Discover Hong Kong's Pedestrian Pleasures
Exotic Shops, Sights and Sounds Reward Strollers
Feb 5, 2009
Most people go to Hong Kong looking for bargains like jade rings, digital cameras and Chinese cashmere. But tourists who spend all their time in the city’s monuments to mercantilism are missing the number one bargain.
Walking anywhere in Hong Kong – made up of Hong Kong Island (Victoria), Kowloon, the New Territories, Lantau Island and 235 smaller islands – reveals great diversity in terrain and land use. Most of the approximately seven million residents live on Hong Kong Island and across the bay in Kowloon, where it’s possible to set out in any direction, wander aimlessly and be totally fascinated by the sights and sounds along the way.
Hong Kong Island (Victoria)
One of the most interesting areas to tour is Victoria’s Western and Central District, where shops along each street specialize in a particular type of merchandise. For example, Wing Lok Street is lined with herbalists, with shopkeepers selling everything from dried sea horses to ground tiger bones.
Along Man Wa Lane, small stalls do a brisk business in carved name chops. Hillier Street is where the locals go in winter to get Chinese wine mixed with snake gall bladder. The potion is said to cure rheumatism and also to be an aphrodisiac
Hollywood Road is the street of the coffin and funeral wreath makers. Shops where burial garments are sold, as well as those dealing in paper items – houses, rickshaws and airplanes burned at funerals to insure the departed continue to enjoy earth’s comforts. Merchants on Lyndhurst Terrace sell Cantonese Opera costumes and embroidery.
Kowloon
The Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, stretching along the southern end of the Kowloon peninsula, offers spectacular views of Hong Kong Island. The promenade also passes by several popular attractions such as the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Kowloon is best known for its specialty markets. Among the most interesting, the Jade Market (Kansu and Battery Streets) consists of more than 400 stalls whose vendors sell jade, the quality of which ranges from precious to fake. Therefore, it’s not a good place for unknowledgeable buyers to do their shopping.
The walled Kooloon City Park (bus 1 from the Star Ferry bus terminal), built as a military outpost by the Qing government in 1847, is perfect for getting away from the markets hustle and bustle (open 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily).
From the Star Ferry terminal, ferry boats take passengers across the water to Kowloon at regular intervals, day and night.
Aberdeen
While the sights in Victoria and Kowloon are exotic, those in the fishing village of Aberdeen on the other side of the island are especially so. To get to Aberdeen, take a number 7 or number 70 bus from the Central Bus Terminus. The trip takes about 30 minutes, and in itself provides an interesting excursion.
Best area to explore is that bounded by Chengtu Road and Aberdeen Old Main Street on the west and east, respectively; Lok Yeung Street on the north and the harbor on the south. A Tin Hau Temple and warren of streetside stalls mark the junction of Aberdeen Reservoir and Aberdeen Main Road, a good place to begin walking. The temple, built in 1851 by the local fishing community, venerates Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven and Patroness of Seafarers.
Highlight of Aberdeen’s Old Main Street is the Chinese wedding shop. The gowns are always red, the color which signifies prosperity and good fortuneThe Ap Lei Chau Ferry Pier on Aberdeen Main Road is the place to board the ferry to Ap Lei Chau island, where people are welcome to watch traditional junks being built.
Since Aberdeen and most of the cities’ commercial streets are crowded, it’s important to be aware of one’s surroundings and to keep valuables in a secure place. Maps and brochures are available at the Hong Kong Tourist Association centers at the airport, Star Ferry Concourse, Connaught Centre and General Post Office Building.
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