Savor the Old Hong Kong - Cultural Photo Trip at Central and Sheung Wan
Hong Kong is famed for its mixed culture of the East and West, and a stroll around the Central and Sheung Wan districts is the perfect way to savor this East-meets-West, Old-meets-New characteristic of the city. A walk through the old streets and the beautiful colonial architecture will bring you back in time to the good old days of Hong Kong. The photo trip this time starts at Central MTR station, followed by a walk through several characteristic streets and ends at Sheung Wan MTR station. This approximately 1-hour leisure walk has a lot to see and capture - from streets and alleys, local stores to historical temple, and is a perfect weekend activity for those who want to discover the unique charm of old Hong Kong.
Take Exit C at Central MTR station
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/5.6 • 1/1250s • ISO 200
Modern skyscrapers can be seen amid the old buildings in Central. The contrast between old and new best represents the unique characteristic of the district
Modern skyscrapers can be seen amid the old buildings in Central. The contrast between old and new best represents the unique characteristic of the district
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/5.6 • 1/200s • ISO 400
Turn left after leaving Exit C of Central MTR station, walk past Li Yuen Street East and West and you will arrive at the first stop - Pottinger Street, aka Stone Slabs Street. It was named after Henry Pottinger, the first Governor of Hong Kong. Because of the steep slope, the street was paved with granite stone steps to make it easier to walk on while both sides of the street could still allow for water drainage. This street paved with stone slabs is well preserved till now and has over a hundred years of history.
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/140s • ISO 400
Stalls lining on both sides of the street selling stuffs that we don’t usually see or use. For example, this stall is specialized for selling buttons of all kinds
Stalls lining on both sides of the street selling stuffs that we don’t usually see or use. For example, this stall is specialized for selling buttons of all kinds
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/50s • ISO 400
Central is a community shared by Chinese and Western people. We can see stalls selling Halloween props and costumes weeks before the festive day
Central is a community shared by Chinese and Western people. We can see stalls selling Halloween props and costumes weeks before the festive day
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/1200s • ISO 400
Turn into Lyndhurst Terrace after visiting the Stone Slabs Street
Then take the mid-levels escalator
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/140s • ISO 400
The mid-levels escalator is kind of a landmark of Central and Sheung Wan in recent years. Going from Conduit Road to Des Voeux Road Central, it covers over 800m in distances and is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world
The mid-levels escalator is kind of a landmark of Central and Sheung Wan in recent years. Going from Conduit Road to Des Voeux Road Central, it covers over 800m in distances and is the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world
On the way up you will see the Former Central Police Station and Victoria Prison Compound. The buildings are currently under renovation to become an art space
Leave the escalator at the exit next to Marks and Spencer
Go back a bit to Hollywood Road. Then turn left (towards Sheung Wan direction) and continue ahead
You will pass through this graffiti wall at Graham Street which is a popular check-in location, as well as two old food stalls Kung Lee and Leaf Dessert later on. Kung Lee is situated on the ground floor of a tong lau and has a high ceiling of approximately 4m, while Leaf Dessert siting on a slope offers a one-of-a kind food stall experience unique to the Central and Sheung Wan districts
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/250s • ISO 400
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/200s • ISO 400
Next we come to PMQ at Aberdeen Street
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/200s • ISO 400
Before revitalization, PMQ was the former Police Married Quarters. Former Chief Executive Donald Tsang who was born in a police family lived here too when he was young. Today, PMQ is a hub for creative happenings, hosting various kinds of exhibitions and activities on a regular basis as well as offering space for up-and-coming artists to sell their works
Before revitalization, PMQ was the former Police Married Quarters. Former Chief Executive Donald Tsang who was born in a police family lived here too when he was young. Today, PMQ is a hub for creative happenings, hosting various kinds of exhibitions and activities on a regular basis as well as offering space for up-and-coming artists to sell their works
After the visit, you can take the lift at the back of PMQ to leave
Take the stair down to go back to Hollywood Road
Turn left and continue ahead
Arriving at the Man Mo Temple (currently under renovation but is still open for visit). It is said that at old times when people needed to take an oath, they needed to do it in the temple, write down the sworn statement on yellow paper, burn it and chop a live chicken’s head off
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/60s • ISO 800
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/125s • ISO 800
After the visit, continue onto the Hollywood Road
Go into the alley opposite to Upper Station Street
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/25s • ISO 400
After leaving the alley you will see Chu Wing Kee grocery store, where you can find a lot of old fashioned household items such as rattanware and kettle
After leaving the alley you will see Chu Wing Kee grocery store, where you can find a lot of old fashioned household items such as rattanware and kettle
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/40s • ISO 400
Bunches of rattanware hanging from the ceiling
Bunches of rattanware hanging from the ceiling
EOS 70D • EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS • f/4 • 1/15s • ISO 400
A variety of bowls seen in many costume movies can be found here
A variety of bowls seen in many costume movies can be found here
Walk through the bottom of this flyover
Then follow Bonham Strand and Hillier Street to go back to Sheung Wan MTR station - the finishing point of the photo trip
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