https://www.scmp.com/rss/519186/feed Karen is a Hong Kong-based writer with over a decade of experience of writing about dining, travel and wellness in Asia. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Karen Chiang Karen Chiang In a design world where aesthetics often compete with ethics, a new generation of makers is proving you can have both. Across Hong Kong and the region, independent brands are creating products that don’t just look good, but are built with intention. These pieces are built to last, made with care and designed for how we live now. Bamboa – Silky Bliss bamboo bedding set Spun from 100 per cent bamboo fibre, this set is softer and more breathable than bedding made from conventional cotton, a crop... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3322234/7-sustainable-designs-hong-kong-and-asia-are-stylish-and-smart?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3322234/7-sustainable-designs-hong-kong-and-asia-are-stylish-and-smart?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:30:15 +0000 Embodied Perspectives WKM Gallery presents a group exhibition featuring six contemporary Japanese painters: Soh Souen, Iori Nagashima, Koji Yamaguchi, Jun Tsunoda, Kohei Yamada and Momo Yoshino. The show highlights the visceral connection between the body and the act of painting, spotlighting a variety of styles from minimal abstraction to intricate figuration. An intriguing exploration into the rich landscape of contemporary Japanese painting and its promising future. WKM Gallery, 20/F, Coda... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3304249/showtime-4-unmissable-art-exhibitions-keep-you-cultured?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3304249/showtime-4-unmissable-art-exhibitions-keep-you-cultured?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Mar 2025 01:00:14 +0000 Emma McIntyre: Among My Swan New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based artist Emma McIntyre presents “Among My Swan”, her first solo show in Asia. Known for vivid, chromatic abstractions, McIntyre’s paintings blend oils with unconventional materials such as oxidised iron to create deeply textured, transformative works. This series explores the alchemical possibilities of painting, drawing connections between the artist’s instincts, the forces of nature and art history. Each piece is part of an... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3303310/showtime-4-unmissable-art-exhibitions-keep-you-cultured?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3303310/showtime-4-unmissable-art-exhibitions-keep-you-cultured?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 23 Mar 2025 06:00:15 +0000 How to be Happy Together? Curated by Zairong Xiang, “How to be Happy Together?” draws inspiration from Wong Kar-wai’s 1997 queer classic, Happy Together. Featuring more than 20 artists, including Ren Hang and Nadim Abbas, the show explores themes of intimacy, conflict and coexistence between individuals, cultures and ideas. Central to the show is the concept of the orifice as a portal for revelation and concealment, creating pathways for a “queer cosmos of happy-togetherness”. With its... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3302355/its-showtime-4-must-see-art-exhibitions-week?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3302355/its-showtime-4-must-see-art-exhibitions-week?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Mar 2025 08:15:12 +0000 Karen Chiang Karen Chiang Soonik Kwon, Masayuki Tsubota, Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin: Serenity “Serenity” brings together Soonik Kwon, Masayuki Tsubota and the duo Li Wei and Liu Zhiyin for a group exhibition that meditates on the themes of time, memory and the natural world. Kwon’s mixed-media works cover narratives of healing and introspection, while Tsubota’s sculptural works carved from wood blur the lines between material and spirit. Li and Liu’s collaborative sculptures carry a sense of timeless elegance, drawing from... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3301772/4-unmissable-exhibitions-keep-you-cultured-march?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3301772/4-unmissable-exhibitions-keep-you-cultured-march?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Mar 2025 03:00:10 +0000 Unsold ≠ Worthless: Shifting Perspectives This provocative group exhibition examines the meaning of value in the art world, reframing unsold works as opportunities for conversation rather than failure. It brings together a diverse range of contemporary artists whose works challenge commercial norms and celebrate creativity. By showcasing pieces that have been overlooked and left unsold, the exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the way art is perceived, collected and appreciated. De Sarthe... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3300924/5-exhibitions-get-you-psyched-marchs-art-happenings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3300924/5-exhibitions-get-you-psyched-marchs-art-happenings?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:10 +0000 Finding a moment of calm in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle is no easy feat. Even a hike along the Dragon’s Back can feel crowded. But with a little planning, you’ll find there are plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature and indulge in new experiences. Across the city, various communities and teachers are working to bring people closer to healing through nature. Here are six practices and places to help you unwind. 1. The Hideout Just a short walk from the Mui Wo pier on Lantau Island, The... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3300356/6-ways-get-back-nature-and-find-calm-busy-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3300356/6-ways-get-back-nature-and-find-calm-busy-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Feb 2025 22:00:12 +0000 Karen Chiang Karen Chiang Once limited to labs and elite athletes, cutting-edge treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), infrared saunas, and red light therapy are now being reimagined for everyday wellness. The Circuit at 10x Longevity in Hong Kong combines all three in a 2.5-hour session designed to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation, and promote cellular healing. But does it live up to the promise? As someone who has dabbled in cold plunges and infrared saunas, I was curious to see how The Circuit weaves... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3293165/hong-kong-wellness-centre-offers-hbot-infrared-saunas-and-red-light-therapy-and-we-tried-them-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3293165/hong-kong-wellness-centre-offers-hbot-infrared-saunas-and-red-light-therapy-and-we-tried-them-all?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Jan 2025 02:15:10 +0000 My skin felt like it was on fire. My brain was empty. There was only a primal, overwhelming urge to escape. I tried to count the seconds as they passed, but a minute felt like an hour. Nobody said torture was on the cards when I signed up for my first ice bath in Chiang Mai’s July heat. Surely the promised benefits of improved well-being would come with the ice-bath experience? Evidence of cold therapy used as a medical treatment can be found in Egyptian papyrus dating as far back as 3,500BC.... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3289459/how-ice-baths-can-help-you-conquer-stress-and-find-inner-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/wellness/article/3289459/how-ice-baths-can-help-you-conquer-stress-and-find-inner-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Dec 2024 08:15:13 +0000 You can’t talk about Japanese dining in Hong Kong without mentioning the term “izakaya”. From traditional neighbourhood establishments to modern interpretations with sweeping harbour views, they have become a cornerstone of the city’s dining scene. But what exactly is an izakaya, and why do Hongkongers keep coming back for more? A recent addition to the city’s izakaya landscape is Akatsuki Izakaya on Duddell Street in Central. Describing itself as “a vibrant and value-driven izakaya experience”,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3289321/what-izakaya-and-why-do-hongkongers-love-these-casual-japanese-eateries-centrals-akatsuki-and-aubrey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3289321/what-izakaya-and-why-do-hongkongers-love-these-casual-japanese-eateries-centrals-akatsuki-and-aubrey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Dec 2024 03:00:08 +0000 Meet Betty Fung, a culinary force in Macau’s vibrant gastronomic scene. As the founder of Café Bonbon, owner and head chef of the newly opened restaurant LanovaB, and a recognised Disciples Escoffier Macau Ambassador, Fung has made her mark with her exquisite French desserts and fusion cuisine. Building on her kitchen skills honed at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, she has become a noted foodie and influencer, sharing her passion for food and her glamorous lifestyle with a devoted... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3269852/instagram-influencer-betty-fung-macaus-food-culture-and-how-cooking-aids-well-being?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/100-top-tables/article/3269852/instagram-influencer-betty-fung-macaus-food-culture-and-how-cooking-aids-well-being?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Jul 2024 04:00:11 +0000