From rickety squatter huts, to pioneering public housing and 21st century flats, Shek Kip Mei Housing Estate has witnessed a fascinating transformation over the past 60 years.

Mei Ho House once formed part of this estate, Hong Kong’s oldest public housing complex. Of a total of 29 concrete blocks built in 1954 to re-home thousands affected by a recent fire, Mei Ho House is the only one still standing today, and is an example of the now-rare H-block shape (two residential wings linked by communal facilities).

Regenerated by the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (YHA), this Grade II historic building reopened to the public in October 2013 as the YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel. It now contains the Heritage of Mei Ho House museum, showcasing Shek Kip Mei’s public housing history through the 1950s to 1970s through a mixture of donated exhibits and first-hand anecdotes from former residents.

The museum is open to the public as well as hostellers, free of charge.

Beautiful H shape building of Mei Ho House in Sham Shui Po. Photo credit: adrg.com.hk

Address: Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
Tel:+852 3728 3500
Website: www.yha.org.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Sham Shui Po Station Exit B2. Walk along Pei Ho Street to Tai Po Road.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Guiding the world’s largest nation out of thousands of years of monarchic rule and transforming it into a republic was no small feat, which makes the museum dedicated to the man responsible for doing this even more fascinating. Dr Sun Yat-sen was educated in Hong Kong, and the city served as his base for the 18 years that led up to him officially declaring the Republic of China in 1912.

Housed in the restored Kom Tong Hall (now a Declared Monument) the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum relives the epoch-making accomplishments of this extraordinary revolutionary, offering exhibition galleries that trace his life and close relationship with Hong Kong.

Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail
Further insights into Dr Sun’s life can be found on the Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail. Information plaques dotted along the way explain interesting landmarks relating to his life in Hong Kong.

Dr Sun Yat-sen was a world-renowned revolutionary who devoted his entire life to overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and setting up the Republic of China. Photo credit: nicholaskitto.photoshelter.com

Address: 7 Castle Road, Central, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 2367 6373
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Central Station, Exit K. Cross the pedestrian tunnel next to the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong to the Hong Kong City Hall. The City Gallery is right next to the Low Block of Hong Kong City Hall.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Curious what a rapidly-changing city like Hong Kong looked like a century ago? Or how it might look like in three decades’ time? If there is one constant in the story of Asia’s world city it’s not just change but dynamic change. City Gallery showcases this with interactive exhibitions that bring to life the urban planning proposals and infrastructure projects set by the Hong Kong Government.

The gallery consists of 55 interactive exhibits spread over five floors that take visitors on a journey that examines the uniqueness of Hong Kong and shares the city’s vision for future urban planning and infrastructure.  

On the ground floor you will see comparisons and other metropolises by reviewing parameters such as population densities and skyscrapers. Moving to the first floor, you will hear residents of Hong Kong – from high-school students to business executives – talking about what the city means to them.  On the first floor you can watch an interesting history of urban development in Hong Kong, with audio and visual complemented by a dynamic map.

On the second floor, look out for the fascinating model of Hong Kong’s complex underground infrastructure system and sit inside a simulator to experience driving along the transport networks that Hong Kong has planned for the future.

The third floor provides an immersive audio-visual introduction chronicling the remarkable past development, and planned future of Hong Kong. On the fourth floor is the Resource Centre, which has a collection of books and periodicals related to planning and infrastructure.

Occasionally you will find temporary exhibitions on the ground floor, covering topics that complement the gallery’s permanent exhibits. You can also register at reception for a QR code, which can be used to personalise your experience of the exhibitions, from automating language selection to bookmarking exhibit content to your email address.  

Find out more about Hong Kong’s history and future urban planning in the City Gallery. Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Address: 3 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 3102 1242
Website: www.citygallery.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Central Station, Exit K. Cross the pedestrian tunnel next to the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong to the Hong Kong City Hall. The City Gallery is right next to the Low Block of Hong Kong City Hall.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Do you know the strange rituals of Hong Kong’s earliest triad secret societies? Have you wondered what an underground heroin laboratory looks like? Interested in knowing what type of motorcycles were used by Hong Kong Police in the 1960s? Hong Kong Police Force has seen a lot since it was established in 1844. And it’s all shared in the Police Museum. From the head of a tiger that killed an officer in Sheung Shui to the weapons confiscated from modern-day gangsters, the museum showcases the history of the Hong Kong Police and the crimes they’ve tackled since the 19th century.

Visit the Police Museum for some interesting facts in the criminal world. Photo credit: en.tripadvisor.com.hk

Address: 27 Coombe Road, The Peak, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 2367 7821
Website: www.police.gov.hk

How to get there:

• Bus 15 (from Exchange Square to The Peak). Get off at the stop between Stubbs Road and Peak Road.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

From 1953 to 2002, the fireboat Alexander Grantham served as the flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's fireboat team, responding to fire alarms and conducting rescue operations in Hong Kong's bustling waters and along its shoreline. The vessel is an enduring witness to the history of Hong Kong's sea rescue services, and a testament to the achievements of Hong Kong shipbuilding in the 1950s.

The Alexander Grantham is open to the public in the purpose-built Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, which showcases a number of unique firefighting artifacts and illustrates marine rescue work in Hong Kong.

Fireboat that has been transformed into a gallery. Photo credit: ovolohotels.com

Address: Quarry Bay Park, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 2367 7821
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• Tai Koo MTR Station, Exit E. Walk through City Plaza and then cross the footbridge into Quarry Bay Park. The entire walk takes approximately 10 minutes.

• Sai Wan Ho MTR Station, Exit A. Walk around 10 minutes via the Hong Kong Film Archive to Quarry Bay Park.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Four floors dedicated to state-of-the-art film storage and preservation, exhibitions and screenings of old Hong Kong classics and films from around the world. Head here to catch rarely seen flicks or just to soak in the magic of Hong Kong’s glamorous cinema history. Film buffs beware — you might never get out of the Resource Centre, which houses voluminous books, magazines, newspapers and audio-visual materials. 

The archive helps to preserve the rich heritage of Hong Kong cinema with the support of the industry and the public.

Hong Kong Film Archive building in Sai Wan Ho. Photo credit: fso-createhk.gov.hk

Address: 50 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong Island
Tel:+852 2739 2139
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR Sai Wan Ho Station Exit A, walk through Tai On Street to Lei King Road for five minutes.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Sitting proudly on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is dedicated to promoting local art while also shedding light on China’s long cultural legacy. The Hong Kong Museum of Art underwent a major renovation and reopened in November 2019 with a new annex block and an expanded programme. Spread across 10,000 square metres, the museum has a vast collection of over 17,000 artefacts including Chinese antiquities dating back to the Neolithic period and works by seminal artists such as Wu Guanzhong, who was widely regarded as the father of modern Chinese painting. The museum is also known for its work in charting the development of Hong Kong’s art scene, which, although still relatively young, has already proven to be a force to be reckoned with.

Stunning Hong Kong Museum of Art building in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo credit: sassymamahk.com

Address: 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel:+852 2721 0116
Website: www.lcsd.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR East Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit L6 or J;

• MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station Exit E; or

• you can also take the Star Ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui and walk to the museum. It's about 10 minutes.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

It’s time once again for another Corona Diary story straight from one of our Hello Hong Kong Tour guides. Today, we will feature one of our female tour guides who is originally from the UK. She first came to Hong Kong in 1997, fell in love with the city and lived here ever since. She is non-other than our tour guide Jane. Jane is one of our very passionate guides who loves showing all the beautiful places in the city. Her warm and friendly vibe will definitely make any tour fun and something to remember.

Jane loves to travel like everyone else. In fact, she just had her recent trip to Argentina. She came back here in Hong Kong just in time before the lockdowns and quarantines are imposed. Being a responsible Hong Kong citizen, she did her own 14-day quarantine at home. Now that she is back and the city is strictly observing social distancing, What keeps her busy in the midst of this crisis?

Hello Hong Kong Tour guide Jane, having fun on her Lantau hike in Hong Kong.

On a normal day, you are usually out on the streets showing our guests the beauty of Hong Kong. Given the travel restrictions imposed by several countries. How are you spending your time now?

I have been going on some lovely hikes exploring new places and keeping my distance from others.  I've also been cooking lots of lovely home-made food to keep me healthy

We know that you also suffer from wanderlust. When this Pandemic is finally over, and you can go anywhere where will your wanderlust take you and why?

I was very lucky to have an amazing holiday to Argentina this year, I love exploring new places and it was a great adventure - even though a very very long way from Hong Kong

After the world comes out of this dark time and that everyone can travel to Hong Kong again what is the first thing or place you are most excited about showing our guests and why?

The Star Ferry is one of my favourite things to do in Hong Kong, it's such a lovely way to cross the harbour with amazing views and feels like you are going back to the old days with the staff still wearing traditional uniforms

What is the one thing that you this very unfortunate event has taught you?

I think after the world returns to "normal" people will value their lives better, their families and friends and in general being thankful for the little things

#instagood #repost #hongkong #china #hk #adventure #welltraveled #travelstoke #ilovehk #hellohk #hongkongtour #hktravel #hongkonger #hongkongese #welovehongkong #explorehongkong #meetthelocals #instagood #photooftheday #hk #tourism #travelbug #natgeotravelpic #lonelyplanet #hellohongkongtours #streetsofhongkong #homekong #privatetour #specialtour #personaltour #customisedtour

Po Kee is familiar to anyone who’s lived in Western District as it’s been a feature here for over 40 years and for many local residents a bowl of rice noodles (Lai Fan) with roasted duck leg remains a cherished childhood memory. To prepare his own roast meats, the owner built a factory behind the shop when he moved to the current address. Regulars know to come before 2pm which is about the time the pork sells out each day. Pre-ordering is allowed.

Signature dishes include Roasted Duck and Roasted Goose.

Michelin Award: Bib Gourmand

Po Kee, community’s favourite BBQ Roast Meat shop in Western District. Photo credit: dayanlife.com

Address: Shop P, G/F, 425 Queen's Road West, Shek Tong Tsui, Western District (1-min walk from Exit B1, HKU MTR Station)
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30 - 20:00, Sun: Closed, Public Holiday: 11:30 - 20:00
Online reviews: Michelin Guide - OpenRice

 

Michelin Award: Bib Gourmand

UNDERSTANDING THE MICHELIN AWARDS

STAR: Coveted by many chefs but bestowed upon only to an excellent few. Getting a star (or three) could change the fate of a restaurant.

BIB GOURMAND: Good quality, good value cooking.

Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.

PLATE: Fresh ingredients, carefully prepared: a good meal.

In 2016 a brand new L’assiette or The Plate symbol was launched to recognize restaurants that 'simply serve good food'.

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Michelin Guide for the content.

This family-run shop has been feeding hungry locals with Cantonese noodle soup since 1994. It prides itself on its signature beef brisket – braised one night ahead and steeped in a spiced marinade overnight for silky tenderness and deep flavours. Their oven-grilled char siu is made with pork shoulder and pork neck and has a juicy, springy texture thanks to the fine marbling. The deep-fried wontons also earn unanimous praise.

Michelin Award: Bib Gourmand

Eng Kee noodle shop in Sai Ying Pun has been running for generations. Photo credit: gourmetkc.blogspot.com

Address: GF, 32 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Western District, Hong Kong (3-min walk from Exit B2, Sai Ying Pun MTR Station)
Telephone: +852 25407950
Opening Hours: Mon - Sun: 09:00 - 19:00
Online reviews: Michelin Guide - OpenRice

 

Michelin Award: Bib Gourmand

UNDERSTANDING THE MICHELIN AWARDS

STAR: Coveted by many chefs but bestowed upon only to an excellent few. Getting a star (or three) could change the fate of a restaurant.

BIB GOURMAND: Good quality, good value cooking.

Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.

PLATE: Fresh ingredients, carefully prepared: a good meal.

In 2016 a brand new L’assiette or The Plate symbol was launched to recognize restaurants that 'simply serve good food'.

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and Michelin Guide for the content.