Ocean Park Welcomes a New Group of Adorable Red Pandas

Disney fans, Hong Kong Disneyland is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year and is inviting everyone to come join in all the fun! Join your Disney friends as they start the “Most Magical Party of All” this summer, promising unparalleled joy and enchantment for this year-long celebration. Here’s what you can look forward to starting this June!

Brand-New Anniversary-Only Castle Stage Show

Get welcomed by Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and the Disney princesses in an anniversary-only castle stage show! Enjoy a high-energy, fun-filled party with your fellow Disney friends at this limited-time daytime extravaganza. Feel the energy and party like never before with exhilarating performances, spectacular theatrics, and captivating rhythms!

'Friendtastic!' Parade

Jump into a partying mood and witness the largest-ever daytime parade at Hong Kong Disneyland with the “Friendtastic!” Parade. Featuring 11 party floats with 11 different groups of Disney friends, guests can immerse themselves in the exciting atmosphere and experience outstanding theatrics, positive energies, and toe-tapping tunes!

Plus, La Familia Madrigal from the film “Encanto” is making their very first appearance at this enchanting parade! Some of the details of their float include the Madrigal family mural, Bruno’s cloak, and the intricate staircase patterns of the Casita.

Special 20th Anniversary Edition of 'Momentous'

See the night sky decorated with dazzling lights and Disney magic with the “Momentous” nighttime spectacular. The 20th Anniversary edition of “Momentous” will elevate the magical party to newer heights, offering an unforgettable climax to the day-to-night celebration, and becoming a heartfelt memory for every guest to take home from this special celebration. 

The Excitement Extends to the Entire Resort

See the magic in every part of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, with party decorations turning every spot into the perfect photo backdrop. Plus, you’ll even see Mickey and Friends, and Duffy and Friends all dressed in exclusive 20th Anniversary outfits!

New Pixar Entertainment Experience Coming Soon

This upcoming experience is sure to be one to look out for! Disney will be unveiling an all-new, exclusive Pixar entertainment experience to Hong Kong Disneyland – a first and unique experience only in Hong Kong! 

This new addition, along with a planned Marvel-themed area expansion, was announced by Michael Moriarty, Managing Director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations. 

This new Pixar entertainment experience is said to be located right beside the World of Frozen zone!

Don’t miss out on the magic and the party of the year! For more information and updates, visit the Hong Kong Disneyland website, and check out their Facebook and Instagram pages!

There is a quote from famed American world traveler, Burton Holmes — the same man who invented the “Travelogue” — that says: “To travel is to possess the world.” Life is too short to stay in one place. We believe that people are natural explorers and that it’s important to step out of our comfort zones, experience the unknown, and foster curiosity as these are triggers of change and movement.

Girls Be Change was founded upon this very thought. In a world where adventure and empowerment intertwine, the social business has become a beacon for women who wish to make a change, enabling them to become explorers and changemakers. It was founded four years ago by Carmen Chan, a Hong-Kong-based entrepreneur, who was driven to answer one particular question: "How can we create lasting change?" For the past two years, Carmen has solo-traveled the world, learning from both individuals and organizations who are making a unique impact and are passionate about making purposeful change. This journey has led her to founding the business with a clear vision: to enable and empower women and girls to be explorers and agents of transformation. 

This year, Girls Be Change is launching an inaugural initiative that aims to combine travel with purposeful engagement. We spoke with Carmen, as well as some of her amazing partners to know more about the Impact Expeditions for Women Explorers, the activities they have in store for its participants, and how it intends to promote responsible travel and making meaningful connections. 

‘Travel with Purpose. Connect with Intention.’

Just like how the founder discovered a global tribe of women changemakers through travel, Girls Be Change’s Impact Expeditions for Women Explorers intends to do the same.

Designed for, by, and with women explorers, this expedition will take women participants to breathtaking locales, including wildlife conservation efforts in South Africa and cultural and natural wonders through the Peruvian Andes and Amazon Rainforest, all while fostering women changemakers community and supporting local causes in gender equity and conservation. 

“I believe girls and women — no matter how old or in what life stage they are — are the agents of change, and we all have the power to be the change we want to see in the world. Traveling offers a unique opportunity to explore both the outer world and one's inner self. It allows us to regroup, reset, and reinvent who we want to be,” Carmen told The Beat Asia as she gave us more insight into the upcoming program. 

The first Impact Expedition will take women explorers to the nature reserve in South Africa from Jun. 7 to 13 where they can gain a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse into a world usually hidden from the public eye. Co-hosted by Wilde Tracks — an organization dedicated to preserving global ecosystems through eco-tourism — this expedition aims to address the urgent need for wildlife conservation and intervention in the region; allowing participants to work directly with seasoned conservation experts and wildlife veterinarians who are helping to fund critical conservation efforts, including helicopter operations, wildlife collars and tags, veterinary fees, and essential medicines. 

“Women travelers gain a multifaceted experience that goes beyond traditional tourism — to learn about the challenges women in the field face,” Chloe Evans, Founder of Wilde Tracks, stated. “All our initiatives are driven from the ground up, shaped by the priorities and challenges identified by experts and local communities in the countries where we work. Beyond conservation and community engagement, we also offer activities and workshops that address the challenges travelers — especially women — may face on the road, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and confident while exploring. We don’t just create unforgettable experiences — we build a movement of conscious travelers working alongside local communities with our core in wildlife conservation to make a lasting impact.”

The participants will have the opportunity to work hands-on in conservation and participate in veterinary interventions such as rhino dehorning. Furthermore, the expedition will include engaging with community initiatives for women and children and creative sessions such as jewelry-making using recycled snares from the poaching trade. This partnership seemed like a natural fit, considering Wilde Tracks is also an all-female team, and is all about “creating space for women to lead, explore, and drive meaningful change.” Girls Be Change shares this goal, both organizations built on the power of the community and bring women together to exchange ideas, share experiences, and make an impact.

“Throughout their journey, participants travel safely, connect with fellow female travelers, and enjoy breathtaking experiences — from witnessing the Big Five to being at one with nature — making for a truly empowering adventure,” Chloe added. 

Speaking of traveling safely, we asked Carmen about “responsible travel” and how they intend to encourage women participants to take part, considering traveling alone poses some risks, especially for women explorers. 

“Everything in life involves risk. Sometimes we all just need a little nudge — a shared bravery from a community that helps us to take a leap of faith,” she said. “There is a power in exploring the unknown where you also discover the unknown version of yourself and become the change you want to be. That’s the linkage from being an explorer to a changemaker, and that’s the reason we launched Impact Expedition for Women Explorers. Going to the Amazon alone might be quite intimidating but we are going together.”

Girls Be Change also partnered with Denmark-based company Goodwings — a flight-booking platform that shows carbon emission information, enabling travelers to make conscious and informed choices. The flights booked through Goodwings for this initiative in 2025 will also be carbon offset.

“The Goodwings platform is built around more responsible travel, which is exactly what Girls Be Change (and our partnership) seeks to promote,” said Christian Møller-Holst, CEO of Goodwings. “Girls Be Change has a strong focus on social change but also on traveling with intention and making sure that when we do travel, we do so in the least harmful way possible. While our platform, like any other travel management system, provides you with the option to book transport like flights, cars, trains, and even accommodation, we’ve built climate considerations into every part of it.”

Goodwings’ booking system is subject to travel policy climate considerations such as maximum CO2 per passenger kilometer traveled, urging users to make more responsible travel choices. The platform equips you with the tools to make your travel less harmful while also giving them the necessary data needed to control, report on, and reduce their emissions from travel. 

“We have also invested in 100 liters of SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) on behalf of Girls Be Change to further the idea of intentional travel — making decarbonization a part of the equation,” Christian added. 

The Impact Expeditions does more than just give participating women the necessary tools and experiences to make a change but also intends to give back. Girls Be Change is partnering with Daughters Rising and reinvesting net profits from the expeditions to support the Girls’ Scholarship Program, allowing ethnic minority women from Myanmar and those in refugee camps to pursue higher education. 

A Movement Towards Making a Lasting Impact

The women who decide to engage in this exciting expedition will not only be able to witness beautiful and unique destinations but gain experience — insights that one can’t otherwise get from anywhere else. 

Girls Be Change is reshaping travel to become more intentional and purposeful, giving women a chance to experience the world through meaningful community-based activities that broaden their perceptions, increase their empathy, and help them get to know themselves better. The Impact Expeditions are more than just a trip, it’s a chance to connect with fellow changemakers and carve your own footprints toward making a change that matters. 

“One of the highlights of the Impact Expedition is that it begins even before the trip starts and continues after the trip ends! Before traveling to the nature reserve in South Africa or the Andean Mountains or the Amazon rainforest, they can join the Virtual Campfire with Changemakers sessions throughout the year to connect with the other women changemakers and explorers to exchange stories,” explained Carmen. 

“Through the stories of other women, we can envision so many possibilities beyond our current limit of selves. They can also join the global Women Changemakers Community as a supportive network to lift each other up.”

The trip to South Africa is only the beginning. Girls Be Change has already planned their next expedition in partnership with Sacred Valley Project (SVP) later this year. The trip will take place in Peru from Aug. 17 to 26, 2025, and will include a multi-day trek to the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu via Salkantay trail. Participants will also get the chance to explore the ancient capital of Cusco and engage in service work in the SVP such as workshops and community outreach. 

“Sacred Valley Project believes in the power of education in women and the importance of gender equity,” said Alex Ball, founder of Sacred Valley Project. “While we are empowering the girls in remote areas of the Andes for their secondary education by providing boarding and supplementary education, we also share a common goal of gender equality with Girls Be Change that all girls and women are agents of change in their lives and their world.”

2025 is truly a year of global change-making for the organization with its exciting line-up of expeditions that will provide women the chance to learn about communities in various parts of the world, and hopefully encourage more to become part of the changemaker club. 

Girls Be Change is also expanding its Women Changemakers Community gatherings, which aim to bridge knowledge and expertise between the Global North and South. They will take place in various countries including Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Africa, Denmark, Peru, and Thailand. The gathering in Jakarta took place on Mar. 8 with Ashoka Indonesia and TORAJAMELO. The organization is also launching a monthly series called Virtual Campfire with Changemakers, which will talk about various topics surrounding women. 

If you’re interested in taking part in this massive opportunity to see and discover the world, you can sign up for the South Africa expedition here. 

For more information on the event lineups, you can visit Girls Be Change’s website or follow them on Instagram for updates. 

Regala Skycity Hotel has launched an exciting family-friendly experience: a "Fin-credible Adventure with Pinkfong Baby Shark," kicking off its launch with a grand opening event in collaboration with Bodhi Love Foundation, EcoDrive, and Yan Oi Tong. 

The event featured interactive game booths, a marine conservation presentation by EcoDrive, and a heartwarming performance by 30 kindergarten students from Yan Oi Tong. There was also guided dance sessions and a storytelling corner hosted by Bodhi Love Foundation. 

Regala Skycity's new themed staycation offers families an unforgettable underwater-inspired getaway. Available until Aug. 31, 2025, the Baby Shark Deluxe Suite and Cabana Suite will be decked out with Baby Shark décor, exclusive amenities, and exciting activities from the living area all the way to the bathroom. 

Each stay also includes a complimentary Baby Shark plush toy, perfect as a special keepsake for little ones! Beyond the rooms, guests also have full access to hotel facilities, including the Sky Deck, Aqua outdoor pool, putting green, shuttle bus services, along with photo opportunities at every corner. 

What's more, guests can also enjoy up to a 35% discount on dining throughout their stay. 

The Baby Shark theme does not end here! For the younger foodies, a Baby Shark Kids' Menu is available. The set includes a Japanese ham and potato salad, crispy fish fingers, a mini hot dog submarine, and smiley face hashbrowns, ending the meal with a Baby Shark waffle with blueberry whipped cream. 

For those who only want the Baby Shark waffle, a standalone waffle set is available as well, served with Baby Shark chocolate milk or latte. 

For parents, Petra restaurant offers a sustainable seafood buffet, with over 60 international delicacies, including Boston lobsters, Canadian snow crab legs, sashimi, various gourmet pizzas, and Spanish black caviar. Available during both lunch and dinner service. 

For more information, visit Regala Skycity Hotel's website and follow their Instagram and Facebook. 

Celebrate this season love with a romantic staycation at Ovolo Hotel Hong Kong by participating in our Valentine's Day giveaway!

Curated with love, enjoy thoughtful touches like Ovolo's signature perks, including a complimentary minibar, all-day snacks, and breakfast.

Bringing back Ovolo's award-winning Hygge experience, running until Feb. 28, 2025, collaborating with local brands including Float Co., KA Atelier, Mensō, and aqualuna to take romance to the next level with exclusive in-room winter essentials and perks like a fuzzy blanket, handmade Mensō candle, Epsom salt bag, and classic board games.

This Valentine's Day, The Beat Asia has partnered with Ovolo Hotel Hong Kong to give away an exclusive Hygge-themed staycation package* for two, valued over HK$6,000, that includes:

• Ovolo Hotels: 1-night stay at any Ovolo hotel in Hong Kong (with a possible upgrade to platinum room, subject to hotel availability and blackout dates).
• Float Co.: 2x Starter Packs (3 floats in 1 month)
• KA Atelier: 2x One-off Beginners Chinese Ink Workshop (without the painting set)

*T&Cs apply for each respective brand.

Here's how to enter the giveaway! Visit The Beat Hong Kong's Instagram page and follow the instructions in the giveaway post. The giveaway will close on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and one winner will be announced the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 12.

Don't miss the chance to make this Valentine's one to remember!

Ovolo Group is a leading hospitality brand known for its vibrant and innovative approach. With three hotels and one restaurant in Hong Kong, alongside five venues across Australia, Ovolo continues to redefine hospitality.

Their two key locations in Hong Kong are Ovolo Central and Southside By Ovolo.

Ovolo Central, situated at the heart of Hong Kong's buzzing Central district, is surrounded by renowned restaurants, award-winning bars, and art galleries.

Southside By Ovolo, a unique warehouse-to-wanderlust conversion, embodies the eclectic character of Hong Kong's emerging cultural precinct. Located perfectly between art galleries, breweries, and a theme park.

Good luck to all participants, and we can't wait to reveal the winners on our Instagram! T&Cs apply.

The Beat Asia Terms & Conditions:

• Giveaway period: Monday, Feb. 3 to Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025.
• No purchase necessary to enter or win.
• Only open to Hong Kong residents and participants must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• In case of any disputes, The Beat Asia reserves the right of final decision.

Ovolo Hotels Terms & Conditions:

• This prize entitles the recipient to a complimentary 1-night stay at any Ovolo hotel in Hong Kong.
• The recipient must notify the team about the possession of the Gift Voucher via email sent to [email protected] to arrange their reservation.
• Prize is subject to availability and blackout dates may apply.
• Prize must be redeemed by August 12th, 2025, otherwise, it will be invalid.
• Prize cannot be used with other promotions or special events.
• Prize cannot be redeemed for cash, credit, or refund and any unused balance will be forfeited.
• This Prize must be fully utilized in a single transaction.
• This Prize is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• This Prize cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Damaged, copied, or altered vouchers will not be accepted.
• Prize is not for resale.
• Prize can only be used at either Ovolo Central or Southside by Ovolo in Hong Kong.
• In the case of disputes, Ovolo Group reserves the right of final decision on the interpretation of these terms and conditions.

Float Co. Terms & Conditions:

• This prize entitles the recipient to 2x Starter Float Packs (3 floats in 1 month).
• Prize must be redeemed by March 12th or one month after the winner has been chosen and declared, otherwise, it will be invalid.
• To book a session, WhatsApp Float Co. at +852 5570-6033.
• All float sessions must be used within 1 month.
• Sessions cannot be transferred.
• Prize cannot be redeemed for cash, credit, or refund and any unused balance will be forfeited.
• In the case of disputes, Float Co. reserves the right of final decision on the interpretation of these terms and conditions.

KA Atelier Terms & Conditions:

• This prize entitles the recipient to One-off Beginners Chinese Ink Workshop for 2 pax (without the painting set).
• Email [email protected] for the workshop schedule.
• Prize expires on May 4th, 2025.
• Giveaway is applicable only to the specified art workshop and cannot be exchanged for another workshop.
• This Prize is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• The prize cannot be rescheduled or refunded once the booking has been made.
• Prize cannot be redeemed for cash, credit, or refund and any unused balance will be forfeited.
• In the case of disputes, KA Atelier reserves the right of final decision on the interpretation of these terms and conditions.