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| ADDRESS | Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong |
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Located in Sheung Wan, Kau U Fong is a short street connecting Aberdeen and Gough streets. Its Chinese name derives from the Book of Songs, with “Kau U” translating as “nine lucky omens”. Notable buildings include Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong, an award-winning boutique hotel exquisitely furnished with oriental décor. At the Gough Street end is Kau Kee Restaurant, a famous noodle shop with a history going back 90 years; unusually for this genre of restaurant, its menu is limited, based around beef brisket, noodles, broth and curry sauce, but it attracts long lines of customers.
The trendy dining and shopping area of Hong Kong now generally referred to as SoHo – short for South of Hollywood Road – used to be named 30 Houses after a row of 30 stone houses that were once a conspicuous feature of the area. Today the name lives on in the sign at 62 Staunton Street for the Central 30 Houses Kaifong Yulan Association, a community group which organises the colourful annual Yu Lan or “Hungry Ghosts” Festival, during which paper craft offerings to deceased ancestors are traditionally burned. Since June 2014 the Yu Lan Festival has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events domain.
DISCOVER MOREThe new and exciting Central Harbourfront Event Space makes the most of its location on the harbour front of Hong Kong Island – nestled between the craggy hills and soaring skyscrapers of the Central business district on one side, and the bustle of the busy harbour on the other. This flexible 36,000sq.m space is capable of hosting a wide range of activities and functions of all sizes, including arts and culture, entertainment, trade exhibitions and expos, and commercial events and product launches. It has already played host to street basketball, kung fu performances and summer soccer training for kids.
DISCOVER MORECentral Mid-level Escalator is the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system, opened in 1993. It runs for over 800m and rises over 135m in elevation, from Queen’s Road Central up to Conduit Road. It was built to ease traffic congestion in the residential Mid-levels district, and comprises 20 escalators and three inclined moving walkways. The system runs downhill from 6am-10am to cater to commuters, and uphill from 10:30am-midnight. It is not only residents who utilise it – it has become a popular tourist attraction as it takes visitors through a historical district and up to the Soho dining and nightlife hub.
DISCOVER MOREChater Road is one of Hong Kong’s most historic thoroughfares, named after Sir Paul Chater, a prominent businessman who helped shape the city in its early days. It is closed to traffic on Sundays, when visitors can amble along in peace, and enjoy the fun events that take place here from time to time, such as the "Central Rat Race" and the "Classic Car Club Chater Road Show". Notable buildings along its length include LANDMARK CHATER, LANDMARK ALEXANDRA and LANDMARK PRINCE’S, all in the LANDMARK portfolio, and the venerable Hong Kong Club and award-winning Mandarin Oriental hotel.
The founder of the Republic of China, Dr Sun Yat-sen spent considerable time in Hong Kong, where he received his secondary and university education and formulated many of his ideas and plans. Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum provides an overview of his life and career, as well as Hong Kong’s role in the reform movements and revolutionary activities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum, located on Castle Road, Mid-Levels, and easily accessible by the hillside escalator, is housed in the classical Edwardian-style Kom Tong Hall, originally the residence of local businessman Ho Kom-tong.
DISCOVER MOREDes Voeux Road West, Wing Lok and Ko Shing Streets are known as Dried Seafood Street and Tonic Food Street. A section of Des Voeux Road West in Sheung Wan is packed with shops selling dried seafood. The origins of the trade in this area go back many decades, to when the products were dried on the rooftops, to be sold in the street-level stores. Black moss, salted fish, sausage, scallops, and more are on display, catering to the demands of local households, especially around Chinese New Year. Nearby on Wing Lok and Ko Shing streets, you’ll find stores that stock ginseng and bird’s nest, both of which are said to be extremely beneficial to health.
DISCOVER MOREDuddell Street runs between Queen’s Road Central and Ice House Street, and at its upper end features a flight of stone steps built between 1875 and 1889. Surmounting the balustrades at the top and foot of the steps are the last four surviving gas street lamps in Hong Kong, which are still operated from 6pm-6am by The Hong Kong and China Gas Company as objects of historical interest. Both the steps and the gas lamps are Declared Monuments of Hong Kong. The street’s vintage atmosphere makes it a much favoured location among filmmakers and wedding photographers.
DISCOVER MOREThis beautiful red-brick building on Government Hill, known as the Former French Mission Building, was the result of extensive refurbishment carried out on a late 19th-century structure by the Mission Etrangères de Paris; it opened in 1917 as the French Mission, and has retained this moniker ever since, even though it was sold to the government in 1953 and has been used for a variety of purposes, most latterly the Court of Final Appeal – though it was relocated in late 2015. For a flavour of old Hong Kong, the best approach to this Declared Monument is up the steep, tree-lined Battery Path.
DISCOVER MOREThe second oldest street in Hong Kong, Hollywood Road runs between Central and Sheung Wan. It is home to the historic – Man Mo Temple and Central Police Station – and the modern – Mid-Levels Escalator. As well as a host of trendy bars and restaurants, it is also the location of choice for a number of art galleries and antique shops. The latter particularly congregate around Lascar Row, also known as Cat Street; this specialisation, apparently, dates back over 100 years to when foreign traders and sailors would sell artefacts that they had “acquired” in China.
DISCOVER MOREDon’t mistake Hong Kong City Hall for government offices – this building in Edinburgh Place is host to performing venues, a public library, exhibition space, marriage registry office and a very popular dim sum restaurant. The two-block complex was opened in 1962, and represents the International Style of architecture, with clean lines and geometric forms. It is important historically as the ceremonial location for the swearing in of colonial governors, who would arrive by boat at the former Queen’s Pier – but subsequent reclamations mean the hall is now inland. The City Hall Memorial Garden contains a shrine dedicated to those killed in World War II.
DISCOVER MOREHong Kong Maritime Museum enjoys a perfect location for its subject matter – sited at Central Pier No. 8, as part of the harbour that has been so instrumental in shaping Hong Kong through the centuries. It tells the story of the maritime history of the city and the Pearl River Delta, from early fishing communities to the Chinese Maritime Silk Route trade, from piracy and war to the development of the port of Hong Kong, from wooden junks to today’s mega-containers, and regularly stages special themed exhibitions – all against the backdrop of the actual harbour!
DISCOVER MOREHong Kong Park is a favourite spot for Hongkongers to take a break from the urban landscape, even if just to walk through it from one area of town to another. The eight-hectare park was built on the colonial Victoria Barracks, and some of the old barrack buildings have been preserved – one is now the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. Elsewhere, there is a focus on water, with an artificial lake and a waterfall; birdlife is abundant throughout the park, and it is home to many old and valuable trees – facilities include a conservatory and an aviary.
DISCOVER MOREThis is a green oasis just steps away from the bustle of Central, accessible through Albany Road, Cotton Tree Drive and Garden Road. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens were founded in 1871, so are of historical as well as zoological and botanical value. Within the grounds are 300 birds, 70 mammals and 20 reptiles housed in about 40 enclosures, and more than 900 plant species, most of them indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical regions. Facilities include a children’s playground, Education and Exhibition Centre and light refreshment kiosk.
DISCOVER MOREThe second half of the 20th century was the heyday of Hong Kong’s printing industry, much of it centred in Sheung Wan and Central. At one point there were more than 200 operations engaged in the trade. Modern technology has rendered traditional movable-type printing almost obsolete, but one operator, the Kwong Wah Printing Company, established in 1954, continues to use old equipment for which parts are no longer manufactured to print stationery and business cards with raised ink lettering. Proprietor Yam Wai-sang takes pride in keeping his machinery going and a tradition alive. Since June 2014 Movable Type Printing Technique has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Traditional Craftsmanship Domain.
DISCOVER MOREThe oldest temple in the area around Central district is dedicated to the Taoist Goddess of Mercy, Kwun Yum, who is also revered by Buddhists under the name Guan Yin. The temple was established in 1840, after an unusual piece of driftwood found on the shore of Hong Kong Island was deemed to be an incarnation of the Goddess. A master craftsman from Foshan was engaged to carve it into her likeness, and the temple was built to house it. Kwun Yum’s birthday, the date of which varies according to the lunar calendar, is celebrated in Hong Kong as a festival and attracts a large crowd of worshippers who kneel outside the temple to pay tribute. Since June 2014 the Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy) Festival has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events domain.
DISCOVER MOREFounded in 1952, Lan Fong Yuen is now one of Hong Kong’s most historic cha chaan tengs (tea restaurants), with its main restaurant located on Gage Street in Central. It started out in the style of a dai pai dong – a type of open-air food stall now increasingly rare in Hong Kong. Even though its main operation is now inside a building, its classic green stall is still preserved today. Lan Fong Yuen is said to be the origin of classic local beverages yuan yang and stocking milk tea. Popular options on its food menu include pork chop bun, French toast and chicken noodles.
DISCOVER MOREHong Kong’s world-famous nightlife district is home to around 100 restaurants, bars, clubs and shops. On the doorstep of the Central business district, Lan Kwai Fong is favoured by the city’s young elite, as well as tourists, who wine, dine and party at an eclectic array of venues, from American to French, Chinese to Thai. It is centred around the small lane of Lan Kwai Fong itself and surrounding streets; festivals are staged here, such as the annual LKF Beer & Music Fest and the LKF Carnival, while holidays are celebrated in style – the Halloween night revelries are legendary!
DISCOVER MORE“Lascar” is an English colonial word referring to East Indian sailors, and Lascar Row is where they lived in the early years of Hong Kong, on a lane located between Hollywood Road and Queen's Road Central. The sailors acquired artefacts in China which they sold locally, and over time an antique market developed in the area. The alternative name, Cat Street, is derived from the fact that stolen goods are referred to as “mouse goods” in Chinese, and the people who buy them are called “cats”. Today the area is much more salubrious, and here visitors can search for jade, porcelain, silk items, embroidery, wooden carvings and more.
DISCOVER MOREAlthough bars, restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops and other trendy businesses have transformed Sheung Wan in recent years, its long history as a centre for the artefacts and services associated with Chinese funerals is still in evidence in the form of several long established businesses. Leung Chun Woon Kee was founded in 1904 in Guangzhou, and is now one of the few remaining experts in Hong Kong in the venerable Chinese tradition of making embroidered burial garments, which often feature Chinese characters representing fortune and longevity, as well as auspicious animals such as bats, deer and cranes. Since June 2014 Traditional Funeral Rites has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events Domain.
DISCOVER MOREWith its roots dating back to pre-World War II Guangzhou, Mak’s Noodle is now run by a third-generation descendant of the Mak family and located on Wellington Street. The shop specialises in wonton noodles, and is a favourite of overseas journalists, having been covered by CNN and Time magazine, among others. Reputedly, the noodle recipe has remained unchanged since the time of the current Mak’s grandfather. The wontons are very traditional, filled with fresh shrimp, and come in teaspoon-size bites. The relatively small portion sizes mean that the noodles don’t sit in the broth for too long, hence won’t easily turn soggy.
DISCOVER MOREPart tailor’s shop and part community gathering place, Man Hing Tailor is owned by Master Yeung a veteran of the bespoke garment trade with more than half a century of stitching experience behind him. Still working mostly with tools of his trade he has used since the 1960s, Yeung is renowned for his special expertise in making traditional garments, from cheongsams to the amah’s uniforms which once provided much of his business. He is also a pillar of the neighbourhood community. Locals meet at his shop to chat, and in the afternoons to play mahjong. Since June 2014 Sewing Technique of Traditional Chinese Costumes in Hong Kong has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Traditional Craftsmanship Domain.
DISCOVER MOREAlthough there are several temples in Hong Kong dedicated to the Chinese Gods of Literature and Martial Arts, the Man Mo temple on Hollywood Road is the biggest, and in many respects the most remarkable. A major city landmark since its establishment in 1847, it is listed as a Grade 1 historic building and is preserved as a Declared Monument. This headily atmospheric temple compound is the focus for important Chinese ceremonies such as the Man Cheong Festival on the God of Literature’s birthday, and the Autumn Sacrificial Rites for which huge flower boards displayed at the temple are specially crafted. To pass through the portal and breathe in the incense is to step back from modern Hong Kong more than a century and half into the city’s past. Since June 2014 the Man Cheong (God of Literature and Bureaucracy) Festival has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events domain.
DISCOVER MOREWidely known as “Chop Alley”, Man Wa Lane is one of the most interesting of Hong Kong’s many trade-specific streets, known for the carving of ornate Chinese seals, but also as the place to go for more modern custom made rubber stamps. Either can be used to authenticate documents. The seal carvers began to take over the lane in the 1930s, and the trade continues to thrive there. Watch the master craftsmen create your unique personal seal with both extraordinary skill and surprising speed. Since June 2014 Seal Carving Technique has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Traditional Craftsmanship Domain.
DISCOVER MOREOriginally the Police Married Quarters, the historic site now known as PMQ was listed as one of eight projects under the government’s “Conserving Central” initiative in 2009. It was revitalised as a hub for creative and design industries, and is now home to a wide variety of creative enterprises, ranging from fashion and accessories to household products and designer furniture. Different kinds of markets, music events and exhibitions are staged throughout the year. The original layout of the police apartments is still evident, showing the modern, pragmatic approach with minimal decoration that was common in Hong Kong at the time.
The commonly used Chinese name of Pottinger Street translates as “Stone Slab Street” – and it’s easy to see why! The original section was built on a steep slope, and is composed of series of granite steps. The English name derives from Hong Kong’s first governor, Sir Henry Pottinger. The street was later extended onto reclaimed land; the old section, however, has kept its style, and is a popular venue for photo shoots and movie scenes; several of the shops here are wooden kiosks, selling mainly souvenirs and fancy-dress costumes, making this a favourite spot for Halloween shopping.
DISCOVER MOREAn authentic Sheung Wan institution, She Wong Lam has been serving medicinal snake products for more than a century, and can trace its origins back more than 115 years to an aspiring snake vendor named Lou Tai-lam who set up a stand in the street, later moving into a shop. The restaurant still has his original wooden sign, which reads “She Wong Lam”, meaning “Lam – The King of Snakes”. Loyal patrons come for the famous snake wine which is considered beneficial for rheumatic disorders and for the warming snake soup in the winter. Since June 2014 Snake Wine has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe domain.
DISCOVER MOREThe opening of the Central Mid-Levels escalator in 1993 led directly to the evolution of this traditional area into a trendy nightlife/dining district. Soho – the nickname comes from the fact that it is “south of Hollywood Road” – is mostly centred on Staunton Street and Elgin Street, though its influence has expanded into the neighbouring area. In these narrow backstreets are an array of international restaurants and bars, alongside boutiques selling avant-garde apparel, accessories and home décor, often by local designers, plus antique shops and art galleries. But the old survives – such as Man Mo Temple.
St John’s Cathedral stands among the high-rise buildings in the heart of the city’s financial district. It is the oldest surviving Western ecclesiastical building in Hong Kong, with its foundation stone laid by Sir John Francis Davis, the second British governor. The Anglican cathedral was completed in 1849 and extended in 1873. Its cross-shaped structure was modelled on the 13th-century Early English and Decorated Gothic styles. The building has been through many ups and downs through the city’s history, particularly the damage suffered when it was turned into a club house during the Japanese occupation.
DISCOVER MOREBordered by Connaught Road and Des Voeux Road, and split into two sections by Chater Road, Statue Square was created in the 19th century and until World War II was home to statues of various British royalty, including Queen Victoria. The only statue that remains is that of Sir Thomas Jackson, a head of HSBC in its early days. It is surrounded by various Hong Kong landmarks, including the former Legislative Council (currently as the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal), Hong Kong Club Building, LANDMARK PRINCE’S and Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Today, Statue Square is a popular spot for Central’s office workers to enjoy an alfresco takeaway lunch.
Central’s newest heritage attraction, opened in 2018, is also one of its oldest building complexes. Incorporating the Former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison, the earliest structures of the compound date back to 1864. Originally intended for the sterner purpose of maintaining law and order, Tai Kwun’s historic declared monuments, along with architecturally spectacular new structures, now house restaurants, cafes, shops and galleries, and the area is dedicated to cultural and recreational activities. Local people and visitors alike now stroll at leisure around the parade ground where the police once drilled, and the prison yard where felons exercised.
DISCOVER MOREThe Central Government Complex was opened in 2011, housing central government offices, the Legislative Council chamber and the office of the Chief Executive. Adjacent to the complex is Tamar Park. The district in which the complex sits is also known as Admiralty, named after the British naval dockyard that occupied the site; Tamar derives from HMS Tamar, the British naval ship that arrived in Hong Kong in 1897. The government buildings are a blend of Postmodern architecture and no-frills International Style; the park offers views over the harbour and includes landscaped gardens, a water feature, floating platform and an amphitheatre.
DISCOVER MORESharing the historic building of the Old Dairy Farm Depot with the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, the Fringe Club is a contemporary space for visual arts exhibitions and theatrical productions. The club has been avidly supporting the arts in Hong Kong since 1984 – both emerging and professional artists can use its facilities for exhibitions and performance rent-free. From musical performance and drama to poetry reading and art shows, it is the place to indulge in Hong Kong’s dynamic arts scene. The club’s roof garden is also a great spot for a drink and a quick bite.
DISCOVER MORELocated on the new Central Waterfront Promenade, the 60m-high Hong Kong Observation Wheel provides panoramic views over Victoria harbour. It is open from morning to late evening – and many say the best time to board for the most spectacular views on the 20-minute ride is at sunset. The promenade is another new facility, which offers an opportunity to stroll along and take in the panorama of the skyline and the busy harbour – and in summer, benefit from the cooling sea breezes. The walkway runs from the Star Ferry Pier to Admiralty, completed in 2017.
DISCOVER MOREThe Peak is probably Hong Kong’s most visited tourist destination. It stands sentinel over Hong Kong harbour, and offers 360° views across Hong Kong Island and beyond. The most iconic way to reach The Peak is by the Peak Tram, one of the oldest funicular railways in the word – inaugurated in 1888 – which travels up to a height of 396m. As well as strolling around the Peak circuit, visitors can visit the Peak Tower with its viewing galleries, Madame Tussauds, shops and restaurants. The Peak was the city’s most exclusive neighbourhood in old times – and is still home to many of its richest residents.
DISCOVER MOREJust a short ride from Central are several fascinating places that offer a more leisurely pace of life. There is even an indigenous village on Hong Kong Island – Pok Fu Lam Village, formerly home to the city’s first dairy farm. Close by is the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Béthanie Campus. Béthanie was opened as a sanatorium in 1875. After a series of restoration, it reopened in 2006 and features two performance venues, an exhibition hall and chapel. Also in the area is Cyberport, a digital community of over 300 information and communication technology companies that includes a shopping arcade and cinema, and which offers panoramic views over the beautiful harbour.On the south side of the island is Stanley, a seaside town famous for its market, bars and restaurants. The market is packed with stores selling clothing, accessories, jewellery, knick-knacks and ornaments. One of its famous historic sites is Murray House, a classical stone building erected in 1844 in Central – it was dismantled in 1982, rebuilt in Stanley in 2002 and is now home to restaurants and cafes. Just along the coast is Repulse Bay, Hong Kong’s most popular beach resort, with golden sands and safe swimming.
DISCOVER MOREUniversity Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) is located next to the main entrance of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on Bonham Road. While the museum occupies the entire Fung Ping Shan Building, the art gallery is housed in the lower three storeys of the TT Tsui Building. UMAG was opened in 1953, and receives support from donors, artists, collectors and the university. Its collections have grown to over 1,080 items of Chinese antiquities, notably bronzes, ceramics and paintings, while it also stages exhibitions of ancient and contemporary art. The opening of the HKU Station on the West Island MTR line in late 2014 has made it easier than ever to visit these attractions.
DISCOVER MOREWestern Market is the oldest surviving market building in Hong Kong. The red-brick Edwardian-style structure, which features a granite archway and distinctive corner towers, was completed in 1906, and run as a produce market until 1988. It was renovated and reopened in 1991, and today is home to cafes, restaurants, curio shops, and fabric merchants who were rehoused from stalls in neighbouring alleys. It is located in Sheung Wan, occupying a block between Connaught Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central – it can be easily accessed by tram on the latter street, and is in fact one terminus of the tramway.
DISCOVER MORELaap Mei, meaning “wax meats”, are a speciality of Southern Chinese gastronomy, and in the mid-twentieth century many of the Hong Kong artisanal preserved meat shops were clustered in Sheung Wan and Central. A small number of operators preserve the tradition in the district. Gourmets go to Wo Hing Preserved Meat Specialty for tasty Chinese sausages made from marinated pork or duck liver, and air-dried duck, goose and fish. With 60 years of heritage in the field, and production still carried out exclusively in Hong Kong, Wo Hing has a reputation for uncompromising quality. Since June 2014 Preserved Meat Making Technique has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Traditional Craftsmanship Domain.
DISCOVER MOREThe link between drinking herbal tea and good health has been recognised in China for centuries. Yuen Kut Lam was established in Guangzhou in the 19th century, and is famous for making Kam Wo Tea, a mild tasting medicinal blend of 28 herbs. Regarded by generations as a universal panacea, Kam Wo Tea was launched during an outbreak of plague, and became widely regarded as an effective antidote to colds and flu by the many people who grew up with boxes of it in their homes. The company is still family owned and operated, and the formula for the blend has remained unchanged for almost 200 years. Since June 2014 Herbal Tea has been listed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong in the Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe domain.
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