Old Town Central Area
From colonial buildings that reflect the city’s heritage to eclectic lifestyle shops like WOAW and Sevva and Amber, Central is a fascinating medley of East meet West; where traditions and innovation combine just like the city itself. The contrast is also apparent in the presence of newly painted murals on the walls of an old-school buildings all around the area.
Enjoy a bowl of Chinese dessert soup at Leaf Dessert while admiring the beautifully painted mural that serves as a backdrop.
Chow down on a delicious outdoor meal. What about a bowl of tomato macaroni soup perhaps, at the popular Sing Heung Yuen dai pai dong.
It might not exactly be Hollywood, but Hollywood Road has got a giant mural dedicated to the stars of golden eras which include the profile of well-known America musician, Frank Sinatra.
Tsim Sha Tsui Area
Known for the amazing harbour view at the Star Ferry Pier to vast shopping complexes, Tsim Sha Tsui has an exciting mix of attractions for locals and visitors alike. In this busy and popular district, you will find creative shops on smaller streets like Granville Road as well as charming little restaurants and bars that are hidden from the bustling district.
When there’s just the right mix of clouds and clear skies, Hong Kong’s sunsets become a dramatic backdrop. To catch a glimpse of the spectacular view, make a trip to Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui which is also a unique location for a shopping just right by Victoria Harbour. There are many vantage points at Harbour City to capture the approaching dusk.
Known for its fluid lines and soft curves which grace the distinctive Innovation Tower at the PolyU School of Design in Hung Hom. Designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the “tower” is actually a multifunctional academic building. Strike a pose in front of this futuristic building.
Mongkok Area
From the bustling activity of the wholesale fruit market in the wee hours of the morning and the buzz of trendy shopping centres like Langham Place; Mong Kok is a vibrant district at any time of the day. There are also tranquil alleyways and cosy cafes that contrast dramatically with the district’s otherwise hectic pace.
A bit of colour can truly brighten up a whole street, just like the Floral Stairs in Yau Ma Tei, close to the Yaumati Kaifong Association School. The concrete steps of this pedestrian corner are painted over in beautiful floral motifs, from red roses to sunflowers, tulips and lavenders. From afar, the stairs form a coherent and beautifully bright floral-themed mural. No wonder it’s such a popular photo-taking spot for amateurs and professionals alike!
Sham Shui Po Area
One of the earliest developed areas in Hong Kong, Sham Shui Po is seeing an increasing number of creative youngsters injecting new life into this old neighbourhood. The result? An intriguing district where graffiti art, textile stalls, modern cafés and art spaces thrive alongside traditional eateries and shops.
At the spacious House 41 cafe in Mei Ho House youth hostel in Sham Shui Po, the intense green corridors and vintage signs on the walls are reminiscent of a much earlier era. Matched with handsome black couches as well as patterned tile floors, the café oozes quirk and charm. It is also a fantastic setting for Wong Kar-wai-style photos.
There’s something mesmerizing about identical Hong Kong-style buildings that repeat themselves and Nam Shan Estate is one of the most spectacular. This public housing estate emits a haunting yellow-green glow at night and the grid-like units give the building a highly geometric structure. The estate is also home to some fantastic local restaurants and food stalls, including an egg waffle shop simply called P76 that sees queues on a nightly basis.
In an inconspicuous alleyway off Wong Chuk Street in Sham Shui Po stands a lone portrait of the beloved late Cantonese pop star Leslie Cheung. He is one of the most famous Cantonese pop singers that expanded his career to Korea. So it is no surprise that this iconic visual was created by a Korean street artist named GR1. Cheung was an actor as well as a singer, and his films and songs had an incredibly wide appeal beyond Hong Kong. He died tragically in 2003 but it is still mourned by faithful fans from around the world. If you are a fan of his, do explore this quaint alleyway.
Yuen Long Area
Why not spend a day exploring the natural beauty and charming villages of Yuen Long District? Surprise finds at Ping Shan include a walled village dotted with historical buildings. Within nearby walking distance is Tin Shui Wai where you can find modern satellite towns that are also home to an ecologically rich habitat for migratory birds. At dusk, head over to Lau Fau Shan for beautiful sunset scenes and fresh seafood to end your adventure.
The ridged pedestrian subway that links Yuen Long and Tai Kei Leng village is definitely a visual treat for the camera. The tunnel is painted in a vivid shade of green and it is lit up with a warm yellow tone making it feel like a surreal scene from a SCI-FI movie. The tunnel is long and narrow, making it perfect for action shots and selfies.
If you’re visiting Yuen Long on a sunny day, you wouldn’t want to miss the beautiful sunset at Ha Pak Nai beach. Capture the romantic glow of the day’s final rays reflecting off mangroves, fishponds and nearby waters. Also be sure to keep an eye out for the mudskippers and fiddler crabs that call Ha Pak Nai home.
HK20A Great Promotions
If you’re traveling to Hong Kong between now and 31 October 2017, you can enjoy a variety of fantastic deals in conjunction with Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) 20th Anniversary celebration. Smart deals include 20% off specific purchases or HK$20 attraction tickets for those born in a particular month, free special souvenirs from various attractions and more from participating establishments such as Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Disneyland, Madame Tussauds, and Ocean Park Hong Kong.
Get your 20th Anniversary Coupon Booklets from Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Tourism Board visitor centres and various hotels upon arrival. For more details on where you can collect a copy and the list of participating partners, please visit: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/plan-your-trip/latest-promotion/smart-deals.jsp