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.
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RESULT
Bayern Munich 3 Chelsea 2
Bayern: Rafinha (6'), Muller (12', 27')
Chelsea: Alonso (45' 3), Batshuayi (85')
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
Results
Men's finals
45kg:Duc Le Hoang (VIE) beat Zolfi Amirhossein (IRI) points 29-28. 48kg: Naruephon Chittra (THA) beat Joseph Vanlalhruaia (IND) TKO round 2.
51kg: Sakchai Chamchit (THA) beat Salam Al Suwaid (IRQ) TKO round 1. 54kg: Veerasak Senanue (THA) beat Huynh Hoang Phi (VIE) 30-25.
57kg: Almaz Sarsembekov (KAZ) beat Tak Chuen Suen (MAC) RSC round 3. 60kg: Yerkanat Ospan (KAZ) beat Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) 30-27.
63.5kg: Abil Galiyev (KAZ) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE) 29-28. 67kg: Narin Wonglakhon (THA) beat Mohammed Mardi (UAE) 29-28.
71kg: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) w/o Shaker Al Tekreeti (IRQ). 75kg: Youssef Abboud (LBN) w/o Ayoob Saki (IRI).
81kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Khaled Tarraf (LBN) 29-28. 86kg: Ali Takaloo (IRI) beat Emil Umayev (KAZ) 30-27.
91kg: Hamid Reza Kordabadi (IRI) beat Mohamad Osaily (LBN) RSC round 1. 91-plus kg: Mohammadrezapoor Shirmohammad (IRI) beat Abdulla Hasan (IRQ) 30-27.
Women's finals
45kg: Somruethai Siripathum (THA) beat Ha Huu Huynh (VIE) 30-27. 48kg: Thanawan Thongduang (THA) beat Colleen Saddi (PHI) 30-27.
51kg: Wansawang Srila Or (THA) beat Thuy Phuong Trieu (VIE) 29-28. 54kg: Ruchira Wongsriwo (THA) beat Zeinab Khatoun (LBN) 30-26.
57kg: Sara Idriss (LBN) beat Zahra Nasiri Bargh (IRI) 30-27. 60kg: Kaewrudee Kamtakrapoom (THA) beat Sedigheh Hajivand (IRI) TKO round 2.
63.5kg: Nadiya Moghaddam (IRI) w/o Reem Al Issa (JOR).
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Al Montaqem, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m | Winner: Daber W’Rsan, Connor Beasley, Jaci Wickham
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m | Winner: Bainoona, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: AF Makerah, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 | Winner: AF Motaghatres, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,600m | Winner: Tafakhor, Ronan Whelan, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Company%20Profile
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Racecard
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Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
