What to see
University Museum and Art Gallery
University Museum and Art Gallery (Xiānggǎng Dàxué Měishù Bówùguǎn) sheds light on the art of both the city and country, and having been built in 1953 it’s Hong Kong’s oldest museum. The museum holds over 1,000 pieces, including ceramic, bronze, jade, stone and wood items. Some of the collection dates as far back as 3,000 B.C., with pieces coming from the era of the Yuan Dynasty, and includes the world’s largest collection of crosses belonging to the Nestorian sect. You’ll also find Ming porcelain, decorative mirrors, religious items and pottery from the era between the Warring States Period to the Qing Dynasty at this museum, as well as more contemporary pieces.
Hollywood Road
Hollywood Road (Hé li Huó Dào) passes through some of Hong Kong’s most popular tourist spots, including Sheung Wan, Soho and Central, and it was one of the first roads to be built in the city while it was under British colonial rule. The Royal Marines of the British Navy built the road, and it was given its name in 1844, long before the famous Hollywood in California. Over a century later, it’s one of Hong Kong’s busiest streets and one of the city’s popular centers of trade. Over history, it was here that Chinese, British and European traders would come to pedal their wares, and you can still feel that spirit of trade today. The road is particularly popular with those interested in antiques, because some of the finest Chinese antique stores in the city are located here.
Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences
The Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences (Xiānggǎng Yīxué Bówùguǎn)) has a whole host of traditional medical tools and implements on display. An old autopsy table, apothecary chest and other items from the 1894 era, when Hong Kong was rocked by bubonic plague, are on display in the museum, where you’ll also find an exhibition comparing Western and Chinese medicine. The building itself is a historical structure reflecting the Edwardian architectural style, and once served as Hong Kong’s Institute of Pathology.
Man Mo Temple
The Man Mo Temple (Wen Wu) was built in 1874 during the Qing Dynasty by a wealthy Chinese trader, and today is one of the city’s most important historical temples, and also one of the most visited. Inside the temple you’ll find statues of Man and Mo, and the palanquins used to transport them during festivals. Man Tai, the god of literature stands with a brush in his hand, while Mo Tai, the god of war, stands holding a sword. The temple is of particular cultural importance, as it would be here that students hopeful of passing the official exams of the Chinese Empire would come to pray. The temple was also used as a court to settle disagreements which arose between the Chinese and colonial communities, and today, it remains under protection as an important historical site.
Possession Street
Possession Street (Shuĭ Kēng Kŏu Jiē) on Hong Kong Island holds an important place in both British and Hong Kong history. It was here in 1841 that commander of the British Empire’s Far Eastern Fleet, James John Gordon Bremer, placed a British flag on Hong Kong’s soil and declared it a British colony. Originally by the sea, since land reclamation work the street is now quite a way inland. At the top of the street, you’ll find the Hollywood Center and the Asia Art Archive. There are plenty of stores where you can pick up gifts and locally produced goods, and restaurants offering some of the best local cuisine, so be sure to make your way over to Possession Street while in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong University
Opened in 1911, Hong Kong University (Xiānggǎng Dàxué) is the oldest in the city. Among the distinguished institution’s most important graduates was Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, founding father of the Chinese Republic. As famous as this university built on a hilltop in the west of Hong Kong Island is for its education, it’s also well known for its promotion of culture and the arts. Within the campus, the University Museum and Art Gallery offers up a host of exhibitions and events, which are as popular with locals as they are with tourists. The university’s main building is the oldest on campus. Completed in 1912, the Colonial architecture features granite columns, a tall clock tower and several other towers. There are four courtyards on campus too, and the palm trees surrounding the main building are also quite striking.
Western Market
Western Market (XīGǎng Chéng) boasts the hallmarks of Edwardian architecture, and is really quite striking compared to the tall buildings of Hong Kong. The market is instantly recognizable by its colorful red bricks, and its granite arches and arched windows make it a particularly photogenic building. Completed in 1906, the building underwent restoration work in 1991, and is now one of the most popular shopping spots in the city, though it was previously only an annex to a larger group of buildings which made up the market. In any case, today Western Market is one of the City’s finest places to do some shopping, particularly for gifts to take back to your loved ones.
Wing Lee Street
Just beyond Man Mo Temple is Wing Lee Street (Yǒnglì Jiē), where you’ll find several buildings reflecting the Tong lau architectural style popular between the end of the 19th century and the 1960s. Compared to the rest of Hong Kong, these buildings are older in style, and you won’t find them anywhere else in the city. In 2010 they were to be demolished to make way for urban regeneration, but protests stopped this from happening. The 2010 Berlin Film Festival Crystal Moon Award-winning film Echoes of the Rainbow was shot on this street, which added to the protesters’ argument. Along with the attractive architecture of the street, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants to enjoy on Wing Lee too.
Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware (Chaju Wenwu Guan) was built in 1840, and has survived as a relic from Hong Kong’s colonial era. The building was previously used as the offices and residences of British commanders, and it boasts a rather elegant design. It was bombed twice by the Japanese during World War II, but was quickly repaired on both occasions. It belonged to the British until 1978, when it was then handed over to Hong Kong’s administration. The building itself is located in Hong Kong Park, and it also serves as a venue for wedding receptions. In 1984 the Museum of Tea Ware was established in the building and opened to the public. Here, you can watch traditional Chinese tea ceremonies take place, as well as see the tea pots and mugs used in Chinese tea culture on display.
Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Park (Xiānggǎng Gōngyuàn) is an oasis of greenery in the middle of the city, and features a modern design with some excellent facilities. You’ll find an aviary, a greenhouse, fountains, lotus ponds and playgrounds in the park, as well as the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong Visual Arts Center and a popular restaurant. The aviary is home to more than 80 species of bird and has been designed to mimic a tropical environment. There are free bird watching tours operated in the park too, which will lead you through its waterfalls, streams and ponds. Hong Kong is one of the world’s busiest cities, but this park is the perfect place to get away from the bustle and noise, and to take some time for yourself.
What to eat
Dim Sum
Dim sum are little parcels of steamed dough and can be made using a variety of ingredients, including red meat, chicken, mushroom or shrimp, and is a light, delicious dish that’s known around the world. To cook the dim sum, they’re placed in a special wooden basket which is then placed over a steamer. The name dim sum literally translates as “to touch the heart” and they’re a popular choice for breakfast and lunch, though they can be served at any meal. The varieties of dim sum will depend on the size of the restaurant, but they’re a quick, practical meal and are certainly worth trying while in Hong Kong.
Congee
This dish is made by cooking rice for hours in beef stock. Once the rice falls apart and the desired consistency is reached, pieces of shredded meat or seafood are added. Then, spring onions are added just before serving. Often served for lunch, the Chinese believe this dish to be the perfect cure for a cold. It’s better to try congee in smaller, more traditional restaurants in Hong Kong, as it’s more likely they’ll stay faithful to the dish’s traditional recipe.
