Choose Your Own Adventure
Has your team got some time for themselves? Are they looking to indulge their inner wanderlust? Old Town Central is an exciting neighbourhood with boundless offerings packed with adventures. Whether your people are on the hunt for local nibbles or looking to party with the best, there’s literally something for everyone. Allow them to take the time to wander and explore the streets of Old Town Central, discovering all the best experiences in this vibrant and dynamic area. Here’s our guide to Old Town Central’s sights and attractions, categorised by types of travellers.
Treasure Hunter
A mash-up of the old and new, there are hidden gems tucked on every street corner and alley in Old Town Central. If your teams are on the hunt for Chinese antiques, 31. Upper Lascar Row is bursting with everything from jade gems and Buddha statues to classic Bruce Lee posters. Another hotspot is 32. Select 18 (14 Tung Street, Sheung Wan, Central, +852 2858 8803), a treasure trove of vintage goods like old Polaroid cameras and vinyl records. 33. Bang Bang 70s (16 Aberdeen Street, Central, +852 6461 7448), as the name suggests, offers groovy clothing and memorabilia from the 70s. Go back in time with the old-school crockery found at 34. Chu Wing Kee (24 Possession Street, Sheung Wan, +852 2545 8751), or visit 35. G.O.D (48 Hollywood Road, Central, +852 2805 1876) store at Hollywood Road for Hong Kong-themed souvenirs to take home.
Fashionista
Visitors to Hong Kong can spruce up their wardrobes and experiment with new styles with pieces from fashion-forward boutiques in Old Town Central. If you want to explore the local fashion scene, head to 36. PMQ (PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St, Central, +852 2870 2335) where you can find local designers showcasing their creations, or step next door onto 37. Aberdeen Street (Aberdeen Street, Central) to browse around in independent designer label boutiques. Experience a blast from the past at 38. Yan Shang Kee (Ground Floor, No.4 Wing Lee St, Central, http://yanshangkee.hk/) where your colleagues can rent a fashionable classic qipao from the 1960s and 1970s.
Foodie
While Hong Kong is a renowned international food paradise, nothing beats the local flavours. Old Town Central is home to many home-grown eateries that offer authentic dishes. For a traditional dai pai dong experience, pop along to 39. Sing Heung Yuen (2 Mee Lun Street, Central, +852 2544 8368) to tuck into their signature crispy buns with lemon and honey and tomato noodle soup before trying 40. Lan Fong Yuen’s (2 Gage St, Central, +852 2544 3895) famous Hong Kong-style milk tea. Explore Hong Kong exclusive and out-of-this-world flavor combinations and book a small private party at 41. Gelato Messina (37-43 Pottinger Street, Central), or nourish yourself with some five snake soup at 42. Ser Wong Fun (G/F, 30 Cochrane Street, Central). Get acquainted with Cantonese classics like succulent roast goose at one Michelin star 43. Yat Lok Restaurant (34-38 Stanley Street, Central, +852 2524 3882), beef brisket noodles at 44. Kau Kee (G/F, 21 Gough Street, Sheung Wan), and congee and dough fritters at the half decade old 45. Law Fu Kee Noodle Shop (140 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, +852 2541 3080)
Art Lover
Art can be found beyond gallery walls, thanks to the creative talents of local and international street artists who have turned the city streets into their personal canvases. See masterpieces like South Korean graffiti artist Xeva’s mosaic-style mural 46 (Tank Lane, Sheung Wan), done as a tribute to Bruce Lee, or Italian artist Barlo’s 47. Pet of the Archaeologist (18 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan) Also don’t miss Japanese celebrity Shingo Katori’s vibrant, colourful creation featuring a dragon 48 (Intersection of Hollywood Road and Shelley Street) and Russian artist Pasha Wais’ multicoloured mural 49 (26 Square Street, Tai Ping Shan, Central) stretching around Square Street. Visit galleries by global artists scattered throughout different floors of 50. H Queen's (80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, +852 2343 1738), or head to 51. Art Lane, Sai Ying Pun (Chung Ching Street, Sai Ying Pun, +852 8200 3788) to walk through this ‘gallery’ of street art.
Time Traveller
Traces of history can be found scattered around Old Town Central and your team can step back in time at any of these heritage landmarks. Experience old Hong Kong by using AR technology and downloading the app 52. City in Time on Hollywood Road (97 Hollywood Road, Central), learn about Dr Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary contributions to shaping Hong Kong at the 53. Sun Yat-sen Museum (Mid-levels, 7 Castle Road, Central, +852 2367 6373), or dig into Hong Kong’s news reporting history at the Asia’s first exhibition and education facility with news as the main theme, 54. Hong Kong News-Expo (2 Bridges Street, Central, +852 2205 2233). 55. The Duddell Street steps (Duddell Street, Central) is a historic stone staircase where you can see the last remaining gas lamp in Hong Kong. Marvel at the Edwardian-era architectural building that houses 56. Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences (2 Caine Lane, Mid-Levels, +852 2549 5123; hkmms.org.hk) and learn about the development of medicine in Hong Kong over the years.
Movie Buff
Hong Kong has produced its fair share of cinematic classics thanks to legendary directors like Wong Kar-wai. Relive iconic scenes from movies such as Chungking Express at the 57. Mid-Levels Escalator (Jubilee St, Central) or take home a Chinese cheongsam from 58. Linva Tailor (38 Cochrane Street, Central, +852 2544 2456), which famously made the gorgeous costumes for Wong’s romantic drama In the Mood for Love.
Spiritual Guidance
From Chinese temples to Catholic cathedrals, Hong Kong is home to places of worship for different religions. Many are historical landmarks that are well worth exploring. Come by and pray for good fortune for the whole team at some of the oldest temples in the city. Estimated to have been built between 1847 and 1862, the more than 170-year-old 59. Man Mo Temple (124-126 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, +852 2540 0350) is well-preserved with granite pillars, engraved wooden plaques and ancient mural paintings. The temple pays special tribute to the God of Literature and the God of War and is heavily visited by worshippers. There are also several smaller temples on 60. Tai Ping Shan Street dedicated to deities promising benefits like wealth and good health. Rebuilt in 1915, 61. Jamia Mosque (30 Shelley Street, Mid-Levels, Central, +852 2523 7743) is Hong Kong’s oldest mosque and a testament to the history of Hong Kong’s Muslim community. You can see English Gothic style architecture at the 62. Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (16 Caine Road, Mid-Levels, Central, +852 2522 8212).
Party Animal
No visit to Hong Kong is complete without taking part in the city’s famously vibrant nightlife scene. 63. Lan Kwai Fong, the infamous party central, is buzzing with restaurants, clubs, and bars ranging from classy high-end joints to more humble settings. Your team can’t decide which to go for? It doesn’t really matter as most of the partying takes place on the streets! Best of all, it’s a safe environment with very few reports of trouble. Alternatively, SoHo has a multitude of award-winning bars and speakeasy-style drinking joints for you to visit. Locals and expats alike tend to mingle on 64. SoHo’s famous sloped steps for drinks and late-night hangouts.
Old Town Central
Teamwork in Action
Challenge Central!
Dining
