15 things to do in the Greater Bay Area this June

1. Hong Kong: hit the waves 

Surf’s up at Airside: practise riding the waves at indoor surfing centre Groundswell . Choose bodyboard or surfboard and surf solo or sign up for a lesson on the venue’s Flowrider simulator, which captures all the motion of the ocean in safe surroundings. After a good workout, refuel at the onsite restaurant with South East Asian dishes conceived by Potato Head Hong Kong’s former chef de cuisine, Heri Raharjo. 

2. Hong Kong: scaled up

Spot rainbow boats with mythical figureheads on the waterways during the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races , where some of the world’s best paddlers compete for the championship just off the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade. 

The occasion also calls for zongzi: steamed sticky rice parcels filled with pork, mushrooms and salted duck egg, wrapped in bamboo leaves. 15-16 June.

3. Hong Kong: that snuff  

The Hong Kong Museum of Art’s Art of Gifting: The Fuyun Xuan Collection of Chinese Snuff Bottles exhibition features a collection of 490 sets of Chinese snuff bottles. Originally used to store tobacco, the vessels come in all shapes and sizes, with intricate carvings, paintings and inscriptions.  

4. Hong Kong: smooth as silk 

Silk manufacturing and tailoring is an art dating back millennia, and its rich history is the subject of a free exhibition at City University of Hong Kong. A Passion for Silk: The Road from China to Europe explores the craft’s evolution through the ages and continents. Online registration required. Until 1 September.

5. Hong Kong: American beauties 

American multimedia artist Bruce Nauman‘s artworks have taken over Tai Kwun. In a solo exhibition that encapsulates his six-decade career, visitors will encounter visually striking pieces such as pastel skull fountains, gigantic pyramids of stacked animals and Nauman’s recent collection of neon sculptures. Until 18 August.

6. Hong Kong: face-melters galore 

School of Rock: The Musical is coming to Hong Kong. Inspired by the 2003 Jack Black comedy and soundtracked by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is a musical for the whole family to rock out to. The story follows failed rockstar Dewey Finn as he accidentally becomes a supply teacher and finds a new goal: win the Battle of the Bands with his class of posh middle schoolers. 1-2, 4-9 & 11-16 June.

7. Hong Kong: la dolce vita 

A four-storey temple dedicated to Italian actress Sophia Loren has opened at the historic Woo Cheong Pawn Shop. Sophia Loren House is the fourth dining destination to open under Loren’s name (and the first outside Italy), with each floor offering a different experience, from a pizzeria to a 1970s disco.

8. Hong Kong: all the right notes

Here are four gigs to make this month a musical one:

After lighting up last year’s Clockenflap, Japanese quartet Atarashii Gakko! are back for a solo gig . Power-pop, punk and hip-hop blend into a high- energy show, all performed in school uniforms. 25 June.

Grammy-winning opera singer Joyce DiDonato will bring her rich tones to the city on a tour that combines the traditional artform with cutting-edge lighting, stagecraft and arrangements. 3 June.


Inspired by Songkran, S2O music festival combines aquatic thrills with world-class DJs at Central Harbourfront. The impressive lineup includes Afrojack, Galantis, Pauline Herr and more. 8-9 June.

Fans of anime series Demon Slayer and Fate/Zero will recognise the powerful vocals of Lisa on their theme songs. Hear them performed live on the singer’s Live Is Smile Always concert. 15 June.

9. Hong Kong: pinkies up 

Try these three new afternoon teas in town:

East Hotel’s Feast partners with vegan chocolatier Conspiracy Chocolate to serve dainty sandwiches, canelés and hand-painted truffles with a glass of rosé or champagne. Until 31 August.

Salisterra at The Upper House teams up with London’s Hotel Café Royal for a new afternoon tea set , featuring scones and sandwiches, as well as luxe additions like truffle gougères and raspberry elderflower sorbet. Until 30 June.

Conrad’s afternoon tea collaboration with beauty brand Sabon involves stands piled high with jasmine and bergamot chocolate gateaux, earl grey matcha scones with orange blossom jam and rose blackcurrant cakes – and a basket of Sabon goodies.

10. Hong Kong: cool and caffeinated 

Tea not your bag? Two new coffee shops to try:

Grab-and-go Servo is the little sister of plant- focused restaurant Moxie , serving Aussie coffee and pick-me-ups, like canelés, bacon butties and spicy yellowfin tuna melts.


Coffeelin has a new branch, with a moreish menu dreamed up by its Italian head chef.
Be transported to the streets of Rome, where espressos are mandatory and maritozzi buns are served fresh from the oven. 

11. Macao: an icon in residence 

One of the “Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop”, Leon Lai has recorded more than 50 albums and appeared in more than 50 films. Witness the legend perform his greatest hits at Studio City this month. 1-2, 15-16 June.

12. Guangzhou: frozen keys 

Catch Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson as he performs his acclaimed rendition of Bach’s Goldberg Variations at the Xinghai Concert Hall. 5 June.  

13. Guangzhou: meeting of the masters 

French conductor-violinist Augustin Dumay, Chinese cellist Wang Jian and the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra will present the works by Beethoven and Mozart at Xinghai Concert Hall for one night only. 14 June. 

14. Shenzhen: tides that tie 

Jointly presented by the Sea World Cultural and Arts Center and the Mucha Art Museum, The Tide Never Recede [sic] is an exhibition that celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Chinese Mainland and France, and focuses on the Art Nouveau movement, which had a significant impact on commerce, publishing and design. Until 26 June. 

15. Foshan: strike a cord 

There’s a very fine new place to stay in the Greater Bay Area: the Cordis, Foshan, Lingnan Tiandi . Centrally located in the Chancheng district, the hotel features 390 spacious rooms and suites, superb fitness and health facilities, and two restaurants – Lingnan Garden for Cantonese dining and The Deck for a barbecue dinner buffet.