Despite the upheaval and scars left by the National Security Law, Hong Kong remains an irresistibly captivating metropolis. Friends who’ve lived there for years tell me the city has lost some of its former vitality, with many talented people choosing to leave. Yet, Hong Kong is still Hong Kong—dazzling, magnetic, and unlike anywhere else.

Mandarin has now become the dominant tongue, and in some local restaurants, speaking English doesn’t always guarantee you’ll be understood. WeChat Pay and Alipay are everywhere, seamlessly woven into daily life. Step into a cha chaan teng and the humble bowl of instant noodles still feels quintessentially Hong Kong. And the food—oh, the food!—continues to outshine Singapore’s by miles, in both variety and flavor.

Every visit leaves me wanting more. I can’t help but wish I could return again and again.