Hong Kong - Wan Chai Travel Guides | Hong Kong | Sub Regions | Hong Kong - Wan Chai

In the old days, Wan Chai was dominated by the downright sleazy and although the area has cleaned up its act over the years – this is one of the best areas for entertainment and shopping – it’s still more earthy than Central and buzzing day and night. Lockhart Road, once the red-light district and legendary from its Suzy Wong days, has bars, clubs and restaurants plus a few hostess clubs and love hotels, while the parallel Hennessy Road is a thrift-shopper's heaven with dozens of small shops piled with knock-down designer gear – whose labels may or may not be genuine. The area nearer the harbour is home to huge institutions like the Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Academy for Performing Arts, plus one of the tallest and most kitsch skyscrapers in the world, Central Plaza.

Sights

18 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai. MTR: Wan Chai.

Hong Kong’s skyline contains the tasteful, the tedious and the downright tacky. Central Plaza is undeniably one of the most glitzy and garish buildings – all 78 storeys of it – in the territory. Its golden façade is reflected inside with over ornate decor and a huge, kitsch green marble motif at the entrance lobby, complete with mammoth palm trees. Finished in 1992, the plaza is a convenient walkway between the Convention and Exhibition Centre and Immigration Tower, and has the bonus of a public viewing gallery on the 46th floor.

221 Queen’s Rd East, Wan Chai. MTR: Wan Chai.

This beautiful old post office, in the heart of Wan Chai and all its chaotic little shops, was built in 1913 and is the oldest post office in Hong Kong. It was turned into an Environmental Resource Centre in 1993 and is the first of its kind here, aiming to encourage environmental awareness and ethics, although judging by people’s littering of the country parks, they have their work cut out for them.

183 Queen’s Rd East, Wan Chai.

While it appears like any other office block (and it is) this one has the advantage of a glass lift which travels on the outside of the building. Even if you decline the opportunity of afternoon tea at the revolving restaurant you can enjoy a couple of minutes travelling 40 floors while secretly wishing the lift would break down. l Take the regular lift from 3/F and change at 17/F to see the whole of Wan Chai beneath your feet until 57/F.

28 Kennedy Rd, Wan Chai, T 2522 8688, http://www.hkdesigncentre.org 1000-1900, closed Sun and public holidays. MTR: Wan Chai.

In addition to the range of design-related exhibitions since 2001, the Design Centre is an attraction in itself with a colourful history. It was built in 1896, then owned by the Indochine Bank in 1905, and occupied by the Japanese during the Second World War. It was returned to the Hong Kong Government in 1954 and since then has been used as a variety of educational establishments, and then by the Sino-British liaison group prior to the handover in 1997.

1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai, T 2582 888. MTR: Wan Chai.

Sitting on the Wan Chai waterfront is one of the world’s largest exhibition and convention centres. The stunning building has sweeping sails and huge glass windows, with a 40,000 sq m aluminium roof representing a seabird soaring into flight. It was the site of the 1997 handover, an event commemorated in the adjacent Bauhinia Square. The centre hosts trade shows, concerts and plays in its two convention halls and two theatres. Among the several cafés and restaurants, the Port Café has 270° views.

Expo Promenade, Wan Chai.

Built to commemorate the handover of power to China, the Golden Bauhinia, the emblem of post-colonial Hong Kong and on all coins and stamps, is a huge statue adjacent to the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Every morning sees the pomp and ceremony of the flag-raising parade, which takes place at 0750 performed by five officers in police uniform, to the National Anthem. On special days (1st, 11th and 21st of every month) the ceremony is carried out by officers in ceremonial dress, a rifle escort team and the police band.

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