Catharina Cheung

With more LGBTQ+ representation on screen over the years here in Asia – from lighthearted comedies and heartwarming tearjerkers to thought-provoking masterpieces – we’ve curated a list of must-watch Asian LGBTQ+ films and TV shows that challenge stereotypes and explore what it’s like to be both queer and Asian. RECOMMENDED: Want to read more LGBTQ+ content? Visit this link for your guide to the best gay clubs, gay bars, events, and LGBTQ+ culture in Hong Kong. 

The 33rd Summer Olympics is just around the corner! As per the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s decision back in 2017, Paris won the bid to be the main host city, though events will be held at 16 other cities across France, as well as one subsite in Tahiti, part of the French Polynesia overseas collectivity. The Paris Games will mark the third time that this city has hosted the Olympics, as well as the sixth Olympic Games hosted by France including the Winter Games. From July 26 to August 11, 2024, more than 10,000 athletes from around the globe will gather in France to prove their mettle in the world’s largest sporting event – including stars from Hong Kong, of course. Read on for a guide on what to expect at this year’s Olympics, the Hong Kong athletes who’ll be competing, and where to watch the Games in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Watch the Olympics from the comfort of the best sports bars in Hong Kong, or check out some indoor sports activities you can do for fun

As one of Asia’s major arts and cultural hubs, Hong Kong not only has fantastic art exhibitions and music concerts and shows, but also boasts a year-round line-up of superb theatre productions, comedy stand-up shows, and stage performances. Read on to find out which shows you should see – say hi if you see us in the audience too! RECOMMENDED: 🖼️Art exhibitions and displays to check out in Hong Kong🎁Best Christmas markets in Hong Kong this year🎤Cantonese Christmas songs to check out if you’re sick of Mariah Carey

Hong Kong and Macau’s music scene has been thriving with activity. From homegrown talents performing at intimate venues to international stars taking on the big stage, there’s much to look forward to for eager concertgoers. If you want to be in the know on all the latest music performances, festivals, concerts, and gigs happening in Hong Kong and Macau, bookmark this page and come back regularly for more updates.  RECOMMENDED: In the meantime, check out our list of the best live music venues in Hong Kong. 

As one of the best Asian cities ever with the second coolest street in the world, Hong Kong plays host to plenty of travellers who all need places to rest their heads. Whether you’re looking for a budget bed or ostentatious, heli-pad bedecked five-star luxury, there’s accommodation to suit every type of guest. From honeymoons to shoe-string gap years to swanky business trips – this is the definitive guide to staying in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Check out the most incredible things to do in Hong Kong, the concerts and music events happening in town, and the best Cantonese restaurants to eat in Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we’ve based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

We often go through life with our senses being constantly assailed by sights, smells, sounds, and sensations, but us city folk are just desensitised so we’re not overwhelmed. Something eye-catching may easily draw our attention, or a particularly noxious smell might hit us in the face, but sounds tend to fade into the background of our consciousness, only to suddenly resurface as strong memories when we hear certain earworms again. Here are some particularly Hong Kong sounds and noises that all of us will instantly recognise. RECOMMENDED: 🗣️ Cantonese slang you should know🇭🇰 The 12 signs of being a true Hongkonger🍘 Hong Kong’s best local childhood snacks and sweets

Hong Kong was once the Hollywood of the East. At its peak around the early 90s, our local movie industry was the first in the world – in terms of per capita production and as the second-largest exporter of films – second only to the US.The influence of Hong Kong cinema can still be seen far and wide. Even 50 years after his death, Bruce Lee remains a global icon and his martial arts movies are classics. The groundbreaking action of The Matrix would never have come about if not for John Woo films and the action choreography of Yuen Woo-ping. Quentin Tarantino ripped off Ringo Lam’s City on Fire for his 1992 debut Reservoir Dogs. Moonlight owes much to the style of Wong Kar-wai films and the auteur was also acknowledged by Soffia Coppola as an influence when she collected the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Lost in Translation.So with such a massive cultural legacy, what are the best Hong Kong movies of all time? We present to you this definitive ranking of the best films made in Hong Kong dating as far back as the 1930s. RECOMMENDED: 😂 Classic Stephen Chow movies to watch🥋 The 20 best martial arts movies of all time🖥️ Best Hong Kong movies available on streaming services

Our fair city is a film director’s favourite when it comes to needing an exotic locale to serve as a backdrop. Hong Kong provided aesthetic inspiration for Blade Runner’s dystopian Los Angeles, and has been featured in a wide variety of films, from Ghost in the Shell to The Dark Knight. But don’t think Hong Kong doesn’t have a literary pedigree too. More than a few famous novels have been set here... RECOMMENDED: If television are more your thing, then Hong Kong’s best TV drama series should delight you. 

Hong Kong is a great place to be for foodies, art fiends, photographers, and nature adventurists. But let's face it, with so many different streets and hidden alleyways forming our city grid, it's not exactly the easiest place to navigate – and these confusing names certainly don't help! Here are seven of the strangest street names in Hong Kong that will leave you baffled.  RECOMMENDED: Find out more about Hong Kong's past and take a look at these historical Hong Kong buildings and what they've become now.

If you believe Hong Kong is a cultural desert when it comes to visual arts, think again! When you’re strolling around the heart of the city and exploring nooks and crannies around town, there’s actually art everywhere in our metropolis – as long as you know where to look for it. From art institutions that gather up-and-coming local talents under one roof to international galleries featuring works by established artists, there’s plenty to satisfy your cultural cravings. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a handy guide to some of the most interesting art spots to kick off your journey as a bona fide culture vulture. RECOMMENDED: Check out our pick of the best art exhibitions in Hong Kong for inspiration and discover an abundance of incredible art

Our city has a wonderfully rich history. From its humble origins as a fishing village to over 150 years of British colonial rule, many remnants of the past – both Chinese and Western – can still be found scattered throughout the city. Join us as we head for a trip down memory lane to revisit some of the oldest surviving buildings and structures in Hong Kong. RECOMMENDED: Let’s not forget about these beautiful buildings that sadly didn’t make it to the present day. 

If you’re a 90s kid who grew up in Hong Kong, karaoke was probably your go-to activity (remember Green Box and Red Box?). Well, that and going to arcades and gaming centres. From catchy anthems to tear-jerking ballads, there’s a whole library of Cantopop classics from the 2000s – all of which make for a perfect belting session at KTV. Here are some of the most classic ones. RECOMMENDED: Were you more into cartoons as a kid? Then get nostalgic over these classic cartoons from the 90s.

This multi award-winning martial arts dance drama is returning to Hong Kong after almost a decade since it was last performed. Picking out the most thrilling parts of the hugely popular Hong Kong comic book The Storm Riders, this performance is not only dramatic storytelling, but also a visual spectacle involving digital imagery and a gleaming pool of water onstage. Watch the tale of two brothers torn apart by destiny amidst flashing swords and splashing water. Tickets run from $220 to $1,000.

As part of the Chinese Culture Festival, the Zhejiang Wu Opera Research Centre returns to Hong Kong with three Wu opera performances, the most well-known of which is a new production of Sun Wu Kong Thrice Beat the Bony Demon. This Hong Kong debut is adapted from the Chinese epic Journey to the West and tells the story of the monk Tripitaka and his disciples meeting the Skeleton Demon on their pilgrimage for the holy scripture. The Monkey King Sun Wu Kong defeats the demon in three different disguises but is punished by his master Trpitaka for manslaughter. In a rather unconventional format, Tripitaka will be performed with martial movements when he is normally portrayed as a much more civil character. The performance will be in Chinese with English subtitles, and tickets run from $180 to $480. 

The 2024/25 season for the Hong Kong Dance Company debuts with After Snowfall, described as “a grand dance poem of calligraphy”. Inspired by the sage of calligraphy Wang Xizhi’s famous letters to his friends, this dance performance fuses elegant melodies with art technology and works from new media artist Chris Cheung, to highlight the fluid beauty of Chinese calligraphy. These letters were written more than 1,600 years ago, but when reinterpreted this way, simple words made with brush and ink can still reach out across the centuries to captivate and inspire. Tickets range from $200 to $1,000.

If, like us, you’ve been mournfully counting the days till the next big music festival, then perk up because here’s something to tide you over! The first-ever Star Nest Music Festival will be held in Hong Kong over a weekend in early September. As this festival is co-organised by Korean company Zenith C&M and Chinese company Star Nest, and produced by Korea’s Seventy and Taiwan’s Friendly Dog Entertainment, festival-goers can expect plenty of the hottest music acts from both South Korea and Taiwan. Performers who are already confirmed include Sunmi, CL, Treasure, HyunA, NCT Wish, the season two winner of Street Woman Fighter Bebe, and more. Taiwanese acts who will also be performing include Marz23, Øzi, and J.Sheon. Early-bird tickets will be released at noon on July 19, with prices at $1,400 for a general admission two-day pass and $2,900 for VIP two-day access. Single-day tickets will also be available from $800 to $,1800. Thereafter, priority booking for Mastercard holders will begin on July 22, while ticket sales for the general public will be released on July 25 – these will cost $1,000 for a single-day general pass to $2,000 for a VIP single-day pass. VIP pass holders will get to enjoy fast-track entrance, an exclusive viewing area, a Star Nest VIP commemorative t-shirt, and a chance to win goodies such as signed posters and polaroids from performing artists, and group photos opportunities backstage.

The very first of West Kowloon’s Jazz Signatures series will kick off with world-renowned trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and his quartet. Having studied under jazz legends like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Terence Blanchard, Akinmusire has curated his unique jazz sound influenced by classical, blues, and hip-hop. Audiences will be able to enjoy performances of songs from his quartet albums A Rift in Decorum: Live at the Village Vanguard and On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment, as well as some unreleased compositions. Tickets are available from $380 to $580.

The third iteration of Unheard Sound and Music Festival returns with a broad range of auditory experiences. This festival is quite unlike any other in that it explores how sound perception is subjective in nature. How do we class certain sounds as music, and other sounds as less worthy? Everyday life sounds are showcased using technology, 3D printing, innovative soundscapes, and more, while participants can also enjoy events like live performances, music documentary screenings, and panels on China’s experimental music scene. Some events will be free to attend, while others will cost $53.

After performing in Hong Kong back in February, charismatic Thai singer Jeff Satur is bringing his world tour to Macau’s stage soon. Though he’s only been making music for a few years, Satur has already garnered plenty of attention with his blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and 80s sounds. If you didn’t manage to see him in Hong Kong and missed his sold-out shows in Singapore, Indonesia, and Bangkok, then the Macau leg of his debut album tour would be a good chance to experience this versatile talent and his visual spectacles. Tickets run from $699 to $1,799.

Hong Kong’s beloved boutique festival Shi Fu Miz will be returning for its seventh edition this year. Head on over to Sai Yuen Farm on the southwestern tip of Cheung Chau, a mere 30-minute ferry ride from Central, to find four stages on the island’s idyllic beaches. The opening night on Friday will see Marie Montexier, Mr. Ho, and Y2K DJ performing in Central, while the weekend festivities will be at the main Cheung Chau venue. This year’s line-up includes electronic music acts such as Chaos in the CBD, DJ Boring, La Mamie’s, Mengzy, DJ Kulu, Marcellus Pittman, Nicola Cruz, and many more. Tickets start from $250 for a single-day pass for only Friday night, to $1,280 for access to all events.

Shanghai’s famous cabaret show Candor is performing in Macau for the very first time. They’ve elevated an all-new production of Welcome to Babylon, led by Alexander, one of the most popular dancers and choreographers in China; well-lauded singer Kateryna, and dramatic burlesque performer Cocosanti the ‘Bearded Queen’. With electric dance performances, beautiful costumes and makeup, and spectacular stage sets, audiences can find themselves whisked back to the Moulin Rouge of Paris in the 1880s. To complement the cabaret show, Wynn will also prepare dishes paired with fine wines to be enjoyed cohesively as part of this multi-sensory experience. Showing only on limited dates between late July and early August, Candor costs MOP$1,688 per table of four guests, inclusive of one alcoholic drink per person.

Fourth-generation K-pop group Stray Kids will soon be embarking on their world tour, and yes, it will take them to Hong Kong and Macau. Starting off with four shows in Seoul, the eight-member boy band will then go on to perform in Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, Tokyo, and Manila from August through November, before playing Macau for two nights. There will also be North America, Europe, and Latin American dates down the line, but these will come after the Asian part of Stray Kids’ tour wraps up in Hong Kong in January 2025. Ticket details have yet to be announced, so check back for more details.

Tai Kwun has dedicated their summer show to the life and works of Hong Kong’s most well-known song-writing talents: Joseph Koo and James Wong. Cantopop is absolutely a cultural phenomenon that has greatly contributed to the popularity and rise of Hong Kong, and this exhibition charts the history of this music genre from the 70s through to the late 90s and the earliest years of the new century.  During this period, the prolific duo of Koo and Wong co-created 236 songs, but Soundtrack of Our Lives focuses on eight of their most memorable tracks which have touched the hearts of Hongkongers and Chinese people living abroad. Each of these songs is represented by painstakingly detailed sets, such as the Mido Cafe in the past, a living room from the 70s, a teenager’s room from the late 90s, an old-school audio-visual repair shop, a recreation of Koo and Wong’s respective offices, and many more. For Hongkongers who have lived through these transformative decades, expect to be hit with the biggest blast of nostalgia. Since this exhibition focuses on music, visitors are encouraged to linger in the individual spaces and immerse themselves in the soundscapes. Feel free to sit in the chairs and couches and take your time delving into the melodies, sounds, lyrics, and themes that made up Hong Kong’s radio waves for decades. Look (or listen) out for Easter eggs such as famous commercial jingles, snippets of songs, and other visual cues that define their eras.  To complement this stunning sh

Shaped by Dominique and Arthur de Villepin’s passion for art, Villepin is a new gallery model created by collectors for collectors. Founded in 2019 in Hong Kong, Villepin specialises in selected important artists, estates, and foundations.

In general, the ease of public transportation in Hong Kong is pretty unparalleled, but passengers taking the MTR trains on Sunday, July 28, will find their journeys hampered by partial closures on the Kwun Tong line. In a five-year plan to upgrade railway assets, the MTR railway operator will be closing the Prince Edward, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, and Ho Man Tin stations to make necessary replacements over 28 hours. While more than 50 large metal hangers that hold power cables along the ceilings of the train tunnels will be replaced during this time, the four affected stations are still going to be served by the Tsuen Wan and Tuen Ma MTR lines. Changes on the MTR Kwun Tong Line  Passengers heading to Hong Kong Island will normally change from the Kwun Tong line to the Tsuen Wan line at Mong Kok station, but these planned closures mean that Prince Edward will be the only interchange station between these two lines on July 28. Services on the rest of the Kwun Tong line – between Tiu Keng Leng and Prince Edward, and between Ho Man Tin and Whampoa – will be running as usual. To lessen overcrowding at Prince Edward station, waiting times on the Kwun Tong line will be lengthened to five minutes. Changes on the MTR Tsuen Wan line On the Tsuen Wan line, which shares the Prince Edward, Mong Kok, and Yau Ma Tei stations, services will mostly continue as normal as they do not operate on the same railway track as the Kwun Tong line. Trains on this line will be available every three-and-a-hal

Severe Typhoon Gaemi is currently moving across the Taiwan Strait and is expected to make landfall over Fujian later in the day on July 25, 2024. Depending on its progress, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has said it will consider issuing the Strong Monsoon Signal or the Standby Signal Number 1. As the typhoon enters inland in southeastern China, it will maintain a distance of over 500 kilometres from Hong Kong – a Signal No 1 is usually hoisted if a tropical cyclone is centred within approximately 800 kilometres of Hong Kong and may affect the territory. That said, the HKO has forecast that unless Typhoon Gaemi veers west after making landfall over Fujian, it should be relatively far from the Pearl River Estuary, so the chances of having to issue a tropical cyclone warning are relatively low. However, the southwest monsoon over the northern part of the South China Sea is predicted to become more active today, resulting in strong winds that could reach gale force in the latter part of July 25 and early July 26. Depending on the changes in these weather conditions, the HKO will consider issuing the Strong Monsoon Signal. Though Typhoon Gaemi is some distance away, it will still have some effect over the weather in the region. As has been the case for several weeks now, the temperature will be very hot today, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius or more in certain parts of Hong Kong. These heightened temperatures may also trigger thundery showers later in the day, with

Following yet another week of scorching weather and thunderstorms, every Hongkonger’s search bar is once again filled with queries on whether or not there’ll be a typhoon this weekend. Since Typhoon Maliksi back in the end of May, Hong Kong has yet to experience another tropical cyclone, but word on the street is that there’s one imminently sweeping in. According to the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), there are currently low-pressure systems over the western North Pacific which may interact with the low-pressure trough over the South China Sea. The latter is forecast to move northward over the weekend, while the former looks likely to develop over the next few days, sweeping towards the seas near Taiwan. Since the area of low pressure is gradually intensifying, the HKO expects a tropical cyclone to develop later in the day on Friday, July 19. While weather movements are obviously subject to change, it looks like the cyclone will enter within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong on Saturday, July 20. As of the time of writing, Hongkongers will slog through the thunderstorm-filled Friday, July 19, to find showers and very hot weather on Saturday reaching highs of 33 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, Sunday looks to be gloomy, with showers and sunny intervals in the early part of the day, before devolving into squally thunderstorms to wrap up the weekend. The HKO will consider issuing No. 1 Standby Signal on Saturday from the afternoon onwards. Keep up to date on weather developments on the HKO

Starting from Friday, July 19, residents of Hong Kong and Macau will be able to travel between the two cities with a QR code during immigration clearance. Travellers eligible for this service will not even need to present their identity cards, which is part of the government’s plans to digitalise and speed up immigration clearance compared to the regular unmanned e-Channels. Hong Kong residents can register for Macau’s Automated Passenger Clearance Service for free at several locations, including the arrival hall of the Taipa Ferry Terminal, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge checkpoint, and more. Once successfully registered, travellers can activate the service and generate a QR code using the ‘Contactless e-Channel’ app, then scan the QR code and their fingerprint at the automated clearance channel. Macau residents can generate the QR code using the ‘Macao One Account’ app instead. To be eligible for this new service, one must be aged 11 or above, and have a valid HKID card showing the ‘*’, ‘***’, or the ‘R’ symbols; or a valid HKID with a HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes that has a minimum validity period of 90 days. These documents will need to be presented when registering for automated clearance, and a photograph will be taken along with fingerprints. Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above holding a Hong Kong permanent ID card or a HKID with the ‘***’ or ‘R’ symbols can also register at the self-service enrolment kiosks found at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, Macau F

For the ninth year running, countless bar luminaries from all over the world gathered to celebrate and witness the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 live ceremony on July 16. This year, the annual event returned to Hong Kong for the second year in a row, and was held in Rosewood Hong Kong. This year also marks the first of a three-year partnership between 50 Best with Hong Kong Tourism Board, meaning that Hongkongers can expect to catch more 50 Best events in town over the next two years.  This year’s list comprises bars spanning 18 different cities across Asia, with 12 brand-new entries. Singapore leads with 11 venues, followed by South Korea and Japan tied with five venues on the list.  All eyes are on Hong Kong’s very own Bar Leone topping the chart, a spot which was previously held by Coa for the last three years. Coa has now slid to fourth place. Bar Leone’s founder Lorenzo Antinori says of his bar’s win, “It’s an insane feeling. We opened the bar just over a year ago, and we’re [...] just 10 people that decided to pursue this dream. We didn’t expect it – there are some amazing bars [and] colleagues out there – and we’re just very grateful to be part of this community.” Antinori concedes that the Hong Kong bar scene is very competitive, but embraces it nonetheless. “In Hong Kong there’s a lot of diversity – it’s a bar scene that has been evolving. In the last few years we’ve seen so many new concepts and many new bars opening with different identities. It’s a city that is very co

Update: The results are in! Find out who clinched the coveted top spot on the list by clicking here.The ninth edition of the Asia’s 50 Best Bar awards is just around the corner, and it’s taking place in Hong Kong for the second year in a row. As we get closer to the big day and as more talents from across the continent fly into town ahead of the event, here’s all the information you need to know before you go out, get sloshed, and show support for your favourite bars across the Asia region. When is Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024? The event will take place on July 16, and will begin from 8.25pm (HKT) onwards. Where is Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 taking place? The annual ceremony will be held at Rosewood Hong Kong, but this is not open to the public. However, the event will be live-streamed for viewers to watch around the world. Where can I watch the Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 livestream? Viewers can watch the ceremony live-streamed on The World’s 50 Best Bars’ Facebook page and Youtube channel. Highlights of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 From July 13 until July 19, members of the public can drop into countless bar shifts taking place in Hong Kong and Macau daily. Talented mixologists from all over the world will be behind the stick of local drinking dens as they shake and stir cocktails. Catch collaborations such as the 50 Best Signature Sessions led by global bartenders, and other exhilarating barshifts happening around town by checking out our comprehensive guide. Recommended reading:Dor

35-year-old swimmer Ryan Leung Chun-hay has made history as the first Hongkonger to successfully swim across the North Channel. The 35-kilometre strait lies between the northeast of Northern Ireland and southwestern Scotland, and Leung completed the challenge in 14 hours and five minutes, with his record certified by the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association. Of the waterways in the UK that are regularly swum, the North Channel is one of the most difficult to tackle. It is certainly the hardest to swim among the Oceans Seven challenge, which is a marathon of seven open-water channel swims including the Moloka’i Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar – the swimming equivalent of the Seven Summits mountaineering challenge. The swimmer reportedly struggled the most during the fourth hour of his journey, when he had to swim through waters as cold as 11 degrees Celsius. Changes in water flow also meant that he had to swim against the tide, spending “more than three hours to accomplish the last seven kilometres”. Leung is also making a difference by swimming the North Channel as a way to raise funds for the Child Development Initiative Alliance, which supports underprivileged youths in Hong Kong. He says, “I hope to encourage young people not to give up, to maximise their potential, and to inspire them to explore their aspirations and turn impossible dreams into possibilities.” You can support Leung’s fundraising efforts on his SimplyGiving page. Recommended reading: Asia’s 50 Best

The Hong Kong government has approved an increase of $2 in flag-fall rates for taxis, which came into effect on Sunday, July 14. This means the starting fares for urban taxis is now $29, as well as $25.50 for New Territories taxis and $24 for Lantau taxis. Beyond the first two kilometres after flag-fall, the incremental charges for each 200 metres of travel has also been raised. Charges for waiting times while the meter is running will be adjusted since the overall fare will cost more, while other additional charges such as for luggage and pets remain unchanged. To help passengers get used to this change, taxis have been equipped with a conversion table showing old and new fares. Taxis which have yet to adjust their meters will still display the old fare, while the price difference to make up for the fare increase will be handled as a surcharge.  While this does mean an increased burden for consumers, especially frequent taxi riders, those who are in the taxi trade have expressed their displeasure with this $2 hike. The industry’s request was for fares to be raised $6, meaning they are now only getting a third of the amount they wanted. On the other hand, some consumers think the raised charge is not justified when held up against the level of service provided by most taxi drivers. Apart from increasing the incomes and livelihoods of taxi drivers, the government said they also took into account factors such as public acceptance, changes in taxi operating costs, and fare diffe

To celebrate the 120th anniversary of HK Tramways, our iconic trams have collaborated with one of Hong Kong’s favourite home-grown animated characters, McDull, to double up on the nostalgic factor. Two specially themed trams are trundling around Hong Kong Island, including Tram No. 120 – which is the only post-war tram model still in service – and the brand-new Tram No. 300, a conversion from a wooden tram which can now become a giant moving billboard by enclosing the windows. There will also be three tram stops that are McDull and tram anniversary themed, so hit up 72W Pottinger Street, 25E Jubilee Street, and 46W Pennington Street for some photo spots. After all, if you upload pictures and videos of the themed trams onto Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #TRAM120, you stand a chance to be chosen as one of three winners to receive a 999.9 gold-plated tram ticket, as well as a year’s worth of free tram rides. Free tram tours themed around topics like history, culture, and photography, will also run every weekend from now till August, and there’ll also be a HK Tramways pop-up store in Central Market from late July to early September. Recommended reading: Affordable Japanese gyudon spot Gyudonya opens in Mong KokEVA Air is giving away free flight tickets to anywhere in the worldNon-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit: A step-by-step guide to applying Follow us on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news and updates on what's

In a move likely to affect services and companies such as Uber, the Hong Kong government has proposed a plan to regulate online ride-hailing platforms by requiring vehicles to obtain a licence before operating. The proposal also suggests increasing penalties for illegal ride-hailing services, such as impoundment of vehicles or withdrawing driver’s licences for a certain period of time.  Uber has operated in Hong Kong since 2014 and has long been viewed as a threat by the city’s taxi industry, since the poor quality of service in taxis has driven more customers to ride-hailing apps over the years. According to Bloomberg, there are currently about 1,500 hire-car permits available for ride-hailing services in Hong Kong, with no government plans to increase this quota. Uber, which has been unregulated for a decade, has more than 10,000 drivers in operation. It remains to be seen how the government decides to control vehicles on our roads operating under ride-hailing services. The Transport and Logistics Bureau will likely complete their legislative proposal next year, but before that, they will study passenger ride-hailing patterns and changing needs. While a regulatory framework is all well and good, if the government ends up imposing a cap of the number of licenced vehicles under each ride-hailing platform, then it will likely mean a rise in prices for consumers – as well as a blow to many of Hong Kong’s drivers who rely on ride-hailing for flexible income. Recommended reading:

Between Jin recently finishing mandatory military service, Jimin dropping his new single Smeraldo Garden Marching Band, and V announcing his solo photobook, BTS sure are keeping fans well-fed. As it turns out, there’s even more to come, with Jimin and Jungkook announcing their new travel reality show, Are You Sure?! Read on to find out details about this brand-new show and where to watch it in Hong Kong. What is the show Are You Sure?! about? This new series follows Jimin and Jungkook as they travel and unwind together across three locations. Fans will get to see the duo eating, shopping, cooking, camping, and road-tripping their way through the state of New York, Jeju in South Korea, and Sapporo in Japan. This is the first time these two members have filmed their own show, and as a fan favourite pair, the show is sure to shed some light on rarely seen moments of Jimin and Jungkook’s friendship. When will Are You Sure?! be released? The first two episodes will premiere on Thursday, August 8, 2024. After that, one new episode will be released each Thursday until September 19. Where can Hong Kong viewers watch Are You Sure?! Are You Sure?! will be shown exclusively on the Disney+ streaming platform. Apart from this new show, subscribers will also be able to watch other BTS content such as the band’s docuseries BTS Monuments: Beyond The Star, the cinematic cut of their Permission To Dance concert in Los Angeles, documentaries focusing on members Suga and J-hope, and In The Soop:

Non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macau residents will be able to travel to China more easily as Beijing eases visa rules to further integrate these two special administrative regions into the mainland. From July 10, long-term residents of Hong Kong who are not Chinese nationals will be eligible to apply for a five-year travel permit. Currently, Hong Kong residents who are Chinese are able to pass immigration into mainland China through faster channels with what’s colloquially referred to as a ‘Home Return Permit’ card. Soon, non-Chinese Hong Kong residents will also be able to use self-service immigration gates with the new mainland travel permit card. Mainland China is currently already trialling visa-free entry for travellers of French, Australian, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, New Zealand, Dutch, and Malaysian nationalities – these travellers are allowed to stay in China for 15 days. However, this new card for Hong Kong and Macau foreign residents will not be limited to any nationality or industry, and interested individuals can apply through the China Travel Service. Successful applicants can travel between Hong Kong and the mainland without needing another visa, and for up to 90 days at a time, with a five-year validity period. Under this new permit, Hong Kong travellers will still not be allowed to work, study, or engage in controlled activities such as news gathering while in mainland China – these will require applying for other relevant visas and permits. Recommended re