Hi everyone! I'm Pauline Yu (PYY), Taiwan's only 4× Hyrox World Championship qualifier. Hong Kong is one of those cities that makes an athlete's heart race before the gun even goes off — you land, and the venue is literally minutes away. This city holds a special place in the Asia-Pacific Hyrox story, and with the World Championships heading here, I couldn't be more excited to share what I've dug up. I haven't raced here yet, but I've studied this trip inside out for you.
Venue & Course
Hyrox Hong Kong takes place at AsiaWorld-Expo, address 1 Airport Expo Boulevard, Chek Lap Kok, on Lantau Island, sitting directly next to Hong Kong International Airport. AWE opened in December 2005 and is one of the two major convention venues in the city. The big detail for us athletes is the layout: over 70,000 square metres of space across 10 ground-level, column-free halls, plus the AsiaWorld-Arena, the biggest purpose-built indoor seated entertainment arena in Hong Kong with a capacity of 14,000 spectators cheering you on.
That column-free, ground-level design is exactly what you want for a fast Hyrox floor — wide halls, smooth surfaces, and clean sight lines for both racing and spectating. The event runs the standard format of 8 kilometres of running plus 8 functional stations. I want to be honest with you: I couldn't verify an official Hyrox floor-plan diagram for the exact roxzone dimensions or per-lap running loop, so treat any specific loop distances you hear as unconfirmed until race week. What we do know is the scale is huge and growing fast.
- ▸Hong Kong hosted the very first Hyrox event in the Asia-Pacific region, and its recent race drew almost 20,000 competitors — a massive jump from under 1,000 at the start.
- ▸AsiaWorld-Expo will stage the 2027 Hyrox World Championships in June, so this venue is officially a bucket-list stop for serious Hyrox athletes.
Things to Do
Hong Kong packs a lot into a small footprint, which is a gift when you only have a day or two around a race. The classic must-do is Victoria Peak, reached by the historic Peak Tram funicular for that postcard skyline view. Down at harbour level, hop on the heritage Star Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon — cheap, breezy, and iconic. In the evening, catch A Symphony of Lights, the nightly light-and-sound show across Victoria Harbour that turns the whole skyline into a stage.
What I love for athletes is how much sits on Lantau Island, the same island as the airport and AsiaWorld-Expo. That means you can knock out sightseeing without a long commute. If you want temples and markets, Wong Tai Sin Temple and the buzzing Temple Street Night Market in Kowloon deliver the atmosphere. And if you've got family or want a rest-day treat, the options nearby are genuinely easy to reach.
- ▸Tian Tan Buddha, the Big Buddha, at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island is reachable by cable car and sits close to the airport and venue side of the city.
- ▸Hong Kong Disneyland is also on Lantau Island, making it a convenient family stop before or after race day without crossing the whole territory.
Where to Eat
Recovery fuel in Hong Kong is a joy. The signature dishes here run from dim sum and wonton noodles to roast goose, egg tarts, clay pot rice, and milk tea from a classic cha chaan teng. For dim sum, Tim Ho Wan was once lauded as the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world, so it's a smart, affordable win. For roast goose, two names come up again and again — Yat Lok and Kam's Roast Goose. Either will treat you well after a hard training block.
For proper comfort food, the Australia Dairy Company is considered among the best cha chaan teng spots in Hong Kong, famous for scrambled eggs and milk pudding — great easy carbs and protein. Don't skip clay pot rice, a local specialty of rice slow-cooked over charcoal in a clay pot and topped with chicken, pork, duck, Chinese sausage, and vegetables. Hong Kong even has a Michelin street-food section, believed to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world, so eat with confidence.
- ▸Central, Sheung Wan, and Mong Kok are dense clusters for many of these spots, so plan a food route and always verify opening hours before racing.
Pauline's Picks & Take
If I were racing here, my plan would be simple and disciplined. I'd stay near the venue on Lantau for the pre-race night to keep race-morning travel to almost nothing, then move into Central or Kowloon afterwards to celebrate and explore. On the day before, I'd do a light shakeout and ride the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak for a calm view — low effort, big reward. I'd keep sightseeing gentle so my legs stay fresh for those eight running kilometres.
For food, I'd fuel smart pre-race with clay pot rice or wonton noodles — easy carbs that sit well. Post-race, I'd reward myself with roast goose at Yat Lok or Kam's, then egg tarts and milk tea for the sugar hit I've earned. If you race here, don't try to cram the whole city in; pick two attractions, one great meal before and one after, and let the huge AsiaWorld-Arena crowd carry you through the pain cave.
- ▸My advisory move: recon the venue halls the day before if allowed, so the wide column-free floor and transitions feel familiar when the clock is running.
Practical Tips
The single biggest logistical gift of Hyrox Hong Kong is the airport-to-venue distance. AsiaWorld-Expo Station is just one stop and about a two-minute Airport Express ride from the airport, and it's around 28 minutes from Central. If you land and stay nearby, you could be at the venue faster than it takes to find your bag at most airports. That's a huge stress reducer on a race weekend when you're managing nerves, nutrition, and gear.
For where to base yourself, you've got two smart options. Stay near the venue on Lantau or in Tung Chung for minimal race-morning travel, knowing it's quieter and further from nightlife. Or base in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sheung Wan, or Mong Kok for the best food and attractions, with a roughly 24 to 28 minute Airport Express ride to AWE. Buses via Citybus and Long Win serve the airport island, and there's paid parking at the venue via the North Lantau Highway.
- ▸Confirm your exact edition dates on the official Hyrox event page before booking, since Hong Kong runs multiple editions and the World Championships land in June 2027.
That's my Hong Kong rundown, friends. This city gives you a world-class venue minutes from the airport, unreal food, and skyline views that'll keep you smiling long after the finish line. If this helped you plan, come say hi and subscribe at paulineyuyu.com for more race guides — I'd love to have you along for the journey.
Taiwan's elite HYROX Pro athlete and 4× World Championship qualifier. I share my training journey, race insights, and performance notes from the competition floor.
