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How to collect your Coldplay tickets?

If you bought tickets via Cityline you must have received an email with a redemption code. Physical tickets since March 12 and can be collected using a redemption password and the redemption code from over 30 kiosk locations across Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China.

To know the closest location, visit https://www.cityline.com/en_US/TicketingTerminal.html.

If you bought your tickets as part of the Klook Experience packages, you should have received an email from Klook regarding your seat numbers and redemption details.

When to go to the concert?

General admission for all four sold-out concerts on April 8, 9, 11, and 12 starts at 5 PM.

The show will kick off with Elyanna at 6:10 PM, followed by Marf at 7:00 PM, and Coldplay taking the stage at 8:00 PM. Elyanna is the only special guest confirmed so far, but there might be more surprises along the way.

How to go to Kai Tak Stadium to see Coldplay?

You can get to Kai Tak Stadium easily by taking the Tuen Ma Line (MTR) and getting off, either at Kai Tak Station (Exit D) and walk for about 10–15 minutes, or at Sung Wong Toi Station (Exit D) for a shorter 5–10-minute walk.

More than 60 bus routes go to Kai Tak Stadium. Main stops include Kowloon City Bus Interchange (also called 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 a ferry from North Point to Kowloon City Ferry Pier.

For all transport choices, like buses, minibuses, cross-border coaches, and taxis, visit: https://www.kaitaksportspark.com.hk/transportation.

What songs will Coldplay perform in Hong Kong?

Coldplay kicked off their Music of the Spheres tour in March 2022, and their two-hour setlist has featured several hits from their extensive discography. Fans who attend their 2025 Hong Kong concerts will probably hear the following tracks, along with new songs from their soon-to-be-released album Moon Music:

1. Higher Power
2. Adventure of a Lifetime
3. Paradise
4. The Scientist
5. Viva La Vida
6. Charlie Brown
7. Hymn for the Weekend
8. Let Somebody Go
9. Yellow
10. In My Place
11. Human Heart
12. People of the Pride
13. Clocks
14. Something Just Like This
15. Infinity Sign
16. Midnight
17. My Universe
18. A Sky Full of Stars
19. Sparks
20. The Jumbotron Song
21. Humankind
22. Fix You
23. Biutyful

Who are the special guests for Coldplay’s concerts?

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Marf Yau from the Hong Kong girl band Collar and Palestinian-Chilean breakout star Elyanna have been confirmed for all four of Coldplay’s Hong Kong shows. Special guests for Coldplay’s other Asian concerts this year include K-Pop group Twice and singer Jasleen Royal. Artists who have opened for Coldplay on this tour so far include pop singer Camila Cabello, indie pop band London Grammar, and Japanese pop duo Yoasobi.

What are the arrangements for leaving the stadium after the concert?

As the authorities and organizers expect massive crowds entering and leaving the concert, please be patient. Note that additional transportation options will be available to leave the area after the concerts.

• MTR on the Tuen Ma Line and East Rail Line will run more often after the concert, however, the frequency hasn’t been disclosed.
• Special buses will operate from the stadium to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories, and cross-border points. These buses will be available at Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area.
• Taxis will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at Sung Wong Toi Road from 2pm to 11.30pm on concert days. 

Note that no parking lot will be allowed should you planned to get to the stadium with your own car.

To know more about the special transport arrangement, please visit this complete guide.

Header image credits: Coldplay

The free-to-attend showcases of Thai culture include busking performances, a traditional costume experience, and a cabaret show at the basketball court of Carpenter Road Park.

How to Register and What to Bring to the Water-Splashing Event

The biggest attraction of the weekend will be the Water Splashing with Electronic Music at which participants can use water guns, buckets, or hand-held containers to throw water at each other — one of the most popular practices of Songkran.

The 45-minute water-splashing sessions will take place from 2pm-8pm on April 12 and 13 on Carpenter Road.

Anyone interested in attending the water-splashing must register beforehand: https://socapp.link-heart.hk/qweb/share/h5/activity/?src=0&sre=1&obj=7003023&link=IkJMcA&org=10149.

It’s open to anyone over the age of 3, and an adult must accompany participants under 18. Attendees who register will get a QR code that they should screenshot to present upon entry. It’s recommended that participants wear light clothing, goggles, and non-slip shoes and bring a change of clothes.

Registrants can use their own water guns as long as they don’t exceed a two-litre capacity and plastic basins that measure less than 30 centimeters in diameter. All water-splashing equipment can only be filled with clean water from the event.

More Songkran Festivities in Hong Kong

The other attractions of Hong Kong’s Songkran celebrations include the following events:

• Thai Bazaar: 3pm-9:30pm, April 11 and 12pm-9:30 pm, April 12-13
• Thai Massage: 3pm-9pm, April 11 and 12pm-9pm, April 12-13
• Thai Music, Performances and Cabaret Show: 6:45pm-8:15pm, April 12-13
• Busking Performances: 6pm-9pm, April 11
• Performances by Local Talents: 12:30pm-3:30pm, April 12-13
• Muay Thai Competition: 5:30pm-6:30pm, April 12-13
• Muay Thai Demonstration: 5pm-5:30pm, April 13
• Traditional Thai Costume Experience: 1pm-8pm, April 12-13

Image credits: Songkran HK

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).

Image credits: Ana Benet via Pexels

What is Dubai Chocolate?

Dubai Chocolate was created in 2021 by Sarah Hamouda, the brains behind Fix Dessert Chocolatier. It’s essentially a chunky bar of chocolate filled with pistachio paste and knafeh, a Middle Eastern dessert made with kataifi — a fine vermicelli-like pastry. Once it went viral in 2023, bakeries and home bakers across the world started putting their own spin on it by creating their own fillings and combining it with other sweet treats. And now, Hong Kong has gotten into the trend in a big way.

Where to find Dubai Chocolate in Hong Kong?

Four Seasons Hong Kong — Central

This five-star hotel in Hong Kong is the latest to get in on the Dubai Chocolate craze, courtesy of executive pastry chef Ringo Chan. They’ve got a classic dark chocolate version with a pistachio and knafeh filling. But if you want to really treat yourself, we suggest the Hong Kong Milk Tea Kataifi Bar. This indulgent dessert inspired by the city’s cha chaan tengs has two layers — the upper one made of kataifi pastry with Ceylon black tea powder and almond chocolate sauce, and the lower one of milk tea chocolate ganache that combines from Ceylon tea, evaporated milk, and cream. You can only order on the hotel’s eShop a day in advance, and do a pick-up from its Cake Shop between 11am and 8pm every day.

Price: HK$320 per bar
Where: Cake Shop, Lobby Level, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central
Contact: Website (eShop) | Instagram | Facebook | +852 3196 8159

Baking Maniac — Wong Chuk Hang

Mother-and-son duo Ankrish Gidwani and Renuka have given classic desserts like cupcakes and cake pops a Dubai Chocolate spin. Their offerings range from bars with a pistachio and knafeh filling encased by velvety chocolate (HK$280) to a Naked Cake (HK$780 onwards) made of their signature chocolate ganache and Dubai Chocolate knafeh filling. Their store also features Pistachio Knafesh Choco Chip Cookies (HK$50 per piece) and Biscoff Pistachio Chocolate Bars (HK$55 per piece), which is a new take on their popular Lotus Bites.

Price: HK$50-HK$1,600
Where: 5C, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Kwai Bo Industrial Boulevard
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 6699 8093

Maxim’s Cakes — Multiple locations

This bakery chain takes the trend to the next level with their Dubai Chocolate-inspired Pistachio Cake made of American pistachio cream, Japanese diced pistachios, light-as-air sponge cake, soft cocoa filling and a crunchy kataifi layer. They come in two sizes — the regular 4.5-inch cake and the deluxe 6-inch version — and you should put in a request for a cake at least a day before you need it. And as with all Maxim’s orders, you get a free chocolate plaque if your purchase is over HK$300.

Price: HK$198-HK$388
Where: View locations here
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2101 1300

Mr Simms Sweet Shop — Central, Tsim Sha Tsui

The old-timey sweet shop known for its retro goodies has put its own twist on the viral sensation by using a combination of 70% French dark chocolate and 34% white chocolate, along with pistachio paste. Their interpretation of Dubai Chocolate is low-sugar, and has no butter, additives or preservatives — perfect if you want a healthier variation of this dessert. Choose from a 200 gram bar or a trial 20 gram block, which you can pick up from their Central or Tsim Sha Tsui locations after ordering online.

Price: HK$30-HK$198
Where: 37 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central | Harbour City, Glass House 01, LCX, Level 3 Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2565 6933

Atypic Chocolate — Tsim Sha Tsui

Hongkongers can now get their hands on this Melbourne-based bean-to-bar chocolaterie’s Middle Eastern delight. They use their own mix of pistachio cream, crispy kataifi, and tahini paste enveloped in chocolate made from their very own cocoa beans. And unlike most places in town, you can actually pick up your order the day you place it — as long as you do it before 12pm. You also get free delivery on purchases over HK$600, which takes about three business days to arrive. Or, if you prefer, collect your chocolate at Wan Chai MTR station at 1pm or 6:30pm.

Price: HK$288
Where: Confect, UG1, The One, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact: Website | Instagram | +852  9603 9124 (WhatsApp)

Schoggi Meier — Chai Wan

Schoggi Meier does three types of dark Dubai Chocolate that they make fresh in Hong Kong: a regular bar, a raspberry cream-filled creation, and a cappuccino-flavoured variety, all paired with kataifi. The Swiss-inspired chocolatier’s creations are made of  premium couverture from Felchilin, which explains their smooth texture and glossy finish. You need to place your order on the website and wait about four days until you get it.

Price: HK$199
Where: Unit 6A, Sze Hing Loong Industrial Building, 44 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2783 8663

City’super — Multiple locations

Turkish brand Chocovia, which has a nearly 100-year history of crafting high-quality chocolates with unique flavours, is now available in Hong Kong. And, of course, their Dubai Chocolate is on the shelves at city’super. Their bars are a delicious blend of rich milk chocolate with crispy pistachio kadayif cream filling. Perfect if you’re craving sweet and nutty, with a smooth yet layered texture.

Price: HK$100
Where: View locations here
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 9522 2602 (WhatsApp)

Karam — Kennedy Town

Alia Amer started out with cooking classes at which she brought her Jordanian-Palestinian roots to the forefront  by teaching participants how to make dishes like baklava, freekah, and shawarma. In late 2024, she started making her own Dubai Chocolate with her signature homemade pistachio paste, Varlhona dark and milk chocolate, and crispy kunafah. And more recently, she started rolling out pistachio kunafa layered chocolate cake cups. DM Karam’s official Instagram account to place your order and pick it up at Mid-Levels a couple of days later.

Price: HK$290
Where: 64 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town
Contact: Instagram | Facebook | +852 9174 0880

The Cakery — Multiple locations

Here’s another Hong Kong-based bakery that’s putting its own spin on this viral sensation. The Cakery’s speciality is a dark chocolate cotton cake layered with white chocolate pistachio cream and crunchy kataifi pastry, and finished with a dark chocolate ganache frosting. It comes in four sizes, priced from HK$658-HK$2,088 depending on which size you pick, and are ideal for special occasions. They also do individual cake slices (HK$62) and a vegan Dubai Chocolate croissant (HK$35) stuffed with white chocolate pistachio cream and crunchy kataifi pastry.

Price: HK$35-HK$2,088
Where: View locations here
Contact: Website | Instagram | Facebook | +852 2816 1838

Lab Zerõ — Tsim Sha Tsui

Here’s a mashup we didn’t know we needed! It combines the social media trend with the famous Japanese kakigori to give foodies a light version of this decadent dish. Instead of a layered bar of chocolate, we get layers of shaved ice, creamy pistachio ice cream, and kataifi, topped with chocolate and pistachio syrup. It’s on the café’s all-day menu, so you don’t need to wait for days on end to get your fill of this treat.

Price: HK$98
Where: Shop B, Ground Floor, 68 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Contact: Instagram | +852 5720 4888

Header image credit: Four Seasons Hong Kong

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.

Image credits: CHUNYIP WONG via Canva

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

Where is Dinner in the Sky in Macau?

There’s no confirmation yet on where and when exactly the Macau dinners will be held, but reports say that the organisers have started recruiting staff for the events. There’s also an official Instagram account dedicated to the Macau restaurant, which says the organisers are gearing up for its debut and that anyone interested in booking a table should keep an eye on the page. So far this year, the event has been unveiled in Dubai, Marrakech, and Phuket and is slated to be held in Athens, Dubrovnik, and Waterloo. 

What is Dinner in the Sky?

The idea for Dinner in the Sky was born in 2007, when marketing and communications firm owner David Ghysels teamed up with bungee-jumping event organiser Stefan Kerkhofs to come up with an aerial-based dinner for the Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe association. It has since featured on Forbes list of most unique dining experiences. In its current version, diners eat a meal made by some of the best chefs in the business at a table hoisted 50-100 metres in the air by a crane. So far, guests have been treated to stunning views of Cappadocia in Türkiye and an opera performance by Lesley Garrett at the Tower of London, among other unique experiences.

Image credits: Dinner in the Sky

Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival 2025 Opening Weekend

The Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival will open on April 4 with a show by musician Ng Cheuk-yin, who will reimagine renowned songs from comedic films, while pop singer Alfred Hui, the a cappella choral theatre company Yat Po Singers, and beatboxer Heartgrey will perform together with a live band. This will be followed by a showing of the 1991 comedy The Banquet.

The highlight of the first weekend will be ImagineLand 2025, which will take place on April 5 and 6 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, the Central Lawn & Event Trellis of Salisbury Garden, and the Avenue of Stars. Visitors will get free admission to a variety of daytime and evening programmes. The ‘Go Beyond Concert’ will put the spotlight on 35 musicians and artists from Hong Kong and eight other countries and regions, while the ‘Movie Under the Stars’ segment will host screen local films Table For Six (2022) and Forbidden City Cop (1996).

Attendees can also check out the display of Hong Kong comics and animation from different eras at the ‘Comics Fun Experience Gallery’, and sign up for workshops on art, music, and crafts at ‘Funarts Corner’.

Explore Hong Kong’s Comedy Film Legacy

The Hong Kong Film Archive will showcase eight pairs of thematically related classic films from the 1940s to the 2000s as part of its ‘Laughter Double Bill: Hong Kong Comedy Film Spectacular’ programme. The scheduled movies include Black Rose (1965) and 92 The Legendary La Rose Noire (1992), and The Judge Goes to Pieces (1948) and Justice, My Foot! (1992). The venue will also host an exhibition called ‘Legends of HK Film Comedies, 1980s and 1990s’ from May to October this year that will feature highlights from different films.

In addition, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum will host an exhibition called ‘Comic Fun for All: The Magic of Hong Kong Comedy Comics’ from May 2025-March 2026 at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum to display exhibits related to local comedy comics from different periods. The ‘Happy Reading’ initiative organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries from April to August will feature book displays, subject talks, workshops, and author interaction sessions.

There’s also much to see by way of performing arts, such as the ‘2025 Fiesta of Music Office Bands, Choirs and Orchestras-Bands — Our Nostalgic Memories’. The event, which will take place in Yuen Long Theatre in April, will showcase popular theme songs from animations such as Nintama Rantarō and The Lion King, as well as a medley of works by Akira Toriyama. Other events include the ‘Let’s Have Fun with Music’ shows by Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra in May, the Ko Shan Fest concerts and standup show by comedian Vivek Mahbubani in June, and the ‘Music & Laughs’ concerts in July.

For more information about the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, visit the event website.

Image credits: Rhyme So

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).

Image credits: johnlsl via Flickr

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.

Image credits: AASJAJDHagb HUYING via WikiCommons

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.

Image credit: Keeta

MTR’s New Rules on Pet Travel

The Cat/Dog Carrying Trial Scheme will begin on May 1, 2025, and will last two months. Parents must first get a digital pass on the MTR app that costs HK$99, which they can buy from April 11 and need to renew every month. Only feline and canine companions small enough to fit in pet carriers or backpacks with combined dimensions of 170cm are allowed on the Light Rail. Commuters with pets can only board and alight from the last door of a light rail vehicle, and should stay at the rear of the train during their trip. While there are no size restrictions on cats, the MTR will not allow large dogs weighing more than 20 kgs, fighting dogs, and known dangerous dogs that should be muzzled and leashed onboard.

Pet-Friendly Transit Policies in Hong Kong

Earlier this month, there were reports that the railway operator would change its rules about animal travel, and it was thought that pets might be allowed onboard regular trains during non-peak times. However, passengers will only be able to take cats and dogs on the Light Rail, which covers neighbourhoods in the northwestern New Territories like Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. The new rules do not apply to the recently launched Tuen Mun Voyager, the city’s first sightseeing Light Rail service. 

It was also reported that the KMB, Hong Kong’s largest bus company, was considering allowing pets on their regular routes. Last year, the operator started pet-friendly bus tours across West Kowloon and parts of the New Territories, which also runs only on weekends and public holidays.

Image credits: SPCA Hong Kong

New Hong Kong Rules on Power Banks and Portable Batteries

According to a government notice issued on Monday, the Civil Aviation Department has said that local airlines will not allow fliers to use power banks to charge any other portable electronic devices, or even recharge them, once they board their flights. And while there is no ban on carrying these gadgets in hand baggage, they cannot be placed in overhead compartments. 

The city’s aviation regulator’s current rules state that spare lithium batteries, which covers power banks, are not permitted in checked-in luggage. They can only be packed in cabin bags as long as they contain no more than 2 grams of lithium and do not go over a watt-hour (Wh) rating of 100. Travellers are allowed a maximum of two batteries rated 100Wh-160Wh in their carry-ons, and none exceeding 160Wh.

Why Airlines Are Cracking Down on Power Banks

Earlier this year, an Air Busan flight set to depart for Hong Kong caught fire at Gimhae International Airport, with media stating that the cause was a battery placed in a carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. This resulted in South Korea prohibiting passengers from keeping batteries and e-cigarettes in cabin storage units. More recently, a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou had to divert to Fuzhou after flames broke out in the cabin, also believed to be linked to an external battery pack.

Singapore Airlines’ new rules from April 1 ban passengers from charging power banks using onboard USB ports or using them to recharge other gadgets for the duration of their flight. Other regional carriers like Thai Airways, Eva Air, Air Asia, and China Airlines have similar rules.

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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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When and Where are G-Dragon’s Hong Kong Fan Concerts?

All we know right now is that G-Dragon will take the stage in Hong Kong on August 9 and 10, 2025 at AsiaWorld-Arena. The arena can accommodate 12,500 concert-goers — making it the city’s largest indoor seated performance venue. Ticket details for G-Dragons’s Hong Kong concerts haven’t yet been revealed. Once they’re out, we should also have info about the seat map, priority sales, merch, and whether fans can have personal interactions with the K-pop phenomenon.

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What Songs Will G-Dragon Sing in Hong Kong?

The star will likely regale fans with tracks from his latest album Übermensch — his first in more than a decade — that includes 2024 hits like Power and Home Sweet Home and the recently released Too Bad. Fans may also get to hear favourites from his previous solo outings Heartbreaker and Coup d’Etat.

How to Get to G-Dragons Hong Kong Shows

Hop on board the Airport Express from the Hong Kong, Kowloon or Tsing Yi MTR Stations to the AsiaWorld-Expo stop, then walk to AsiaWorld-Arena. If you prefer to take the bus, catch the X1 bus from Tung Chung to AsiaWorld-Expo, and walk to the venue from there, but check the schedule about two weeks before the fan meet. There are also special buses to AsiaWorld-Expo on event days. If you prefer to get there by car, catch a cab or drive yourself there (check out car park options here).

Where Else is G-Dragon Performing in 2025?

Here’s where G-Dragon is taking his Übermensch tour this year:

Image credits: G-Dragon

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

7 New Three-Star & 9 Bib Gourmand Restaurants 

Hong Kong now has seven three-star Michelin restaurants: 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo – Bombana, Amber, Caprice, Forum, Sushi Shikon, Ta Vie, and T’ang Court. In addition, the territory boasts 11 two-star establishments and 58 one-star venues, as well as four Green Star restaurants. Three dining spots in the city lost their stars: Ming Court and Mandarin Grill, which now have “selected” or recommended status, and The Demon Celebrity.

Last week, Michelin also revealed its Bib Gourmand list for 2025 that features nine new Hong Kong additions. The restaurants are selected based on the value-for-money experiences they provide diners, and new entrants include Taiwanese joint Art & Taste, Thai street food specialists Thai Pai Dong, and Mediterranean restaurant Juno. 

Hong Kong Talent Honoured at 2025 Michelin Guide Awards

This year’s Michelin Guide recognised outstanding achievements by individuals from Hong Kong’s F&B scene. Carlito Chiu from the one Michelin-starred Andō was bestowed with the Michelin Guide Sommelier Award for his remarkable wine pairings, while Ankôma’s Frankie Sui Wan Wong was honoured with the Michelin Guide Young Chef Award for creatively blending French cuisine with Asian influences. 

Image credits: Amber