Author: The HK HUB

Dating back to the 17th century, sampans were once a prominent mode of sea transport across Asia. These simply designed boats used for fishing, trading goods and even dwelling became a way of life that’s lesser known nowadays. Despite its dwindling presence, sampans have become a heritage icon amongst their modern boating counterparts. What is a sampan boat? Modern sampan boat (© Brian Harrington Spier via Flickr) A sampan is a small, wooden boat with a flat bottom that was first sighted in China. ‘Sampan’ translates to three planks in Cantonese, named for its construction. These boats typically measure up…

In Collaboration With ResolarHow is Resolar sunglasses making the world a better place? A team of Hong Kong, Italian and South African designers have re-invented how to reuse plastic waste by turning plastic bottles into beautifully designed, universally flattering accessories with their range of Resolar sunglasses. Putting plastic bottles from Hong Kong’s beaches back into use Shocked by the amount of plastic litter washing up on our beaches every day, polluting our seas and choking marine wildlife, two neighbours (previous executives in luxury retail and manufacturing business) in South Lantau decided to be part of the solution. Together, they established Resolar to partner with manufacturers that recycle…

In Collaboration With Top SchoolsThe Hong Kong school system is notoriously competitive, which makes it challenging for parents to understand the whole process, especially when it comes to choosing the best-fit school for their little one(s). This is where Top Schools comes in. Their goal? Supporting parents in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the United Kingdom to find the best-fit school. What does Top Schools do? Top Schools is more than an application factory. They are a team of education experts who will help to find a place for your child into the best fit school. Choosing the right…

In Collaboration With Tong FukerCan you turn poo into stunning jewelry? How about turning elephant dung paper into beautiful, colourful bracelets? Online sustainability lifestyle platform Tong Fuker says yes, and they’re looking for your support to do it. Long-time neighbours and residents of Tong Fuk, a tiny village along the southern coastline of stunning Lantau Island, Shirley and Charmain decided to combine their love for fashion and the environment with their own expertise. Shirley built her career with luxury brands in the retail sector, while Char knew the manufacturing and production side like the back of her hand. Their vision and…

Since last year, Thailand has closed its border due to the pandemic and while The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been successfully operating the Phuket Sandbox travel scheme since 1 July, which has welcomed almost 50,000 international visitors into the travel programme, 14-day quarantines were still required. Last week, the government announced the opening of Phuket to all vaccinated travellers, under a quarantine-free travel scheme. The sandbox programme and SHA The Sandbox is a pilot project that allows fully vaccinated travellers from any country into Phuket, Surat Thani, Phang-Nga, and Krabi provinces and, after seven days, the rest of…

Fancy getting away, without actually going away?  Keep your passport in the safe because you don’t need to get on a plane to feel like you’ve had a vacation. 

The Chung Yeung Festival, or the Double Ninth Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month each year. This year, based on the Gregorian calendar, it falls on October 14. It’s a public holiday in Hong Kong steeped in rich tradition that goes back 2000 years to commemorate ancestors. Thus, Hong Kong people honour this day with a multitude of activities to celebrate its history while reflecting on the story behind this festival, which is uncovered here. What is Chung Yeung Festival? People commemorating their loved ones in a Hong Kong hillside cemetery (© Sgerbic via Wikimedia…

If you are looking for a budget-friendly activity and if you wonder what to see and what to do in Diamond Hill, be sure to head to The Nan Lian Garden and the Chi Lin Nunnery. In between buildings, discover a quiet place, dedicated to spirituality, feng shui, and nature. A temple, a tea house, wooden craft arts and incredible bonsai trees are among the wonders you will discover there. What Is Nan Lian Garden? If you want to find a place that is serene and calm, Nan Lian Garden is the ideal place to visit. Amidst the bustling crowds…

Once you decide that you want to give back to society or protect the environment in general, the only thing left to consider is ‘How’. The best way to go about this is to choose volunteering opportunities you relate to and that are aligned with your professional and interpersonal skills. Spend your time helping others while doing something you enjoy with these 60 volunteering opportunities in Hong Kong! Community care © Crossroads Foundation ImpactHK ImpactHK works with homeless individuals to help them find a secure place to live, recover their health and wellbeing, increase their self-esteem and social standing, and…

What do you do after chasing excellence at work or after watching a new film at the movie theatre? You reward yourself with a pizza, of course. Pizzas are widely popular among Hongkongers and are generally eaten right out of the oven with molten cheese and charred edges. Thin crust or thick, Hong Kong’s top varieties of Italy’s celebrated gift-to-the-world goes above and beyond on impeccable quality and creativity. If you’re looking for an amazing pizzeria to share good memories with your friends, we’ve got you covered! Read through our top picks for the best pizza in Hong Kong. Dough…