Angelababy has called Hong Kong home since she was a young girl. Here are her local insider picks, from shopping on Hollywood Road to hiking Dragon's Back.

The very name Hong Kong immediately conjures up luxury boutiques, wild nightlife, street food and spectacular architecture. We asked Hong Kong-based Hollywood actress and model Angelababy (Yeung Wing) to help us get to the heart of this dynamic place with so much to offer.

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Chinese actress Angela Yang Ying, better known by her stage name Angelababy, moved to Hong Kong with her family at the age of 13 where she launched a meteoric modelling and film career. She went on to star in Mojin: The Lost Legend film, which, was on its release the highest-grossing Chinese-language IMAX film in China, and has starred in several Hollywood blockbusters. In 2016, she was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30.

The mega-famous actress and model – known for starring in the Chinese gameshow Running Man as well as various high-profile action films – has lived here since the age of 13, when her father's job brought the family from their native Shanghai.

"When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I was impressed by its skyline and harbour views," reminisces Angelababy. "It's a very dynamic city. I felt that living here would be fun."

The future model soon found her new home was an exciting blend of cultures as well as modern and traditional architecture. "Hong Kong is a real mix of East and West," explains Angelababy, about the former British colony. "This is particularly evident in street names, most of which are directly translated from English and sound quite interesting."

Hong Kong's cultural celebrations include epic festivities like Lunar New Year in January when Victoria Harbour's sky is lit up with fireworks, the centuries old Cheung Chau Bun Festival in May when competitors scramble up a tower of steamed buns filled with lotus paste and the thrilling Victoria Harbour river races of the Dragon Boat Festival in June. "It's the culture that makes the city so special," says Angelababy.

Here are Angelababy's favourite ways to explore Hong Kong.

To find the real Hong Kong, Angelababy recommends looking no further than a cha chaan teng (tea restaurant). "Tea houses are deeply rooted in Hong Kong's culinary culture. Traditional Hongkongers enjoy going to tea houses for lunch with family or friends."

Where to watch the Lunar New Year fireworks

Visitors who want to watch the Lunar New Year fireworks (30 January 2025) in style could try this tip from Angelababy: "Book a hotel like the Rosewood Hong Kong, The Peninsula Hong Kong or Regent Hong Kong," she says. "At these hotels you can see the view of the fireworks and you can have your own private fireworks show."

Locals and expats alike sit huddled around tables in these old-school cafes, which are decorated with whirling fans and patterned floor tiles. These iconic Hong Kong spots are known for serving European treats with an Asian twist, so expect cups of strong Hong Kong milk tea made with condensed or evaporated milk, flaky egg tarts and pineapple buns with a cracked surface resembling its spiky namesake fruit. "If you're working on movies in Hong Kong, everybody stops at 15:15 for afternoon tea [and] we'll all enjoy an egg tart or a pineapple bun," says Angelababy. The actress has been hoping to try the newly renovated historic tea house Lin Heung Lau; originally established in the 1920s. "So many friends say it's very good, but because it’s so busy and hard to get a table, I haven't tried........

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