Hong Kong is finally open to tourists again, following more than two years of pandemic-related restrictions. Visitors flying into the territory no longer have to quarantine in a hotel and are only required to test negative for Covid-19 upon arrival.
Hong Kong was the world’s most-visited city in 2019, according to market researchers Euromonitor International, thanks to its many well-known attractions including Victoria Harbour, Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland and Lan Kwai Fong entertainment precinct.
However, beyond these tourist hotspots lies a wealth of fascinating yet comparatively ignored sites. Here are five of the best.
Cattle Depot Artist Village
Bypass the famous Hong Kong Arts Centre in favour of a formerly depressing building that's become one of the city's most distinctive cultural facilities, the Cattle Depot Artist Village. Dating back to 1908, this large complex was a slaughterhouse before it was reborn in 2001 as an eclectic community of creatives.
Tourists are welcome to wander the village, which has rotating exhibitions that range from paintings to sculptures, art installations and multimedia displays. There are also murals sprayed across the walls throughout.
More than 20 artists are based here and some allow visitors to see inside their studios — simply ask at the village reception to find out what spaces you can enter that day. If you’re lucky, the Frog King may be home. This quirky performance artist, whose real name is Kwok Mang Ho, is a master of calligraphy, street art and installations. But he’s best known for his unmistakable appearance — a bizarre, black-and-white frog costume that he wears regularly.
Kowloon Walled City Park
Avoid the bustling Hong Kong Park and instead enjoy the comparative peace of Kowloon Walled City Park, which has a surprisingly chaotic backstory. Walking through this serene green lung, about 2km east of the popular tourist district of Mongkok, it is hard to believe it was once one of the most lawless places in Hong Kong history.
While wandering its beautifully-landscaped gardens, I come across a scaled model of the colossal housing complex that existed here until 1994. It was called the City of Darkness and up to 30,000 people lived in these connected, decrepit apartment towers, which formed one of the most densely populated locations on the planet.
It was crowded, run down and almost a no-go zone for police. The City of Darkness was commanded by the ultra-powerful Chinese Triads gang and crammed with illegal businesses and activity.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Instead of visiting the often-crowded Hong Kong Museum of History, head to the comparatively quiet Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which details the artistic and cultural history of the city. Located north of the city centre, in Sha Tin, this museum makes for a great day trip when combined with the nearby Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery and Che Kung Temple, a commanding and photogenic Taoist complex.
This huge, modern museum has a dozen galleries, home to six permanent exhibitions that focus on Chinese ceramics, martial arts, Hong Kong pop culture, the delicate paintings of China’s Lingnan School, the vibrant costumes of the Cantonese opera and children’s education. From now until late February, visitors can also appreciate the brilliant textiles and embroidery of female artists at a new exhibition called Women and Femininity in Ancient China.
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
Forget Kowloon's busy Wong Tai Sing Temple and head further north to climb a hill to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, which takes its name from the number of statues that line its stairs. I can’t quite understand why this unusual temple isn’t better promoted, particularly in an age of social media-influenced travel.
The monastery is easily reached, located next to Sha Tin MTR station, about 9km north of tourist hotspot Tsim Sha Tsui. Yet, it is so far off the city’s tourist trail that to access it, I have to wander behind a weathered apartment block and pass through a rusty old gate.
Then I see a rickety sign warning: "Do not give money to fake monks seeking alms [handouts]." During my long ascent up the hill, I encounter no such fraudulent holy men. However, I do become entranced by the thousands of golden Buddhas, each of which has a different posture or expression.
Some are pensive, others jovial, stern or furious. Some hold weapons, others clasp books, animals or alms bowls. Beyond them, at the crest of the staircase, is a colourful Buddhist temple built in the 1850s, surrounded by lush forest. It is an attractive complex, although the real highlight here is that long line of monk statues.
Sham Shui Po markets
Ignore the touristy Mongkok Ladies Market, which overflows with fake designer goods, and instead shop with the locals at Sham Shui Po markets. Located two MTR stops north of Mongkok, Sham Shui Po is laden with street markets, each one different.
Hong Kong is a popular place to buy electronics for many, and Apliu Street is lined with both electrical stores selling the latest gadgets and street stalls offering phone and laptop accessories. For Children,, Hong Kong’s famous bazaar on Toy Street is nearby. Finish up at Pei Ho Street, one of the best food markets in the city, with delicious, freshly-cooked comfort foods.
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Naga
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WWE Super ShowDown results
Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title
Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beats Triple H
Braun Strowman beats Bobby Lashley
Kofi Kingston wins against Dolph Zigggler to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Mansoor Al Shehail won the 50-man Battle Royal
The Undertaker beat Goldberg
England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Scores
Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)
Notable Yas events in 2017/18
October 13-14 KartZone (complimentary trials)
December 14-16 The Gulf 12 Hours Endurance race
March 5 Yas Marina Circuit Karting Enduro event
March 8-9 UAE Rotax Max Challenge
About%20My%20Father
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
RESULTS
2.30pm Jaguar I-Pace – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt)
1,600m
Winner Namrood, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
(trainer)
3.05pm Land Rover Defender – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D)
1,400m
Winner Shadzadi, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
3.40pm Jaguar F-Type – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner Tahdeed, Fernando Jara, Nicholas Bachalard
4.15pm New Range Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
4.50pm Land Rover – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 2,400m
Winner Autumn Pride, Bernardo Pinheiro, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm Al Tayer Motor – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 T) 1,000m
Winner Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm Jaguar F-Pace SVR – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner Scabbard, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
WISH
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
West Indies v India - Third ODI
India 251-4 (50 overs)
Dhoni (78*), Rahane (72), Jadhav (40)
Cummins (2-56), Bishoo (1-38)
West Indies 158 (38.1 overs)
Mohammed (40), Powell (30), Hope (24)
Ashwin (3-28), Yadav (3-41), Pandya (2-32)
India won by 93 runs
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15 (First Test)
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24 (Second Test)
July 8: New Zealand v Lions (Third Test) - kick-off 11.30am (UAE)
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
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Brief scores:
Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf
Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)
Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17
Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)
Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
