The Shows and Sights Not to Miss During Hong Kong Art Week

From literary talks to Michelin-recommended restaurants, and pop-ups to buzzing bars, here’s Ocula’s locally sourced round-up of where to go during Hong Kong Art Week.

In one of the densest cities in the world, it can be surprising to find quiet moments in nature just metres away from busy streets. Narrow informal market stalls are sequestered in the shadow of looming skyscrapers, while the aftermath of the British colonial influence post-handover spawns a hybrid of east and west. In Hong Kong, it is possible to find steaming bowls of noodles topped with luncheon meat and a fried egg, or to take a short subway ride from the main banking district to a secluded beach.

As Hong Kong Art Week gets under way, with the return of Art Basel bringing visitors from around the world, Ocula gathers a collective of curators, artists, gallerists and architects to share their essential guide on where to find inspiration, and where to unwind amid the week’s flurry of activity.

Charlotte Lafont-Hugo, architect

I’m most looking forward to the opening of art and design collective Serakai Studio’s new space GOLD, directed by the studio’s co-founder and curatorial director (and former head of art at Hong Kong’s Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts), Tobias Berger. Serakai Studio says: “GOLD reimagines the historical salon as a contemporary space for art”. Opening show Certainly includes work from Shinro Ohtake and Weng Io Wong.

After a show, I like to continue the conversation over dinner with friends. Around PHD Group gallery I go to the Lau Haa Hot Pot restaurant, while near Kiang Malingue there is one of the best Shanghainese, Liu Yuan Pavilion. After visiting Tai Kwun in Central, my favourite would be the Michelin-recommended Sichuan restaurant Chilli Fagara.

You can’t experience Hong Kong completely without seeing its country parks: there are more than 1,000km of hiking trails. Perhaps the most famous views of Victoria Harbour views are from Lugard Road and Harlech Road, while for the more adventurous (or early birds), the Dragon’s Back mountain ridge trail is a classic (and you can jump into the sea at the end of the hike when you arrive on Big Wave Bay Beach).

Charlotte Lafont-Hugo co-founded Beau Architects with Gilles Vanderstocken in 2014. The studio has designed gallery spaces for PHD Group, Kiang Malingue and Cao Fei Studio.

Özge Ersoy, curator

Some of my favourite Art Week moments are about publishing: books, magazines, and zines that capture the ideas and friendships behind artworks. First up for me this year is the talk for The Center Lies on the Outside, a new publication by Yujin Lee, hosted at HART HAUS. The book follows life at a rural farmhouse turned artist residency in Jeju and explores land-based living inspired by work by Rirkrit Tiravanija.

I’m also excited for Hot Source, Ruby Weatherall’s new print-mag shop. Its first pop-up, Fresh Spread, pairs rare 1970s and 1980s Hong Kong fashion magazines (from artist-photographer Kary Kwok’s collection) with life drawing, recipe-sharing, and zine-making.

For book lovers, artist collective Floating Projects celebrates its 11th year with the Floating Art Book Fair, showcasing zines and artists’ books that push boundaries—about everything from ghost stories to Cross-Harbour Tunnel.

And at Asia Art Archive’s booth at Art Basel Hong Kong, don’t miss Oscar Ho, one of Hong Kong’s most influential artists and cultural advocates, launching Hong Kong Art (1987–2004): A Curator’s History, a sharp, personal look at the city’s cultural identity and artistic transformations.

Özge Ersoy is Executive Director at Asia Art Archive (AAA) in Hong Kong, which marks its 25th anniversary with an exhibition titled At 25: Artists’ Early Worlds, bringing together early works by Ho Tzu Nyen, Tehching Hsieh, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook and Zhang Xiaogang.

Mimi Chun, gallerist

I recommend exploring local and international galleries in Wong Chuk Hang, where Blindspot Gallery is located. For institution highlights, don’t miss Tai Kwun’s Stay Connected: Supplying the Globe at JC Contemporary. The exhibition brings together some of the most exciting Chinese artists working today and re-examines China’s role in global production and logistics.

Apart from art venues, I love wandering through Sham Shui Po, a neighbourhood filled with hidden surprises—independent shops selling vinyl, stationery, leather goods and ceramics, alongside cool cafés run by young local people. I recently discovered OMG JinJang Curry Mee (緊張咖喱麵)— I love both the name and their curry noodles. For late nights, my go-to restaurant is Lau Haa Hotpot in Wan Chai. Another new restaurant I like a lot is Always Joy in Sheung Wan, which serves small, interesting dishes in an Izakaya style. My long-time favourite bar in town is Ping Pong 129 Gintoneria, for its authentic vibe, and a great G&T.

Mimi Chun is the founder and director of Blindspot Gallery. During Art Week, the gallery presents Trevor Yeung: swallowing rumination, gracefully (24 February–2 May 2026) and Lap-See Lam: Bamboo Palace, Revisited (23 March–2 May 2026).

Michele Chu, artist

I love Foo Tak Building in Wan Chai—a creative hub where you can catch experimental gigs at Twenty Alpha, browse the curated shelves at ACO Books, explore artist studios and exhibitions, then head to the rooftop for city views. Just a block away, PHD Group presents Zheng Mahler’s Mushroom Clouds, a large-scale terrarium simulating Lantau Island’s ecosystems. At Art Basel, I’m most anticipating Sharu B Sikdar’s Stepping Stones Won’t Break My Bones, an interactive installation presented by Tomorrow Maybe and Eaton HK using eggshells and textured pathways to explore resilience. At HART HAUS, don’t miss Florence Lee’s exhibition Double Blue, where she transforms Hong Kong’s urban imagery into an “altered fairytale” through experimental animation, alongside Hou Lam Tsui’s show featuring videos and sculptures that subvert traditional narratives of femininity.

For moments of calm, seek out Tsz Shan Monastery (registration required) or Chi Lin Nunnery. To wind down, I’ll grab beers from a 7-Eleven and head to the waterfront at North Point or Kennedy Town. For a night out, CODA jazz kissa offers live music with drinks, while Bound and Terrible Baby are also amazing options!

Michele Chu is a multidisciplinary artist based in Hong Kong. During Hong Kong Art Week, she welcomes visitors to HART HAUS’ open studio (24 and 26 March)

Aaina Bhargava, writer

The exhibition I’m most curious to see this year include Slavs and Tartars’ first show in Hong Kong 胡 ( هو / who) are you?, which considers the ideas of being and belonging, and also looks at four cities that have changed their names and alphabets depending on which empire, nation or ruler was in charge. I also can’t wait to check out Fresh Spread, a pop up by Hot Source, a new shop selling and celebrating print magazines in Hong Kong at Noii ArtHouse in Sham Shui Po.

I will feed friends who are visiting at classic joint Yardbird, a modern take on Japanese izakaya, and its sister restaurant Always Joy—a newer eatery—with more of an upscale diner feel. Both strike the right balance between good food and good vibes. Little Cove Espresso in Pacific Place and N.O.T. Specialty Coffee in Causeway Bay are essential stops for an on-the-go caffeine fix.

Aaina Bhargava is an arts and culture writer and editor raised and based in Hong Kong, formerly arts and culture editor of Tatler Asia and a culture reporter at the South China Morning Post.

Lorraine Kiang, gallerist 

I highly recommend Geumhyung Jeong’s Fire Drill Scenario at JC Cube, Tai Kwun, as well as the M+ Cinema programme featuring the music of Ryuichi Sakamoto. I will also be spending time at the Film Sector of Art Basel Hong Kong; the screening programme is curated by the artist Ellen Pau, one of the founders of Videotage.

For a quintessential local experience, Lan Fong Yuen is the place for Yuenyeung (coffee mixed with tea) and French toast. In the Sheung Wan area, Halfway Coffee and Hara Kako offer a relaxed atmosphere and excellent coffee. If you prefer something fancier, Caffè Parabolica faces Repulse Bay and carries a distinct Japanese influence—ideal for breakfast or brunch. For those interested in tea culture, Basao Tea provides a superb selection of Chinese teas and is surrounded by charming boutiques.

For unique finds, Lee Kung Mun in Wan Chai sells the traditional undershirts famously associated with Bruce Lee. For curated designer selections, Ink Clothing, Okura and Incredible are excellent stops. If you appreciate traditional craftsmanship, you can still find hand-carved mahjong tiles at Biu Kee or Kam Fat.

Lorraine Kiang is co-founder of Kiang Malingue. For Art Week, the gallery presents Zheng Zhou’s solo exhibition, Seeking traces (24 March–23 May 2026). —[O]

Main image: Photo: Jeremy Cheung.