Journeys Within Travel Blog

On the occasion of World Toilet Day, November 19, the Hong Kong Toilet Association (HKTA) released its annual public toilet rankings, crowning a surprising winner: the public facility in the famously bustling, nightlife hub of Lan Kwai Fong. Defying all expectations for a location frequented by late-night revelers, this alleyway restroom—situated near a 7-Eleven and adjacent to a small garden—received top marks for maintaining exceptional cleanliness and odor control, a testament to dedicated custodial efforts.

Elevating the Standards of Public Restrooms

The designation of the Lan Kwai Fong public toilet as Hong Kong’s finest is a noteworthy deviation from the norm, particularly given the area’s reputation for high foot traffic and potential disorder. While one might assume a nexus of bars and nightclubs would inevitably lead to sanitary challenges, the HKTA’s assessment highlighted the opposite.

This success, according to the HKTA, is directly attributable to the diligent on-site management. Henry Hung, President of the HKTA, praised the facility’s caretaker, noting they were “cleaning all the time” and proactively monitoring the space for any immediate maintenance needs. This hands-on, continuous cleaning schedule ultimately counteracted the strain placed on the facilities by the surrounding entertainment district.

Although the Lan Kwai Fong loo triumphed, it’s widely speculated that many patrons of the neighborhood’s numerous establishments utilize the private restrooms within the bars and clubs themselves. Regardless, the public toilet’s high ranking sets a robust benchmark for urban sanitation.

Tracking Cleanliness Across the Territory

Following closely behind the Lan Kwai Fong champion were other high-achieving public facilities. The Kam Tin Shi public toilet located in Yuen Long secured the second position. Notably, the Catchick Street Garden public toilet in Kennedy Town ranked third, demonstrating a remarkable turnaround; just two years ago, this very location was labelled the worst public facility in Hong Kong. This dramatic improvement underscores the impact that committed investment and rigorous staff effort can have on public hygiene standards.

At the other end of the spectrum, the HKTA identified the facility most in need of urgent attention. This year’s lowest ranking went to the Kowloon City Road public toilet in To Kwa Wan. Factors leading to this dismal ranking included pervasive dirtiness, persistent foul odors, and dangerously wet floors, signaling significant custodial neglect or infrastructure issues.

The Push for Better Urban Infrastructure

Beyond simply identifying the best and worst facilities, the HKTA used the release of the rankings to issue a pointed appeal to municipal authorities. The association emphasized the urgent need to allocate resources toward the refurbishment of Hong Kong’s aging public toilet infrastructure. Ensuring high standards of sanitation in these high-use public spaces is critical not only for comfort but also for maintaining overall public health and the city’s reputation as a clean, efficient metropolis.

The annual ranking serves as a vital scorecard for urban hygiene, demonstrating that excellence in public facilities depends almost entirely upon consistent maintenance and the professionalism of the janitorial teams. Looking forward, action from the authorities to upgrade and consistently maintain these vital resources will be keenly anticipated.

Black Sheep Restaurants’ celebrated venue, Peng Leng Jeng, known for its creative tribute to Hong Kong’s traditional dai pai dong open-air dining culture, elevates the city’s nostalgic experience with a special, one-night-only event: “K Bin Lo.” This unique culinary and entertainment mashup seamlessly integrates two beloved Hong Kong pastimes—hotpot (da bin lo) and karaoke (sing k)—offering a lively, spirited evening engineered by Chef ArChan Chan and Jonathan Leung. Scheduled for a limited run, this event provides patrons a two-and-a-half-hour window to enjoy classic Cantopop and hearty communal dining.

Revitalizing Hong Kong’s Culinary Heritage

Peng Leng Jeng has garnered significant attention this summer by successfully reviving the rapidly disappearing Hong Kong dai pai dong tradition with a modern, spirited twist. Traditionally casual street-side eateries, dai pai dongs represent a significant, yet endangered, facet of the city’s culinary art. The restaurant captures this essence, translating the lively, communal atmosphere into a permanent location.

The “K Bin Lo” event builds on this foundation of local heritage by pairing an elevated hotpot experience with the infectious energy of a karaoke night. Hotpot, or da bin lo, is inherently a social dining affair, centered around a bubbling communal pot where diners cook various ingredients. Karaoke, frequently referred to as sing k, is another deeply ingrained social ritual, often featuring rousing renditions of classic Cantopop hits.

Event Highlights: The ‘K Bin Lo’ Experience

The culinary foundation of the evening begins with the selection of a hotpot base. Guests choose from four distinct soup options designed to appeal to local palates: savory satay, comforting tomato-potato-corn, the aromatic blend of century egg with coriander, or the classic spicy tang of pig stomach with white pepper.

Following the base selection, diners can customize their hotpot with an extensive array of over 30 quality ingredients. The menu includes diverse options such as premium beef cuts, house-made pork balls, fresh seafood, and various greens. This bounty is cooked tableside, ensuring a fresh and interactive meal.

Once the food is prepared, the performance element takes center stage. A state-of-the-art karaoke system is stocked with legendary Cantopop tunes, ranging from Alan Tam’s ballads to Jacky Cheung’s hits. Guests are encouraged to belt out their favorite songs, transforming the dining space into a dynamic concert hall between bites of salted fish skin and prawns.

Essential Booking Details

Given the exclusivity of the “K Bin Lo” night, reservations are mandatory. The single-night affair is highly anticipated, providing a rare opportunity to fully immerse oneself in an experience that unites food, music, and Hong Kong’s collective cultural memory.

This unique offering by Black Sheep Restaurants underscores a broader trend in Hong Kong’s dining scene: the creative repurposing of nostalgic elements to craft compelling, modern hospitality experiences. By fusing high-quality dining with vigorous entertainment, Peng Leng Jeng taps into the enduring appeal of communal joy and local nostalgia. Interested parties should secure reservations promptly to avoid missing this unique cultural celebration.

Hong Kong is hosting the most extensive display of ancient Egyptian treasures ever seen in the territory, marking a significant cultural collaboration between the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA). The landmark exhibition, titled “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums,” features 250 relics spanning nearly 4,000 years of history, offering the public a rare, nine-and-a-half-month opportunity to explore the mystique of the pharaohs without leaving the city.

The unprecedented showcase, which runs through the next three quarters, presents a comprehensive look at the world of ancient Egyptians, from monumental sculpture and funerary rites to daily life. Many of these artifacts are being displayed outside of Egypt for the first time, loaned directly from seven institutions under the SCA, including the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the Luxor Museum of the Ancient Egyptian Art.

Unearthing Four Millennia of History

The collection offers deep insights into Egyptian civilization, particularly focusing on the funerary customs and spiritual beliefs surrounding the afterlife. Highlights include intricately painted wooden and stone coffins, vital elements for the journey into the next world. Visitors can examine a genuine Book of the Dead papyrus scroll and the iconic canopic jars used during the mummification process to store internal organs.

Beyond burial items, the exhibition features monumental statues of powerful figures, such as the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut and Pharaoh Rameses II. The display also contextualizes groundbreaking recent archaeological finds from Saqqara, the extensive necropolis near the ancient capital of Memphis. Everyday objects, including an ancient Egyptian toilet seat, provide a relatable glimpse into the domestic routines of citizens millennia ago.

A must-see feature near the end of the main exhibition hall is a dedicated space focusing on early cross-cultural exchanges. This section displays artifacts that illustrate interactions between ancient Egypt and other civilizations, notably featuring a stone stele inscribed with three scripts: ancient Greek, Egyptian demotic script, and hieroglyphs—a clear historical echo of the famed Rosetta Stone.

Planning Your Visit to the HKPM Exhibition

To access the “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” exhibition, visitors must purchase a special access ticket to the HKPM. The special ticket, priced at HK$190 for adults, grants entry to this exclusive show as well as the standard thematic exhibitions located in Galleries One through Seven. For comprehensive access, the full HKPM ticket costs HK$230 for adults and covers all nine galleries. Discounted pricing is also available through family packages.

Beyond the historical artifacts, organizers have curated an immersive retail experience. The museum gift store features a range of Egyptian-themed merchandise, including folders, apparel, stationery, and fragrances. A popular item is the blind-box series of collectible bag charms, featuring stylized versions of iconic Egyptian figures such as mummies and canopic jars.

The long duration and breadth of this exhibition cement its status as a landmark cultural event for Hong Kong. It offers residents and international visitors a singular educational experience by bringing priceless pieces of global history directly to Asia. This collaboration sets a vital precedent for future cultural exchanges, strengthening the ties between the region and the rich legacy of the ancient Mediterranean world.