Central is the epicentre of Hong Kong and it is well-known as a glitzy financial district, jam-packed with skyscrapers. The district is full of history and stories, and is the birthplace of colonial Hong Kong. It reflects the evolution of Hong Kong from a sleepy British colony to one of the world’s great cities.
Here are five themed walking routes in Central and neighbouring Sheung Wan area that have been designed to reveal over 100 years of Hong Kong history.
The routes take you to colonial monuments, hip boutiques, and bars and local delicacies, with hidden gems at every turn.
Heritage: Time Traveller
The Central and Sheung Wan areas were where the story of modern Hong Kong began. From Possession Point, where the British flag was first officially raised, to the Tai Ping Shan area, where many Chinese first settled in the 1840s, this journey leads you through some of the city’s oldest streets and offers glimpses of what life was like when the future world city was still in its infancy.
Art: Crazy for Art
Take a stroll down the Hollywood Road, one of the oldest streets in Hong Kong, lined with galleries offering a huge range of artworks, from ancient to contemporary and from Asian to Western. Enjoy the creative graffiti art on the walls of the many side alleys leading off the street.
Dining: Tasting Hong Kong
Central is a paradise for food lovers, offering a world of choices only steps from each other. From traditional dim sum and international and fusion cuisine to local dai pai dongs (open-air food stall) and street food, there’s something to appeal to every taste.
Treasure Hunt: Hidden gems in back alleys
This route takes you to Upper Lascar Row, which has a fascinating mix of antiques; a blooming creative neighborhood on Tai Ping Shan Street and in the PoHo area, where design studios are nestled between teahouses; and the Bridges Street area, where you can find second-hand books, knickknacks and reminders of the city’s past.
Something for Everyone
Starting from Possession Street and ending at Pottinger Street, this walk covers the top landmarks and points of interests from each thematic route and is ideal for those who have limited time to explore the area.
You can also explore more of Hong Kong’s Old Town Central here.
