Elliyani
If a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, then every man has to visit Hong Kong for its food and heritage offerings. While the men eat, the women on the other hand can take the time to shop.
With financial buildings lining the Bay Area of Central on Hong Kong Island, the remaining heritage buildings, like the open-air wet markets and various trinket shops, start showing only further inland. The sight projects an image of Hong Kong as a hub for heritage and development. But this may not be for long due to extensive redevelopment plans, such as the revamp of Hong Kong’s Graham Street Market – the country’s oldest open-air market.
“Old” Hong Kong, beaten and run-down, is sporadically spread out and “new” Hong Kong is prominent. The towering sky-scrapers and nostalgic dilapidated houses give every tourist a reason to visit Central.
Take the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) to Central station; exit at D2, and kick-start the one-day tour.
Breakfast that offers a different vibe
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the 25-year old Law Fu Kee, which specialises in congee and noodles. Housed in an old premise, patrons stream in constantly for the eatery’s famed congee and wanton noodles. But stick to the tried and tested beef congee, HK$21 (S$4) and friend wanton, HK$25 (S$5).
Law Fu Kee
Ground Floor, 144 Queen’s Road Central
Opening Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm
Heritage trail, in an old market
Graham Street Market sees Caucasians and Cantonese-speaking stall vendors co-existing in harmony. The 140-year-old market stretches uphill and while many won’t be picking up poultry or fresh vegetables, they come to be amazed by its stores that sell anything from dried goods to vintage accessories.
The area is listed as a redevelopment project under the Urban Renewal Authority, hoping to inject life into the crumbling architecture while retaining an open-air market atmosphere.
Having spent six years in Hong Kong, Kenny Coyle, 42, editor of regional business magazine MIX, said, “It would be a shame for Central to become a monument to big banks rather than portray the everyday lives of ordinary people.”
He also expressed his scepticism about the redevelopment saying, “After the revamp, visitors may be disappointed to see just another modern international district with very little attachment to history.”
Vintage shopping galore
If you’re done exploring the market, exit the lanes and weave through smaller streets for some thrift shopping.
From Queen’s Road, delve deeper into Li Yuen Street East and West to find shops that offer value-for-money goods. Jade and Jewellery Co. sells intricate gold, silver and jade jewellery at affordable prices. Jade authenticity certificates are also available upon request.
Another shop, Me & George, specialises in second-hand vintage apparels from Japan. A vintage dress is priced from HK$10 (S$2), while vests cost a mere HK$30 (S$6).
Jade & Jewellery Co.
Rear Shop, Ground Floor, 55 Queen’s Road
Central, Li Yuen Street West
Closed on Mondays, 10am to 6.30pm.
Tel: 852 2523 0798
Me & George
9 Li Yuen West Street, Central, Hong Kong
(opposite H&M)
Open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 9pm.
Tel: 852 2501 0186
Walk for exercise, history and antiques
Just before lunchtime, take a trip up the Mid-Levels Escalator, which was built since 1994.
The series of 1km-long escalators form the world’s longest outdoor glass-covered escalator system and provides covered transport along the steep incline between Central and the Mid-Levels.
The escalators can be seen in the 2008 Batman film, The Dark Knight. Antique junkies can do a stopover at Hollywood Road, the second intersection along the escalator, which many affectionately name “Antique Street”. An innumerable amount of Buddha sculptures and Mao-related memorabilia beam at passers-by. Have fun haggling for the best bargains and identifying knock-off goods!
Teatime Mecca
Between 2pm and 6pm, Hong Kong transforms into a teatime mecca, where cafes like Café de Coral at Melbourne Plaza offer delectable set meals at affordable prices from HK$15 (S$3) onwards.
Many foodies head for the famous Tsui Wah restaurant for a serving of the slightly savoury toasted bun with creamy peanut butter, HK$15 (S$3). Top it off with ice-cold Hong Kong style milk tea to complete the experience.
Alternatively, try the condensed milk version or its famous French toast – deep- fried peanut butter sandwiches topped with a slice of butter and a huge dollop of honey.
Amuse yourself by watching the locals eat and leave the restaurant in a matter of minutes in their typical quick-paced style.
Tsui Wah
15-19 Wellington Street, Central
Tel: 852 2525 6338
Dinner is served
Have your dinner at The Frying Pan, Hong Kong’s first 24-hour breakfast diner, which whips up delicious and wholesome American breakfasts.
The sheer variety in the menu will leave you spoilt for choice and their side dishes such as the spiced apples and herbed potatoes that accompany the sets are delicacies worth dying for.
The retro-styled furnishings truly brings out vibes of the 50s, with booth seating, cushioned seats, blue-tiled table tops and framed monochrome pictures.
The Frying Pan
Ground Floor,
9 Old Bailey Street, Central
Tel: 852 2140 6333
Boogie Wonderland
Hong Kong is much more image-conscious than Singapore. So dress up if you’re going for a night out in town.
Guys should wear a proper shirt while the ladies can deviate from the usual little black dresses and adopt more adventurous dressing styles.
Lan Kwai Fong, a popular part of Central, is synonymous with alcohol and parties. Head to Fong, a two-storey bar where many come to “see and be seen”. This is where both the locals and expatriates come to mingle and dance to funky music.
Janice Sou, 19, a polytechnic student who visited Fong on a regularly back during her internship days said, “Fong always had a fun-loving crowd.
“I would usually find myself on the second level with my friends as there was always a DJ there and had a more chilled-out vibe.”
Alternatively, you can groove the rest of the night away in Club 9, a spacious club cum balcony bar for another round of drinking and partying. Two giant 360-inch screens project music videos of the hottest hits, enhancing the visuals and musical vibes of the club. Liquid buffets are available every Friday for HK$200 (S$38).
Central is the best spot to soak up Hong Kong’s nightlife. What could be more thrilling than dressing up for a big night of pub-crawling? All the expats in the territory seem to descend in Lan Kwai Fong.
Mr Coyle, a Scotsman who enjoys going to pubs, and has watched the development of the city’s nightlife intently, said, “Lan Kwai Fong’s nightlife has outgrown itself and appears to be expanding.”
The area is filled with bars, clubs and restaurants such as ones like the Italian- styled restaurant-bars, Tivo and Divino. With so much going on, Lan Kwai Fong is the spot to hit before you move on to the Wan Chai area where the party never ends.
Fong
Ground Floor, 34-36 D’Aguilar Street, Central
Tel: 852 2801 4946
Club 9
3rd Floor, The Galleria, 9 Queen’s
Road, Central, Hong Kong
Monday to Saturday, 9pm to 5am
Tel: 852 2973 6899
Tivo
43-45 Wyndham Street
Tel: 852 2116 8055
Divino
73 Wyndham Street
Tel: 852 2167 8883
Sidebar
Tip: Planning your first trip to Hong Kong? According to a website by BBC, drop by during the months of October, November or December for plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies. Beware of costly hotel rates during the months of March and April!