Tag: HKtourism

Immigration Department Introduces Online Visa Applications

The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (22 December) that online visa applications and “e-Visa” arrangements will be launched on 28 December.

The new service will allow applicants to complete the entire visa application process, including application submission, payment and “e-Visa” collection, online without having to attend an Immigration office in person.

Under the new process, eligible applicants can submit their applications online through the ImmD mobile application, the ImmD’s website or the GovHK website. Once their applications are approved, applicants can use the online payment service to pay the relevant fee and download the “e-Visa” instantly upon payment. The “e-Visa” can be printed and/or saved as a PDF file on a personal mobile device.

The “e-Visa” service includes: “Notification Slip for Entry Visa/Permit”, “Notification Slip for Conditions of Stay” and “Foreign Domestic Helper – Notification Slip for Extension of Stay and Entry Visa”.

The new system will replace the existing sticker-type labels for entry visas/permits, extension of stay and more.

The “e-Visa” contains a QR code for anti-forgery purposes. The information on the “e-Visa” can only be seen by scanning the QR code with the ImmD mobile application.  Personal information cannot be retrieved by scanning the QR code with other mobile applications – which just means anyone who wants to read the information will download the app, not the most private or secure system.

Full details of the new “e Visa” can be found at the Immd website www.immd.gov.hk/eng/evisaonline

Hike The North Dragon Stream

A beautiful video from Wild Pi about hiking the North Dragon Stream, one of the Five Dragons of Tung Chung, and renowned for its pristine water.

https://youtu.be/d1OWtN-GEBs

Tung Chung’s Five Dragons refer to the five main streams at Wong Lung Hang (Yellow Dragon Valley). The five streams are: North Dragon Stream, Living Dragon Stream, Yellow Dragon Stream, Hidden Dragon Stream and East Dragon Stream.

Flowing into Tung Chung Bay, Yellow Dragon Stream – into which the others flow – is the major stream and it originates at Sunset Peak, Hong Kong’s third-highest mountain.

Warning: Hiking in streams is dangerous! Check the weather before setting out, never go alone.

Pick up your rubbish, don’t spoil nature’s beauty by leaving anything behind.

For more about Wild Pi :
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wild.pi
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wildpi3.14/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCiIukLawRWR_nDSrA3oRXTg

Gay Games 11 Announces New Dates

It’s Official! The revised dates for the eleventh Gay Games in Hong Kong are 3-11 November 2023.

The organising committee announced the new dates, a new logo and website, www.gghk2023.com. But said that the #UnityInDiversity message remains the same as they want to make the Gay Games in Asia the most diverse and inclusive ever.

The updated logo sees the six colours of the pride rainbow on the iconic Sampan joined by the additional colours of Black, Brown, Pink, Baby Blue and White. “Inspired by Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag, the new colours represent the marginalised communities of people of colour, trans individuals, those living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been lost; their inclusion into our icon reflects our genuine hope to celebrate diversity, inclusion and community in the widest possible sense.”

The 9-day events program for 2023 remains the same and features 36 Sport Events, an Arts & Culture programme, a Festival Village and the Opening/Closing Ceremonies.

The games are open to all adults over 18, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, or ability.

Gay Games Hong Kong 2023
Date: 3-11 November, 2023
Venue: Hong Kong
Tickets: Free

New Year Countdown Concert

The Hong Kong Tourism Board will hold its first-ever New Year countdown concert at the West Kowloon Cultural District, Art Park.

Tickets for the concert, which will feature Mirror, Gin Lee, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfred Hui, AGA and other local singers are free and will be distributed by lucky draw. The concert will be live-streamed for those without a ticket.

Registration for the ticket draw is from November 15 to 26 at https://nycdconcert.discoverhongkong.com

Attendees must be double jabbed, wear face masks and use the LeaveHomeSafe app.

New Year Countdown Concert
Date: 10pm, 31 December, 2021
Venue: West Kowloon Cultural District, Art Park
Tickets: Free

Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre Reopens

After an extensive revamp of its exhibition materials, the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre at the Sam Tung Uk Museum in the New Territories has reopened.

Declared a historical monument in 1981, Sam Tung Uk is a 200-year-old Hakka walled village that was converted into a museum in 1987. In 2016, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office opened the “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre” to raise awareness of local Hong Kong culture.

The new Lost and Sound – Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage exhibit is a combination of three exhibitions exploring the vibrancy of local folk culture.

The themes of the exhibition series are Hong Kong Festivals and Traditional Craftsmanship, Ordinary ∙ Extraordinary and Sam Tung Uk and Traditional Village Culture.

Showcased are an array of local traditional cultures and craftsmanship including the techniques for making flower boards, lion heads, wood carving, Hong Kong cheongsams, guangcai, Chiu Chow sugar loafs, mahjong tiles, galvanised iron products, dim sum and bamboo steamers, as well as performances in traditional festivals such as hand puppet Cantonese opera, bayin (eight categories of instrumental music) and unicorn dance.

Sam Tung Uk Museum
2 Kwu Uk Lane,
Tsuen Wan, New Territories

Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm.
Entry is Free

Peak Tram Closes for Renovation 28 June

Established in 1888 the Peak Tram has evolved over 130 years from a means of transportation into one of Hong Kong’s most-visited attractions.

The double reversible funicular railway, as it is technically known, rises from 28m to 396m above sea level along a 1.4 km track with a gradient of between 4 to 25.7 degrees.

The current Peak Tram has been in operation for 32 years and will close for around six months on 28 June for renovation and upgrade. The familiar burgundy trams will run until 1 June, before eight local artists – Peter Ng, Uncle@Afterworkshop, Stella So, Nopaperstudio, Pei Chung, Even Lee, Jacmila and John Lam –  decorate the cars with locally themed artwork.

No information has been currently provided about bus routes to replace the tram while it’s closed.