The 36th Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened today alongside the 9th Sports and Leisure Expo and the 6th World of Snacks at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The three events will run concurrently for seven days, from 15 to 21 July, with a single ticket granting access to all three fairs. The combined event features more than 770 exhibitors, offering residents and tourists a blend of reading, sports, leisure, and culinary experiences.
Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated the opening ceremony. Professor Frederick Ma, HKTDC Chairman, delivered the welcome remarks, stating: “The Hong Kong Book Fair is not only one of Asia's most influential cultural events, but also an important platform that connects different cultures and promotes mutual learning and exchange.” He noted that this year’s theme, “Reading the World: Cultural Legacy | Joyful Journeys,” aims to inspire readers to explore global history, culture, and lifestyles through literature.
The Book Fair features eight seminar series, including the Theme of the Year, Renowned Writers, and English and International Reading. Notable speakers include Cheng Po-hung, Museum Expert Adviser of the Hong Kong Museum of History, who will discuss Hong Kong’s tourism history; Xu Zidong, a Chinese modern literature scholar; and Cantonese opera star Law Kar-ying. The Renowned Writers Seminar Series, co-organised with Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan, includes authors such as Su Tong, Liu Zhenyun, and Bi Feiyu. The English and International Reading Seminar Series features British poet Luke Kennard and Swedish fantasy novelist Kristina Dowling. In collaboration with the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, the inaugural ASEAN Literary Festival will present Indonesian author Eka Kurniawan and Singaporean author Clarissa Goenawan.
The World of Art & Culture, sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, presents the exhibition “World in Words, A Voyage of the Heart,” showcasing over 200 books and exhibits from around the world. Interactive installations recommend books and Hong Kong travel itineraries based on visitors’ preferences. More than 35 events, including seminars and workshops, will be held throughout the exhibition.
Chinese Mainland Publishers will showcase about 20,000 publications, with Yunnan as the featured province. The Guangdong Publishing Pavilion includes a “Qiaopi Cultural Zone” displaying books on Chaoshan emigrant heritage. The Cultural and Creative Space debuts the Fujian delegation with Dehua porcelain and Shoushan stone carvings, while the Hangzhou Pavilion presents traditional craftsmanship and West Lake-themed products. The Hong Kong Jockey Club offers a themed exhibition with interactive sports activities focused on cyber literacy and emotional management.
The Sports and Leisure Expo features the Hong Kong Sports Institute’s 35th anniversary exhibition, showcasing medals from past Asian Games and a “35-second Fitness Challenge.” Now TV will broadcast major sporting events on large screens. The Travel & Tourism zone welcomes Turkiye and Korea for the first time, with Turkiye offering mosaic lamp and sand coffee demonstrations, and Korea highlighting lifestyle and pop culture. Thailand returns on a larger scale with themed travel experiences and complimentary Thai massage sessions. Athlete sharing sessions include former basketball player Leung Chun-hung and rope skipping champion Wong Tin-yau.
The World of Snacks brings together more than 1,300 snacks from nearly 30 countries across six themed zones. Highlights include locally handmade nut butter ice cream from The Nutter Company, additive-free snacks from Azure Asia, and traditional pastries from social enterprise TimeTo Gold. BeltonGroupLimited offers Thai-style crispy grilled squid. Interactive activities include a black sesame roll making demonstration and a Junior Sommelier Workshop.
Admission prices are HK$30 for adults and HK$10 for children, with free entry for children under 3 and seniors aged 65 or over. Morning admission tickets are HK$10, and a Super Pass for HK$88 offers unlimited entry. Tourists can purchase concession tickets for HK$20 with valid travel documents. The events underscore Hong Kong’s role as a centre for international cultural exchange, blending reading, sports, and gastronomy into a single summer experience.
