It's Me, Gracee: Hong Kong Travel Destination

Fall into Hong Kong: A Season of Festivals, Flavors and Citywide Celebrations Begins

Hong Kong Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Celebrate an exciting fall season as Hong Kong welcomes one of its most exciting times of the year with a city-stopping cyclothon, luminous festivals, and mouth-watering culinary delights. This season showcases why Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position as the Events Capital of Asia, while offering visitors a collection of Only in Hong Kong moments, from iconic harborfront experiences and vibrant neighborhoods to hidden natural escapes and one-of-a-kind cultural traditions.

For Active Travellers: The Urban Adventures

Hong Kong’s biggest cycling event is back! The Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, the city’s largest annual cycling event, will be held on October 11 and will take cyclists through the city’s most iconic locations. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. on August 20, 2026. Those interested in participating in this heart-pumping event may check event and registration details on the Discover Hong Kong Cyclothon page.

Featuring 56 km and 32 km scenic, non-competitive rides, participants will enjoy a rare opportunity to cycle across iconic bridges, through tunnels and past some of the city's most striking urban landscapes. Whether taking on the more challenging 56 km ride or the shorter 32 km ride, participants will have the rare opportunity to cycle on major roads that are closed to all traffic, savoring the thrill of riding through the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.

The excitement continues off the course at the Cyclothon Carnival in the West Kowloon Cultural District, where visitors can enjoy a full day of sports, entertainment, family-friendly activities and gourmet experiences.

For Culture Lovers: Where Ancient Tradition Illuminates the Modern City

The fall revelries officially begin with the Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional lunar calendar milestone and one of Hong Kong's most cherished celebrations. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration that spotlights family and togetherness, where people gather to eat mooncakes and admire the brightest full moon of the year. From September 17 to 27, a large-scale international Mid-Autumn lantern display at Victoria Park will showcase spectacular lantern displays, including the renowned Qinhuai Lanterns from Nanjing and an International Lantern Corridor featuring festive lantern artistry from over 20 countries. Visitors can also enjoy the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, one of Hong Kong's most treasured cultural traditions, taking place from September 24 to 26.

For Food and Wine Lovers: A Feast for the Senses in Asia’s Culinary Capital

Food and wine lovers can savor the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival from October 29 to November 1, when the Central Harbourfront transforms into a vibrant celebration of global flavors against the iconic Victoria Harbour skyline, featuring more than 300 booths, world-class wines, live entertainment, exclusive tastings, and food and wine pairing experiences. The Festival will also introduce a new highlight, “Only in Hong Kong” Flavors, featuring signature dishes from more than 100 restaurants—including Michelin-starred establishments, luxury hotels, and beloved local favorites—celebrating the city’s rich and diverse culinary scene. The festivities will continue throughout November with Hong Kong Wine & Dine Month, bringing exclusive dining offers, curated menus, and gourmet experiences to restaurants, bars, and hotels across the city, inviting visitors to discover Hong Kong's diverse and dynamic food scene.

For Party Lovers: A Spook-tacular Fall

October will see Hong Kong host its first-ever citywide Halloween celebration, transforming the entire city into a giant stage for creativity, costumes, and immersive experiences.

Guests can enjoy themed activities and local Halloween collaborations across multiple districts, such as the legendary street party hotspots in Lan Kwai Fong, where visitors can immerse themselves in the drinks and nightlife. Themed food and beverage specials await visitors in Knutsford Terrace and Soho, while costume hunters can head to Pottinger Street in Central or explore Tai Yuen Street in Wan Chai and Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po. The Halloween excitement begins with two pre-heat weekends on October 17 and 24 before the citywide grand finale on October 31.

Popular attractions including Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park will also unveil their signature Halloween experiences, adding even more thrills to a month-long celebration unlike anywhere else in Asia.

Don’t miss out on all the fun! Book your fall trip in time for Hong Kong’s most exciting time of the year! For more information, visit https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.html.

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Of course, Hong Kong: Pinoys Share their Favorite Hidden Gems in the City

Hong Kong Monday, September 16, 2024

There are plenty of recommendations online about where to go in Hong Kong, but nothing compares to insights from those who’ve truly embraced the city. We’ve talked with four Filipinos who’ve called Hong Kong home for nearly a decade. Discover why they swear by their favorite spots and get inspired to explore the city like a local:

Dive into the arts scene with Reana Bachiller

Illustration artist Reana Bachiller has her finger on the pulse of Hong Kong’s arts and culture scene. Coming from a very traditional Filipino background, she was hesitant to pursue a future in art, but it was in Hong Kong where her story as a creative mind truly began. Reana had since participated in various exhibitions like Affordable Art Fair, and collaborated with HKWALLS and Casetify.

Reana doesn’t gatekeep her art endeavors, either. She raves endlessly about the bustling art scene in the city. If you’re into DIY, she recommends giving Amazing Neon a visit. “You get to create your own neon sign and take it home!” she explains. When it comes to immersive digital art, Reana points to Arte M. “A captivating and beautiful experience that lets you escape reality,” are the words she uses to describe the exhibition. The core concept of Arte M interprets the subject and space of nature as media art under the theme of “eternal nature” that is suitable for art enthusiasts of all ages.

Get your nature fix with Rob Fogerty

Think Hong Kong is all skyscrapers and neon lights? Rugby player and adventure seeker Rob Fogerty is here to show another side of the city. To Rob, Hong Kong and its different facets have always been about the freedom to pursue sports, develop friendships, and travel. “The city’s natural beauty is more impressive than many people realize. You just need to know where to look,” Rob says. For him, Victoria Peak Lugard Road is the ultimate spot to catch stunning views, get your daily steps in, and find some peace in the middle of the city. For those who prefer the calming presence of water, Silvermine Bay Beach and Waterfall are where you can find your next favorite spot and travelers can get to both so easily.

Rob also believes that the eclectic city, with both its towering skyscrapers and nature trails, helped him to embrace his Filipino heritage even more. “My roots have been strengthened here, and I am proud to be amongst many Filipinos working in a variety of industries in such a diverse city.” Known for their hardworking, hospitable, and kind nature, Filipinos embody qualities that he strives to live out every day. But his love for nature goes beyond the views that gave him a sense of purpose. For a coffee break surrounded by nature, he recommends The Hideout, a hidden gem he thinks everyone should visit.

Eat like a local with Jen Balisi

Foodie alert! As a content creator and owner of a hip Filipino restaurant in Hong Kong aptly named “Barkada”, Jen knows exactly where to find Hong Kong’s best-kept culinary secrets. “Hong Kong’s food scene is renowned, but the real gems are often tucked away in unexpected places,” she said. Her blog and Instagram account are treasure maps that lead to some of the city’s most exciting food joints. But more than just recommendations, Jen believes that her blog was where her life took a turn for the better. It all started back in 2011 when she created her food blog, Indulgent Eats, as she has always been passionate about sharing her dining adventures and the Filipino cuisine she grew up eating through her social media platforms which now boast over 400,000 fans.

Hong Kong was another huge stepping stone for her culinary career. “While I moved to Hong Kong in 2017, it wasn’t until the pandemic that I wrote my cookbook Indulgent Eats at Home which included a number of Filipino recipes,” she adds. And since she’s been at it for years, Jen is an expert on all things yummy in Hong Kong. One of her top picks is Tai On Coffee & Tea Shop, which offers the perfect blend of vintage cha chaan teng interiors with modern menu items like molten lava egg tarts and a decadent pineapple bun with matcha white chocolate. And if you’re in the mood for a taste of history, don’t miss Tai Ping Koon, one of the oldest restaurants in Hong Kong. Their Swiss wings are to die for, and it’s one of the oldest restaurants in the world” Jen gushes. If you’re indecisive, Baseball 02 gives a unique spin to your basic food hall place. “There’s a curated collection of Hong Kong and international best food and drink experiences, so don’t miss out on that,” Jen says. And if it’s casual-as-casual-can-get that you’re looking for, Sing Kee is where it’s at. Jen goes on to explain that traditional outdoor eateries are big in Hong Kong, and they’re known as dai pai dong.

Shop ‘til you drop with Paul Sunga

Meet Paul, a fashion photographer whose keen eye for style extends beyond his work. Paul, who never shies away from a challenge, sees Hong Kong as his oyster, stating, “Hong Kong has always been my lucky city for discovering the right opportunities and achieving success. I moved here to embark on a career as a fashion photographer, drawn by the glam and glitz that fueled my thirst and hunger for creativity.” If it had not been for his major life decision to move to Hong Kong, he wouldn’t be where he is now. Bringing with him his Filipino work ethic, characterized by unwavering drive and determination, he considers himself fortunate to collaborate with numerous international brands and celebrities, allowing the vibrant city to become his bridge to the global fashion scene. He is incredibly grateful to this place he now calls home for all the doors it has opened and the dreams it has helped him realize.

When asked about his favorite spots for shopping and fun on his days off, he’s quick to recommend Glocal Mahjong at PMQ. “Skip the typical malls and head to PMQ,” Paul suggests. He’s amazed at the thought that a place once used as quarters for police officers and their families has now become a creative hub, home to unique shops like Glocal Mahjong where visitors can learn how to play Mahjong 101 and customize their own tiles – sparking new ideas for creative professionals like him. Paul also shares that he loves to explore Sham Shui Po, specifically Apliu Street. “It’s the ultimate spot for a fun day out – cafe hopping to discover hidden gems, hunting for vintage finds, or even getting hands-on at a DIY artisan soap workshop,” he adds.

Who knew that Hong Kong, a city known for its bustling streets, hides so many incredible gems? Watch the four-part video series via this link and take a page from them – you might just find your new favorite Hong Kong spot!

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Hong Kong celebrates the power of art physically and virtually, as the world’s leading contemporary art fair returns in May

Arts in Hong Kong Wednesday, May 12, 2021

When event venues shut down globally during the pandemic, people flocked online in record numbers to satisfy their deep craving for art and culture. As the world cautiously looks to resume international travel and bring back events, it is fitting that art is a driving force to make this happen, with Hong Kong paving the way in the hope of safely staging large-scale events again.

In May, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) rolled out the ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign to promote a series of major events, in both physical and digital format, organised by fair organisers and cultural institutions around town. It ensures that audiences can reconnect with art and the vitality of Hong Kong, whether here in person or abroad.

© Art Basel

Safely hosting major international events

After an absence of more than two years because of the pandemic, Art Basel is officially scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). More than 100 galleries from Asia, Europe and the Americas have confirmed their participation. In addition, Art Central will run concurrently at the HKCEC for the first time, and is free to attend with registration. The annual French May will continue to offer cultural entertainment, with over 100 events running from 1 May to 30 June.

To ensure that all fair participants have a stress-free experience, best-practice health and safety protocols will be followed, including mask-wearing, timed entry, reduced capacity, wider aisles and regular cleaning.

Art events that defy borders and barriers

Art has long had the power to break down boundaries, and unite and inspire people. Thanks to the depth of its imagination and creativity, Hong Kong’s dynamic arts community has nimbly pivoted to offer hybrid physical and virtual events for people around the world.

In addition to Art Basel, which will launch a new digital initiative, ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’, in parallel with the physical show to amplify its international visibility, fairs that have adopted the hybrid format include Art Central and Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival 2021. While Hong Kong Arts Festival’s PLUS programme is featuring a diverse line-up of online and in-venue experiences, the soon-to-be-opened West Kowloon Cultural District’s M+ museum is offering online movie screenings on demand.

The ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign website features an interactive microfilm presented by two local celebrities.

HKTB gets in on the creative, interactive fun

Actively contributing to Hong Kong’s art revival, the HKTB created a dedicated campaign website, (www.discoverhongkong.com/Arts), which is a one-stop platform providing essential information about ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ and introducing online showcases, art itineraries, an event calendar, artsy offers, interviews with art insiders, and more.

In the online showcases, curated virtual experiences, provided by both international fairs and local events, are all at the fingertips of viewers, regardless of where they are located. It also features an interactive microfilm presented by two local celebrities – multidisciplinary artist Ivana Wong and director Kearen Pang – at some of the city’s coolest attractions, including Tai Kwun, The Mills and the West Kowloon Cultural District.

While we wait for international travel to resume, the wealth of virtual experiences on offer once again highlights Hong Kong’s diverse wealth of cultural treasures and underscores the city’s ability to remain agile in the face of unprecedented disruption.

Top 10 unmissable art events in May

Art Basel*

Held from 21 to 23 May at the HKCEC, the world’s leading art fair is a hybrid of the physical and virtual, featuring 104 influential galleries from 23 countries and territories. New this year, ‘Art Basel Live: Hong Kong’ will broadcast the fair to a global audience. www.artbasel.com/hong-kong

Art Central*

For the first time, satellite fair Art Central (20–23 May) will take place alongside Art Basel at the HKCEC. Works can be bought in person or online, and a talk programme organised by the Asia Society Hong Kong Center will be broadcast online. http://artcentralhongkong.com/

West Kowloon Cultural District*

Now nearing completion, the WKCD’s M+ museum has been offering documentary screenings on demand under a two-part programme, titled Cinema, Disrupted. Films and talks for Part Two: Interrupted Legacies will be available from 6 to 16 May.

www.westkowloon.hk/en/mplus/whats-on-51/m-screenings-online-cinema-disrupted

French May & French GourMay

The annual French May (1 May–30 June) is a multicultural feast of more than 100 mostly in-person events, spanning art, design, opera, classical, pop concerts, dance, movies and more. www.frenchmay.com/en/home/

French GourMay (1–31 May) is an invitation to (re)discover French gastronomic heritage. www.frenchgourmay.com/

Hong Kong Museum of Art

The HKMoA’s initiative ‘Art For Everyone’ (until 23 May) features 100 artwork images from the museum’s collection, displayed across Hong Kong, complemented by augmented reality experiences. www.artforeveryone.hk/

It will also run a major Surrealist exhibition, featuring 100 artworks from Paris’ Centre Pompidou, from 21 May until September. https://hk.art.museum/

Tai Kwun

The former Central Police Station, now a heritage and art centre, will host live drama and dance performances by local artists during its performing arts season under the theme ‘SPOTLIGHT’ (until 16 May).

www.taikwun.hk/en/programme/detail/tai-kwun-performing-arts-season-spotlight/757

Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival 2021*

This community arts festival is an opportunity to get a glimpse into this unique village with its Roman Catholic and Hakka background.

The third edition (until 16 July) features 31 art pieces, including 14 new works, available on-site and online. www.yimtintsaiartsfestival.hk/index.php?lang=en

HKwalls

Hong Kong’s annual street art and mural festival (8–16 May) returns with the takeover of wall space in the seaside district of Sai Kung, while an exhibition themed ‘Tools of the Trade’ on the history of street art will run until 6 June at Soho House. https://hkwalls.org/

Hong Kong Arts Festival*

The annual festival’s PLUS programme is embracing the digital format this year to connect with audiences both on and offstage. Available through June 2021 will be a hybrid line-up of online and in-venue programmes, in addition to an interactive online exhibition, and series of online documentaries and cinema screenings.

https://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/programmes/index-plus.html#All

‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign website*

The HKTB brings art to an international audience with its dedicated ‘Arts in Hong Kong’ campaign website, a one-stop platform featuring online showcases, art itineraries, an event calendar, artsy offers, interviews with art insiders, and more. www.discoverhongkong.com/Arts

*Virtual experiences available

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