https://www.scmp.com/rss/9407/feed After many years with the Post, Kylie Knott found her calling on the culture and lifestyle desk. She writes about the environment, animal welfare, food and the arts. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Kylie Knott Kylie Knott It has been a tough year in Hong Kong. The typhoon season was hectic, including September’s Super Typhoon Ragasa that brought the city to a standstill, while last month’s deadly Tai Po fires brought the city to its knees. But amid the sombre news, some stories emerged to inspire us. We revisit seven of them. 1. Weight loss bartender Look up the highest-rated bars in Seoul, and you will find many of them clustered in Cheongdam, an affluent neighbourhood near Apgujeong and Gangnam in the South... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3338101/7-inspiring-stories-perseverance-and-resurrection-cancer-fighters-astronaut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3338101/7-inspiring-stories-perseverance-and-resurrection-cancer-fighters-astronaut?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott If you have plans to explore the world in 2026, then these Post stories should help fuel your wanderlust. A feature on Shunde, a prosperous district of Foshan city in China’s Guangdong province, renowned for its sophisticated, fresh Cantonese cuisine, will inspire those who love to travel for food, while a story on the Norwegian Epic cruise ship is for those who enjoy life at sea. Personal adventures, including a story about Hongkonger Kaylie Lau, who quit her corporate job in fashion marketing... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337978/travel-stories-2025-will-fuel-your-wanderlust-year-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3337978/travel-stories-2025-will-fuel-your-wanderlust-year-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:15:10 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott One of the most popular arts stories of 2025 shone a light on Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham, who in June was named the winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Shedding a less positive light on Hong Kong was a story about why so many classical music stars are skipping Hong Kong for other Chinese cities. A story about Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor – who became famous after a British king abdicated to wed her – also struck a chord. Here we look back at seven of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3337980/7-best-arts-stories-2025-new-labubu-prize-winning-hong-kong-pianist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3337980/7-best-arts-stories-2025-new-labubu-prize-winning-hong-kong-pianist?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Food stories resonate with people because they can engage us on an emotional level by connecting with personal identities and cultural heritage. Some of the most popular Post stories that did just that over the past year include a wrap of the seven best Malaysian breakfast foods found in Penang’s capital George Town, and a story on dim sum staple cheung fun. Readers also loved a story on Hong Kong Instagram star Uncle K, who has set social media ablaze with his down-to-earth videos exploring the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3337754/7-most-popular-food-stories-2025-including-top-malaysian-breakfasts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3337754/7-most-popular-food-stories-2025-including-top-malaysian-breakfasts?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 07:15:10 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Among the Post’s top film stories that resonated with readers in 2025 were several in a series profiling Hong Kong’s pop culture icons, in particular Deanie Ip, Faye Wong and Chow Yun-fat. Other stories that proved very popular covered the early films of Donnie Yen, high-profile wuxia films – a genre focusing on sword-wielding, chivalrous martial arts heroes in ancient China – and a 1988 British drama on Hong Kong immigrants. Here, we revisit seven top-performing stories of 2025. 1. A spotlight... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3337427/7-film-stories-2025-readers-loved-including-chow-yun-fat-deanie-ip-profiles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3337427/7-film-stories-2025-readers-loved-including-chow-yun-fat-deanie-ip-profiles?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott The festive season is all about spreading cheer, so here we take a look back on some of our favourite feel-good stories of 2025. Hong Kong artist Joannah Hon, who paints local people and then reveals the art in public, made us happy with her work, and Aiden Tsang’s wholesome Instagram reels, where the eight-year-old teaches Cantonese, also put us in a good mood. American photographer Austin Bell also put a smile on our faces thanks to his project that saw him photograph, from above, all of Hong... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3337289/7-stories-2025-made-us-feel-good-including-jimmy-o-yang-and-cantopop-djs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3337289/7-stories-2025-made-us-feel-good-including-jimmy-o-yang-and-cantopop-djs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 04:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Chinese culture is a rich blend of ancient traditions, core philosophies and strong family values that have influenced the region – and the world – through its arts, cuisine, philosophy and history. Here, we revisit seven stories of 2025 that celebrate Chinese culture, from a story on Yang Enhua, who won a global competition playing the erhu, to a designer who gives the classic cheongsam a modern twist. Other stories explore the art of seal carving and porcelain painting. 1. The ancient craft of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3337293/7-popular-2025-stories-celebrating-chinese-culture-seal-carving-waffles-and-tofu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3337293/7-popular-2025-stories-celebrating-chinese-culture-seal-carving-waffles-and-tofu?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 04:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Health and wellness are areas of huge interest to people globally as they seek to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Understandably, these topics resonated strongly with Post readers in 2025. Most popular was a story in our “Decoding dementia” series about a neurologist who uses five simple tests of cognitive function – including drawing a clock – to help gauge the health of a patient’s brain. Stories about weight loss also struck a chord in 2025, including one on how resistance training... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3337287/7-top-health-and-wellness-stories-2025-weight-loss-fitness-old-age?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3337287/7-top-health-and-wellness-stories-2025-weight-loss-fitness-old-age?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Dec 2025 04:45:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott From auspicious horse-themed phrases and couplets to whether your luck is in, check out our Year of the Horse 2026 series to discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year. The horses are in their element as they run and roll around the spacious indoor sand arena nestled in a peaceful corner of Hong Kong’s Pok Fu Lam neighbourhood. The space is part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Pokfulam Public Riding School, which this year completed a three-year, HK$375 million (US$48 million)... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336887/how-hong-kong-horse-riding-charitys-equine-therapy-helps-people-disabilities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3336887/how-hong-kong-horse-riding-charitys-equine-therapy-helps-people-disabilities?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hongkonger Alex Hung arranges dim-sum-loaded bamboo baskets with the speed of an orchestra conductor. “The weekend is peak time,” he says as he places a selection of staples – siu mai, har gow and pan-fried turnip cake – on the table. Hoi King Seafood (13-15 Wing On Side Street, Peng Chau. Tel: 2983 9588) has been dishing up tradition for 60 years on Peng Chau, a tranquil, car-free island nestled in Hong Kong’s western waters. Dim sum is king here, which is confusing considering the restaurant’s... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3336053/what-eat-hong-kongs-peng-chau-food-filled-island-comes-alive-weekends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3336053/what-eat-hong-kongs-peng-chau-food-filled-island-comes-alive-weekends?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Dec 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott For many, this year’s festive season will be a sombre affair as Hong Kong continues to process the Tai Po fire tragedy last month. However, there is something to be said about spending time with loved ones, and while preparing a meal might be furthest from people’s minds, our city’s restaurants are always there for us. Here are places across the city to check out for their festive meals over Christmas and New Year. 1. The Astor Until December 31, The Astor at the Eaton HK hotel transforms into a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3335851/must-try-christmas-and-new-years-meals-hong-kong-check-out-2025-nears-its-end?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3335851/must-try-christmas-and-new-years-meals-hong-kong-check-out-2025-nears-its-end?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Mother-of-two Samantha Waterhouse thrived during her pregnancies – they were times when she was most comfortable in her body. “I didn’t have any aches or pains like some women do, so I felt lucky that it was a time in my life that I really enjoyed,” says the Hong Kong-based South African, who has two girls: Ella, aged four, and Izzy, two. “And I loved the look and feel of my round tummy.” She loved her baby bump so much that she considered getting a bespoke pregnancy sculpture. Such keepsakes... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3335694/want-3d-pregnancy-sculpture-why-hong-kong-based-mother-helps-women-get-theirs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3335694/want-3d-pregnancy-sculpture-why-hong-kong-based-mother-helps-women-get-theirs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Dec 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott One of the most poignant scenes in the Hong Kong documentary film Never Too Late shows a scuba diver cutting away a tangled net to free a trapped fish. It is not accompanied by dramatic music or special effects, just a quiet act of kindness that ends happily when the fish is freed and swims off. Its rescuer is Hidy Yu Hiu-tung, a model-turned-diver who is one of four Hongkongers spotlighted in Never Too Late, the first feature by Hong Kong director Rikki Choy. Human Ip, an artist and author who... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3335606/how-hong-kong-documentary-never-too-late-shows-healing-power-citys-nature?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3335606/how-hong-kong-documentary-never-too-late-shows-healing-power-citys-nature?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:15:09 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott For almost 40 years, Davé, a Chinese restaurant in the heart of Paris, attracted the who’s who of fashion, film, art and music. Opened in 1982, it was not just a place to eat, but an exclusive, intimate salon where celebrities, artists and designers gathered for what felt like a private, timeless film sequence. Conversation and creative juices flowed as fast as the champagne, and at the centre of it all was the owner, Hong Kong-born Tai “Davé” Cheung, a charismatic host who spent nights weaving... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3335181/how-paris-famed-chinese-restaurant-dave-and-its-hong-kong-born-owner-drew-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3335181/how-paris-famed-chinese-restaurant-dave-and-its-hong-kong-born-owner-drew-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Dec 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Fans of “romantasy”, a literary genre that blends romance and fantasy, find happiness in mythical storybook worlds in which characters do things like slay dragons and hang out in castles, all while finding love at the same time. Now some are taking their passion for the genre into the real world by embracing “romantasy” travel, holidaying to destinations inspired by settings in their favourite novels such as snow-capped mountains, lush forests and ancient castles. This is one of the global... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3334714/top-10-travel-trends-hongkongers-2026-road-trips-romantasy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3334714/top-10-travel-trends-hongkongers-2026-road-trips-romantasy?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 04:44:17 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Rayson Chan and his father Woon Tai are on a well-earned break after a hectic lunch service at their family-run restaurant in a cooked food centre in Hong Kong’s Kowloon City neighbourhood. The duo operate Lok Yuen (Shop 6, 3/F, Kowloon City Municipal Services Building, 100 Nga Tsin Wai Road, Kowloon City. Tel: 2382 3367), a cha chaan teng-style eatery set up by Rayson’s grandfather more than 50 years ago. Diners flock there to indulge in nostalgic dishes such as fried chicken wings, deep-fried... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3334171/why-hong-kongs-cooked-food-centres-are-so-beloved-and-some-best-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3334171/why-hong-kongs-cooked-food-centres-are-so-beloved-and-some-best-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:15:09 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Victor clearly recalls the day 10 years ago that changed his life. It was a Sunday, and he had gone to Hong Kong charity Aids Concern, where he volunteers, to have a rapid antibody test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. For weeks, he had been experiencing diarrhoea that his friends told him was probably a severe case of food poisoning. Victor’s instincts told him it was something more serious. His fears were amplified because he had been... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3334456/why-aids-charitys-hong-kong-art-show-smells-resilience?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3334456/why-aids-charitys-hong-kong-art-show-smells-resilience?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:15:12 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott For first-time visitors to Hong Kong, a tram ride to The Peak or a walk up to Lantau Island’s Tian Tan Buddha are usually on their to-do list. But Garance Marillier is not your average visitor. The French actress, who was in the city last week for the ongoing 54th Hong Kong French Film Festival (HKFFF), had a different itinerary. Amid her hectic HKFFF schedule, the 27-year-old squeezed in a visit to Chungking Mansions, a sprawling complex in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood known for... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3334030/why-french-film-star-garance-marillier-just-had-visit-hong-kongs-chungking-mansions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3334030/why-french-film-star-garance-marillier-just-had-visit-hong-kongs-chungking-mansions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:15:09 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott In a cosy corner of Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan neighbourhood is a new gathering space that is warm and welcoming. Giant cushions invite guests to kick back with a book or chill and chat over a can of kombucha. Hearts and minds are fully open at Queer Room, a new pop-up by Lisa Lam and Patricia Lam, the sisters behind Hong Kong kombucha label Taboocha, and Li Mei-ting, a cultural studies lecturer at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. For Li, Queer Room offers a change of pace. “I’m lecturing most... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3333933/hong-kong-pop-queer-room-offers-alternative-individuals-place-connect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3333933/hong-kong-pop-queer-room-offers-alternative-individuals-place-connect?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 04:45:09 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Brush in hand, eyes focused, Hongkonger Anita Tso is in the zone as she carefully paints a fish on a delicate porcelain bowl. It is a design she has drawn countless times. “I have been painting porcelain for more than 40 years – it is my life,” she says. The craft is in her blood. Tso’s family runs Yuet Tung China Works in Hong Kong’s Kowloon Bay district. It was the first porcelain factory in Hong Kong, and it is the only one that remains in the city. Established in 1928 by her grandfather Tsao... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3333348/how-hong-kongs-last-remaining-porcelain-factory-keeping-citys-guangcai-heritage-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3333348/how-hong-kongs-last-remaining-porcelain-factory-keeping-citys-guangcai-heritage-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hongkonger Thomas Chan initially saw photography as a way to preserve the memories of his travels. For the avid explorer, photos became a visual diary. But he wanted to delve deeper into his craft. “I wanted to challenge myself and be creative in my journey, and turn passive sightseeing into active creation,” he says. As part of this challenge, he headed to Iraq in March to engage in what he calls a photographic experiment “in which one stranger relies on another stranger to understand a strange... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3333213/photos-iraq-hong-kong-photographer-explore-war-and-humanity-chance-encounters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3333213/photos-iraq-hong-kong-photographer-explore-war-and-humanity-chance-encounters?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:15:09 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott A bamboo-and-paper sculpture dangles from the ceiling of a gallery. It looks oddly familiar but also like nothing you have ever seen. The claws, tail and body resemble a lobster, but the horned dragon’s head, well, that is where things get a little fuzzy. This is not a deep-sea creature but the product of a deep dive into the imagination of Hong Kong artist Louis To Wun. Titled Seafood, the whimsical piece is part of “All-Sea: Eight Oceanic Artistic Practices from Southeast Asia and Hong Kong”,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3332670/sea-exhibition-hong-kong-explores-our-relationship-ocean-complex-entity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3332670/sea-exhibition-hong-kong-explores-our-relationship-ocean-complex-entity?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Nov 2025 11:15:10 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Marinated in a rich blend of Sichuan spices and roasted until the skin transforms into a crackling golden armour, the flaming Peking duck at Hutong restaurant in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui neighbourhood is a feast for the senses. Paired with standard companions such as pancakes, hoisin sauce and cucumber, the duck also comes with a side dish of drama: it is flambéed and carved at the table with a pianya dao – a traditional knife with a long, thin, rectangular blade designed to slice duck meat... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3332460/peking-duck-centuries-old-favourite-how-do-hong-kongs-top-chefs-make-theirs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3332460/peking-duck-centuries-old-favourite-how-do-hong-kongs-top-chefs-make-theirs?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:15:10 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Afternoon tea is a popular pastime in Hong Kong, and the ritual of savouring small treats is deeply ingrained in the city’s culinary landscape. For many, the tradition – a legacy of British colonial rule – offers a moment of reprieve from the city’s hectic pace, a tradition that has evolved into a social event enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. If you fancy a few hours indulging in tiny sweet and savoury delights, then these new themed afternoon tea sets – from a chocolate celebration... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3332648/5-new-afternoon-teas-hong-kong-scent-inspired-chocolate-overload?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3332648/5-new-afternoon-teas-hong-kong-scent-inspired-chocolate-overload?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 23:15:12 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott In December 2013, Hongkonger Katy Tong was a few days out from embarking on a trip of a lifetime – a year-long working holiday in Australia. The event planner, then aged 28, had spent months sorting out a visa, planning an itinerary and working out what to pack. Tong was excited about her adventure, but her mother, Lin, was less so. Call it mother’s intuition, but Lin could not shake the feeling that all was not right with her daughter. A few months earlier, Tong, on her mother’s insistence,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3332334/fighting-cancer-taught-hong-kong-sailing-enthusiast-cherish-human-connections?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3332334/fighting-cancer-taught-hong-kong-sailing-enthusiast-cherish-human-connections?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 03:00:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Kazakh artist Gulnur Mukazhanova’s large-scale installation soaring above the entrance of The Mills, in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, is a dazzling display of traditional Central Asian textiles. Stretching three storeys high above the atrium of the cultural space – converted from former cotton mills – the clusters of irregular-shaped, brightly hued fabric, called False Hope or Moment of the Present, exemplify the power of perspective. From ground level, the work floats overhead like a brilliant... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3332146/kazakh-fabric-artists-hong-kong-exhibition-reflects-heritage-and-historical-traumas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3332146/kazakh-fabric-artists-hong-kong-exhibition-reflects-heritage-and-historical-traumas?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott A Filipino-food feast is spread across a chunky wooden table. There is shrimp adobo, a whole milkfish cooked in a banana leaf and stuffed with tomatoes, onions and garlic, and a hearty beef caldereta – a rich stew – along with plates of grilled vegetables: aubergine, bitter melon and okra. “You have to try the fermented rice wrapped in a mustard leaf – it is so tasty,” Allan Pineda Lindo says as he pulls up a chair. Pineda is Apl.de.ap, a founding member of Black Eyed Peas, the American hip-hop... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3331711/black-eyed-peas-apldeap-helping-farmers-philippines-returns-him-his-roots?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3331711/black-eyed-peas-apldeap-helping-farmers-philippines-returns-him-his-roots?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:15:10 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Bali-based independent curator Galuh Sukardi had long toyed with the idea of curating an exhibition exploring the rituals and traditions practised in her native Indonesia. Galuh Sukardi spent years championing Southeast Asian art through her roles with Sotheby’s, White Cube and David Zwirner. Now, with Indonesian art having a moment, she felt the time was ripe to celebrate artists connected to the archipelago. Diving deep into the country’s rich culture – which has been influenced by periods... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3331627/artists-indonesia-themed-works-explore-life-death-and-transformation-hong-kong-shows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3331627/artists-indonesia-themed-works-explore-life-death-and-transformation-hong-kong-shows?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott When Grace Oh began experiencing perimenopause symptoms around the age of 45, including sleep difficulties and low energy, a well-known gynaecologist in Singapore dismissed them, saying, “You can’t be in perimenopause – your periods are still regular.” The information was wrong. Other doctors told her that “menopause is a normal part of ageing, not a disease”, leaving little space for a deeper discussion about her physical and emotional changes. “These encounters – at different points in my life... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3330720/new-medically-reviewed-app-bridges-health-information-gap-perimenopausal-asian-women?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3330720/new-medically-reviewed-app-bridges-health-information-gap-perimenopausal-asian-women?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hong Kong incense master Aaron Tang Ho-chuen scoops up chunks of agarwood and breathes in their rich, smoky scent. “Agarwood creates a sense of calm, making it perfect for peaceful activities like meditation and yoga,” says Tang, the founder of the Hong Kong Incense Company, which makes incense with natural ingredients using traditional recipes. Agarwood – a dark, infection-fighting resin created when incense trees, or Aquilaria sinensis, are cut or damaged – is highly sought-after for its use... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3330625/how-agarwood-black-gold-worth-us25000-kilo-under-threat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3330625/how-agarwood-black-gold-worth-us25000-kilo-under-threat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott When Lamma Fun Day (LFD) was first held in 2000, it was a small affair: no stages, just a few buskers singing next to a handful of stalls selling food and crafts. One stall offered massages. David Wilkinson, the festival’s music coordinator for the past decade, recalls a couple of guys on guitars using a pay-to-hear tactic to tease money from the audience. “Basically, you had to drop money into a box and request a cover song,” Wilkinson says. “If they knew the song, they would play a few bars... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3330548/story-lamma-fun-day-hong-kongs-longest-running-free-music-festival?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3330548/story-lamma-fun-day-hong-kongs-longest-running-free-music-festival?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott For decades, writer Banu Mushtaq’s literary circle was confined to the southern Indian state of Karnataka, where she also worked as an activist and lawyer. That all changed in May, when she was thrust into the global literary spotlight after being awarded the International Booker Prize for Heart Lamp, a collection of 12 powerful short stories that capture the struggles of Muslim women in the country’s south. “Winning the prize is a deeply humbling experience, not just as a personal milestone for... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3330002/catch-booker-prize-winner-banu-mushtaq-india-bay-event-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3330002/catch-booker-prize-winner-banu-mushtaq-india-bay-event-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Israeli actor Lior Raz has played his fair share of tough-guy roles. In the action-packed Netflix series Fauda, Raz draws on his real-life experiences in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to play the protagonist, Doron Kavillio. His commando skills were again on show in the 2021 series Hit & Run, while last year he flexed hard in the Ridley Scott-directed blockbuster Gladiator II, where he played Viggo, who was tasked with training young fighters. But lately, Raz has revealed a softer side. His... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3329735/gladiator-ii-actor-lior-raz-soda-and-ptsd-ahead-hong-kong-jewish-film-festival-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3329735/gladiator-ii-actor-lior-raz-soda-and-ptsd-ahead-hong-kong-jewish-film-festival-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hong Kong is fully embracing the Halloween spirit this year with a range of spooktacular events. A highlight is Spooky Halloween, a music carnival at the Wan Chai Harbourfront featuring big names such as US DJ Steve Aoki and Cantopop star Hins Cheung. Bars and restaurants across the city will serve up spooky cocktails, while tens of thousands of costumed revellers are expected to gather in the heart of the entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong for a street party on October 31. A host of... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3329744/what-do-hong-kong-halloween-2025-parties-face-painting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3329744/what-do-hong-kong-halloween-2025-parties-face-painting?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hongkonger Kaylie Lau was working at a “fairly ordinary” corporate job in fashion marketing when she made a lifestyle U-turn. “I was lacking spark from my job and I thought, ‘I’m still young, so I’m going to explore something different, something challenging,’” she says. Now the 24-year-old is on an adventure, one that has already seen her travel 10,000km (6,200 miles) overland – “no flights, one backpack” – from Hong Kong to Europe, which she is documenting on her Instagram page,... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3329185/no-flights-one-backpack-20000km-travel-odyssey-young-hongkonger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3329185/no-flights-one-backpack-20000km-travel-odyssey-young-hongkonger?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 20:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott At a sports stadium in Hong Kong, basketball players, all dripping with sweat, run across a court to the soundtrack of screeching sneakers. The two-hour training session is intense – but it has to be. The goal for these athletes is to join the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States, and the players’ backstories make their ambitions even more impressive. The players are part of the Strive Gold Team, a programme that provides Hong Kong’s top female basketball players... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3328224/young-hong-kong-female-athletes-chase-big-basketball-dreams-documentary-tip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3328224/young-hong-kong-female-athletes-chase-big-basketball-dreams-documentary-tip?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Author Emma Pei Yin has many happy childhood memories of visits to her grandparents’ ancestral village home in Hong Kong. For Britain-born Pei Yin – who moved to Hong Kong at the age of 14 – time spent in the rural New Territories, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, allowed her to indulge in traditions such as grave sweeping and the Mid-Autumn Festival. She recalls lazy evenings lounging around on plastic chairs in the courtyard, full from a feast of poon choi – a communal dish... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3328084/horrors-world-war-ii-seen-through-eyes-hong-kong-women-new-novel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3328084/horrors-world-war-ii-seen-through-eyes-hong-kong-women-new-novel?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott There is something about Aiden Tsang’s Instagram reels that instantly puts you in a good mood. The eight-year-old’s videos – a combination of innocence and cuteness, delivered with a huge cheeky smile – are the perfect antidote to much of the inane content flooding social media. Born in Hong Kong, Tsang, who last year moved with his parents to the Western Australian capital of Perth, admits he is a little homesick. He misses his extended family, his school friends and the city’s food, such as... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3328098/want-learn-cantonese-take-lessons-8-year-old-who-has-fan-jimmy-o-yang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3328098/want-learn-cantonese-take-lessons-8-year-old-who-has-fan-jimmy-o-yang?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 09:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Isaac Harvey’s passion for adrenaline-fuelled adventure started in 2015 when the Briton completed his first skydive. But his biggest challenge was not jumping out of a plane at 14,000ft (4,267 metres). It was the events leading up to it. Airfields across Britain told Harvey that skydiving was not possible because of his disability: he was born with limb/pelvis hypoplasia/aplasia (LPHA) syndrome. This rare genetic condition resulted in his being born with no arms, short legs, a weak pelvis and... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3327315/how-disability-doesnt-stop-isaac-harvey-pursuing-his-passion-adventure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3327315/how-disability-doesnt-stop-isaac-harvey-pursuing-his-passion-adventure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott The Mid-Autumn Festival – celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, when the moon is fullest – is one of the most important events on the Chinese festival calendar. This year, it falls on October 6. Families unite to enjoy mooncakes and light lanterns, with the city hosting events to help people get into the festive mood. One of the biggest celebrations is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, which will take place on October 5 (7.30pm-10pm ), October 6 (7.30pm-11.30pm ) and October 7... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3326832/4-mid-autumn-festival-2025-events-hong-kong-away-huge-crowds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3326832/4-mid-autumn-festival-2025-events-hong-kong-away-huge-crowds?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:24:40 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Sophie Chan’s bedroom is typical for a nine-year-old. The shelves are lined with books, games and soft toys, while a diffuser pumps out a lemon scent, her favourite fragrance. Her hobbies include drawing, playing the trumpet, singing and posting videos on her YouTube channel. She also loves hanging out with friends at school, where her favourite subjects are English, art and music. “I’ve also been a thrill-seeker since I was young,” she says, pulling out her phone to show a video that was taken... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3325937/hong-kong-girl-9-battles-leukaemia-youtube-videos-plush-toys-and-positivity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3325937/hong-kong-girl-9-battles-leukaemia-youtube-videos-plush-toys-and-positivity?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 03:00:12 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott While Hong Kong is small considering its population of 7.5 million, with a total area of just 1,114 square kilometres (430 square miles), it is big on biodiversity, with 3,300 species of plants, 55 species of mammals, 200 species of freshwater fish, 116 species of reptiles and amphibians, and more than 580 bird species. People might also be surprised to learn that Hong Kong is home to more than 240 species of butterflies and more than 2,000 species of moths. To give some perspective, England is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3326148/why-hong-kong-butterfly-lovers-paradise-and-where-see-them?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3326148/why-hong-kong-butterfly-lovers-paradise-and-where-see-them?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott It is easy to spot Kent Wong among the lunchtime diners at a busy cooked food centre in Hong Kong’s Kowloon City neighbourhood. He is wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and a tropical-print shirt – the signature style of his social media moniker, Uncle K. Wong, who has amassed more than 184,000 Instagram followers since he began posting food videos a year ago, chose the look as a disguise during the early days of creating content. But, ironically, his glasses and cap now define him. No one is... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3325797/hong-kong-instagram-star-uncle-k-making-viral-food-videos-and-being-normal-person?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3325797/hong-kong-instagram-star-uncle-k-making-viral-food-videos-and-being-normal-person?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:15:08 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott South Korean artist Mooni Perry is fascinated by the rites and rituals surrounding Asian folklore festivals, especially when they have a strong female focus. Her passion for the subject lured her to Hong Kong where, for the past three months, she has been artist in residence at the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (Chat), a non-profit in Hong Kong’s Tsuen Wan district. Perry’s research explores the cultural significance of female communities and rituals in Hong Kong and nearby regions, with... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3325930/rituals-chinese-legend-seven-fairies-examined-hong-kong-arts-workshop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3325930/rituals-chinese-legend-seven-fairies-examined-hong-kong-arts-workshop?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time when family and friends gather to celebrate the full moon, with food playing a major role in the celebrations. Mooncakes – rich pastries filled with sweet or savoury fillings, often with a salted duck egg yolk in the middle to represent the full moon – are the stars of the festival, which this year starts on October 6. Just like in previous years, Hong Kong’s bakeries and hotels have mooncake fever, with many releasing their own versions, while supermarket... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3325721/how-donate-mooncakes-and-recycle-boxes-hong-kong-during-mid-autumn-festival-2025?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3325721/how-donate-mooncakes-and-recycle-boxes-hong-kong-during-mid-autumn-festival-2025?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:15:07 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hong Kong’s suicide statistics paint a depressing picture. Last year, the city recorded 1,138 suicides, the highest number since 2003. That, on average, is about 3.12 suicide deaths per day, and was a 4 per cent rise from 2023 figures. Compiled by Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong, an NGO, the numbers are based on an analysis of data from the Coroner’s Court and, not surprisingly, prompted a renewed push for better mental health support services. The New Normal Charity Hong Kong, which provides... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3325038/hong-kong-charitys-walk-suicide-awareness-something-move-through-together?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3325038/hong-kong-charitys-walk-suicide-awareness-something-move-through-together?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 04:19:57 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott The recent AIA International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Hong Kong was billed as a fun-filled, family-friendly event that would literally lift people’s spirits. Instead, it was a massive letdown. Held at the Central Harbourfront from September 4 to 7, the advertised highlight was to be tethered balloon rides that promised “breathtaking views” from 10 to 20 metres (33 to 66 feet) above ground. But attendees were left, well, deflated when safety concerns prompted the cancellation of rides on... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3325189/how-hong-kongs-balloon-and-inflatables-events-often-let-people-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3325189/how-hong-kongs-balloon-and-inflatables-events-often-let-people-down?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:26:37 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Telling the human stories through images is what Nicole Tung does best. The Hong Kong-born freelance photojournalist, best known for her award-winning work focusing on the humanitarian impact of war, is based in Istanbul, Turkey. The Middle East is a key focus of her work. Since 2012, she has documented the war in Syria, including the December 2024 fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, and other major events such as the 2011 revolution in Libya that led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, and the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3324440/hong-kong-photojournalist-nicole-tung-her-award-winning-work-asia-and-beyond?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3324440/hong-kong-photojournalist-nicole-tung-her-award-winning-work-asia-and-beyond?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Sep 2025 23:15:10 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Singapore Airlines (SIA), the city state’s national carrier, has unveiled its new in-flight safety video. From early reports, it has been given two thumbs up from social media users. With a run time of five minutes, 39 seconds, the video – SIA’s first new safety video in eight years – takes viewers on a journey through Singapore’s diverse communities, with cabin crew visiting landmarks such as the Esplanade, Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa, Lau Pa Sat and Jurong Lake Gardens. Blending real-life... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3324486/singapore-airlines-new-safety-video-vs-cathay-pacifics-how-do-they-compare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3324486/singapore-airlines-new-safety-video-vs-cathay-pacifics-how-do-they-compare?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:15:14 +0000 Kylie Knott Kylie Knott Hongkonger Anne Sit Kim-ping rolls a chunk of hot, sticky sugar into a ball and wraps it around a small skewer. With a bit of pinching and pulling, sometimes with the help of scissors, she transforms it into the shape of a shrimp. Her handiwork takes less than two minutes: speed is a crucial factor in the art of sugar sculpting and blowing, the focus of a workshop that Sit is hosting for about 20 people. “If you’re too slow, or the sugar cools, it hardens into an unworkable lump,” she... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3323894/how-sugar-blowing-hong-kong-intangible-cultural-heritage-being-kept-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3323894/how-sugar-blowing-hong-kong-intangible-cultural-heritage-being-kept-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 23:15:09 +0000