Tommy Yu

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

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.

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.

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.

Singers chant their tunes in embroidered silk, actors hop across the stage in a continuous somersault, elegant ladies toss their white, silky sleeves in sprightly dance, and finally, the scene becomes a synchronised display of jocund life. Traditions, pageantries, and the splendid past have made all the powers of Chinese opera – it is an ensemble of acting, singing, dancing, and acrobatics, with its crudest form tracing back to the ancient practice of Chinese Shamanism. From stage conventions and role categories to famous Chinese opera stories, here is a deep dive into the performing art boasting a long history and rich traditions. RECOMMENDED: Find out more about Hong Kong's sunsetting industries as we shine a spotlight on disappearing trades and crafts in the city.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Shake Shack and footwear company Lane Eight have joined hands to celebrate their fourth year in Hong Kong, unveiling Shake Shack x Lane Eight Trainer AD 1 as the ultimate fusion of the two! The cloud-white sneakers features Shake-Shack-Green shoelaces and several shoe charms ranging from a burger and fries to a shake bottle. The shoes are made without animal-derived materials and take a sustainable step toward a better planet. Photograph: Courtesy Shake Shack/Lane Eight From now until November 5, the limited-edition sneakers are available for $980. Anyone who purchases the footwear will automatically receive a voucher for Shake Shack’s nibbles and an invitation to their rooftop party at IFC on November 5. There will be live DJ sets, beer, and the one-day exclusive Kiwi Sea Salt Lemonade, alongside various workout sessions. The first 50 lucky customers entering the party, who have purchased a pair of the trainers or are joining a workout, will get their hands on Shake Shack x Lane Eight goodies and some awesome Shack bites! Snag your new pair of vegan footwear at laneeight.hk Recommended storiesYour guide to celebrating Halloween in Hong KongThe best sports bars in Hong KongHong Kong to ease rules on operating hours on restaurants, clubs and barbecue sites from November 3Follow us on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news and updates on what's goin

The Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct has officially opened! Located next to the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, the revamped harbourfront space boasts a stepped-down water edge design with fence-free 'harbour steps' that will allow visitors to be closer to the water and enjoy the romantic panorama of the typhoon shelter and the Victoria Harbour.  Photograph: Courtesy info.gov.hk Photograph: Courtesy info.gov.hk Additionally, the public can hop on a Walla-Walla boat and join a 45-minute guided tour, where you will get to ride through the storied typhoon shelter to see fishermen's boats up close, learn about local fishing culture, catch the Noonday Gun daily salute, and even visit the Triangular Island Goddess of Tin Hau Shrine (if you're lucky!) Check out our video for a snippet of what the tour is like: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Out Hong Kong (@timeouthk) Other features and amenities at the new typhoon shelter are available to serve the needs of various visitors, including vast lawns, shading facilities, outdoor tables and chairs, alongside a food kiosk and booths to hawk a variety of local traditional snacks.  Photograph: Courtesy info.gov.hk Recommended stories:Best Halloween events happening in Hong KongBest events happening in Hong Kong this OctoberYour ultimate neighbourhood guide to Wan Chai Follow us on Youtube, Facebook, and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news and updates on what's going on

Sing along to the catchy Don Don Donki tune and forage in the mixed bag of Japanese treats at the 10th Don Don Donki Hong Kong location at Whampoa Garden. Located in the heart of this residential neighbourhood, the 1,750sq m venue takes inspiration from the Shōwa (pre-’89) era, decorated with traditional Japanese folk crafts such as lanterns, vintage signboards, wind chimes, and everything in between to recreate the nostalgic shopping streets of the historic era. Photograph: Iris Lo The Whampoa store also welcomes the fourth branch of Donki’s sushi restaurant Sen Sen Sushi, which features private rooms for diners to enjoy plates of fresh sushi away from prying eyes; as well as the brand’s first takeaway bento specialty store Senraku Deli, where customers can pick and choose their favourite Japanese side dishes to customise their very own bento box. Topping off the megastore’s gustatory appeal, Donki’s wagyukushi (massively popular in Taiwan and Malaysia) will be available in Hong Kong for the first time at the Whampoa store, offering tantalizing skewers of Kuroge Wagyu beef gently grilled on iron plates using traditional techniques. Open from 8am to 1am everyday, the new location caters to shoppers of all kinds, from daytime commuters to late-night splurgers. Visit the new store now at Shop B1-B8 & B27-B32, Phase 2, Whampoa Fashion Plaza. Recommended stories:Government launches city-wide programme to ‘clean up the city’Hong Kong’s oldest restaurants you need to visitEditor