What is the new permit for Hong Kong Permanent Residents to visit Mainland?

Officially known as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Permanent Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens), the document allows Hong Kong residents who have lived in the territory for more than seven years and have a Hong Kong Permanent Resident ID card to travel to Mainland China for tourism, business, and family visits. The permit is valid up to five years, and can be used for multiple trips, each lasting no more than 90 days.  The permits can be renewed in Hong Kong and in Mainland China.

What documents do I need to get the permit?

To qualify for the new travel permit, you’ll need the following documents:

• Passport with a six-month minimum validity
• Hong Kong Permanent Resident ID Card
• Access to Information Form
• Passport photograph
• Completed application form

The application fee is HK$260, and it takes about 20 days for authorities to process the permit. Children under 18 years old can apply, but they must be accompanied by a guardian.

How do I get my Access to Information Form?

Once you have your passport and ID in place, the next thing to do is apply for an Access to Information of Immigration Department form. You’ll need to provide details such as your name, correspondence address, contact details such as your phone number and email address. Once you’ve submitted the form, you’ll get an email conformation from the Immigration Department within a day with a reference number and link to check the status of your request online. The form will reach you by registered post within 10 days of your request.

How do I make an appointment to get my permit?

After you receive your Access to Information form, you can then apply for your permit on the China Travel Service (CTS) website. The form requires personal details such as your name, nationality, date of birth, and occupation. You must specify if you already have a current Mainland China visa. Once you’ve completed your form online, upload your passport and HKID, then wait to receive an email stating that your application has been pre-approved. Click the link in the email, which will take you to the list of centres at which you can make an appointment and the first available appointment date.

Book your appointment and head to the centre, and take your passport, HKID, and Access to Information form. Keep photocopies of all these documents handy, but you can make copies at the centre if you prefer. You can also take passport pictures at the centre, which will have the CTS barcode, but arrive there early to do this. Hand over your documents and photographs, and once they’ve been okayed, pay your HK$260 application fee. Once this is done, you’ll get your application number and will have to come back in about four weeks to collect your permit in person.

Header image credits: Wpcpey, QINGFATTIEAM 2002 via WikiCommons

Momoland’s Tsuen Wan branch is the only such space in the city that has play options for kids aged up to 16 years old. So there’s everything from light-up building blocks, to a ninja maze with challenging obstacles. Children can play dress up and pose for pictures at the princess zone or slip into a pilot’s uniform and zip around in a simulator. And if that isn’t enough, kids can also dress up as engineers, farmers, and firefighters.

Other attractions include arcade-style shooting games, a trampoline zone, push cars, racing games, a ball pit and sandpit. In addition, the grid battle zone can be booked for events and there’s a party room for birthday and other celebrations. Weekday entry is priced at HK$120 per hour and covers one child and one adult, with HK$100 per additional adult. Admission on weekends and public holidays costs HK$190 per hour for one child and one adult, with HK$120 per additional adult. 

For more information, visit the Momoland Facebook page.

Image credits: Momoland

Registrations will open in two rounds. Priority entry for runners who qualify with HKAAA-recognised race results from events like 2023 edition of this half marathon and this year’s Hong Kong Marathon are open from 2pm on July 16 to 6pm on July 20. Registrations for the public ballot are open from 2pm on July 25-6 pm on August 1. The entry fee is HK$550 for Hong Kong residents and US$85 for non-local participants.

Participants must be at least 16 years old as of 2025, and the top prize is US$15,000 (approximately HK$117,080). There are special prizes for Hong Kong Permanent Residents totalling HK$60,000 for men’s and women’s challenge race participants. The Challenge race will begin at 7.15am, and from 7.45am onwards for Non-Challenge runs. There will be cut-off times at specific checkpoints so that roads closed for the event can be reopened to traffic.

Image credits: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Half Marathon

#1. What gave you the idea to start Cherry Bobbins?

Cherry Bobbins came from working at CASETiFY, being involved in many different campaigns, and listening to the founder talk about what makes a good brand. When I was on photo shoots and dressing plus-size models and when I was shopping for myself and struggling to find clothes, it dawned on me that I’ve been in the industry for 15 years, and nothing is changing. We’re pushing out the same sizes without thought and care about how that relates to the customer.

Clothing right now is mainly designed for about 50% of women, with one body shape — a straight-up-and-down-sized body with no curves. And the alarming fact is that most people don’t realise this. They’ll walk into a store, try on clothes, and when they don’t fit, they walk away thinking there’s something wrong with them — without realising that there isn’t. They’re not in the right store or they’re not shopping the right brand. And that’s really what I want people to take from Cherry Bobbins — this is the brand for the other 50% of people who have been forgotten about for the last three decades.

#2. How difficult is it to find inclusive clothing in Hong Kong? Is there a demand for that category of clothing here?

Definitely. I’ve asked so many women who are sizes 12, 16, 20, where they shop. None of the answers are Hong Kong. It’s all online or they might have to buy something and alter it, or make it bigger, or add elastic to it. Lots of women told me they have to go to ASOS. But they’re shopping online, so they’re not quite sure if it’s going to fit. In Hong Kong, there are very few places on a plus-size scale where you can go. I think there’s one or two stores that I know of, and that is very limited. Even in Australia, a lot of the heritage brands only go up to a size 14 or 16. And we’ve got brands there that offered a size 20, but are now only offering up to a size 18. So it’s definitely not a Hong Kong-specific problem.

#3. How do you design size-inclusive clothing and cater for different body shapes?

I’ve had to actually go back to basics and redesign the way that clothes are made so that anyone from a size 6 curvy to a size 24 curvy of all different shapes can fit these styles. It’s taken a good year just to get it up and running to do the product testing. And I asked people a lot of questions like, “When you buy clothes, what do you often find? How do you resolve this? Or what do you love about clothes?”

I’ve tried to include a whole different range of styles. You’ve got styles that have longer sleeves, cap sleeves, sleeveless, styles that are midi, shorter. You’ve got styles that are not baring your midriff and some that do. But a lot of those pieces only bare the midriff if you have a long waist. So if you have a shorter waist, they end up looking like a dress. If you wanted to wear it up higher, depending on your waist size, you could buy a size smaller. There are styles with elastic in the back, so for women who are bustier, the elastic allows them to get a great shape and be comfortable. And there are styles without elastic for women with smaller busts.

#4. How do you decide your pricing?

We’re a slow fashion brand, so we manufacture in smaller quantities — maybe once or twice a year. It’s more about quality over quantity. And we pay the workers and for the sustainable fabrics we use. We’re not putting pressure on the manufacturers to work at speed and volume. All of those factors are considered in our pricing, but we also want to be mid-fashion. It’s not super cheap, but it’s not unattainable. And it’s something that you want to invest in, wear a lot, and really get a good price per wear, as opposed to wearing something that falls apart within a couple of wears, and then you’re throwing it away and replacing it.

#5. How important is sustainability to your brand?

Sustainability is a part of our story, but it’s not the main focus. What I like about sustainable fabrics is the quality — how they look and feel. It’s a higher quality and you can get a really nice touch and feel on the body and it’s comfortable. But as a small business, it’s really difficult to be fully sustainable in the beginning, unfortunately. We do as much as we can. We use recycled bags made from ocean-bound plastic. We still use some fabrics that are not 100% sustainable or 100% natural. But we do want to deliver a really quality garment and that often means using those sustainable fabrics that have that really lovely luxurious feel.

#6. How daunting was it to actually make that leap to becoming an entrepreneur?

The scariest part is not the leap, it’s not having income regularly. You have to plan in advance, which means saving for a long time and having the foresight to always put money away. But I found the whole process exciting — that I had purpose and this is what I was meant to be doing. It was hard in the beginning because I loved the team I was working in and that was hard to give away. But when you’re growing something with purpose and feel like you’re in a good place, you can’t look back. You’ve got to keep looking forward and seeing how you’re going to be able to do something positive for people.

#7. How much of the Cherry Bobbins philosophy is about accommodating the wearer’s shape vis-à-vis their size?

Size inclusivity is not just about offering the size range, but about designing for different body types. There are people who are size 6 with curves and who struggle to find clothing. I don’t put a clear definition on what is plus size and what are considered straight sizes. It’s more about the inclusivity of the whole size range, so we go from sizes 6 to 24 and offer clothing for people with curves.

And there are so many preconceptions about clothing because it’s usually designed for one shape. People will see something gorgeous and think they’re not going to be able to fit into it. So, for instance, if you’re on our website and you’re not sure what size you are, send an email with your bust and waist measurements, and I will help you match the exact pieces that will fit you. I’ll look at other people who are your size or similar to your size and find something based on the styles that fit them. So I hope that helps dispel the myth that buying online is not possible. It definitely is possible, but it might just require a little more help or you might just need to reach out to somebody for advice.

#8. Apart from the website, do plan to open a physical store or do pop-ups?

We’re talking to different people about pop-ups, but I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. A store would need a longer investment, but we definitely would love to work with Women of Hong Kong — they do some fantastic events within their space — and any other opportunities that come up. We have a stockist in Australia as well. They’re doing some pop-up events and they have a store. I think that’s also a great way for people to go and try clothes on just to make sure they get the right size.

Visit the Cherry Bobbins website to check out their designs and sizes. Email them to send in your measurements to get the best fit for your body shape.

Cherisse Kofod founded Cherry Bobbins, a Hong Kong-based plus-size and size-inclusive clothing made for curves, in 2023. Before that, Cherisse was the CASETiFY Country Manager for the Australia and New Zealand markets. She also worked with London-based Net-a-Porter and Australian company Cue Clothing Co. Cherisse has experience working in digital marketing, e-commerce management, high-volume retail, production, and wholesale distribution.

(This interview has been edited and condensed.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The HK HUB.

Image credits: Cherry Bobbins

*This interview was done under a paid partnership policy. Reach out if you’d like to be featured!

The local forecaster stated that it is generally believed that the low-pressure system will “maintain a weak intensity”, but that some models predict the low-pressure area may form into a tropical cyclone. If this happens, it will take a westward track towards central Vietnam. However, it is likely that there will be unstable weather over the Central South China Sea during the next few days.

Hong Kong is currently under a Very Hot Weather warning, which has been in force since the morning of July 1. Current forecasts show that the weather will continue to be hot over the weekend, with highs of 34 degrees Celsius. This will be followed by cloudier skies with a few showers next week, as well as more unsettled weather in the latter part of the week.

Hong Kong already experienced its first typhoon of the year when Typhoon Maliksi came within 300 kilometres of the city in late May. The observatory raised Strong Wind Signal, No. 3, or T3, and the typhoon brought strong winds and heavy showers to the territory.

For more weather updates, visit the Hong Kong Observatory website.

Header image credits: Ryan Lane via Canva

According to the new fare chart, base charges for red taxis will increase from HK$27 to HK$29, while those on green cabs will rise from HK$23.5 to HK$25.5. Blue taxi passengers will pay HK$24 for the first 2 kilometres they travel, up from the current HK$22. Passengers who use cabs beyond the 2-kilometre minimum need to pay HK$0.2 for every 200 metres they travel up to 20km, depending on the taxi they’re in. Those who travel even farther will pay HK$0.1 for every additional 200 metres.

Earlier this year, Hong Kong taxi operators applied for an up to 20% on base fares in a proposal they submitted to the Transport Department. According to the documents, the city’s cab operators asked that the flag-fall charges on red taxis be increased to HK$32, green cabs to HK$28, and blue taxis to HK$26.5. However, the HKSAR government eventually approved an average fare increase of 8.86%, 9.56%, and 10.92% for urban, New Territories, and Lantau taxis respectively.

Hong Kong’s Transport Department also revealed that grievances against the city’s taxi drivers rose by 75% in 2023 for a variety of offences, including overcharging, refusing hire, and failure to take the quickest or easiest routes to a destination. This news came after the Hong Kong Taxi Council launched a three-month courtesy campaign to help cab drivers understand the importance of politeness and to improve communication with passengers.

Header image credits: Andrey X. Via Canva

As part of the festival, the hotel will host weekend brunch and dinner buffets and serve 15 new durian dishes that infuse six Malaysian-origin durians into savoury Chinese plates and western-style desserts. Think Rice Noodle Roll With Durian Dough Stick, Mini Dough Stick with Pandan Durian Kaya, Portuguese Egg Tart with Durian & Mochi, and of course, Malaysian Durian Ice Cream. There are creative offerings, such as Mini Musang King Durian with Abalone Duck Soup, which is simmered for three hours using fresh duck meat and premium abalone, as well as the D197 Durian Cheese Baked Caribbean Lobster that combines hot and spicy cheese with sticky sweet Musang King durian.

Guests will also get to try a platter of five freshly cut durian varieties (three for children), including the rich and creamy top-grade D197 Musang King, known as the ‘King of Kings’ in the durian world. The platter includes the D200 Black Thorn, which is being served for the first time and has an extremely smooth texture and strong sweet aftertaste, as well as the Penang variant D24 Sultan and two relatively rare and low-yield durian types in Hong Kong: the D88 and XO Durian.

Durian enthusiasts will also get the chance to chat with Executive Chef Danny to learn about Malaysian durians during the festival. The buffets will be held on July 20 (only brunch), July 21, August 3, 4, 17, 18 and 24. The buffet is priced at HK$888 for adults and HK$558 for children under 11 years old.

Image credits: Hotel Icon

Last year, the Solos AirGo 3 the glasses won the Hong Kong Smart Design Award in the Gifts category, thanks to trademarked features like SmartHinge that allows users to swap out frames, and Advanced Open-ear Whisper technology that provides 360 spatial audio and industry-leading sound level output. The smart glasses have a dedicated app, Solos AirGo, that includes ChatGPT integration so that users can engage in voice-based conversations with the generative AI and cultivate healthy habits that help them achieve their fitness objectives.

Another standout feature is that when users opt out of using the front camera, the glasses continue to maintain all smart functionality, apart from the camera. The temples of AirGo glasses have touch sensors on the left temple, so that users can control volume levels. Single-tapping the control just behind the hinge of the glasses allows users to play or pause music, while double-tapping allows them to access the voice assistant. The glasses comply with global USB-C charging standards and have a IP67 waterproof rating — making them dust-tight and water-resistant up to a depth of about 3 feet for up to 30 minutes.

Image credits: Solos Technology

When is the next Hong Kong drone show?

The next drone show will be held on Saturday, July 20 at East Tsim Sha Tsui area to celebrate the 100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS Exhibition. Apart from the date and the venue, no other details about the show have been confirmed yet — except that it will feature the Time Machine. However, the previous 15-minute-long show had around 1,000 drones take the shape of imagery associated with Doraemon like the Anywhere Door and Copter, along with the famous fictional feline and his pals.

Where to watch the next drone show?

The organisers of the drone show, AllRightsReserved, have not yet said where the best viewing spots for the event will be. However, it will over the Avenue of Stars on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour. During this time, there will also be a variety of Doraemon-themed installations on display, including a 12-metre-tall inflatable Doraemon, along with 34 1:1 life-sized sculptures of the fictional feline from manga and animation series, and 10 of Doraemon’s friends and family. 

If you’re taking the MTR, the closest station is the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station (Exit J), from where you can head to the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade via the Avenue of Stars on foot. Alternatively, you can reach the Tsim Sha Tsui Pier by taking the Star Ferry from the Wan Chai or Central Star Ferry piers, and then walk to the drone show venue.

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The most recent drone show that was held in Hong Kong was on July 7 to celebrate the birthday of Anson Lo — one of the members of the Cantopop boy band MIRROR. The show featured images associated with the popular singer and most of the motifs were pink, his signature colour.

Header image credits: Hong Kong Tourism Board, Allrightsreserved

Visitors to Water Park can compete in special sports like water volleyball, basketball, and tug of war at the park’s premier wave pools — Big Wave Bay and Horizon Cove. There will also be an array of water battle mini games set up around the venue, such as the water balloon, water bucket, and water downpour battles. Experienced surfers will also showcase a range of techniques and tricks to park ticket holders as part of the Tropical Surf Demonstrations.

If you want a bit of a break from all that activity, catch the line-up of entertaining performances at Horizon Cove. As part of the Tropical Water Dance Show, dancers will perform special moves with water guns to upbeat pop music, while performers with giant donut drums will showcase their rhythmic skills during the Tropical Water Drum Show. To elevate the festive atmosphere, the Tropical Wave Band Show will serenade guests with lively tropical tunes.

Don’t forget to capture the essence of your summer visit to Water World by taking pictures at the photo spots at the park. These include the tropical-themed paradise in the Reef Lobby, and the rainforest-inspired Botanical Dream for adventurers to capture the spirit of the tropical wild party and ride the waves of excitement.

For more details, visit the Water World website.

Image credits: Water World Ocean Park

Counselling Hong Kong* — Central

Counselling Hong Kong provides holistic support through counselling, coaching, and therapy. Led by Sebastian Droesler, a registered counsellor and psychotherapist with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Counselling Hong Kong integrates modern psychology, neuroscience, and psychotherapy to tailor interventions for adult individuals and couples so they can enhance inner strength and achieve visible balance.

Droesler is also a certified mindfulness teacher, trained in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and offers programmes for clients to help with their overall well-being and to prevent relapses into depression and anxiety. In addition, Droesler runs men’s groups where members can engage in honest conversations with committed peers outside their usual circles, with a focus on personal growth at large and self-awareness in particular.

Location: 9F Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street, Central (see location)
Contact: Website | Facebook
Phone number: +852 9640 8681
Email: sebastian@counsellinghongkong.com

St John’s Cathedral Counselling Services — Central

This non-profit organisation has specialised in counselling in Hong Kong since 1977. St John’s offers a wide range of services — from self-help guidance to assistance in strengthening relationships. They have several flexible payment options and 40 qualified counsellors who can speak a variety of languages.

Contact: Website

Winnie Chiu — Sheung Wan

Winnie Chiu is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society and a Registered Counsellor of Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association. She has 18 years of psychological counselling and life coaching experience, and has done corporate training for 10 years. Chiu has worked with adults, children, and teenagers to address psychological and life issues, such as anxiety, stress, depression, marriage/relationship concerns, sleeping problems, PTSD, and work performance.

Contact: Website

MindHK — Wan Chai

MindHK was founded in 2016 with the aim of ensuring that no one in Hong Kong has to face a mental health problem alone. They have a pioneering Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) programme that trains and places Wellbeing Practitioners to offer free, short-term, low-intensity, one-to-one mental health services to youth and adults facing mild to moderate mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Contact: Website

Hong Kong Psychological Counselling Centre — Mong Kok

This private institution offers psychiatric and counselling services, and usually schedules appointments within seven days. They provide online and in-person support to individuals, families, married couples, and pre-marriage couples, as well as individual and group therapy services. Their psychological therapists have at least 10 years of experience, with many of them fluent in English, Cantonese, or Putonghua.

Contact: Website

Spot — Multiple locations

Spot has locations in Central, Wong Chuk Hang, Discovery Bay, and Kowloon Bay, with teams of specialists to support children and parents with unique needs. Their counsellors provide therapy for concerns such as family problems, anxiety, bullying, and self-esteem issues. Spot also offers speech and language therapy, and assessments for learning development and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Contact: Website

Koa Counselling and Wellbeing — Central

This Hong Kong-based private psychotherapy and counselling practice aims to give mental health care to individuals, couples, and corporates in a safe and trusted space. It’s helmed by Tracy Cheung, who uses a holistic approach that draws from concepts such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, yoga, and meditation.

Contact: Website

Breakthrough Counselling Centre — Jordan

Breakthrough Counselling Centre is a non-profit youth organisation founded upon Christian faith, and works with clients in the 19-30 age group. They also provide family counselling for those aged between 11 and 18 years old. The counsellors and volunteers work in 50-minute sessions at very affordable rates, and provide services in Cantonese and Mandarin.

Contact: Website

Header image credits: Sengchoy Int via Canva

*This service is a paid collaboration. To know more, read our Ethics & Transparency statement or visit this page if you’d like to advertise with us.

The set-up was inspired by the works of AI artist @joooo.ann and was created using cutting-edge Generative AI technology. The structures, which are all-white, will be lit up with vibrant colours and will make for IG-worthy pics. The Stonehenge installation will double as a massive trampoline that visitors of all ages can enjoy.

SummerFest@Central, which runs from July 5-August 11, will also feature 25 events. One of the biggest attractions will be the Fun Sports Gala is a major attraction that will include 5-kilometre runs and family-friendly 2-kilometre runs along Victoria Harbour every Sunday. Sports enthusiasts can also try their hand at pickleball, tchoukball, an and dodgeball-frisbee hybrid game.

In addition, there will be cultural, music, and shopping events during the course of SummerFest@Central. Children and adults can channel their inner mermaid at the Mermazing Palace Summer Splash, while nature lovers can attend the HK Camping Festival 2024. Check out high-energy dance shows like the Summer Sea Fest dance flash mob and the kids-centric GrooveFest. In addition, My Rhythm Play Ground will showcase pop rock talent.

Image credits: SummerFest 2024

When and where is the Hong Kong Doraemon exhibition?

There are two exhibitions planned for Hong Kong’s summer of Doraemon: a ticketed show and a free display, both in Tsim Sha Tsui.

100% DORAEMON & FRIENDS Exhibition (Ticketed Exhibition)

Fans can head to the indoor 100% Doraemon Manga Art Exhibition Hall that will screen an animated short film made exclusively for Hong Kong. The space will also feature interactive installations, an immersive room, replicas of original artworks, scenes from Doraemon’s long tales and featured movies, and 17 sets of sculptures. The paid exhibition will include the 100% Doraemon Sculpture Park — an outdoor display of 36 Doraemon sculptures, including 13 movie Doraemon sculptures and 23 special sculptures like the transformation of Sweet Potato Doraemon, Wild Wolf Doraemon, Nobita-and-Doraemon hybrid forms, and much more.

When: July 13-August 18, 2024
Where: 6F, K11 Musea, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opening Hours: 11am-9pm (Monday-Thursday), and 11am-10pm (Fridays), 10am-10pm (Saturday & Sunday)

100% DORAEMON Outdoor Exhibition Area (Free Exhibition)

The main attraction of the free-to-enter exhibition will be a 12-metre-tall inflatable Doraemon – touted to be the world’s tallest – along with 34 1:1 life-sized sculptures of the  fictional feline from manga and animation series, and 10 of Doraemon’s friends and family. Hardcore fans can also check out the special tribute to Hong Kong’s film industry, when Doraemon and his pals will dress up in formal attire and walk the “blue carpet” on the Avenue of Stars, along with 13 of the city’s biggest big-screen stars.

When: July 13-August 11, 2024
Where: Avenue of Stars & Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Opening Hours: 24 hours

Doraemon and his buddies will also pop up across the 852, where a 1:1 sculpture of each of the 45 Doraemon movies will be on display during different times at various public spaces. He will also step out of the ‘Anywhere Door’ along with the ‘100% Friend-Calling Bell’ to connect with fans.

How do I get tickets for the Doraemon exhibition?

While there are no tickets or reservations required for the free exhibition on Tsim Sha Tsui, you’ll need to get tickets online for the event in K11 Musea. Tickets for July 13-August 11 are sold out, but passes for the extended run from August 12-18 will be up available on Klook from June 17. You must book tickets for this event in advance as there won’t be any walk-in passes available at the venue. Each person can buy a maximum of 4 tickets per transaction.

Tickets are priced at HK$120 (kids aged 3-11) and HK$150 (visitors aged 12 and above). Those who buy General Admission tickets will get an acrylic pin chosen at random. There were 3,000 Premium Sets that cost HK$320 that included 9 acrylic pins and stickers, but they are currently sold out.

What are the other Doraemon attractions in Hong Kong?

There are several other Doraemon-themed attractions and activities during this time so you can get into the spirit of the summer event.

Hong Kong Doraemon Hong Kong MTR stations

Hongkongers will get to see the first-ever Doraemon-themed platform at the Siu Hong Light Rail station. In addition, there will be three limited-edition ‘100% Friends-Calling Bell’ trains running on the Light Rail, East Rail Line, and the Airport Express.

Doraemon at Ngong Ping 360

Visitors who want to head to the Big Buddha Lantau can hop aboard Doraemon-themed cable cars that will take them between Tung Chung and Ngong Ping village between June 14 and September 1. There will even be a passenger-free car that will be filled with 31 Doraemon plushies. At Ngong Ping, check out the giant gashapon machine, click pics with a ‘Gian Recital Work Tour’ installation, and spot the 1:1 life-sized Doraemon sculptures placed around the area.

Hong Kong-only Doraemon collectables

Get your hands on exclusive Doraemon collectables that will include high-quality print, wooden sculpture (limited to 500 worldwide), plush toys, and more at the exhibition site from July 13. You can also get early access to these goodies on the DDT Store from July 8. There will also be merchandise available exclusively at the exhibition venue.

Doraemon ID digital avatar

If you missed your chance to attend the paid exhibition, you can still get in on the fun by creating your own Doraemon ID digital avatar by customising your own manga art character with elements like body type, face shape, skin colour, hairstyle, and clothing. Ticketed visitors who’ve made their own Doraemon IDs can unlock interactive experiences and gather six ‘100% Digital Stamps’ at the exhibition.

Anywhere Doors

The Dokodemo Door, aka The Anywhere Door, is used by Doraemon and his pals to travel instantaneously between places. These doors will pop up across Hong Kong from July 9-August 8. And if you post a picture of one of these doors on Facebook, Instagram, or Xiaohongshu with the hashtags #DORAEMON100 and #discoverhongkong, you may even win a pin or a premium gift. Here’s where the Anywhere Doors will be:

1. Hong Kong Museum of Art
2. The Peak Tower
3. Kwun Tong Promenade
4. Cochrane Street, Central
5. Central Pier
6. Chater Garden, Central
7. West Kowloon Cultural District
8. Temple Street
9. Water Spots and Recreation Precinct, Wan Chai
10. PMQ (from July 12-August 8)

Find out how to get your prize here.

Header image credits: AllRightsReserved, Ngong Ping 360

The new two-day event features the acts who originally applied to be part of the H2 Festival 2024 line-up, but who could not find a spot there as the organisers say the showcase was “massively oversubscribed”. So they decided to add another weekend to feature bands like alt-grunge rock outfit Karmageddon, rock quintet Scars of Time, alternative/hard rock Filipino group Bebe’s Wish, and emo rock-indie pop duo HiBye. While several acts play original music, there are others that do covers, like Giorgio Manzoni who sings Ed Sheeran tracks, and The Pro Nouns who do under-appreciated rock B-sides.

The H2 Festival 2024 started as a one-night affair in 2010, and is one of the best platforms in the city for local artists to play live gigs. The event will now be in The Wanch’s new location at 90 Jaffe Road, which opened in 2022.

Header image credits: Hong Kong Rocks, Scars of Time

The Exit and Entry Administration of Mainland China will issue the permits, and eligible Hong Kong permanent residents can apply for them through China Travel Service in Hong Kong. Applications for the permit will cost HK$260, and will take 20 days to process. Anyone who needs to renew or replace their permits while they are in Mainland China will have to pay 230 yuan. Hong Kong Permanent Residents who get the new permits can use the Mainland self-service clearance at control points instead of the manual channels where they need to fill out entry cards and get fingerprinted.

Currently, all Hong Kong residents need to apply for separate visas to enter Mainland China, and only Chinese citizens who have either acquired the right of abode or been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong can apply for an HKSAR Re-entry Permit. This document, also known as a Home Permit, allows eligible Hong Kong residents to travel to Macau and Mainland China for a single trip in a six-month period or multiple journeys over five years.

This development comes after Mainland Chinese authorities introduced a series of measures to make travel between Hong Kong and cities north of the border easier. Last month, China Railway launched overnight High Speed Rail services between Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai that reduced travel time between the three cities substantially. In addition, there are several long-term plans to build new railway lines and MTR stations to link Hong Kong and Shenzhen over the next two decades.

Header image credits: N509FZ via WikiCommons

Malvern College Hong Kong — Pak Shek Kok*

Malvern College Hong Kong is an IB World School that offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The seven-storey state-of-the-art campus spread across 26,000 square metres houses all its academic, sporting, and recreational spaces for the school’s primary and secondary pupils.

Some of the hallmarks of Malvern College Hong Kong are the small class sizes, low teacher-pupil ratio of around 1:10, dedicated tutor time, and a genuine concern for each child. In addition, they offer mandatory daily Chinese classes in Mandarin and simplified Chinese for all pupils, use the Nuffield Science approach to promote the study of science through experimentation and discovery, and adopt an experiential approach to the study of literature.

Malvern College Hong Kong pupils also have the opportunity to study at The Downs Malvern from Year 7 and Malvern College UK from Year 9. In addition, they have pre-school campuses in West Kowloon and Sai Ying Pun.

Location: 3 Fo Chun Road, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone number: +852 3898 4688
Email: admissions@malverncollege.org.hk

American School Hong Kong — Tai Po*

American School Hong Kong (ASHK) is a through-train international school located in Tai Po. ASHK offers a rigorous American curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme, taught by highly experienced international teachers who inspire, motivate, and challenge students to achieve excellence.

Fully accredited from Kindergarten (age 5) to Grade 12 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Middle States Association (MSA), ASHK is also authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to offer the IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12. ASHK is operated by Esol Education, the world’s largest operator of international American schools, with over 45 years of experience in establishing and running high-standard international schools worldwide.

Location: 6 Ma Chung Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 3919 4111 or WhatsApp
Email: admissions@ashk.edu.hk

International Montessori School — Multiple Locations

This innovative, Dual-Language Montessori community fosters the full development of each child, and caters for children aged 1–12 years old. They have campuses in Aldrich Bay, Mid-Levels, South Horizons, and Stanley, where they encourage children to be curious and learn in a natural way through exploration, experimentation, and collaboration. Every classroom is guided by two teachers, one who always addresses the children in English while the other always speaks Chinese.

Contact: Website

Stamford American School Hong Kong — Kowloon

Students here can choose between the IB Diploma with US Diploma, US Diploma, and IB Course Pathway with US Diploma pathways. They have two language-learning options:  a daily Mandarin or Spanish programme, and a bilingual Mandarin and English programme. Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 must attend weekly lessons in socio-emotional education to encourage learning, empathy, emotional management and conflict management.

Contact: Website

English Schools Foundation — Multiple Locations

This vast network of primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong is the largest provider of English-medium international education in the territory, with IB and GCSE/IGCSE, and BTEC options. They accept applications for K1, Year 1, and Year 7 from September 1-30 of the previous year. Admissions for other classes are open through the year, subject to wait lists.

Contact: Website

French International School — Multiple Locations

With campuses in Happy Valley, Chai Wan, Jardine’s Lookout, and Tseung Kwan O, the French International School offers French and International streams. It follows the French national curriculum for the French stream, and the International Primary Curriculum and English National Curriculum to IGCSE, then IB Diploma for the International stream. The school also offers its students an innovative collaboration between the two streams.

Contact: Website

Singapore International School (Hong Kong) — Aberdeen

Preparatory, primary, and secondary students here are taught a curriculum supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Education. The Singaporean curriculum with British IGCSE and IB Diploma offers a bilingual English and Putonghua programme. The school’s two campuses are linked by a bridge, each of which has a state-of-the-art auditorium, multi-functional sports hall, multi-purpose rooftop court, and library.

Contact: Website

German Swiss International School — The Peak & Pok Fu Lam

The primary and secondary classes here are split into English and German sections, with the German International Abitur offered for the German stream, and the IGCSE followed by IB provided for the English stream. Primary school facilities include a new library, a sprawling multi-purpose atrium, a rooftop playground, and a gym. Secondary school students have access to state-of-the-art labs, a library and study room, an indoor swimming pool, and a sports hall.

Contact: Website

Harrow International School — Tuen Mun

This school integrates elements of educational philosophy, practice and traditions from Harrow School in the UK, and requires applications to be submitted two years before entry. It follows the British National Curriculum for pre-prep and prep, followed by the IGCSE and A-Levels. Harrow is Hong Kong’s first and only international boarding and day school, and has excellent facilities on its 400,000 square feet campus.

Contact: Website

Kellett School — Pok Fu Lam & Kowloon Bay

This is one of the foremost British schools in Hong Kong, and follows the English National Curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels). While the medium of instruction is English, students study Putonghua from their first year and can choose French from Year 3. They have two preparatory schools at Pok Fu Lam and Kowloon Bay, with the secondary school on the latter campus as well. Kellett is known for its small classes, low student-to-teacher ratios, and robust pastoral care.

Contact: Website

Choosing the right international school in Hong Kong can be a daunting task, as there are plenty of options available and parents’ needs differ from one family to another. Read through the following links for more information:

• International schools in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)
• Tips for choosing an international school in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)
• List of private independent schools in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)

FAQ about international schools in Hong Kong

Header image credits: Malvern College Hong Kong, American School Hong Kong, International Montessori School

* This article was done in collaboration with the above-mentioned international school. Reach out if you’d like to be included!

Star Ferry rides

Passengers can take unlimited trips for free on the Star Ferry between Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui. However, if you want to take the Central-Tsim Sha Tsui ferry, you’ll have to pay the full fare.

Tram trips

Hop on board any HK Tramways tram on July 1 and get rides across the northern part of Hong Kong Island for free, courtesy the Hong Kong Youth Patriotic Education Foundation.

Fortune Ferry journeys

Sail across Victoria Harbour on for free two of Fortune Ferry’s routes: Central-Hung Hom and North Point-Kwun Tong-Kai Tak. You need to book your tickets in advance before you board by heading to Central Pier 8 and the North Point Pier. If it’s your birthday on July 1, you can get free trips on the Central-Hung Hom, North Point-Kwun Tong-Kai Tak, and Tuen Mun-Tai O routes.

MTR Light Rail and New Territories bus trips

All passengers who take MTR’s light rail and New Territories buses will get fare-free rides on July 1. Children aged between 3 and 11 years old can travel for free on all of Hong Kong’s MTR lines — including the Airport Express and on journeys to and from Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau stations. The city’s rail corporation will add more than 400 trips to six of its lines and boost its Light Rail services on July 1 to handle the increased passenger traffic on this day.

Sun Ferry rides

Sun Ferry will distribute 400 free ferry tickets for various routes between Hong Kong Island, the outlying islands and Kowloon. Anyone interested in getting fare-free rides from Central-Mui Wo, North Point-Hung Hom, and North Point-Kowloon City should head to Central Pier No. 6 or North Point Pier on June 27 to collect their tickets. Those who wish to travel between Central and Cheung Chau for free should go to Central Pier No. 5 on June 28 to pick up their passes.

KMB and Long Win Bus rides for kids

Children aged 3-12 can ride for free on all KMB routes (except the K12, K14, K17 and K18) and Long Win buses for 10 days from July to September this year. The fare-free ride offer begins on July 1, and kids who tap their Child Octopus Cards on the fare readers on these buses will not be charged.

Entry to Hong Kong Wetland Park

All visitors can enter Hong Kong Wetland Park without registering or buying a ticket. However, they cannot enter the Wetland Challenge, What are Wetlands, Living Wetlands and Human Culture galleries, as well as the Swamp Adventure Indoor Play Area and Souvenir Shop as they are closed for renovations.

Guided tours

There will be free guided tours, dining, consumption, and accommodation offers from late June to the end of July for the 13 projects under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme. Some of the free tours will be at:

• Green Hub
• HKFYG Leadership Institute
• Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre
• Viva Blue House

Entry to government-run leisure facilities

Anyone can use the following indoor and outdoor facilities managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department as long as they make a booking first:

• Indoor leisure facilities such as badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, netball courts, volleyball courts, squash courts, table tennis tables, American pool tables, billiard tables, sport climbing walls, bowling greens, golf facilities, fitness rooms, activity rooms, dance rooms, and a cycling track
• Outdoor leisure facilities like tennis courts, tennis practice courts, bowling greens, batting cages, sport climbing walls, archery ranges and golf facilities (except camp facilities, sports grounds and artificial as well as natural turf pitches)
• Public swimming pools except for the Wan Chai Swimming Pool and the Kowloon Tsai Swimming Pool (no prior bookings required) 
• Water sports centres, except for recreational kayaks, pedal-driven boats, sampans and colour boats at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre, which are available only for campers

Museum exhibitions

Entry to the following museums and exhibitions are free on July 1:

• Hong Kong Palace Museum: General Admission exhibitions, which require pre-booking on the West Kowloon Cultural District website, the West Kowloon Cultural District mobile app, or on Cityline.
• M+: General Admission exhibitions, which do not require pre-booking. Enter the museum through the Artist Square Entrance.
• Hong Kong Space Museum: All permanent exhibitions except for the Space Theatre shows.
• Hong Kong Science Museum: All permanent exhibitions.
• Hong Kong Museum of Art: All free exhibitions, including ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Fragrance of Time – In Search of Chinese Art of Scent’.

In addition, admission to several exhibitions will be free at the following museums:

• Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
• Hong Kong Railway Museum
• Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
• Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
• Law Uk Folk Museum
• Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum
• Sheung Yiu Folk Museum
• Hong Kong Film Archive
• Sam Tung Uk Museum
• Oil Street Art Space (Oi!) 
• Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre

Other discounts on July 1

Several Hong Kong attractions and restaurants will give visitors and customers discounts for the forthcoming long weekend to celebrate HKSAR Establishment Day. Here is the list of the special offers during this time:

• Hong Kong Ocean Park: Up to 30% off on an Ocean Park Hong Kong All Day Delight Tickets, from June 29-July 1. Adults will pay HK$270 (original price HK$398) and children’s tickets in this category will cost HK$189 (original price HK$239). Tickets can be bought at the park gates and on the website.
• Ngong Ping 360: Children and senior citizens will get 73% off Ngong Ping 360 Standard Cabin cable car tickets. Kids aged between 3 and 11 years old will pay HK$36 for their passes, while tickets for seniors will cost HK$42.
• sky100: Hong Kong residents will get 73% off when they buy admission tickets for the sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck if they use with the promo code of “27HKSAR” from June-July 1. A quota of 130 tickets will be available each day, and standard tickets for adults, children, and senior citizens will cost HK$53.
• Restaurant offers: Several restaurants across the city will give customers discounts on beverages, à la carte menu, and special menus. Check out the full list here.

For the full list of freebies and discounts, visit the official website.

Header image credits: YuenWu, urban cow, and seaonweb via Canva

Car insurance is available for all sorts of vehicles, including buses and motorbikes, and providing proof of insurance is necessary to register your vehicle with the Transport Department on either an individual, or commercial, basis. Failure to have adequate car insurance on your vehicle can result in penalties.

Why is car insurance mandatory?

Car insurance ensures that you have adequate funds to cover your liability at law for any accident you have caused. This is important because car accidents can be expensive and have far-reaching consequences depending on their severity. Hong Kong law consequently ensures that money for compensation is in place for all vehicles on the road.

All Hong Kong car insurance plans will cover you for your financial liability towards third parties, or bystanders, for their losses as a result of an at-fault accident — this is what is provided by a Third-Party Car Insurance plan.

Only more comprehensive, and expensive, car insurance options will cover you for damage on your own vehicle, or against considerations like theft. However, these additional coverage options are not mandatory under Hong Kong Law, so for many people the increased cost may not be worth it, depending on the value or age of their vehicle.

What to do after a car accident?

After any traffic accident or collision of vehicles, the first thing you should do is check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If you’re not too hurt to move, you should try to get to a safe location from which to call 999 and report the accident to the police.

Once help arrives, you should exchange all your insurance information with the other parties, if able, and take notes of things like the police report number, location of the accident, make and model of the other vehicle, and any other relevant details. Any pictures gathered at this time will be helpful.

You may want to notify your insurance company while at the scene, or you can wait until you get home and the adrenaline wears off. But you should start the claims process as soon as possible after the accident, once it is safe for you to do so.

What is Car Rental Excess Insurance?

Car Rental Excess Insurance is a benefit often included on some Hong Kong and International Travel Insurance products. If you rent a vehicle while on holiday overseas and purchase any insurance on that vehicle (like taking an optional Collision Damage Waiver, or CDW, offered by the rental company), then you are normally not responsible for the costs of repairing any damage to that vehicle while it is in your possession.

Despite this, some rental companies include a Deductible (also known as an Excess) in their CDW offering. This would require you to contribute some money towards the repair costs of the car. The exact amount will vary depending on the rental company and insurance underwriter they work with. However, if your travel insurance policy includes a Car Rental Excess benefit, then your travel insurance policy will pay this cost for you, instead of the costs coming directly out of your pocket.

Can my wife drive my car without insurance?

All cars operating on Hong Kong roads must have insurance, so the answer to, “Can anyone drive without insurance?” is “No, unless they are on private property.” Having said this, your wife does not need her own insurance policy to drive your car. As the owner of a vehicle, you are free to let any licensed person operate your car.

However, if an accident occurs, and the driver at the time of the accident is not listed on the insurance policy as a named driver, then an additional excess or deductible will likely be required by you in order for the insurance company to settle the claim. The way to avoid this is by nominating your wife on the policy as a “named driver.” By doing this she would be able to drive the car on your insurance, without incurring additional costs in the event of an at fault accident.

How to end car insurance?

The simplest way to end a car insurance policy is to simply let the policy expire at the end of its annual contract. Once the policy has expired, the car insurance is no longer in force and you are not obligated to pay any more premiums — but your car cannot operate on public roads legally until reinsured.

It is possible to end a car insurance policy before the conclusion of the contract by informing the insurance company at least 7 or more days in advance of the date you wish to cancel by. If no claims have been settled, depending on the length of time the policy has been in force, you may be entitled to a refund on any premiums paid. Cancelling your car insurance policy within 1 month of renewal or inception will give you a larger refund than if you cancel it at 5 months or later.

How do I get car insurance?

Getting car insurance in Hong Kong couldn’t be easier than contacting a broker like CCW Global Ltd for a comparison of leading options provided by an array of underwriters, and then selecting the plan that best meets your needs and budget.

CCW Global is a broker — which means they are legally obligated to work for your interests, and not those of the insurance company. So when you talk to a company like CCW about getting your car insurance in Hong Kong, you’re receiving unbiased advice about the plans and products that are right for you.

For more information, contact CCW Global and request a free quotation today.

About CCW

CCW Global is a leading Hong Kong Insurance Broker and can assist you in making the best decision for your needs. They can help you obtain free competitive quotes for your many insurance needs.

CCW makes it easy to view personalised comparisons from different companies to help you make the best choice.

Header image credit: Leung Cho Pan via Canva