on Monday, March 17, that they will “drive a wider adoption of metal scaffolds in public building works”, replacing bamboo with a sturdier material. A bureau official further laid out in a memo that bamboo is liable to deteriorate over time and is combustible. According to quoted official figures, 23 people have died from bamboo scaffold-related accidents since 2018. However, bamboo has long been the favoured material for framing constructions and building repairs, dating as far back as the Great Wall of China. In our city, this particular wood is preferred for being lightweight, easy to transport and store, as well as faster to set up and take down, even in tight spaces. It is estimated that almost 80 percent of building scaffolds in Hong Kong are made of bamboo. Photograph: Shutterstock Officials have now decided that at least half of the city’s new government constructions will utilise metal scaffolds instead. The Development Bureau’s memo further stated that using metal is already the industry norm in mainland China and other advanced economies. On Tuesday, March 18, the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims announced their support of this government decision, urging private projects to follow suit in decreasing the use of bamboo scaffolding. As one of the most iconic sights in Hong Kong, the art of bamboo scaffolding has already been listed as part of the city’s intangible cultural heritage. There is almost nowhere else in the world – apart from our neighbouring Macau – that still utilises this craft. Much of our world-famous cityline owes its construction to this pliable, fast-growing wood. It would be a damn shame if we couldn’t marvel at the sight of construction workers deftly climbing the sides of skyscrapers on these rickety-looking frames any more. 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 reading: HKwalls returns with dazzling street art and all-new HKwalls Rooms G-Dragon is coming to Hong Kong for his Übermensch tour in 2025 Hong Kong’s top 10 most photographed hiking trails revealed