Although the tram won’t be running, the Peak Tower and Sky Terrace 428 will still welcome tourists. Alternative transport options include

• Citybus Route 15 from Central;
• The Green Minibus Route 1 from Hong Kong Station;

To handle the increased demand, bus and minibus services will be enhanced as needed. However, the Citybus 15C service between Central Ferry Piers and the Peak Tram Terminus will not operate during this period. You can still reach the Peak by taxi or even on foot during this period.

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Maintenance like this is part of routine safety measures to keep services reliable. Operators say they’ll try to finish the work quickly and reduce inconvenience for passengers.

In December 2024, the Peak Tram also introduced a single fare structure for all days to avoid confusion caused by dynamic pricing. A return adult ticket now costs HK$108, while children and seniors pay HK$54. One-way tickets are priced at HK$76 and HK$38 respectively.

The Peak Tram is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hong Kong. It began running in 1888, making it the city’s oldest funicular railway. Originally powered by coal-fired steam, the system has evolved over the decades. Its steep incline and dramatic views have made it a must-visit spot.

Header Image Credit: Simon Nicol/SPRG

New rules start May 1st, 2025

Under the new rate, employees are entitled to the minimum hourly wage whether they are employed full-time, part-time, casually, monthly, daily, hourly or by piece. The increase applies regardless of whether the employment is permanent or temporary.

However, the minimum wage does not apply to live-in domestic workers, student interns, work experience students, and persons not covered under Hong Kong’s employment laws.

Employees with disabilities are also covered. They may opt for a productivity assessment to determine whether their wages should be based on the statutory minimum wage or on a rate that matches their productivity.

Also, Employers are now required to record the total number of hours worked by employees earning less than HK$17,200 per month, an increase from the previous HK$16,300 threshold.

Hong Kong remains one of the World’s most expensive cities

Hong Kong continues to rank among the world’s most expensive cities, as confirmed by multiple studies in recent years. In 2023, it was named the second most expensive city globally, just behind New York, reflecting the high costs faced by residents and visitors. The city has also retained its reputation as the priciest destination for expats, holding the top spot in Mercer’s 2024 global rankings.

Recent, research further shows Hong Kong remains one of the most expensive places to live, adding to the financial pressures already well-known to those living and working in the city. In a global inflationary context, the Consumer Council also highlighted cases of shrinkflation last year, revealing that shrinkflation in Hong Kong is real, with 90% of supermarket products shrinking in volume or weight by up to 30%.

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What are the busiest international airports in 2024?

The rankings are based on international airline capacity, meaning the number of seats airlines scheduled on international routes for the entire year. This capacity is calculated using scheduled one-way flights, offering a clearer view of how much international traffic an airport can handle.

To put this year’s numbers into perspective, the data compares capacity with 2019 and 2023, showing how airports are recovering or growing beyond pre-pandemic levels, and here is the top 10:

While the rankings highlight international airport capacities, they are based on the number of seats scheduled on international flights, not the number of passengers who actually flew. This means the figures represent the airport’s potential traffic rather than confirmed traveller that have actually landed in the SAR.

More international connections from Hong Kong airlines coming this year

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has maintained its spot as the world’s busiest international airport in 2024, with 60.2 million scheduled seats, continuing its leading position since 2019. London Heathrow (LHR) followed in second place, offering 48.4 million seats, a 4% rise compared to the previous year. Incheon International Airport (ICN) climbed four places to secure third, thanks to a 24% increase in capacity from 2023.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) made an impressive recovery, posting a 40% jump in capacity from 2023 and securing 9th place, though still operating 23% below its 2019 figures, according to OAG. This might suggest the airport has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic capacity, despite showing stronger growth than many other airports.

With more international routes reopening, and Cathay Pacific and HK Express expanding their international network to 100 routes by the end of 2025, Hong Kong International Airport’s role as a key hub is set to strengthen. HK Express is also launching new flights to China, Korea, and Japan in May and June, adding even more connections across Asia.

Earlier this year, HKIA also ranked as one of the world’s top 10 airports in 2025. In another news, travellers should also be aware of the upcoming increase in departure tax this October, the first rise in over 20 years.

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Here is the top 10 cities with the most millionaires worldwide:

The top 10 includes four cities from the United States, three from Asia, two in Europe, and Sydney representing Australia. Hong Kong ranks 8th worldwide with 154,900 millionaires, according to consultancy firm. Despite its global financial status, growth in millionaire numbers has been slow, rising just 3 percent in the past decade.

Looking at growth over the past ten years, The Bay Area saw a 98% rise in millionaires, Singapore grew by 62%, and New York by 45%. Hong Kong, with a 3% increase, one of the lowest among major cities. London dropped by 12%, while Tokyo and Paris both grew modestly at 4 and 5%.

At the same time, Hong Kong is now the third most expensive city to live in across Asia, according to a recent survey. This ranking, which looks at daily expenses like food, transport, and dining, puts Hong Kong ahead of Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, even without counting rent.

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The decision comes after the US said it will end duty-free treatment for packages from Hong Kong and increase tariffs starting 2 May. Hongkong Post called the move unfair and said it will not help collect any US tariffs. Parcels that have already been posted but not yet shipped will be returned and refunded, starting 22 April.

Hongkong post also mentioned that “For sending items to the US, the public in Hong Kong should be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the US’s unreasonable and bullying acts. Other postal items containing documents only without goods will not be affected.”.

This isn’t the first disruption. In February, the US Postal Service suddenly stopped accepting parcels from Hong Kong and mainland China, then reversed the decision just one day later. The rising costs and sudden rule changes are part of a growing trade and postal clash between the two sides, with regular people and small businesses caught in the middle.

Header Image Credit: LN9267 via Wikimedia Commons

Where Hong Kong Stands in Global Safety Rankings

The rankings were put together by crowd-sourced online database Numbeo based on their Safety Index, which took data from surveys that website visitors answered regarding 147 countries, regions, principalities, and dependencies worldwide. It looked at factors like the general perception of crime levels in a place and perceived safety there during daylight and nighttime. It also considered concerns about crimes like mugging, robbery, car theft, physical attacks, public harassment, and bias-motivated incidents in these countries and regions, as well as the severity of property and violent crime.

Hong Kong’s Safety Index score (78.5) gave it an edge over ninth-ranked Singapore (77.4), and tenth-placed Japan (77.1). However, Taiwan’s score of 82.9 landed the island the No. 4 spot, making it the highest-ranked Asian place in the entire list. The Top 5 comprises a mix of European, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries: Andorra (No. 1), the United Arab Emirates (No. 2), Qatar (No. 3), Taiwan (No. 4), and Oman (No. 5).

The World’s Most Dangerous Countries 

On the flip side, the most dangerous country is Venezuela with a low safety score of 19.3. Other countries at the bottom were Papua New Guinea (19.7), Haiti (21.1), Afghanistan (24.9), and South Africa (25.3). Canada (No. 75), the United Kingdom (No. 87) and the United States (No. 89) are in the middle of the pack, while Mainland China (No. 15) and South Korea (No. 17) made it to the Top 20.

Hong Kong may be one of the safest places in the world, but there are neighbourhoods in the city with their fair share of crime. According to a survey by Preply, Yau Tsim Mong is the most dangerous district in the territory, with 8,883 crimes reported by the local police from January-October 2024, followed by Kwun Tong (7,608 cases) and Sha Tin (6,519 cases).

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How To Get To Kai Tak Stadium?

The easiest way to reach Kai Tak Stadium is via the Tuen Ma Line (MTR) at Kai Tak Station (Exit D, 10–15 min walk) or Sung Wong Toi Station (Exit D, 5–10 min walk). Buses and minibuses also offer convenient routes.

More than 60 bus routes go to Kai Tak Stadium, with the main stops being Kowloon City Bus Interchange (also known as Regal Oriental Hotel Bus Stop and Sung Wong Toi Park Bus Stop), Argyle Street Playground Bus Stop, and Kowloon City Ferry Bus Terminus. You can also take the ferry from North Point to Kowloon City Ferry Pier.

For all transportation options available, including all by buses, minibuses, cross-border coaches or taxi options, please refer to this page to review all the options available: https://www.kaitaksportspark.com.hk/transportation.

Transport Options Within Hong Kong

MTR services on the Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line will run more frequently after concerts. Additional trains will be available to accommodate the participants. Train frequency hasn’t been disclosed.

To make it easier for visitors to get home, special bus services will run from the venue to various locations across Hong Kong, including major areas on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and cross-border points.

Buses will be at Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area, around 10 minutes walking distance to the stadium. Click here to view the itinerary in Google Maps from the stadium to the Pick-up/Drop-off Area.

Here’s a list of the special bus routes available at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area:

• To Hong Kong Island:
  • SP10: Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central
  • SP11: Tai Koo, Shau Kei Wan, Siu Sai Wan
• To Kowloon:
  • SP1: Kwun Tong, Tseung Kwan O (Hang Hau)
  • SP2: Mong Kok
• To the New Territories:
  • SP3: Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi
  • SP5A: Tuen Mun
  • SP6: Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai
  • SP7: Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui
  • SP9: Tseung Kwan O South (LOHAS Park)

Transport Options to Mainland China

For those heading back to Mainland China, the last MTR train to Lo Wu Station will leave from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and from Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm. If you miss the last train, can still reach the East Rail Line to Sheung Shui Station, then take buses 276B or N73 to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange (PTI). From there, fans can catch the Yellow Bus shuttle to Shenzhen (Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang).

Here’s a list of the special bus routes available at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area to Mainland China Ports:

• SP12: Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange (connecting to the Yellow Bus for Shenzhen)
• A25S: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port/Airport (connecting to the Gold Bus for Macao or Zhuhai)

Click here to view the itinerary in Google Maps from the stadium to the Pick-up/Drop-off Area.

Also, the Kai Tak Sports Park Limited will provide cross-border coach services during concert nights for travellers returning to Mainland China via the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port.

Passengers need to purchase tickets before the concerts, as no tickets will be sold during departure times. Boarding for these coaches will be available at the Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA on the G/F of Kai Tak Stadium. Refer to the operators’ website (Eternal East Bus or CTG Bus) for the latest ticket information.

Taxi Services During Concerts

Taxis will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at Sung Wong Toi Road from 2pm to 11.30pm on concert days. Due to the large crowds, waiting times may be longer than usual. During admission times, taxis can also drop off passengers at Kai Tak Stadium and Kai Tak Arena.

Concertgoers are advised to check real-time updates using the HKeMobility app, on-site broadcasts, or the Transport Department’s website.

Header Image Credit: Roger Woolman via Wikimedia Commons/Kai Tak Sport Park Limited

Today, it seems that iShowSpeed is heading to China for another livestream, set to start at 2 PM on his YouTube channel.

IShowSpeed Visited Iconic Landmarks in Hong Kong

iShowSpeed’s first day in Hong Kong was epic. The American YouTuber, known for his unpredictable style and global following, took fans on a tour of the 852. In the morning, he was seen “hitting villains” in Causeway Bay before heading to Ocean Park, where he spent around 1.5 hours riding the Ocean Express and Cable Car, visiting the Pacific Walrus attraction, and enjoying a Hong Kong egg waffle.

Later in the day, iShowSpeed visited the city, where he tried local delicacies like pineapple bun and the infamous snake soup, in the afternoon in Mong Kok.

The streets were crowded with fans, with hundreds gathering to celebrate his recent YouTube milestone of hitting 38 million subscribers. One fan even surprised him with a watermelon decorated with candles as a “celebration cake.”

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Massive Crowds to Greet Speed

iShowSpeed was also spotted at Kam Chan Country Park and the Avenue of Stars, where he paid tribute to the Bruce Lee statue. IShowSpeed also boarded the CR7 tram, a special edition tram dedicated to his football idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, and promoting the upcoming CR7 Life Museum.

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Throughout the day, fans followed him wherever he went, eager for photos, autographs, or simply a chance to see the star. Massive crowds gathered at Central Pier as Speed took a boat from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. However, due to the large number of fans waiting for him, the boat then departed for Wan Chai instead.

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For more videos about his day in Hong Kong, visit @ishowdailyvids on Instagram or this YouTube video from Live Speedy, which recaps his day in an hour. which recaps his day in an hour. Other moments include playing football and basketball with kids, having his fortune told, and escaping the crowd by boat.

Heading To China on April 5?

Today, it seems that iShowSpeed is going to China, according to his latest ‘IRL Stream’ video posted on YouTube. Starting at 2 PM, a new livestream is expected to begin. The question is, where? Shenzhen? What’s your bet?

Header Image Credit: The HK HUB

iShowSpeed announced his Asia tour on March 24, sharing his excitement about visiting China, Mongolia, and Hong Kong. His journey has been packed with viral moments and bold stunts, including a daring backflip off the Great Wall of China and practising kung fu, which he shared proudly with his followers. In China, he also tackled the famed Love Ladder hike, further showcasing his adventurous spirit.

Known for his unpredictable humour and lively personality, iShowSpeed has taken his audience along for the ride, keeping them engaged with both cultural experiences and comedic commentary. His popularity has only grown throughout the trip, with each stream drawing in tens of thousands of viewers keen to see what he will do next.

To follow his live stream, visit his YouTube channel.

Header Image Credit: Youtube/iShowSpeed

What To Know About The Round-the-Island Trail

The Round-the-Island Trail was first announced during Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee’s 2022 Policy Address to connect “the waterfront promenades on the northern shore [of Hong Kong Island] and a number of existing promenades and countryside walking trails in the Southern District.” Work began in 2023, and Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho recently said in her blog that 80% of the project is complete.

The entire 60-kilometre stretch will be divided into five themed trails for people to plan trips based on their interests. The Victoria Harbour Trail will span the length of Hong Kong’s best-known landmark, while the Sunset Trail will allow visitors to take in views along the western part of the island. The Fisherman’s Trail and Beach Trail will take explorers through the southern part of the island, and the Green Tail will run along the eastern side and include the Dragon’s Back Hike.

Upcoming Walkways, Trails, and Promenades

Ricky Tang Lai-yin, senior engineer of the Development Bureau, added that the newer additions to the route include the western section of the East Coast Boardwalk, Sha Wan Walking Trail, and Cadogan Street Seaside Promenade. Tang said that more walkways and paths will open this year, such as the eastern part of the the East Coast Boardwalk, and hiking trails from Nam Wan Beach to Chung Hom Kok Service Reservoir and Hok Tsui Road to Shek O Beach. The government also plans to improve existing seaside promenades and walking trails along the route.

Other plans include linking the Aberdeen Promenade with Deep Water Bay Pier, and Heng Fa Chuen and Shau Kei Wan, among other routes by the end of 2031. Linn added that the trail will have signs with augmented reality QR codes that will allow visitors to scan and get information like the highlights of project, route suggestions, and transport options.

The Round-the-Island Trail is an important part of the Development Blueprint for Hong Kong’s Tourism Industry 2.0, which was released at the end of 2024 to lay out a five-year plan to promote the territory as a premier global tourism destination. It focuses on combining tourism with culture, sports, ecology, and mega events, as well as diversifying visitor sources, promoting smart tourism, and elevating service quality.

For more information about the Round-the-Island Trail, visit the official website.

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How NGOs Can Apply for Free Disneyland Tickets

Earlier this year, Disneyland revealed its plans for its 20th anniversary celebrations, which will kick off this June. The highlights of the year-long festivities will be the debut of its largest parade to date, Friendtastic!, and a special edition of its Momentous nighttime castle show. On Tuesday, the park announced that eligible NGOs or charitable organisations can apply for the 200,000 tickets on their official website. Ticket-holders will be allowed to visit once between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, subject to block-out dates. Applications will close by April 30, and the results will be revealed from late May.

Disneyland’s Runway Reveal and Future Expansion Plans

Before the festivities officially begin, Disneyland will host a pre-anniversary party on April 17 at which more than 550 Disney fans, media, and content creators from East and Southeast Asia will see Mickey and the gang unveil all-new outfits for the occasion, as part of a “bedazzling runway reveal”. 

Apart from the anniversary celebrations, the park also will introduce new attractions and expand its current offerings. There are plans for a Spider-Man zone at Tomorrowland, and new Pixar experience located between Toy Story Land and World of Frozen. Details about when these attractions will open and what visitors can expect have not yet been announced.

Image credits: Hong Kong Disneyland

Yuen Long, North District and Sha Tin Rank As Best Districts To Live

The survey considered several criteria that influence daily life to assess which district in Hong Kong is the most desirable. Factors like population density, real estate prices, crime rates, the number of parks, playgrounds, and schools, public transport options like trains and buses, the quality of air and water, and noise levels all came into play to determine the final ranking. 

Yuen Long took the top spot because it has the most outdoor recreation spaces (188 parks and playgrounds) and the third-highest number of schools (288) in the city, as well as relatively affordable housing (HK$9,476 per square foot) and the most bus stops in the territory, making it the best connected district in Hong Kong.

North District came in at No. 2 as it’s the safest part of town with only 586 crimes reported to the police between January and October 2024. It’s also the second-cheapest area real estate-wise (HK$9,319 per square foot) and the second least crowded neighbourhood (2,269 people per square kilometre). Sha Tin is the third-most liveable district because of its abundance of schools (293) and parks and playgrounds (131), as well as its comparatively low population concentration (10,082 people per square kilometre) and fifth-highest number of shopping malls and supermarkets (193) in the SAR.

Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po, and Wan Chai are the least liveable localities in Hong Kong. Wong Tai Sin took the bottom spot as it has the fewest bus stops, is the fourth-most densely populated area (43,730 residents per square kilometre), and has the second-lowest number of restaurants and bars (1,170). Sham Shui Po’s status as the second-most crowded part of Hong Kong (46,067 people per square kilometre) and Wan Chai’s lack of schools (the lowest at 114) and costly housing (HK$17,269 per square foot) saw them figure at the lower end of the list.

Hong Kong’s Most Dangerous and Safest Districts

In a packed city like Hong Kong, safety is a key factor when it comes to evaluating liveability. Yau Tsim Mong is the most dangerous district in the city, with the police reporting 8,883 crimes here in the first 10 months of last year. This is hardly surprising as the area covers Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Mong Kok, which are popular among locals and tourists for shopping and late-night entertainment. 

Kwun Tong is the second-least safe part of town (7,608 cases), which could be linked to the fact that it’s also the most crowded (59,704 people per square kilometre). Sha Tin rounds out the top three in this category, with 6,519 cases. North District’s 586 reported cases make it the safest locality, followed by Islands District (2,208 cases) and Wan Chai (2,523 cases). 

In addition, the survey revealed that Tuen Mun is the cheapest place to buy a home in the SAR, as the district commands the lowest property prices at HK$9,204 per square foot, which is extremely reasonable compared to the sky-high rates of HK$21,181 per square foot in Central and Western District. Findings also showed that Yau Tsim Mong boasts the most bars and restaurants in town (6,243), while Southern District as the fewest (777).

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The event aims to celebrate Kai Tak’s rich aviation history, which continues to be remembered by many in the city, and will also match with the very first Rugby Sevens organised in the newly built Kai Tak Stadium.

Kai Tak Airport, which operated from 1925 until its closure in 1998, served as Hong Kong’s primary international gateway for decades. Located in Kowloon City, its single runway stretched out into the harbour, requiring pilots to navigate a challenging approach path that took aircraft low over densely populated urban areas.

This unique landing approach, paired with the airport’s proximity to the city’s skyscrapers and mountains, made Kai Tak a globally recognised aviation landmark. Enthusiasts and travellers alike remember it as one of the most demanding yet iconic airports in the world, symbolising Hong Kong’s growth and connectivity throughout the 20th century.

Header Image Credit: Cathay Pacific & Ywchow via Wikimedia Commons

Changes to Hong Kong’s Public Healthcare Costs Explained

The news was announced when the Hospital Authority revealed the results of its review of the city’s healthcare fees earlier this week, and submitted proposals to the Health Bureau. The idea behind the hikes is to create a more sustainable public healthcare system, and reduce the government subsidy rate from 97.6% to 90% by 2030. One of the way is by raising the fees for patients with less urgent cases to HK$400 from HK$180, and charging those who need to be admitted overnight HK$200-HK$300 per day for a bed, up from HK$100-HK$200.

The changes will also affect medication and scan costs at specialist outpatient clinics. From next year, specialist outpatient clinics will charge HK$20 per drug for a four-week prescription instead of HK$15 per drug for 16 weeks. Non-urgent CT and MRI scans will cost up toHK$500, but basic ones like X-rays will remain free. Those who opt for outpatient services at family medicine clinics will shell out HK$150 for each appointment, as opposed to the current maximum HK$135 consultation fee and HK$80 for follow-up visits. However, some psychiatric and community care services remain free.

Expanded Medical Waiver and Cost-Control Measures

The government also wants to ensure that no one is denied care due to financial reasons, while dealing with rising demand — especially from an ageing population. Authorities will set a HK$10,000 limit on medical fees for patients diagnosed with serious conditions and who need frequent hospital admissions, which will exclude self-financed drugs and treatment. The current medical fee waiver scheme will be expanded with lower income and asset caps, and cover 1.1 million more people in the city. The new policies also aim to curb waste and misuse by introducing co-payment for certain non-emergency services like radiology scans and lab tests, and revising standard drug quantities and prices.

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Keeta’s Drone Delivery Trial in Hong Kong

The new service will be run by Keeta Drone, the platform’s self-flying delivery system, which recently did a test run to Science Park. The company has been prepping for this launch since late last year, and once it’s up and running, customers can order from Science Park eateries like McDonald’s and Pizza Hut and pick up their deliveries at Ma On Shan Park. Keeta Drone officials say this will greatly reduce travel times in a city like Hong Kong, known for its hilly landscape and numerous waterways.

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Keeta Drone already operates 53 routes in major Mainland Chinese hubs — including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen — and as of late 2024, completed 40,000 deliveries in the country. It also expanded overseas in December by debuting a service to deliver food, medicine, and parcels in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Drone deliveries are common in the US, where companies like Amazon, Walmart, Wing, and Zipline use this option to send customers groceries and packages.

Hong Kong’s Sandbox Project

Keeta’s new offering is part of Hong Kong’s Sandbox project that kicked off last year to create a low-altitude economy in the city. According to media reports, SF Express has proposed express delivery services between Cyberport and outlying islands like Cheung Chau and Lamma Island. However, for the initiative to truly take off, the Small Unmanned Aircraft Order needs to be amended to increase the weight limit of drones from 25kg to 150kg and allow them to fly out of the pilot’s view.

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The Happiest Places in the World in 2025

According to the UN report that was released on International Day of Happiness, Finland topped the list for the eighth year running, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Sweden whose positions remain unchanged from 2024. No Asian country, region, or territory made it to the Top 20. Taiwan placed the highest at No. 27, with Singapore (No. 34), Vietnam (No. 46), and Thailand (No. 49) finding places in the Top 50. Neighbours Japan (No. 55), Philippines (No. 57), South Korea (No. 58), China (No. 68), and Indonesia (No. 83) figured among the Top 100.

How Kind are Hongkongers?

This year’s list also evaluated each entry on six measures of benevolence: acts like donating, helping strangers, and volunteering, and how often lost wallets were returned by a neighbour, stranger or the police. Based on this, Hongkongers ranked 43 when it comes to making donations — just behind Taiwan at No. 42 — and are most likely to get their wallets back from neighbours.

Hong Kong has been a mixed bag when it comes to international rankings of late. A recent study showed that 70% of Hongkongers don’t want to have children due to financial pressures, which is hardly surprising, considering that Hong Kong is the fifth most expensive city in the world. However, the SAR is the fourth best city in the Asia-Pacific region and is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

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Construction Safety Concerns

According to media reports, the Chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Bamboo Scaffolding Workers Union Ho Ping-tak received the order from the Development Bureau to make the switch earlier this week, but gave no indication about when the measure will come into effect. Ho said that current projects will not be affected, but there is no information on whether the new rules will apply to private initiatives.

The move is part of the government’s efforts to improve safety in the construction industry after the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety was revised last year. Official records show that more than 20 workers in Hong Kong have been killed in bamboo-scaffolding related accidents since 2018. In addition, 11 workers were injured on a construction site in Kai Tak in January this year after a bamboo scaffold collapsed.

Why Hong Kong Still Relies on Bamboo Scaffolding

Hong Kong is one of the last major cities in the word that continues to use bamboo scaffolding in construction as metal is the norm in other metropolises. The material is favoured because it’s lightweight, flexible, can be sourced from Mainland China, and is relatively easy to set up. In fact, about 80% of ongoing projects in the territory continue to use bamboo, with the remaining 20% opting for metal. Ho added that while bamboo can be easily cut on-site, metal scaffolding is made of prefabricated components that need to be levelled and welded, requiring larger teams and more time on projects.

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Which Tickets are Available?

Right now, two types of General Admission tickets are available: Child/3-Day Passes for kids aged 3-12 years old priced at HK$950, and Adult/3-Day Passes for spectators over 12 years old that cost HK$1,950. Children under two years old do not need a ticket, and all pass holders over 18 years old can enter the South Stand. Fans can also spend HK$16,000 for the three-day Captain’s Lounge VIP Access Upgrade.

Other Attractions at the Hong Kong Sevens

Apart from the tournament’s 72 matches, the East Village area of the Kai Tak Sports Park — which houses the 50,000-capacity stadium where the events will take place — will transform into a new Fan Village. The 7,800-square feet open-air multi-use space will have a dedicated kids zone complete with giant inflatables, and host a variety of sports activities. In addition, the venue will have food and drink stands that will include three garden lounges and a signature bar.

In terms of entertainment, attendees will get to see Hong Kong act RubberBand, as well as Italian singer Gala, DJ Pete Tong, and indie rock band Kaiser Chefs take the stage over the course of the sports fiesta. The stage within the Village will see 15 local bands and six DJ acts getting the crowd hyped, including returning artists Red Stripes, Helium 3 and Hong Kong’s rugby DJ Ben Cullen.

Image credits: Hong Kong Sevens