Hong Kong’s landscape has changed massively due an exodus in recent years and the effect of Covid-19, yet the melting pot of cultures resiliently adapted to the new normal and saw the emergence of retro spots referencing old Hong Kong.
Once the local textile mecca, Sham Shui Po is now a hip area with young creatives. This is where traditional vendors, contemporary cafes and creative hubs co-exist. Surrealist artist Tommy Fung is a local talent to watch. His viral photoshopped images transform the way we see the city and often raise awareness of social issues.
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Sustainability-focused businesses are proving popular, especially among local youth. Leading the trend are concepts such as Hula, an online marketplace for preloved designer womenswear that opened a physical boutique in Central last year, and the rapidly expanding #ZeroWaste grocery store Slowood.
Eco concepts in the food-and-drink scene are also gaining traction, from alt-ingredients to wellbeing hybrids. Mother Pearl's vegan-friendly bubble tea is backed by traditional Chinese medicine theory and offers a healthy alternative to the high-sugar, dairy-based drink. Future Salad, the world’s first drinkable liquid salad that retains nutritional value while putting sustainability at its core, is another one to watch.
A nostalgic mood inspires local dining concepts, from the newfound popularity of traditional Hong Kong-style hotpot, to the retro interiors and old-school menu of Tai On Tea & Coffee Shop, a revitalised cha chaan teng (old Hong Kong-style cafe).
New exhibition spaces are creating a buzz. M+, which houses one of the most significant private collections of emerging and established Hong Kong art practices, has quickly become the go-to culture spot since its opening last year. The latest addition to the West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong Palace Museum holds priceless treasures on loan from Beijing’s Palace Museum.
If you’re a WGSN subscriber, get inspired by our list of must-know brands and influencers in the latest Hong Kong Guide. Live now on the site.