There is so much going on each month in Hong Kong. From shopping to shows to kids’ activities, here’s our list of what’s new and happening around the city this season for all the family.
Greener Transport
After two years in the making, the first pure electric public minibus from EV Dynamics has been delivered for route testing in Hong Kong; it’s expected to commence service early in 2023. The APEX Mini is one of eight new models of electric minibus selected by the government for a trial of 40 minibuses across HK. It’s estimated there are around 3,000 Public Light Buses in operation, and despite some converting from LPG to diesel, they are still major air polluters in our crowded streets. The new minibus is the first pure electric, fully accessible public minibus in a new era of eco-friendly and socially inclusive public transportation. And that can only be good news!
HKAF Turns 51!
This year marks the 51st edition of the Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), an event that continues to impress audiences with exhilarating performances by local and international artists across all genres of the performing arts, in-venue and online. The festival officially opens on 17 February 2023 with the Ballet of Slovene National Theatre Maribor’s performance of Radio and Juliet & Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring), and closes on 18 March with the Bamberg Symphony’s performance of Dvořák and Brahms, led by conductor Jakub Hrůša.
Ticket bookings open on 7 December; for full programme details, visit hk.artsfestival.org
Holistic Fitness
Renowned founder of Cookie DPT and CARBON, Wil Fang, has joined forces with three leading figures in the local fitness industry (Jess Shih, Soojin Leu, and Dan Yeung) to open holistic wellness destination Renation. Far from a regular gym, the expansive studio on the third floor at H Code in Pottinger Street, features four distinct areas, all designed to provide holistic offerings catered to different facets of wellness and health. At one end of the space, “Recycle” is dedicated to rhythmic cycling, and at the other, “Recondition” offers strength and conditioning classes. “Recover” offers an area to rest and stretch with the help of physiotherapists and sports masseuses and “Recharge” is a juice and smoothie bar where you can enjoy a signature Spirulina Colada and other healthy treats.
Find out more at renation.com.
Tales of India
Bhakti Mathur, author of the bestselling Amma, Tell Me series of children’s picture books, has released her fifth book in the series: Amma, Take Me to the Taj Mahal. This time, Amma, Shiv and Veer take the reader on a historical tour of the Mughal empire that led to the creation of the renowned Taj Mahal. Through questions and anecdotes, Amma tells her boys the stories of Babur’s invasion, Akbar’s great reign, and Shah Jahan’s undying love for Mumtaz, while peppering them with interesting titbits about what it took to create the architectural marvel. Available at Bookazine HK from October.
Kiztopia comes to HK
Looking for weekend or holiday activities for the kids? We have exciting news. Singapore’s mega-indoor kids’ edutainment centre Kiztopia will be landing in Hong Kong this September with the opening of its first overseas flagship outlet in New Town Plaza Play Park. Spanning over 12,000 square feet, the massive indoor playground features 15 play areas, including a giant climbing and slides area with a four-metre-high slide and Occupational Experience Zones themed around cartoon characters. Perfect for a family day out, the centre will keep kids (and parents) happy and entertained while helping them develop new skills. Starting 29 August, enjoy a 10 percent early bird discount on three ticket offers – Single Admission Ticket, 10x Admission Pass and Annual Pass – when you book on the Kiztopia website and Klook online platform.
Now Open
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) in West Kowloon Cultural District opened its doors on 3 July after five years in the making. The impressive seven-story building is a replica of Beijing’s Palace Museum located in the Forbidden City and will house over 900 works of art across 13,000 square metres. The museum’s nine galleries will showcase priceless cultural treasures from the Palace Museum including Chinese paintings and poems, calligraphy works, household objects and even clothes and utensils used by ruling emperors. Other facilities of the HKPM include indoor and outdoor public spaces, a museum shop, restaurants, an auditorium and activity rooms.
Tickets are available to purchase online at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (hkpm.org.hk) or West Kowloon Cultural District (westkowloon.hk) websites.
Good News for Film Buffs
Love a good movie? Hong Kong’s newest cinema destination, M+ Cinema, has opened its doors to the public. Located at M+ Museum in the developing West Kowloon Cultural District, the cinema was designed by renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and comprises three movie houses with 180 seats, 60 seats and 40 seats respectively. Programmes will include feature films, documentaries, experimental cinema, video art, restored classics and newly discovered or rarely seen films.
A Tribute to Hong Kong!
Premium stationer and gift brand The Lion Rock Press has launched the latest in its range of luxury 1000-piece double-sided jigsaw puzzles. Entitled “Tribute to Hong Kong”, the puzzle was created by The Lion Rock Press Founder Claire Yates alongside art therapist Katie Flowers, by cutting phrases and images from The South China Morning Post’s Post Magazine (diligently saved by Claire’s grandparents every week). The resulting collage depicts defining moments, forgotten details and unique idiosyncrasies in the form of icons, characters, street scenes, wildlife, well-loved foods and other familiar memories of Hong Kong from over the years.
Find it at online at thelionrockpress.com.
Clean Travel
Sustainable travel accessories brand Sonder has launched an all-in-one seat cover to keep you safe and comfortable on any journey. The ROAM travel cover ($437) is made of eco-friendly, naturally antibacterial cotton bamboo fabric that fits plane, train and car seats; it folds into a light, easily packable pouch that can be used to store belongings when in use – very handy! And it comes in five colours: Olive, Pebble, Indigo, Slate and Cherry.
Find it online at sonderonthego.com.
Take your shopping sky high
Cathay is opening its first experiential retail space bringing together everything you love about travel and lifestyle. Located in Hong Kong’s Cityplaza shopping mall, browse a whole range of carefully selected and special edition products including Cathay branded merchandise. When you shop in-store you can earn miles for your next trip. Use the Cathay app to scan the product QR codes, add the items to your shopping cart and select your preferred delivery or store pick-up option. Pay using Asia Miles, cash or a combination of both. Plus, to celebrate the store opening, from now until 3 January 2023, Cathay is giving away up to six million miles in giveaways for shoppers.
For more information read more here.
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