Hong Kong in May 2024: Best things to do

Japan's hugely popular Naked Flowers exhibition is coming to Hong Kong for the first time! Set to run from April 27 to October 27 at 1881 Heritage in Tsim Sha Tsui, the exhibition will take visitors on an immersive journey through the world of flowers and uncover their hidden secrets. Explore colossal flower gardens and interactive spaces, and delve into the mysteries of floral life across eight experiential rooms, including the 'Naked Big Book' featuring original Naked design with projection mapping; the 'Big Flower Garden' where visitors can enjoy the fragrance of flowers; 'Microscopy of Flowers', a kaleidoscope-like space with mirrors that rotate to reflect digital art; and more. Be sure to stop at the Naked Cafe Bar where visitors can enjoy floral teas (or cocktails after 6pm!) on an interactive round table with projections of floral designs when a drink is placed down.

Tickets are available at $180 and $150 for children aged three to 11, full-time students, persons with disabilities, and seniors aged 65 or above. Children under the age of three can enter for free. Bank of China Chill Card credit card holders can also take advantage of an exclusive package for $260 to get two adult tickets and a BOGOF deal on selected drinks at the Naked Cafe Bar.

Here are just some of the highlights from the exhibition:

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This year marks a century since the birth of Dr Louis Cha, better known by his pen name Jin Yong, the literary giant who wrote numerous hit martial arts novels that earned a place among classic Chinese literature. Starting from March 15, there will be a range of events and exhibitions that pay tribute to Jin Yong’s work and legacy, as well as to create unique cultural intellectual property that tells Hong Kong stories.

‘The World of Wuxia’ at Edinburgh Place will present 10 sculptures of Jin Yong’s most iconic characters, created by sculptor Ren Zhe. Apart from figures of Xiaolongnü, Yang Guo, Abbess Miejue, the Golden Wheel Monk, and more, there will also be a Mongolian yurt inspired by The Eagle-shooting Heroes, where visitors can recreate famous scenes with audio guides and AR technology. A larger exhibition of Ren Zhe’s sculptures will also be on show at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin from March 16 to October 7, along with seminars, talks, immersive experiences, and a manuscript display.

As the birthplace of Jin Yong’s wuxia novels, Hong Kong has always been known as a city of diverse peoples and cultures. The organisers of his centennial events have therefore collaborated with international institutions and foreign consulates in Hong Kong to create interactive artistic experiences that promote Jin Yong’s novels as a way to appreciate Chinese culture and tell Hong Kong stories. While most Hongkongers will already have vivid shared memories of Jin Yong and his famous works, younger generations can now also be  introduced to these literary classics.

Hong Kong audiences will be able to enjoy the 2023/24 season of The Metropolitan Opera of New York (The Met) from the comfort of our city’s own cinemas. This season opens with the Met premiere of Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie, and will also include two other contemporary premieres, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X by Anthony Davis based on the life of the American civil rights leader, and Florencia en el Amazonas by Mexican composer Daniel Catán.

Don’t miss brand-new productions of repertoire classics like Bizet’s Carmen, whose story has been reset in modern-day America, and Verdi’s La Forza del Destino in its first rare appearance at the Met. We’re also looking forward to revivals like Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly starring soprano Asmik Grigorian in her Met debut as the lead Cio-Cio San.

The Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia (FAMA) is bringing these works to a Hong Kong audience with The Met: Live in HD 2023-24, to be shown across the city at Emperor Cinemas in Central, K11 Art House, Movie Movie in Pacific Place, and Premiere Elements. Each production will be screened at approximately monthly intervals until the end of the year, and the viewing schedule is available on The Met in Hong Kong’s website. Tickets are priced at $290.