Wan Chai
- by
- Isabel Foo
Sitting on the north shore of Hong Kong, Wan Chai (literally translated as “small cove”) was one of the first developed areas on the island. Densely populated, and bounded by Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street west and Bowen Road to the north, the neighbourhood gained infamy as Hong Kong’s red light district. The go-go bars along Lockhart Road are a testament to its seedier past, but modern day Wan Chai offers much more than company for lonely sailors. With a thriving restaurant scene, more coffee shops than you can shake a stir stick at, and a unique mix of old and new, it’s a neighbourhood that offers enough to fill both your Saturday night and Sunday morning.
La Station
Cheong Fun Wang
Odd One Out
Okashi Galleria x Calbee Plus
Monocle
Capital Cafe
Kasa
Classic Canto. Modern twist.
Cosmos Books
Hopewell Centre elevator
Pak Tai Temple
Coffee Academics
Kapok
Leekeestore
Bowen Road Fitness Trail
Motorino
Bread & Beast
Nlostnfound
Tak Yu Cha Chaan Teng
Enjoy a HK milk tea at this HK cafe
LA CREMERIE
The best French cheeses in Hong Kong
Explore more neighborhoods
Pak Tai Temple
- Address
- 2 Lung On Street
Another one of Wan Chai's Grade I historic buildings, the Pak Tai Temple was built by local residents in 1863. Its namesake—known as Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven (玄天上帝)—was a prince of the Shang Dynasty over 3,000 years ago. A great spot for photography, it's the biggest temple you will find on Hong Kong Island.