Hong Kong Island Walk

A day walking Hong Kong Island

It consists of three main regions: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, along with more than 200 outlying islands.

Compared to the other regions, Hong Kong Island stands out for its blend of modernity and tradition, luxurious lifestyle, central role in finance, and natural landscapes. This contrasts with the more local, vibrant culture of Kowloon and the rural, scenic appeal of the New Territories and outlying islands.

Many popular tourist destinations were close to my hotel, so I walked to my first destination, the Central-Mid-Levels Escalators, the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, connecting Central to the Mid-Levels.

This is the Sheung Wan area on Hong Kong Island.

Arrived at the closest tramp station, but I kept walking to the escalators.

The escalators

This store was nearby, so I entered to see what was inside.

On to the elevators

The first escalator

The end of the first escalator and the beginning of the second escalator.

Went on to the second escalator

Back side

The third escalator

After the third escalator, there are side stairs to the Tai Kwun.

At the top of the stairs is the Parade Ground in Tai Kwun, which means “Big Station” in Cantonese. This revitalized cultural and heritage center comprises the former Central Police Station,  Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison. The Parade Ground is an ample open space within this complex.

Central Magistracy is a large complex comprised of new and landmark buildings, art shows, antique stores, and bars and eateries.

The former Police Station – is now a museum.

Inside the former Police Station are small museums. One museum displays the interiors of common people’s homes from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Another museum was on the history of this building as a police station.

Out of the Police Building

Walked into the Central Magistracy Building

Back side

Walked past the Central Magistracy Building and went behind the building

Behind the building is the former site of Victoria Prison

Out of the prison and walked behind it

The prison yard

Came back to the Parade Ground

and walked out of the Tai Kwun

Front of the Tai Kwun area is Hollywood Road

I took the Mid-Level Escalator again and went one more level to the SoHo area of Hong Kong.

SoHo is a trendy area in Central, Hong Kong, renowned for its cosmopolitan vibe. The neighborhood is home to a mix of international restaurants, chic bars, and art galleries, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

A side street

Another side street

The next destination is the Man Mo Temple

Some kind of activities for kids

After a short walk, I reached the Man Mo Temple.

The temple is surrounded by many tall buildings.

Man Mo Temple is one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most revered temples, located on Hollywood Road in the Sheung Wan district on Hong Kong Island. It is dedicated to the worship of two deities: Man Cheong, the god of literature, and Mo Tai, the god of war.

Built in 1847 during the Qing Dynasty, Man Mo Temple reflects Hong Kong’s early colonial period. It was established as a place of worship where scholars, students, and people from the literary community prayed for success in civil examinations and academic achievements.

Man Mo Temple remains a working temple where locals come to pray, light incense, and make offerings. It is also a popular site for tourists interested in Hong Kong’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

After the temple, I walked toward the hotel where I stayed because it was nearby.

This was where I started walking at the beginning of this walk.

At the tram station, I took a tram to the Peak Tram station. From there, I wanted to take the Peak Tram to the Peak Tower.

I exited the tram at the Central Business District (CBD) and then walked toward the Peak Station.  The Central Business District is the city’s financial heart in Central, where global financial institutions, multinational corporations, and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange are headquartered.

At the across the street is the Peak Tram station

There were many people waiting for the Peak Tram, so I decided to come back another day.

I walked to the nearby bus station

I had time left, so I decided to go to the Wan Chai area to see the Blue House. I had seen it on YouTube and thought it looked worthwhile, but I didn’t know what that building was for. I took a bus from here and got off at the Wan Chai area.

At the Wan Chai area, while walking toward the Blue House

On the way to the Blue House, among the buildings, there was a road that led to a small square, so I walked toward it.

There was a music contest for little kids.

I resume the walk again to the Blue House

The Blue House

The Blue House is a historic building that has been preserved and revitalized as part of a cultural and heritage conservation project.

The Blue House was built in the 1920s and is a rare example of a tong lau, a type of tenement building that was common in Hong Kong in the early 20th century. The architecture blends Chinese and Western styles, typical of that period.

The Blue House is not just a preserved building but has been transformed into a living heritage museum and a community hub. It houses cultural exhibitions, community events, and programs aimed at preserving and promoting Hong Kong’s cultural heritage.

Again, walked back to a bus station or tram station

On the way, I pass by this out door market