Cover We break down how you can spend Chinese New Year 2022 (Photo: Unsplash.com)

Looking for ways to ring in the Year of the Tiger? From exploring Hong Kong’s great outdoors, to a visit to a traditional village or a celebration at home with friends and family, here are some ways you can do spend Chinese New Year in Hong Kong

With Chinese New Year preparations well underway—from puddings, poon choi, red packets and flowers—you might also be looking for ways to ring in the Year of the Tiger.

International travel is still on hold and social distancing rules are still in force but there’s still plenty to do in the city. It may be time to finally book (or re-book) that much-needed staycation, savour a delicious meal at home, visit one of Hong Kong’s traditional villages to learn more about our city’s past, or even see the many Chinese New Year displays.

Whether it’s a relaxing celebration or a trip in the great outdoors, we’re breaking down how you can spend your Chinese New Year holiday in Hong Kong.

Read also: How the Tatler Community Celebrates Chinese New Year

1. Venture into the great outdoors

Many describe Hong Kong as a concrete jungle and you’ll most likely conjure images of the skyscrapers across Hong Kong. But our beloved city is actually home to a number of places to enjoy the great outdoors, especially when it comes to hiking. From scenic hiking trails near country clubs, heritage hiking trails to trails on the outlying islands. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert hiker, there’s bound to be something here for you. You can also bring your furry friend along to some of the most dog-friendly hikes.

If you’ve already gotten your fair share of hiking, why not go forest bathing instead? Its holistic therapeutic effects on our mind, body and spirit are definitely things we need right now. Or if you just want to enjoy some greenery close to the city centre, there are plenty of green spaces to just lounge around and enjoy a day out in the sun.

Don’t miss: 6 Lesser-Known Hikes to Try in Hong Kong

2. Explore a new neighbourhood

Think you’ve seen all of Hong Kong? Think again. Now’s the perfect time to discover new neighbourhoods or revisit old ones.

From up-and-coming Tsuen Wan, the bustling neighbourhood of Whampoa, the quaint area of Tai Hang, to Tung Chung and Tseung Kwan O—there’s plenty to choose from.  Who knows, one of them might be your new favourite hangout spot?

Read also: Chinese New Year 2022: 5 Stories and Legends to Know

3. Treat yourself to a staycation

We’re all bummed out that international travel is still off the cards but looking at the bright side, we can try to enjoy a different kind of vacation. A number of Hong Kong’s hotels are offering stellar staycation packages, luring the hearts of food lovers, pet owners, and those looking for a unique stay.

Whether you’re looking for great dining offers, impeccable services or just something to celebrate with loved ones, you're spoiled for choice in Hong Kong.

Don’t miss: Chinese New Year 2022: The Best Staycations to Book in Hong Kong

4. See one of the many Chinese New Year displays

To get into the holiday spirit and take in all the festive vibe, while still social distancing, one of the best things to do whether it’s with friends or family, is to see all the Chinese New Year displays and decorations splattered across many of Hong Kong’s shopping malls.

Each design and theme is different, some bringing you whimsical lanterns, environmental-friendly decorations to others bringing you a taste of Japan or championing traditional craftsmanship. These displays and decorations are bound to add a festive flair to your celebrations and to your Instagram feed.

Don’t miss: The Best Chinese New Year Displays to See in Hong Kong 2022

5. Enjoy delicious afternoon tea

With dinner off the table, why not treat yourself to afternoon tea instead? In celebration of the Year of the Tiger, Hong Kong’s best hotels and restaurants are bringing in new flavours to its menu.

Featuring finger-licking savoury bites, warm scones with homemade jam and mouth-wearing desserts, there are so many afternoon tea sets to indulge in that are also highly Instagrammable. Good news for vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free eaters, there are also options available for you.

Don’t miss: Chinese New Year 2022: 11 Best Hong Kong Afternoon Teas to Try

6. Celebrate at home

With social distancing measures in place, restaurants can only allow a number of people per dining table, which is good news for couples but perhaps not so much for families. And given that Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and family reunions, the safest option we can have to celebrate is at home, with health protocols in place.

The good thing about celebrating at home though is that we can bring a bit of everything to the table—Chinese New Year puddings, candies, poon choi and even hot pot—all while talking about Chinese New Year stories and legends.

A number of restaurants are also offering special Chinese New Year takeaway options for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Don’t forget to add in some Chinese New Year flowers for extra luck and festive atmosphere. If you want to make a fashion statement, you can even put on your best cheongsams or qipao. Also, don’t forget to bring in your best red packets and face masks.

Read also: The Tatler Guide to Celebrating Chinese New Year at Home

7. Island hopping

Chinese New Year may be a time of celebration and family reunions, but it’s also a time to take that much-needed break, especially given the year we’ve had. If you want to escape the frenzy of city life, Hong Kong’s outlying islands are still well worth a visit. Notable options included Lamma Island and Cheung Chau, but if you've already ventured there, you can still discover some of Hong Kong’s secret islands.

The picturesque and charming island of Peng Chau is one of the more developed options, but others such as the abandoned Hakka village in Yim Tin Tsai and the snorkelling parasite of Sharp Island deserve a place in your Chinese New Year itinerary. These islands are also great places for photo-taking, sunrise hopping and outdoor sports.

Read also: Island Guide: What to Eat, Do and Do in Mui Wo

8. Discover Hong Kong’s traditional villages

Take a trip down memory lane this Chinese New Year and pay a visit to some of Hong Kong’s historical communities—our traditional villages. Many of them have seen a massive decline over the centuries, partly due to urbanisation especially for a bustling metropolis like ours. But the good news is that some of them still standing today and are just waiting to be discovered, visited and explored, especially before they disappear completely.

These traditional villages served as the ancestral homes of various clans including the earliest settlers of Hong Kong and are just teeming with cultural and historical significance. Kat Hing Wai, the most well-known among the bunch, was built during the Ming Dynasty, Kuk Po might be deserted now but it was once the home of the Cheung, Sung, Lee, Ho, Tsang, Cheng, Ng and Yeung clans and Yim Tin Tsai which is home UNESCO-recognised structure, St. Joseph’s Chapel.

Don’t miss: See Hong Kong’s Hidden Traditional Villages Before They Disappear

9. Netflix marathon

It may sound like the most mundane and basic thing you can do to spend Chinese New Year but we can’t deny the fact that Netflix has provided some of our comforts and escape during these challenging times and still continues to do so.

And with stellar titles like French sleeper-hit Lupin and Korean survival show, Squid Game, we can surely spend a day or two of our holidays doing another round of Netflix marathon.

Still hung up on Squid Game? There’s an array of other Korean dramas to watch, or if you’ve enjoyed Alice in Borderland, you can try to check out other Japanese dramas. Want some reality TV? Single’s Inferno recently took the world by storm.

Looking for something more festive? There are Cantonese movies that are great for Chinese New Year.

Read also: Best Cantonese Movies to Watch on Netflix for Chinese New Year


This article was originally published on February 8, 2021 and was updated on January 21, 2022.

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