Hong Kong Harbour Fiesta

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region the Hong Kong Tourism Board has announced a special edition of A Symphony of Lights. The Hong Kong Harbour Fiesta will run daily throughout July from 8pm – 8:10pm.

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images: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Data 2021

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has released the visitor arrivals data for December 2021 and the year as a whole.

In December 2021 there were 9,448 arrivals (6.475 from the mainland, 2,973 non-mainland) a 94% rise year on year. But a 90+% drop from 2019.

Arrivals for 2021 were 91,368 (65,694 from the mainland, 25,704 non-mainland) a 97% drop from 2020.

Hong Kong New Year Countdown Concert 2021-22

A slew of local artists including AGA, Alfred Hui, Gin Lee, Jay Fung, Joyce Cheng, MIRROR, Edan Lui and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra created a distinctly Hong Kong style Countdown Concert in West Kowloon.

Live music has been one of the industries hardest hit by Covid and after a 2021 almost devoid of concerts, we can only hope that the Countdown Concert is the start of a year full of gigs and the uplifting feeling and happiness that sharing live music brings.

The concert was live-streamed on New Year’s Eve and is now available on the HKTB youtube channel.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/Hong-Kong-Countdown-Concert-West-Kowloon-31-December-2021/i-T2X9s6B

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Hong Kong New Year Countdown Concert – Set list

1.《@princejoyce》鄭欣宜 (Joyce Cheng)
2.MegahitAnson Lo@MIRROR
3.《喘息空間》 Gin Lee
4.《金星女孩》Anson Kong@MIRROR
5.Wonderful UAGA
6.So Called Love SongAGA
7.《理性與任性之間》AGA
8.《開始倒數》AGAJay Fung
9.3amAGAJay Fung
10.《冬日寂寞考》Jay Fung
11.《思念即地獄》Jay Fung
12《另一個諾貝爾》陳卓賢@MIRROR
13.《狂人日記》Jer@MIRROR
14.TonightAGA x 香港管弦樂團 (HK Philharmonic Orchestra)
15.《一步一悔過》Jay Fung x 香港管弦樂團 (HK Philharmonic Orchestra)
16.《女神》鄭欣宜 (Joyce Cheng) x 香港管弦樂團 (HK Philharmonic Orchestra)
17.e先生連環不幸事件》Edan x 香港管弦樂團 (HK Philharmonic Orchestra)
18.《日出時讓街燈安睡》GinLee x 香港管弦樂團 (HK Philharmonic Orchestra)
19.《青春頌》許廷鏗 (Alfred Hui) x 香港管弦樂團 (HK Philharmonic Orchestra)
20.IDKGin Lee
21.《幸福門》Gin Lee
22.《先哭為敬》Gin Lee、《很堅強》鄭欣宜 (Joyce Cheng)
23.《最難行的路》鄭欣宜 (Joyce Cheng)
24.《天下無雙》許廷鏗 x Jay Fung
25.《我的快樂時代》許廷鏗 (Alfred Hui) x Jay Fung
26.《修羅場》許廷鏗 (Alfred Hui)
27.《佛系人生》許廷鏗 (Alfred Hui)
28.《停半分鐘聽一闋歌》許廷鏗 (Alfred Hui)
29. 《鏡中鏡》姜濤
30. 12MIRROR
31.BOSSMIRROR
32IGNITEDMIRROR

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2022/Hong-Kong-Countdown-Concert-West-Kowloon-31-December-2021/i-F3NbqsH

photos: HKTB

New Years Eve 2022 @ Victoria Harbour

Hundreds of thousands of HongKongers braved a chilly evening and gathered on both shores of Victoria Harbour to kick out a depressing and stressful 2021 and communally embrace the hope and expectations of a New Year.

It was disappointing that even after months of no local Covid infections and harsh quarantine measures, the government still cancelled the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display. The ‘enhanced’ Symphony of Lights didn’t really offer anything to those watching from Kowloon side, not even a 2022 on the front of the HKCEC…

But you would be wrong to think too negatively, people gathered knowing there were no fireworks. We gathered peacefully, no shoving or pushing, to recharge each other. To support and strengthen the old and the young after the harshness of the last twelve months.

Where alone and individually we might not feel strong to face 2022, together unspoken counting down to midnight we recharged each other’s batteries and shared our strength.

Together we are HongKongers and our flame burns brightly in the cold dark night! Happy New Year!

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photos: HKTB

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.

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