Your ultimate guide to Hong Kong

In case you haven’t already heard, the latest collectable on the market is Hong Kong’s exclusive panda twins Labubu, released in celebration of our panda cubs, Jia Jia and De De, turning one year old. Regular Joes like us will have to enter a lucky draw for a chance to get our hands on this limited-edition figurine, but meanwhile, the little guy has already made his way to Hollywood. Our queen and iconic actor Michelle Yeoh was gifted a panda twins Labubu, and has already been seen bringing him to star-studded events. She attended a special production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl and posted a series of photos on her Instagram posing with the Labubu and her celebrity friends. Cynthia Erivo, who plays the titular role of Jesus in the production, was featured holding the Hong Kong figurine with Yeoh, as was their Wicked co-star Jeff Goldblum, along with his wife Emilie Livingston. In her Instagram caption, Yeoh also wished our panda twins a happy birthday, adding that it is also in honour of her own birthday celebrations (coming up on August 6). Oh, to be a silly little Nordic monster hanging out with these film and theatre legends! Are you going to try your luck getting a Labubu x Panda Twins birthday collectable? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Yeoh 楊紫瓊 (@michelleyeoh_official) 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: Catch popular Hong Kong musicians and new talents at this music festival Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQIA+ event Pink Dot cancels 2025 edition after venue backs out ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government

Hong Kong’s music scene has long served as an incubator of influential pop artists and performers – just look at the enduring cultural impact of the Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop, Anita Mui, and Leslie Cheung! If you’re looking for a dose of exciting music performances shining a spotlight on local Hong Kong musicians, clear your schedule this August for the Gimme LiVe Music Festival at Mira Place. Now in its 13th year, the Gimme LiVe Music Festival retains bragging rights as the first shopping mall music festival in the city, providing emerging musicians and songwriters with a stage and an opportunity to shine. Over four consecutive Saturdays (August 9, 16, 23, and 30), well-known music producer Terry Chui leads the pack as the event’s music consultant, curating the lineup of up-and-coming artists as part of the ‘Voice Arise’ theme – he’ll even join them for live jams on three weekends. As for star power, confirmed acts include popular bands and musicians such as Dear Jane, Kiri T, On Chan, and Gordon Flanders; local indie groups like The Hertz, ROVER, and Locksmiths; and singers and songwriters Chantel Yiu, Dale, Emiko Tsui, Arvin Tsang, Bernard Chan, and many more. With five different acts on the bill each weekend, there’s something for every music lover. Busking showcases are also taking place on Friday evenings, opening up the stage for even more musical potential. From July 31 onwards, Mira Place members can redeem Gimme LiVe tickets for a show of their choice at the Mira Place 1 concierge with a single electronic spending of $300 at any Mira Place outlet – however, the tickets must be collected on the same day as the spending transaction, so don’t forget to keep your printed receipt for the exchange. You’ll also need to follow Mira Place’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, and like their Instagram post to redeem the set of two tickets. If you’re on the hunt for VIP access, there’s also a Gimme LiVe After Party Dining Package for two, available for purchase on the Mira eShop from August 1 onwards, which offers assigned seating. Each show is limited to 200 participants, so the tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis – better move fast. Mark your calendars and head to Mira Place to see the next big sensation in Hong Kong’s music industry! (And who knows, maybe you’ll even get to say you liked their music before they caught their big break.) 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: The best things to do in Hong Kong this August ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government Relive the heydays of old-school gaming from the 70s to present day at this exhibition

The hurdles are truly never-ending for the queer community. Hong Kong’s largest LGBTQIA+ event, Pink Dot, has had to cancel this year’s edition after being denied its usual venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District. According to the organisers, they were already busy preparing for the event that was to be held on October 12, when they were suddenly told ‘that the venue could not be rented to us, without any explanation provided’. Since there are few other outdoor venues suitable, and how hard it would be to find another location on such a tight timeline, they’ve had no choice but to cancel this year’s event. 2025 would have marked Pink Dot’s 11th edition running. Every year, Pink Dot is a carnival that raises awareness for the queer community and promotes diversity in Hong Kong with talks, performances, booths, and more. LGBTQIA+ events have been finding it harder to host large-scale gatherings in Hong Kong over the past few years – the last time our city saw a pride parade was back in 2018. Pink Dot’s cancellation comes at a time when the Hong Kong government is attempting to pass a bill on legally recognising same-sex partnerships for couples who have registered their union overseas. 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: The best things to do in Hong Kong this August ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government Relive the heydays of old-school gaming from the 70s to the present day

In early July, the Hong Kong government announced their plans to rename the ‘space oil’ drug as its current street name makes it sound too appealing. The authorities have now decided to officially call it ‘etomidate’, after its main narcotic ingredient. Hong Kong’s security chief Chris Tang said on Thursday, August 1, that ‘drug traffickers make use of the name to promote a sort of fantasy [...] and I think this is absolutely wrong’. Space oil is essentially a narcotic substance containing etomidate, a short-term anaesthetic used in clinical practices to induce sedation. The government has been clamping down hard on this drug since it gained popularity around 2023, especially among Hong Kong’s youth, since it is relatively cheap and convenient to consume when inhaled through vaping devices. According to the authorities, 327 people in the city were recorded to have used etomidate in the first half of 2025, which exceeds the total record from the entirety of last year. Among these drug users, approximately 60 percent were aged 21 or younger. In February this year, the categorisation of etomidate was upgraded to a dangerous drug, alongside cocaine and ketamine. The government believes that by not referring to etomidate as space oil any more, the drug will be glamourised less and people will be increasingly deterred from taking it. Do you think this smear campaign on ‘space oil’ is going to work? 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: G-Dragon launches Zo&Friends pop-up in Hong Kong, inspired by his own cat 4 Hong Kong ‘peaks’ will become the city’s next big tourism destinations A Scandinavian cafe has just opened near Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan

Whether you love or hate gaming culture, it’s undeniably a large part of most people’s childhoods and hobbies even into adulthood. From the Magnavox Odyssey – the first home-use video gaming console – to the latest Nintendo Switch 2 release, gamers have seen the rise and fall of many trends and technologies from the 70s to the present day, and you can now reminisce on them all at this exhibition on gaming, its art and designs, and collective memories. Airside is hosting the ‘Restart! Beyond Gaming Exhibition!’, which explores how gaming extends beyond simple personal entertainment and has become an integral part of Hong Kong’s cultural tapestry. Check out the wall of gaming consoles to find vintage consoles such as the Atari 2600 from the 70s, the Nintendo Famicom from the 80s, over 300 Nintendo games from the 80s and 90s, and more – see how many of these consoles you recognise and once owned. Bringing back to the now-disappearing arcade, the exhibition allows you to redeem coins to try your hand at ‘The King of Fighters ‘98’ and ‘Bubble Bubble’. An interactive installation also transforms visitors into game characters from different eras. If you’ve ever wondered what you’d look like as an eight-bit pixelated dude, a 2-D ‘Street Fighter 2’ character, or a 3-D player from the early years of ‘Winning Eleven’, this is your chance to find out. Photograph: Courtesy Marti Wong / Nan Fung Group Hongkongers of a certain age will remember the ‘Little Fighter’ series by Marti Wong, a single- and multi-player beat ‘em up game released in 1995. Immensely popular in the 90s, its sequel was developed with Starsky Wong in 1999, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘Little Fighter 2’, the remastered game will feature an Airside-exclusive backdrop of the famous Kowloon Walled City for an added touch of Hong Kong heritage. If you have fond memories of video games, this exhibition is a must-visit. ‘Restart! Beyond Gaming Exhibition!’ runs from now until November 9 at the Gate33 Gallery in Airside, and admission is free. 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: ‘Space oil’ drug renamed as ‘etomidate’ by Hong Kong government The coolest things to check out in Hong Kong this weekend (August 1-3) G-Dragon launches Zo&Friends pop-up in Hong Kong, inspired by his own cat

Ahead of G-Dragon’s concerts in Hong Kong, the K-pop star’s pet cat takes over our city with the Zo&Friends pop-up in Times Square. Inspired by his Scottish fold named Princess Zoa, GD has spent two years creating and designing this original IP, and the results can’t be any cuter. A large Zoa sits in the middle of Times Square’s second-floor atrium, surrounded by flowers and the daisy A&ne. According to the brand, Zoa looks cynical and even somewhat gloomy (it has a literal cloud hanging over its eyes) but hides a soft, gentle nature. Walk through and snap pictures at photo spots, explore Zoa’s room, and see plenty of artworks, decals, BTS captures, and more. Of course, what’s a good pop-up without some merch to bring home? There’ll be a range of Zo&Friends products on sale, such as soft toys, plush keychains, kitchenware, rugs, stickers, and wearable accessories. Visitors will need to register online before being allowed access to the pop-up store – make sure you get there early to queue up.  Visit GD’s cute cat and his daisy friend from now until August 31. 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: 4 Hong Kong ‘peaks’ will become the city’s next big tourism destinations A Scandinavian cafe and wine bar has just opened near Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan WestK unveils new season programmes, including Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival

Aside from our world-famous cityscape with towering skyscrapers, Hong Kong is also known for having plenty of lush nature and greenery with fantastic hiking trails. In a renewed governmental push, eco-tourism is going to be a key part of the strategy to boost our economy. Building on the increase of tourist arrivals in the city – which rose by 10 percent to exceed 16 million visitors in the first four months of 2025 compared to the year before – the Hong Kong government aims to strengthen our appeal to international travellers through promoting a ‘tourism is everywhere’ concept, pushing ecological and cultural attractions to meet changing preferences and travel patterns. Of the nine new ‘tourist hotspots’ named in the scheme’s blueprint in May, eco-tourism is set to be a major focus. Well-known hiking destinations such as the Peak, Tai Mo Shan, Lantau Peak, and Sai Kung will receive special attention as part of the ‘Four Peaks’ tourism project. Highlighting the city’s close proximity to nature, this green tourism strategy focuses on the Peak Trail (High West Section), the Ngong Ping Trail (Nei Lake Shan Section), the Sharp Island Country Trail, and Rotary Park to Tai Mo Shan Viewpoint, chosen for their accessibility, short routes, spectacular scenery, and convenient access to transportation. Upgrading trail facilities is going to be a crucial part of the transformation, including setting up hiking information boards and directional signage, and improving connections to nearby areas of interest, creating a seamless journey for nature lovers that lead to other parts of the city. These developments are planned to reach completion by the end of 2026. Other projects to be implemented include creating the Victoria Park Bazaar for cultural and creative activities, promoting Kowloon City, revitalising the former Hung Hom Railway Freight Yard Pier, and turning the former Yau Ma Tei Police Station into a museum. As Hongkongers like to say of large crowds, ‘people mountain people sea’ – so make plans to take in these majestic peaks before the jostling with international travellers begins! 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: A Scandinavian cafe and wine bar has just opened near Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan WestK unveils new season programmes, including Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival Hong Kong ranked as the city with the most skyscrapers in the world

If you’ve been to and liked the Norwegian-inspired cafe Hjem in Sheung Wan, you would have been sad to hear that it closed earlier in April this year. However, the good news is that the hospitality power couple behind Hjem, Nelson Htoo and Elin Fu, are now opening a new Nordic cafe within the same space! Venner, meaning ‘friends’ in Norwegian, is an all-day hangout that serves small-batch cakes, coffee, and curated natural wines. Instead of being just another pit stop for a cup of joe, the idea is for Venner to flow effortlessly from coffees and cakes to drinks and snacks as the day turns to night – the way Nordic cafes are run. Photograph: Courtesy Venner Their menu consists of baked goods that are all made in house, such as the classic cinnamon and cardamom bun ($48), rye sourdough skolebrød ($48), as well as a moreish breakfast plate ($88) with Jarlsberg cheese, homemade lingonberry jam, rye sourdough, and whipped butter. Caffeine addicts can expect medium- to light-roast coffees and ceremonial-grade matcha served straight or in seasonal flavours like matcha coconut ($55) or double matcha ($60). Some signature drinks from Hjem have also made it over into Venner, so we can enjoy their honey golden latte ($48) again. Come evening, the focus shifts to natural wines from small producers, presented on a rotational basis and served by the glass from $88. To go with the drinks, there will also be small plates including a savoury goat’s cheese cheesecake ($98) or dates with prosciutto and brie ($48), among others. Whether you want a chill place to hang out with a good coffee or a welcoming space for drinks with mates, Venner is set to be a friendly neighbourhood eatery that’ll have regulars in no time. Venner is located at 161 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, and is currently in their soft opening period. 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: WestK unveils new season programmes, including Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival Hong Kong ranked as the city with the most skyscrapers in the world Hongkongers prioritise health and longevity more than ever – but men would rather focus on tech

Good news for everyone who loves a good show – the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) has announced its programme for the 2025-2026 season, and its packed schedule of flagship events includes the WestK Cabaret Festival, a first for Hong Kong! Leading these artistic experiences in mid-August is the highly successful Cantonese musical The Impossible Trial, which is returning to Hong Kong for its third run after a mainland China tour. Visitors can also expect to see a mix of tradition and modernity at the Black Box Chinese Opera Festival, with a choice between three award-winning Chinese opera productions running from October 11 to 26. Jazz music lovers are going to be well catered for, with Freespace Jazz Festival coming back from November 6 to 9, presenting a dynamic blend of pop, jazz, and folk music; followed by legendary jazz vocalist and five-time Grammy-winner Dianne Reeves set to headline in November 2025 – an unmissable event in a season calendar of 30 programmes and 700 performances. Photograph: Courtesy Lee Chia-yeh Other notable performing arts during WestK’s 2025-2026 season include Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s Lunar Halo production, which promises to be a mesmerising blend of contemporary dance, LED visuals, and a soundtrack scored in collaboration with Icelandic band Sigur Rós. From November 20 to December 6, get moving with the third edition of Freespace Dance, where avant-garde movement works will explore the evolution of the dance medium – look out for a performance where Hong Kong’s iconic bamboo scaffolding culture meets a football match! Looking ahead to next year, WestK has decided to expand its highly acclaimed WestK Cabaret Nights which launched this May, presenting Hong Kong’s first-ever Cabaret Festival at the Xiqu Centre in June 2026. Inspired by French traditions and delivered with a Hong Kong twist, the week-long festival will feature top artists, talented performers, and vibrant productions from around the world, showcasing the diverse elements of comedy, music, and theatrical storytelling that make cabaret such a joy to watch. With so much happening on the horizon, keep an eye out for more WestK event details on our page. 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: Hong Kong ranked as the city with the most skyscrapers in the world Hongkongers are prioritising health and longevity more than ever before – but men would rather focus on tech The first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week

When you’re trying to come up with the image of a city crammed with soaring buildings, Hollywood would have you believe that New York City is the one place that comes to mind – remember all those sweeping shots of the NYC cityscape in everything from Gossip Girl and Sex and the City to Mad Men? But, the fact remains that it is not actually the world leader for skyscrapers – Hong Kong is! According to the UK’s Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, skyscrapers are buildings that measure 150 metres or taller. Hong Kong, with a relatively small amount of valuable land area sandwiched between mountainous terrain and the sea, has always chosen to expand upwards, and now boasts more than 550 completed skyscrapers, making us the city with the most skyscrapers in the world. The second place goes to our mainland Chinese neighbour Shenzhen, a mega-city that has more than 380 skyscrapers. With a skyline full of enormous buildings like the 115-storey Ping An Finance Center, there’s no doubt that the ‘Silicon Valley of China’ will be expanding its portfolio of architectural giants even further in the years to come. New York comes in at number three, with the city’s iconic builds like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, and the residential towers of Billionaire’s Row making up over 320 skyscrapers. The other cities rounding out the top 10 cities with the most skyscrapers are Dubai, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Chicago, and Wuhan, respectively. Of course, with new buildings being constructed every day – especially within fast-moving Asian cities – these rankings are bound to be quite fluid. Check back again next year to see who lands where, but one thing’s for sure: no other city is coming near our skyscraper count any time soon. 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: Hongkongers prioritise health and longevity more than ever – but men would rather focus on tech The first Black Rainstorm of the year pelts Hong Kong, with rain expected until next week McDonald’s Hong Kong releases Chiikawa Happy Meal toys

Do you remember an exhibition last summer that displayed miniature scenes of the Central and Western districts in Pacific Place? In case you missed it, the Joyful Miniature Association (JMA) is back once again, this time with more incredibly detailed dioramas of life in Hong Kong, including seven brand-new miniatures that have never been seen before. The 24 art pieces will highlight some of Hong Kong’s famous landmarks, cultural customs, and unique lifestyles. Peek into painstaking recreations of Sunday dim sum at Maxim’s Palace in City Hall, chaotic nighttime revelry along Lan Kwai Fong, the customs of worship and pin wheel buying at Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple, a moving model of the fifth generation of the Peak Tram funicular railway, views of Victoria Harbour complete with boats sailing and fireworks, and more.  Photograph: Courtesy Joyful Miniature Association The new miniatures at this show include the Kai Tak Sports Park, the legendary old Kowloon Walled City, night scenes of Temple Street, horse racing, aquatic animals on sale at one of the many shops along Goldfish Street, the cable car at Ngong Ping 360, and Hong Kong’s transhipment history at the Insta-famous Western District Pier. The JMA brings together over 100 Hong Kong artists who collectively integrate the traditionally European craft of miniatures with our distinctly local culture using cutting-edge technology. If there’s one way to stroll through the most iconic sights and experiences of Hong Kong in just a few steps, this exhibition is definitely it. ‘Hong Kong: Through the Looking Glass Miniature Exhibition’ will be on display at The Peak Tower from April 25 to June 23 – JMA’s longest exhibition in the city. 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: Hong Kong ranked as the 10th most walkable city in the world; 1st in East Asia Hong Kong Airport Express proposes fare increase of 9.4 percent The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is hosting a carnival this Sunday

We sit down with artist and designer Joe Foti before his new exhibition in Hong Kong

March in Hong Kong is not complete without a trip to the Wanchai Convention Centre to spend a day or two at Art Basel. This year’s fair gathers 240 global galleries, with large-scale installations, paintings, sculptures, digital art, live performances, video works, and more to see!

From a world without colours to her love of big city metros, we caught up with British artist Monster Chetwynd for a round of quick-fire questions while she's in town for her new installation at Pacific Place! 

Free on Tuesdays? Head over to Hugo's in TST for their unlimited steak and frites night, which also come with Caesar salad, a dessert, and plenty of tipples – just remember to wear loose pants.

G'day foodies! Renowned chef Shane Osborn has just opened a laidback Aussie-style cafe inspired by Australian pit stops. Perfect for a casual meal when in Central.

This arts month, don't miss Hong Kong's first ASMR exhibition that will give you all kinds of tingles.

This ‘Picasso for Asia’ exhibition is the first time that masterpieces from the Musée national Picasso-Paris are being shown alongside works from an Asian museum collection. Find out what makes the Spanish master of Cubism so influential – you have until mid-July!

These cool (and just a tad creepy) faceless sculptures are here for the whole of Hong Kong Arts Month, so make time in your diary to visit this month

What is villain hitting and why are old ladies beating paper with a shoe for $50? Of all the weird and wonderful traditions we have in Hong Kong, this one is definitely up there.