Heading to Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao or beyond? From a floating exhibition on a ferry in Guangzhou to world class art shows in Hong Kong; Galeries Lafayette opening in Shenzhen and family-friendly fun all around, these are the most exciting things to do in the Greater Bay Area this month: 

Hong Kong: 4 exciting new food and drink hotspots to tick off

Tongue-thai’d 

Local foodies are absolutely buzzing at the launch of Niras at K11 Musea. With this new restaurant, Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Bangkok’s acclaimed Le Du, which took the top spot on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list this year, brings his signature brand of fresh and seasonal elevated Thai cuisine to Hong Kong. 

Niras, Shop 704, 7/F, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui 

Antipodean eats

Brunch is a favourite weekend activity in Hong Kong, and a new addition to the plate has arrived in Western district. Aussie-inspired G’Day Cafe delivers a menu of classic brunch staples. Order the G’sanga, a moreish pork collar, egg and green apple sandwich, or a yoghurt bowl, made with fresh fruit.

G’Day Cafe, Shop A, G/F, Nam Cheong Building, 48-52 Hill Road, Shek Tong Tsui    

Simply the veg 

For the health-conscious crowd, plant-based lunch favourite Treehouse has a new outpost in Causeway Bay with a covetable location next to Times Square. Choose from flatbreads, bowls, burgers and pizzas – all made sustainably and without any meat. 

Treehouse (Causeway Bay), 7 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay 

On Point

Hong Kong loves a good rooftop bar, and the newly opened Cardinal Point is set to be one of this summer’s places to be seen. Located within The Landmark’s cultural and dining destination Forty-Five, this new venue promises expertly muddled cocktails and mesmerising skyline views.  

Forty-Five, Gloucester Tower, Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central 

Hong Kong: 4 thought-provoking art shows 

The Art of Hope 

Australian artist Patricia Piccinini’s fantastical works have taken over Tai Kwun’s JC Contemporary in her debut Hong Kong show, “Hope”. Examining the relationship between science and humanity, the pieces include a chandelier of wigs and a floating flower field. 

The Australian artist is known for her curiously lifelike sculptures, which use materials like silicone and human hair to realise a series of imagined creatures. Although seemingly inhuman, the artworks are brought to life by the very human emotions conveyed in their expressions and body language. 

Piccinini is interested in the confluence of science and art, born out of her ruminations on the stressors facing humanity – whether that’s climate change, toxic internet culture, war or uncertainty around artificial intelligence. Above all, her work emphasises the importance of hope and how the creative and scientific communities can look for ways to collaborate on some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

 “There seems to be so many things to worry about. I am interested in responding to these challenges that face us, but at the same time I don’t believe that fear is a very useful motivator,” she says. “Fear freezes us, but hope motivates us.”  

Until 3 September. 

Tai Kwun, Old Bailey Street, Central 

Hush now 

Hong Kong artist Choi Sai-ho challenges perceptions of the city with his multimedia show “Hush-Rush” at Oil Street Art Space .  

Until 30 July.

Oi!, 12 Oil Street, North Point  

I choose you 

If you grew up with Pikachu and pals, don’t miss Katherine Bernhardt’s David Zwirner show, in which the American artist showcases her weird and wonderful riffs on Pokémon cards in the maximalist show “Dummy doll jealous eyes ditto pikachu beefy mimikyu rough play Galarian rapid dash libra horn HP 270 Vmax full art” (try to say that 10 times quickly!).  

Until 5 August. 

David Zwirner, 5-6/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central 

Film & fashion 

Cinephiles should make a date with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum for “Out of Thin Air”, an exhibition showcasing the city’s cinematic history through film costumes.  

Until 4 September 

Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin 

Hong Kong: A kid's world

Curtains up  

The International Arts Carnival blends culture and nature with an inspiring lineup of family-friendly music, dance and theatre. Highlights include the Yat Po Singers’ a capella performance of “Voice of the Woods”. Little ones and grownups alike will be captivated by the Hong Kong Ballet’s “Sam and her Amazing Book of Dinosaurs”, a high-tech show about an encyclopedia come to life.  

7 July to 13 August. 

Summer fun 

Embrace the sunshine and get on down to the Central waterfront for family-friendly fun as SummerFest brings sunflower fields, racing tracks and play zones to the water’s edge.  

Until 23 July. 

Macao: A brush with culture 

The Macao Museum of Art celebrates the art of calligraphy with A Gathering of Treasures, an exhibition of Chinese calligraphic works, paintings and seal carvings. 

Until 30 July. 

Guangzhou: All Aboard 

Elaborately detailed “pith” paintings – created to appeal to foreign visitors to China during the 19th and early 20th centuries – will be on display at the Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs Museum . The floating exhibition, held on a ferry, has a nautical flavour – ideal for arty buccaneers.  

Until 31 October. 

Dongguan: History revived 

Bronze animal sculptures repatriated from overseas make a triumphant return to the Dongguan City Museum at the Return of National Treasure exhibition.  

Until 27 August. 

Shenzhen: Galerie hopping 

Francophiles: it’s time to celebrate with credit card in hand as Galeries Lafeyette gears up to launch outposts in Shenzhen and Macao. Shenzhen’s location is already in its soft opening stage, so make a beeline to be one of the first through this high-end French department store’s gilded doors. 

June: dragon boat racing, Cartier’s private legacy and more 

Hong Kong: Nourish yourself 

Great news for health-conscious foodies: popular Kennedy Town restaurant Kefi has moved to a new, central Sheung Wan location to continue serving delicious yet low-carb, low-sugar and high-protein food. Expect deceptively decadent yet lighter cakes, perfect coffee pours and health-forward main dishes like kimchi cauliflower rice with shrimp. If you work, live or are staying in the neighbourhood, this is a great option for lunch. 

Kefi, 6 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan  

Hong Kong: All that glitters 

The Hong Kong Palace Museum presents “Cartier and Women”, an exhibition showcasing some 300 pieces from Cartier’s private collection: think jewellery, watches, objets d’art and archival records dating back to the 19th century. As well as acknowledging the impact of Chinese art and culture on Cartier’s creative direction, the exhibition celebrates the women who have influenced the famed jeweller. Until 14 August. 

Hong Kong Palace Museum, 8 Museum Drive, West Kowloon  

Hong Kong: Enter the dragon 

After a four-year hiatus, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races are finally returning to Victoria Harbour. On the weekend following the Dragon Boat Festival (22 June), a public holiday, teams of dragon boaters from all over the world will do battle on the water to the beat of drums, while thousands of supporters cheer from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.  

There are several categories, including a women’s championship, a fancy dress competition and – in homage to Hong Kong’s financial hub status – a championship specifically for the city’s bankers. Local teams have been preparing for months to give it their all, including first-timers the Loreley Dragon Boat Team.  

“The International Races tend to attract very strong teams, so we see it as a good challenge,” says vice-captain Niko Schoefer. “We’re excited to have a proper season scheduled at the right time, and it’s making us that much more determined to do well.” Races held on 24 and 25 June. 

Hong Kong: Let’s play 

Need something to do with kids this summer? There’s a new indoor play space to keep your tots entertained. Jello & Mellow offers family-friendly dining alongside a giant indoor play area. Perfect for hot days. 

Jello & Mellow, 9/F, 1001 King’s Road, Quarry Bay  

Macao: London calling 

Football legend David Beckham kicked into town last month to attend the launch of The Londoner Macao , a hospitality megacomplex whose design includes miniature versions of famous sites, from the Houses of Parliament to Big Ben, plus black cabs, red phone boxes and a live Changing of the Guard. Hungry? Tuck into proper pub grub at the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, where you’ll find British favourites, such as beef Wellington, fish and chips and shepherd’s pie. 

Macao: Out of this world

The Galaxy Arena , Macau’s biggest indoor stadium is now open with a 16,000 capacity. Set in a prime location just off the Cotai Strip, the venue launched in May with a two-night sell-out spectacular by K-Pop supergroup Blackpink. Expect an impressive entertainment lineup to come, from boxing matches to more concerts by huge international acts. 

Shenzhen: Start your engines 

China is a major driver behind electric automobile technology, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Show will give a taste of just what these vehicles are capable of. There’ll be demonstrations of cutting-edge advancements in smart car technology, in-depth panels, a lavish collection of antique and rare models, and exciting racing parades. From 16 to 24 June.

Guangzhou: Decade of decadence 

The Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou celebrates its 10th anniversary with the “One More Day” package, treating guests to a third complimentary night when they book two nights. While there, don’t miss a meal at the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, Jiang by Chef Fei, which recently celebrated upholding its two Michelin stars for the fourth consecutive year. Rooms priced from ¥2,500 (HK$2,840) per night.

Guangzhou: A Brit of culture 

A sweeping exhibition of Victorian-era clothing, art and knick-knacks is on display at the Guangdong Museum in collaboration with the National Museums Liverpool. “Splendour: Art in the Age of Victoria” shows vivid watercolour works by Romantic painter JMW Turner alongside high-society wardrobes, delicate porcelain and jewels. The exhibition examines Liverpool and Guangzhou’s long history of trade across the development of the Greater Bay Area, as well as the creative collision of Eastern and Western culture. Until 20 August. 

May: Yayoi Kusama, Pinoy delicacies, the new Raffles Hotel and more

Hong Kong: Culture Spot

Hong Kong’s impressive new M+ museum is going dotty this season with a Yayoi Kusama retrospective, and this is the last month to witness this acclaimed exhibition. Spanning the Japanese artist’s seven-decade career, “Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now” is a riot of colour filled with seminal works such as her Infinity Net sculptures and Death of a Nerve, alongside rarely seen pieces.

Fall in love with classic Hong Kong cinema with “Revisiting the Glory Days – The Legacy of Leslie and Anita ”, a retrospective commemorating 20 years since the deaths of legendary pop stars Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui. Twenty classic films starring the late icons will be screened at the Hong Kong Film Archive this month as part of Hong Kong’s Pop Culture Festival, which runs until November. 

Hong Kong: The Art of Fitness

Get ready to work up a sweat: the Hyrox fitness festival will return on 13 May with its notorious high-intensity indoor circuit race. Not your vibe? Brighten your home (or just your mind) at the Affordable Art Fair , where hundreds of wallet-friendly pieces go on display at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18 to 21 May.

Hong Kong: Over Easy

Hong Kong is hungry for the world’s most wanton egg sandwiches, as California export Eggslut sets up shop in Fashion Walk for more than just a one-night stand. It’s the fourth Asian location for the US-originated phenomenon, which dishes up a simple but satisfying menu of brioche sandwiches stuffed with hearty hangover-friendly fare, from bacon, sausage, egg and cheese to steak and chimichurri or even a burger. They all have one thing in common, though: everything on the menu is underpinned by perfectly done egg.

Hong Kong: Pinoy Pride

Hong Kong is awash with a wave of new Filipino restaurants that blend Pinoy classics, fusion dishes and punchy cocktails, giving a new platform to this underrepresented cuisine. At Dara  you’ll find homestyle dishes such as sisig, a tangy and spicy fried meat dish made with pork and chicken liver, plus palabok rice noodles topped with pork crackling and a boiled egg. Don’t forget to order a Filipino-inspired drink: head mixologist Jon Bunoan has serious cred and knows his way around a cocktail. 

Holy Gaw and Barkada present more of a fusion take: at Holy Gaw, chef and owner Marvin Gaw uses his fine-dining experience and techniques to reinterpret his home country’s dishes. Don’t miss the ube sandwich on pandan bread – it’s an Instagram fave. 

Barkada is the collaboration between Filipino Hong Kong influencer Jen Balisi of @indulgenteats and restaurant group Singular Concepts . This casual-chic restaurant promises comfort food and excellent booze galore, with modern twists on favourite Filipino classics.

Guangzhou: Life in Amber

From now until 18 June, catch “Amber Art: A Moment Buried in Resin” at Guangzhou’s Guangdong Museum . Get up close to more than 700 of these perfectly preserved ancient specimens, and try your hand at amber sand painting to make your own masterpiece. No word on whether they’re planning to revive a dino or two with amber-preserved mosquitos, à la Jurassic Park (watch it onboard now). 

Macau: Sling When You’re Winning

It’s best-known as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, and now the iconic Raffles Hotel is opening an all-suite property within the Galaxy Macau complex. Visit the Long Bar to order a Sling with a Macanese twist, before heading up to your spacious suite – some of which boast private pools or gardens. This is next-level luxury for your next visit to the Cotai Strip.

Shenzhen: Dream Team

Japanese art collective TeamLab has expanded its rainbow reach to Shenzhen and has taken over urban complex C Future City with its futuristic projections. Many of the exhibits are fully interactive, with neon 3D waterfalls, blooming cubes and vertical gardens shifting as you pass, reminding visitors of the importance and excitement of play in life – even for adults.