Where to Join Amateur Dragon Boat Teams in Hong Kong

This May, celebrated multidisciplinary artist CHANG (Ernest Chang) invites art lovers to experience "Artifice," a one-of-a-kind exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of The Stallery in Hong Kong.

Located in the historic Stone Nullah Lane, just steps from the iconic Blue House, The Stallery is founded and passionately driven by CHANG. The Stallery has long championed emerging local talent and international visitors alike, fostering a vibrant community-centered art scene.

CHANG's latest exhibition, "Artifice," explores contemporary society and technology, reshaping them as organic and timeless artifacts.  

But "Artifice" is more than a milestone celebration. It heralds a bold new direction for CHANG’s work, shifting away from his signature style to dive deep into the interplay of form and concept.

Inspired by Chinese Scholar’s Rocks, natural wonders shaped by time and human hands, CHANG explores paradoxes: life versus death, nature against technology, permanence beside fleeting moments. 

“The idea came to me while looking at Chinese scholars' rocks—particularly the tension between old and new in how they were created. Many people think Chinese scholars' rocks are made naturally and collected, but actually, a lot of them are chipped away or enhanced by human hands. I’ve been thinking about the tension between humans and artificial intelligence a lot. That’s why I drew the comparison with Chinese scholars' rocks, because I feel like they are the first artificial organic works."

The exhibition features artwork honored by time, combining bronze casting and hand embroidery with contemporary screen printing and digital methods. They breathe new life into symbols of our era: Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth icons, and global currencies, all rendered as sculptural fossils. 

True to The Stallery’s immersive approach, the gallery also transforms into a serene Zen Garden for "Artifice," complete with pebbled floors, textured rocks, artificial grass, and a traditional Chinese bridge — turning the entire space into a living artwork.

Make sure to catch this exhibition, running until the end of August! For more information, visit The Stallery on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: The Stallery, G/F 82A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai

Exhibition Dates: May 24, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2025

Opening Hours: Wednesdays to Sundays, from 11 AM to 7 PM

Hong Kong’s heartbeat has always thrummed to the sound of street life, and now, courtesy of the Mondrian Hong Kong, it's dancing to a new rhythm. 

This May, the five-star hotel is transforming the space opposite into a plein air stage. The Corner Shop Busking Festival celebrates the city’s up-and-coming homegrown musical talent, right in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui.

Every Saturday in May, from 6 PM to 10 PM, two fresh faces of Hong Kong’s emerging talent will take center stage. Whether you're into acoustic folk, gritty pop, or transformative R&B, this cultural outpost brings you an eclectic mix of genres — to be enjoyed for free!

The Corner Shop Busking Festival kicked off on May 10, 2025, with an intimate set-up that gave guests the chance to meet the musicians, hear their stories in a relaxed, informal setting, while enjoying vibrant live music.

On May 10, the local singer-songwriter Siu Yuen presented a mix of covers and original music, spanning acoustic folk and pop folk. Candy Ng, a member of the female group "Sex on the Beat," impressed with bold, pop-driven lyrics. 

This coming May 17, at 6 PM, Gary and Exppa, a staple of Hong Kong’s busking circuit, will perform. Afterwards, VinkyBB, known for covers into personal anthems, will play at 8 PM. 

The following Saturday, May 24, expect soulful ballads from Eric at 6 PM and emerging singer and songwriter Sky at 8 PM.

For the final event on May 31, at 6 PM, Jhei, an artist and producer known for his original Cantonese ballads and R&B, will perform, followed by the young and talented Alvin and Homan at 8 PM.

For more information, stay tuned via Mondrian Hong Kong on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: Mondrian Hong Kong, 11A-D, 8A Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

The rhythm of paddles slicing through water, the air thick with anticipation, and the energy of riled up festivity — Hong Kong's Dragon Boat Carnival is a celebration that is hard to beat.

This year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is transforming Tsim Sha Tsui East into a non-stop cultural extravaganza, from May 31 to June 8, 2025, with the much-anticipated Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races leading the charge.

Over 190 teams from 12 countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and newcomers Egypt and Qatar, will converge on Victoria Harbour for an adrenaline-packed race. 

Over 4,500 athletes will paddle for glory in 19 high-stakes races, including a new Secondary Schools Championship aimed at inspiring the next generation to dive into Hong Kong's rich cultural traditions.

But the races aren’t all you should expect! HKTB is weaving together a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and tastes that will keep visitors and locals hooked. The Dragon Boat Food Lane along the Avenue of Stars will serve up a nine-day feast of dragon-boat-inspired street snacks, rice dumplings, and summer drinks. 

The area will also be home to festive photo spots featuring Ocean Park Hong Kong’s adorable Panda Friends — the giant pandas An An, Ke Ke, Ying Ying, and Le Le, along with the adorable twin cubs Elder Sister and Little Brother.

Add to that exciting flash mob acrobatic performances by the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, and a lively Beer Garden curated by San Miguel Brewery, where visitors can unwind with local brews and enjoy live race broadcasts.  

Visitors can stop by the HKTB Visitor Centers at Hong Kong International Airport, Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier, and Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, or collect beer vouchers at the East Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and redeem them for a complimentary draught beer in the Beer Garden.

As the evening draws in, the waterfront carnival will be a glowing spectacle you won't want to miss, with the Beer Garden and Dragon Boat Food Lane staying open as late as 10 PM.  

For more details, check out HKTB’s official website, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter).

Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races

Location: Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade

Hours: June 7, 2025 from 8 AM to 7 PM, June 8, 2025 from 8 AM to 6 PM

Dragon Boat Food Lane | Panda Friends@Ocean Park Hong Kong Pop-up Store

Location: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui

Hours: 1 PM to 10 PM

“Cirque du Soleil” Flash Mob Performance

Location: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui • The Urban Council Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui East

Hours: Between 1 PM to 6 PM (irregular hours)

Beer Garden

Location: The Urban Council Centenary Garden, Tsim Sha Tsui East

Hours: From 2 PM to 10 PM

Vibrant hues, lush greenery, and vivid Hong Kong landscapes leap off the canvases displayed Colours of Hope, the title of Children of the Mekong’s art exhibition, in partnership with French May 2025.

Running from May 8 to May 11, 2025, this dynamic showcase brings together 30 international artists, each contributing their unique vision to help transform the lives of underprivileged children in Southeast Asia. 

Held in the heart of Hong Kong Park at the charming Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, this exhibition features international artists like Antoine de Saint Vaulry, Blanca Rosa Rasmussen, Derry Ainsworth, and Faustine Badrichani, to name a few—each bringing their personal touch to this collective celebration of color and hope.

Explore a wide range of art spanning photography, sculpture, and installations, curated by Marie-Hélène Vidal, Anne Deligny Villet, and Christel Villepelet, with the support of Delphine Canard-Moreau.

Every piece in the exhibition is a stepping stone towards a brighter future for disadvantaged children. All proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go directly to Children of the Mekong, funding vital programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of children across Southeast Asia.

Admission is free!

For more information, visit Children of The Mekong on their website, Instagram and Facebook. 

Location: Hong Kong Visual Arts Center, 7A Kennedy Road, Central

Exhibition Dates: May 8 to May 11, 2025

Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 9 PM 

If you're in Hong Kong and have an eye for design, you won't want to miss Graphic Design in Japan 2024 (Hong Kong edition) at PMQ!

Running from Apr. 25 to May 11, 2025, this exhibition brings together over 300 of Japan’s finest graphic design works, all handpicked by Japanese design experts. 

It’s a celebration of creativity, showcasing the very best from the JAGDA Awards and beyond.

Not only will you see fresh, eye-catching designs, but you'll also get a chance to meet the masterminds behind them. Ryosuke Uehara, the 2024 JAGDA Award winner, will be there, along with Akiko Sekimoto, the mind behind the exhibition's GRAPHIC DESIGN IN JAPAN 2024 Yearbook, and Naonori Yago, the recipient of the JAGDA New Designer Award. They’ll lead guided tours and share their insights during Creative Voice Talks.

Beyond the main exhibit, the GRAPHIC DESIGN IN JAPAN 2024 yearbook compiles the top 568 designs selected from over 2,000 submissions, offering a deeper dive into this year's standout works. 

Don’t miss the chance to take part in the JAGDA Kids workshops, launched by PMQ Seed and JAGDA, as well as exclusive design books and prints, available through a pop-up shop in collaboration with local concept store MIDWAY SHOP.

The exhibition spans categories from Book & Editorial Design to Video, Digital Media, and Poster Design, with highlights including Issay Kitagawa’s “KAMIZU” series, Kenya Hara’s spatial installation, and Ryosuke Uehara’s logo design for LIVVERA wine. These works reflect how graphic design seamlessly integrates into our everyday lives.

And if you’re still craving more creative inspiration, head to the "FEEL FREE, FEEL 3" Picture Book Exhibition on the 7th floor of PMQ. Over 60 silent picture books with a variety of size, shapes and reading approaches are on display there, inviting visitors to explore storytelling through color, shapes, and design.

Both exhibitions are free to visit (except for the JAGDA Kids workshops).

For more information, visit PMQ’s official website or head over to their Instagram, Facebook, and X (Formerly Twitter).

Graphic Design in Japan 2024: 

Location: The Qube, 2/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central

Date & Time: Apr. 25 to May 11, 2025, from 11 AM to 7 PM

“FEEL FREE, FEEL 3” Picture Book Exhibition:

Location: S710-S711, 7/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central

Date & Time: Apr. 25 to May 18, 2025, from 11 AM to 7 PM

Those who are part of fandoms aren’t strangers to cosplay. In fact, it’s an integral part of the community, one that allows each member to express their admiration and love for a particular show or character. Also known as costume play, this performance art form is where individuals dress up as their favorite characters from various forms of fiction, including TV shows, comics, and video games. 

But cosplay is more than just wearing colorful wigs and elaborate costumes, it’s an expressive art form that involves embodying the characters’ persona, which cosplayers often showcase at conventions and events. During the recently concluded Cosplay Carnival, we got to witness otakus at full force as they paraded in their cosplay get-ups, and we were both amazed and impressed by their creativity and efforts in creating their respective looks. But among the casual cosplayers were also the pros, the bona fide cosers who have made a name for themselves online with their impressive cosplay projects. One of them was Hong Kong cosplayer and streamer Baobao.

We caught up with the Malaysia-based coser as she met with her avid Filipino fans, taking the opportunity to get to know her more — from her inspirations and favorite characters to her advice on pursuing a career in costume play. 

Pursuing a Childhood Dream

Baobao’s cosplay journey began like any passionate endeavor: as a dream. The cosplayer shared with us what sparked her interest in cosplaying, and how the first time she pursued it was a challenging adventure on its own.   

“Since I was young, I always dreamed of becoming the characters I love — like wanting to be Sailor Jupiter and having her toy wand! While studying abroad at university, I finally made that dream come true. I started cosplaying as a hobby because I loved the characters so much and wanted to become them.”

“I still remember my first convention — AniManGaki in Malaysia. I walked two kilometers in full costume under the hot weather from my dormitory just to attend! That experience really marked the beginning of my cosplay journey.”

As for who she cosplayed, it was Asuna from “Sword Art Online!” Baobao described the character as her all-time favorite waifu (“wife” in anime fandom) who inspired her to start cosplaying. She also mentioned that despite attending her first convention alone, Asuna gave her the courage to pursue something she had always wanted to do. This had also led her to form many wonderful friendships with fellow fans who share the same love for Asuna, showing that this art form is not just about creating costumes but also about forming meaningful connections. 

Baobao’s passion for cosplay has allowed her to meet fellow enthusiasts and anime fans as she’s often invited to events and conventions across the region. Since starting in 2012, the cosplayer has grown a massive online following with over 659k on Facebook alone. Meanwhile, her most viewed TikTok reel has amassed over 2.8 million views, which was her appearance at Anime Fest Malaysia dressed as Yor Forger from the anime “Spy Family.”

If you scroll through her content, you’ll often see her cosplaying impressive female characters from popular shows and video games. When asked what kind of cosplayer she believes she embodies, she answered, “A waifu-loving cosplayer! I’m always drawn to waifus who are brave, courageous, and have a kind heart! But overall, I’d say a friendly cosplayer because I love interacting with my fans.”

Cosplayers are known for their creativity as seen from their elaborate costume pieces, which are mostly handmade. It’s one of the things that makes the activity a little intimidating if you’re not that clever with handicrafts or have a good eye for fashion and styling. But Baobao pointed out to us that being good at something only requires persistence and practice. 

“When I first started, I didn’t know how to apply makeup at all! I had to learn step by step, taking screenshots of character details and trying my best to recreate them. Even now, I’m still learning and improving!” 

She also shared that although she doesn’t create full costumes, with most of them being commissioned, she’s still heavily involved in the process from requesting the fabrics she believes would best suit the character to crafting her accessories, which she admitted was something she enjoys doing. 

As for the preparation process? Baobao told The Beat Asia that it takes her approximately two hours, but if the costume is complicated, it usually takes more time — at least two and a half hours!   

“Nana and Theresa from ‘Honkai Impact 3rd,’” Baobao said when asked about her most difficult cosplay projects. “Nana was challenging because I had to do full-body paint, which kept smudging and coming off. It was a struggle to keep it looking good throughout the event. On the other hand, Theresa was tough because I wanted to recreate the exact pose from the artwork, but the wig was super heavy, making it hard to move naturally.”

Baobao also expressed that there are challenges to being a full-time cosplayer despite it being a viable career to pursue, such as dealing with various misconceptions about the craft and having to learn how to budget properly. The latter, she admitted, she struggled with because she would often spend too much on her costumes. 

“A big misconception is that cosplay is just about being sexy or being sexualized. But in reality, cosplay is about bringing a character to life and staying true to their originality. It’s a form of self-expression and passion!”

For those who want to follow in Baobao’s footsteps and achieve professional success in the world of cosplay, she advised, “Try starting it as a secondary career first. See if your earnings can cover your commitments before going full-time. That way, you can build a stable foundation.”

Pursuing a passion or hobby requires hard work, but in the world of cosplay, you can be sure that you can do it while having fun. At least, that’s what we’ve observed through our conversation with Baobao. When asked about the best part of her job, she mentioned the connections she has made through cosplay being the highlight of her career.  

“Meeting people from all over the world has been one of the best parts of this journey. It makes me so happy that cosplay has brought me opportunities to guest at events in different countries like Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand! I’m looking forward to attending more conventions and visiting new countries! I also want to cosplay more childhood characters this year — so stay tuned!”

You can follow Baobao on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram for updates on her latest cosplays and event appearances.