Hong Kong Wants to Buy You a Drink - and Toast its East-Meets-West Culture
Hong Kong’s doors are open to visitors again, and to celebrate, it’s offering travelers who come to the city in 2023 some ‘welcome back’ perks – plus, it’s unveiling a host of new and resuming cultural events and attractions.
“Hello Hong Kong” is inviting new and returning friends of one of the most vibrant, eclectic, and unforgettable cities in Asia to rediscover – or learn for the first time – what puts Hong Kong on the map for savvy travelers.
Hong Kong really does want to buy you a drink! Visitors can choose from a selection of “Hong Kong Goodies” that can be redeemed at venues across the city. Get a cash voucher for restaurants, shops or attractions, an exclusive gift from an intriguing attraction or museum, or a free welcome drink at one of Hong Kong’s eclectic bars.
“Hong Kong Goodies”
Get a digital voucher with a QR code before you arrive in Hong Kong via the Discover Hong Kong website. Or visit one of the Hong Kong Tourism Board Centres when you arrive in the city to collect your voucher worth at least HK $100 (about USD $13).
Choose among these “Goodies:”
A welcome drink:
Get a complimentary drink at one of more than 100 bars, restaurants and hotels in Hong Kong. What better excuse to try a smart bar or take a glimpse inside a sleek new hotel you might want to stay at on your next trip to Hong Kong?
A HK $100 coupon:
A souvenir:
Receive a souvenir gift at an attraction or museum in Hong Kong. You’ll find the list of participating attractions here, including Hong Kong’s famous Peak Tram, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and more.
Let us help you plan the perfect trip to Hong Kong so you can take advantage of “Hong Kong Goodies” and experience – or re-experience – some of Hong Kong’s cultural treasures in 2023 and beyond.
Culture Calling in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is the hub of ‘east-meets-west’ culture, equally celebrating tradition and innovation.
It’s always the right time to visit established cultural icons like the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Xiqu Centre with performances of traditional Chinese theatre and Cantonese opera and HKMoA, marking six decades as Hong Kong’s first public art museum.
But leave room in your travel agenda for cultural experiences outside the box, like:
- M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture;
- Arte Museum, Hong Kong’s first permanent, immersive digital art museum, opening in 2024;
- Go Museum, a new exhibition venue at the Victoria Peak that plays with lights and shadow; or
- New Street Art, two dozen new public graffiti works enlivening Sai Kung’s streets.
Victoria Harbour by night, Hong Kong
Get Hands On and Up Close
Immerse yourself in local culture, with workshops that let you try your hand at some of the techniques and get an insider’s insight of experiences that exemplify life in Hong Kong.
How about a workshop that lets you make neon lights, that, along with Victoria Harbour and skyscrapers, so define the Hong Kong skyline? How about tea tasting or tea blending? Mahjong carving? Or a visit to the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre that preserves a dance (pictured, above) that is on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list?
Spring Fling with the Arts: Can’t Miss Events
Plan ahead now for an early Spring visit to Hong Kong, when a host of world-class, traditional and cutting-edge arts events bloom on the city’s calendar.
Art Basel: The world’s hippest high society art platform connecting collectors, galleries and artists, Art Basel is held annually in only three cities: Basel, Miami Beach… and Hong Kong, where it’s the largest international art fair. Art Basel in Hong Kong features premiere galleries, established and emerging contemporary artists from Asia-Pacific locales and beyond.
Art Central: Hong Kong’s annual international art fair showcases the next generation of talent from Asia’s most innovative galleries alongside distinguished artists from around the world.
Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival: Asia’s premiere outdoor music and arts festival and Hong Kong’s marquee music event of the year, the annual, sell-out Clockenflap incorporates local, regional and international music (including artists from the U.S. and Canada), film, art installations and more.
HKWalls: Artist ZMOGK painting in 2019 in Hong Kong.
(Photo 2019 by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images for Hong Kong Tourism Board)
HKWalls Festival: HKWalls showcases the talent of local and international street artists in publicly-accessible sites in the heart of the city. HKwalls also hosts workshops, guided tours and artists talks around town, and this year included a special exhibition featuring past and current artists of the HKwalls Festival at the chic international private club Soho House.
The Hong Kong Arts Festival: For over half a century, the HKAF has presented time-honoured productions, specially-commissioned pieces, and performances by international and world-class performing artists. Its returning 2023 season saw the Ballet of Slovene National Theatre; an original Cantonese musical; an immersive opera experience with headphones that’s staged in different locations and the Bamberg Symphony.
Start Your Hong Kong Trip!
Images courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board
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