This summer, fans of League of Legends (LOL) can look forward to the upcoming Return of the Legends tournament in lieu of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) “ICBC (Asia) e-Sports & Music Festival.”

Taking place at the Hong Kong Coliseum from August 4 to 6, 2017, the tournament will pit 20 of the world’s top players against each other. The players have previously clinched victories in major competitions such as the Riot World Championship, the Garena Premier League (GPL), Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and IGN Pro League (IPL). The contestants will be teamed up as follows:

Aside from the tournament, there’ll be a First Person Experience of eSports games, autograph sessions with LOL’s top players, photo sessions with cosplayers, virtual reality zones, and a livestream in 8 languages: Cantonese, English, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

The tournament schedules and matchups are as follows:

August 4 – 10:00 A.M. – Semi-finals (Team Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau vs. Team Europe)

August 6 – 10:00 A.M. – Semi-finals (Team North America vs. Team Mainland China)

August 6 – 7:00 P.M. – Finals and awarding of prizes

The festival will also feature Hong Kong’s first SMTOWN SPECIAL STAGE, which will be headlined by top K-pop artists such as Super Junior – D&E, Super Junior – Yesung, SHINee, EXO, NCT 127, NCT DREAM, f(x) Luna and Red Velvet. Unfortunately, tickets for SMTOWN SPECIAL STAGE are sold out as of press time.

Tickets for the Return of the Legends tournament can be purchased for HK$80, HK$150, HK$280 and HK$480. Meanwhile, Festival Zone tickets are priced at HK$10 and can be purchased on-site. To book your tickets online, visit www.urbtix.hk or log on to www.emfhk.com for more information.

Return of the Legends is open to audience members 6 years old and above. If the ticket holder is under 12 years old, s/he must be accompanied by an adult. Ticket holders are required to take their seats according to the number printed on their ticket.

In The Meantime, Check Out These 5 Cool Hong Kong Neighbourhoods

As you enjoy Hong Kong’s most anticipated summer festival, don’t forget to make the most of your stay as well! Being a melting pot of cultures from all over the world, Hong Kong has plenty of surprises in store for travellers. From shopping malls chockful of pasalubong, to culinary concoctions that are an absolute feast for the senses, Hong Kong’s repertoire of delights will leave you coming back for more.

With all these shopping, dining and entertainment choices, drawing up a short Hong Kong itinerary can be a challenge. Luckily, we rounded up five of the best Hong Kong summer destinations to help you out.

1. Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay is the place to be for true blue shoppers. With restaurants and retailers tucked into every nook and cranny, this neighbourhood has something in store for visitors of every stripe. Whether you’re a fashionista looking for a chic new piece, or a gourmand with a taste for the exotic, Causeway Bay is a good starting point.

Paterson Street

(Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)

Located in the heart of Causeway Bay, Paterson Street houses some of the world’s coolest fashion brands, including A.P.C., I.T, Liger and Off-White. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the shops’ stylish décors!

Seafood Room

(26/F Tower 535, 535 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)

For a dining experience unlike any other, head over to Seafood Room. Besides its mouth-watering array of seafood dishes, the restaurant also offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour — not to mention elegant interiors by renowned Russian architect Natalia Belonogova.

2. Kwai Chung

If you’re a creative looking for inspiration, look no further than Kwai Chung. Filled with cafés, creative workshops and stores selling quirky items, Kwai Chung bursts with energy and passion thanks to its resident young entrepreneurs. At this neighbourhood, you can get your creative juices pumping and more.

Toolss

(Shop 5, G/F Cheong Hung Mansion, 2-14 Mei Fong Street, Kwai Chung, New Territories)

In Hong Kong, you need not go far for cool souvenirs. Toolss is a one-stop shop for everything quirky, including art tools, stationery and hard-to-find brands. They also serve coffee and desserts, so you can sit back and relax as you think about which knick-knack to take home.

Starology

(Room L1, 7/F Block 2, Wah Fung Industrial Centre, 33-39 Kwai Fung Crescent, Kwai Fong, New Territories)

If crafting a “light book” sounds like your cup of tea, you’ll love Starology’s DIY workshops. Here, you can find out how to make a light book from scratch, or choose a pre-made version with your preferred zodiac sign and colour. Although the workshops are conducted in Cantonese, they’re also supplemented by English language learning materials.

3. Mong Kok

If there’s one Hong Kong neighbourhood that never sleeps, it’s Mong Kok. Bustling with activity 24/7, Mong Kok will leave you spoilt for choice with its shopping centres, pubs, fruit markets and hole-in-the-wall coffee shops. You won’t run out of things to do here, that’s for sure!

Pause Rewind n Fastforward

(1-2/F 67 Soy Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon)

Despite its name, Pause Rewind n Fastforward isn’t a record store. Instead, it’s a teahouse/shop/garden that serves Cherry Blossom Raindrop Cake — a cake that looks like a raindrop with a flower blooming inside — and dried flower decors for pasalubong.

Flower Stairs

(80 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon)

It’s exactly what it sounds like: Three sets of stairs painted with six sets of flowers. Aside from livening up the already-lively Mong Kok neighbourhood, the Flower Stairs are also a perfect backdrop for a wow-worthy Instagram photo.

4. Sai Wan

Being one of Hong Kong’s oldest neighbourhoods, Sai Wan boasts of an eclectic mix of historical structures and hipster enterprises. The neighbourhood is best known for its beer rooms and bistros, though you’ll uncover other lovely surprises here as well.

Kwan Kee Claypot Rice

(Shop 1, G/F Wo Yick Mansion, 263 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong)

As its name suggests, this restaurant specializes in claypot rice, which consists of rice and toppings cooked in a claypot. This cooking method causes the toppings’ flavours to seep into the rice, creating a crispy crust at the bottom and giving the dish a rich, meaty taste.

Sai Wan Swimming Shed

(Near Island West Transfer Station, Victoria Road, Sai Wan, Hong Kong)

Beat the summer heat at Sai Wan’s very own swimming shed. Take photos of its sky-blue seas, twilight skies and long wooden bridges, or relax and enjoy the beautiful view of the harbour.

5. Old Town Central

Another historical neighbourhood is Old Town Central, which — like the rest of Hong Kong — is a vibrant mixture of East and West. With its old buildings and new establishments, Old Town Central is a great place to go if you want to know more about Hong Kong’s remarkable culture and history.

Lee Lo Mei

(G-1/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong)

For a taste of old Hong Kong, book a trip to Lee Lo Mei. With its retro-style interiors and the traditional food stall-like setup, this restaurant will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Wrap up your trip with their signature golden shrimps and claypot rice.

PMQ

(35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong)

Designer outfits aren’t the only things you can pluck from this neighbourhood. The former Police Married Quarters is also a haven for trendy shops, cool activities and eye-popping exhibitions. Be sure to check out their website for updates on the latest events!

Whether you love food, music, shopping, games or all of the above, Hong Kong delivers on all fronts. Book a trip to Hong Kong today, and experience summer like never before.

INQUIRER.net/IssaMirandilla