Hongkongers snap up July 1 freebies and discounts with gusto

Hongkongers took full advantage of perks and discounts offered at restaurants, shops, transport and museums to celebrate the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty on Wednesday.Long queues formed at local cha chaan tengs, cinemas, shopping centres and outside attractions in the West Kowloon Cultural District, as well as for free ferry and tram rides.At the arts hub, all free tickets were snapped up for Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+ museum, with visitor numbers at those respective venues reaching 2,200 and 4,800 as of 11.30am.At Tai Hing Group’s Men Wah Bing Teng cha chaan teng in Tai Po, accountant Elaine Tsui and her daughter enjoyed a 29 per cent discount on breakfast.“A single breakfast in a cha chaan teng usually costs around HK$50, but today we get to eat two meals for only HK$49,” Tsui said. “I don’t usually come here, but since there are discounts, I thought, why not?”Hong Kong Tramways is offering free rides from Wednesday for three consecutive days. Photo: Jonathan WongAt PHI Coffee and Pancake in Central, customers took refuge from the heat while making the most of its July 1 promotions, including a 29 per cent discount on selected desserts.