From painting to learning the ukulele or spinning a pottery wheel, it’s never too late to do that thing you’ve always wanted to learn how to do. Not only will you gain a new skill and new hobby, but challenging yourself at any age can be rewarding in itself.
Career Changing
Insight School of Interior Design
Insight School is Hong Kong’s only specialised interior design school where students are taught by international experts in the industry and get to work on real-life projects with real-life clients. The school offers over 20 short courses on topics like Design & Styling, Feng Shui and Art & Interiors year-round. There are also part-time and full-time certificates and diplomas.
Insight School of Interior Design, 24/F, Federal Centre, 77 Sheung On Street, Chai Wan, 2114 2021
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
The international college for creative minds, SCAD, has four campuses offering full-time, part-time and less-than part-time creative-industry related degrees. But for those who are unable to gain access to a SCAD campus, you also go online.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), 292 Tai Po Road, Sham Shui Po, 2253 8044
The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK)
OUHK provides about 220 full-time and part-time programmes in a wide range of practical and professional courses from Art & Social Sciences, Business & Administration, Education & Languages, Nursing & Health Studies as well as Science & Technology. Apart from four campuses around Kowloon, a new learning facility, the Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare in Ho Man Tin will be completed in 2020.
The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK), 30 Good Shepherd Street, Ho Man Tin, 2711 2100
Sports
Pure Yoga
Pure Yoga offers yoga enthusiasts and current teachers a wide range of workshops, retreats, and Yoga Alliance Accredited Teacher Training courses ranging from 25-hours CETs to 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training. Tuition fees range from $3,500 to over $56,000. Module drop-ins and morning intensive options are available.
Pure Yoga, multiple locations including 16/F, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, 2971 0055
Aberdeen Boat Club
Aberdeen Boat Club has adult beginner sailing courses that you can enjoy during the weekends. Learn how to operate the “Pico” one-person dinghy and the “Laser 2000” two-person dinghy before embarking on a journey from Aberdeen to Middle Island.
Aberdeen Boat Club, 20 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, 2552 8182
Read more: Best private members clubs in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Sports Institute
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete, there is always a sports programme for you at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, which offers a variety of programmes specially designed by professional coaches. Courses include swimming, badminton, tennis, table tennis, squash, tai-chi and wushu, organised for participants of all ages and abilities.
Hong Kong Sports Institute, 25 Yuen Wo Road, Sha Tin, 2681 6888
Read more: Best boot camps in Hong Kong
Music
M.int Academy
Cultivate your musical talent with M.int Academy, which provides private one-on-one and semi-private classes for adults in more than seven different instruments. Or grab a buddy and join the adult’s choir or acapella group. No auditions required!
M.int Academy, 19/F, Casey Aberdeen House, 38 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 3596 7094
Hong Kong Harp Chamber
The harp is a relatively easy stringed instrument to learn and it emits a beautiful, haunting sound. The Hong Kong Harp Chamber offers classes for beginners and amateurs ($1,080 for three lessons) at its centre in Wan Chai.
Hong Kong Harp Chamber, 18/F, CKK Commercial Building, 289 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 3741 0202
Parkland Music Institute
Fancy learning the guitar but dread the tricky chords? Try the ukulele, a reduced version of the guitar with four strings instead of six and reachable notes that can minimise wrist tension. Parkland Music Institute with various locations runs Ukulele course for people of all levels (from $125 for 30 minutes).
Parkland Music Institute, 8/F, Ginza Square, 567 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, 2660 9138
Arts and Crafts
LUMP Studio
LUMP Studio is a community of potters and ceramic makers of all levels. Inside their workshop, you will find dedicated areas and special equipment for pottery and stocks of different clays, glazes, oxides and slips.
LUMP Studio, 11A, Gee Luen Hing Industrial Building, 2 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang, 2116 0865
Art Loop
Art Loop has something for all aspiring artists, from beginners to those who want to become art teachers. There are a variety of adult art courses including drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture and art history. Come with your old friends or meet some new ones and learn in the gallery-like environment.
Art Loop, Unit 1001, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 5238 8186
Hong Kong Photography Workshop
With classes like Photography 101, Neon Nightcrawlers and Intro to Lightroom, photographers of all skill levels can explore Hong Kong in a new light under the guidance of professional photographers. Class sizes are small with no more than eight students. Classes last three to four hours and private lessons are also available.
Hong Kong Photography Workshop, Unit 602, Yue Shing Commercial Building, 15 Queen Victoria Street, Central, 9172 9101
Performing Arts
Twinkle Dance Company
Twinkle Dance Company offers both contemporary dance and ballet classes for adults twice a week. Experienced dance teachers instruct each movement, perfect for those who have a little or no dance experience.
Twinkle Dance Company, Shop 311, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, 6608 1928
HK Theatre Association (HKTA)
HKTA offers 10-week acting courses throughout the year in both English and French. With professional coaches covering body exploration, voice work, teamwork and character-building, they will bring out the inner talent in each individual.
HK Theatre Association (HKTA), 1/F, Kai Wah Building, 137 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, 2851 0091
TakeOut Comedy Club
The first full-time comedy club in Asia offers standup comedy workshops once a month for people who want to practice their public speaking or simply bring more joy to their lives. The course is $800 and includes a free one-on-one session with the coach. All classes are held in English.
TakeOut Comedy Club, 34 Elgin Street, Central, 6220 4436
Chinese Culture
Homeland Tea Garden
Tea drinking is a refined activity for personal enjoyment or with fellow tea lovers. Homeland Tea Garden runs a two-hour introduction course on tea appreciation conducted in English.
Homeland Tea Garden, 7 Mallory Street, Wan Chai, 2127 7928
Chen Style Tai Chi Institute
Sign up for a course at this local Tai Chi school ($1,500 for four classes) to experience how this internal martial art can do wonders to your mind and body.
Chen Style Tai Chi Institute, 135 Bonham Strand Trade Centre, 135 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan
International Social Service HK
Hong Kong government offers heavily subsidised beginner, intermediate and advanced Cantonese courses for just $100 at the International Social Service’s HOPE Centre in Wan Chai. The 50-hour course, held over about 17 sessions, focuses on learning spoken Cantonese with a local teacher, covering topics such as food, culture, shopping, travel and weather. It primarily caters for non-Chinese speaking ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, but leftover places are offered to any non-Chinese speaking expatriates.
International Social Service HK, 6/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, 2834 6863
Cooking
Complete Deelite
Complete Deelite has a huge selection of baking classes to choose from including decorating basics, seasonal workshops and even allergy-friendly courses for those with special dietary requirements.
Complete Deelite, 2/F, On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan Street, Central, 3167 7022
Yum Cha
If you’re a fan of Yum Cha’s cute steamed buns with googly eyes, you’ll be delighted to know that they offer a private dim sum workshop for $500 per adult. The restaurant’s chefs will guide you through the process of making hot custard buns, shrimp siu mai and more. After the hard work, reward yourself with a complimentary afternoon dim sum tea set, where you can sample your own creations as well as Yum Cha’s other quirky offerings.
Yum Cha, 2/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 3708 8081
ABC Cooking Studio
Japanophiles, rejoice! You can now learn the art of Japanese cuisine at ABC Cooking Studio, which offers small group classes catered for beginners. The studio has five types of courses – Bread, Cake, Cooking, Wagashi and Kids – so let your appetite choose for you!
ABC Cooking Studio, Shop 148, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing, 2568 1722
