
Hong Kong is open to tourists once again. As one of the most popular destinations for Filipinos, especially for those who love shopping, the resumption of a no-quarantine requirement for tourists is great news. Many of those who frequent Hong Kong go for its creative hubs, good food, independent cafés, and retail offers. So if you’re thinking of going to Hong Kong for art galleries, bookstores such as Eslite, or even just the calm of the Po Lin monastery, the good news is that Hong Kong is rolling out a promotional package to help you seal the deal and get you to finally book a ticket.
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Vacation vengeance though can be a bit overwhelming so we’re here to help. Here are some upcoming events that will make it worth scheduling a Hong Kong trip.
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1. Hong Kong Sevens 2023 (March 31 to April 2)
A big sporting event is as good a reason as any to travel. Rugby fans in particular should look forward to the return of the Hong Kong Sevens, a three-day rugby tournament at Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay this March and April. This year’s tournament is set to welcome 26 international teams and two Hong Kong teams. The last Hong Kong Sevens was held in November 2022, so this time around marks the competition’s full comeback, featuring over 70 matches in both the men’s and women’s categories. The price for three-day passes is HK$1,950 for adults and HK$950 for children HK$12 and under.
For tickets, visit tickets.hkrugby.com.
Where to stay: Causeway Bay.
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2. Art Basel Hong Kong (March 23 to 25)
This year’s Art Basel Hong Kong marks the fair’s biggest since the pandemic with 170 galleries joining from 32 countries and territories. The fair’s Encounters section is back after a three-year hiatus, which means visitors can immerse themselves in large-scale works from several artists, with a spotlight on Chinese artists Trevor Yeung and Jaffa Lam. “Hand Me Your Trust,” a new and site-specific moving image work by Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist, will take over the façade of the M+, Hong Kong’s global museum of visual culture. This work is commissioned by M+ and supported by Art Basel.
The exhibition will be held at the Hong Kong Exhibition Center at Wan Chai. Tickets range from HKD$225 (for the Friday evening ticket) to HKD$ 3500 (for the premiere pass).
For more information visit their website.
Where to stay: Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island.
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3. Art Central (March 22 to 25)
This four-day contemporary art fair aims to showcase cutting-edge and emerging works alongside distinguished global artists. The 2023 edition features 70 galleries, which includes Art Underground from Manila. Some of the fair’s highlights include the Gwo Wai Curated Booths, which showcases innovative works, Duk Dak (a Cantonese phrase meaning “individually special”), Solo presentations, which features solo artists projects from emerging talents; and the Yi Tai Sculpture & Installation Projects
Art Central has also partnered with Asia Society Hong Kong Center for a series of engagement programs for the public including talks, performances and media arts. Tickets range from HKD$175 to HKD$225 but discounts are available for advanced tickets, which ends March 20.
Visit their website for tickets and more information.
Where to stay: Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island.
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4. Cheung Chau Bun Festival 2023 (April 16 to May 27)
It’s been three years since Hong Kong has had its much missed Cheung Bau Bun Festival. Its return is oddly timely since the festival was performed as a Taoist offering and performance in the 18th century after a plague. Not to say that the pandemic is over. But the opening of many borders meant that many countries are now trying to live with COVID-19 and the revival of a beloved event such as this “bun grabbing” festival means that we’re trying our best to return to ease into a global “new normal.”
The festival is held for a week where people flock to the tiny, dumbbell-shaped island. There are costumes, floats, parades, and the bun scrambling competition, which consists of contestants grabbing as many buns as they can in a 60-foot bamboo tower full of buns. This year, the slate of activities involve handicraft making, stalls, and the Climbing Carnival so festival-goers can also experience the climbing experience,
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival has been added to China’s “national list of intangible cultural heritage” and has been added to Time.com’s list of Top 10 Quirky Local Festivals. You actually have to apply for the bun grabbing competition and undergo training. For more information visit the Bun Carnival website.


