Central & Western District

Spots

Lu Pan Temple

Situated at the hill slope north of Pokfulam Road and the east of Sands Street, there are some terraces which have once been among the favourite residential locations of the rich Hong Kong Chinese. Without direct traffic access, these fairly quiet terraces are characterized by low-rise buildings. Situated at Ching Lin Terrace (one of the terraces mentioned above), Lu Pan Temple was constructed in 1884 by a group of builders who were hired to build houses and villas for the rich. The temple has been renovated twice, in the years of 1928 and 1949. Most worshipers are building workers who come to the temple and pay their homage to the industry sage, Lu Pan, and to pray for his blessing. Worshipers celebrate the birthday of Lu Pan in June every year. After visiting Lu Pan Temple, tourists may walk along Sands Street towards the direction of the waterfront to Belcher Bay Temporary Park. Designed with the theme of sea navigation in mind, the park houses four simulated lighthouses, each of which has real, acetylene-gas powered lights that have served for over 25 years in the Tathong Channel. With plenty of amenity and sitting-out facilities, the Park is very popular among local residents.

The University of Hong Kong

A number of famous and historical education institutions stand in the Central & Western District, including this well-known university. Built in 1911, The University is one of the most famous in Far East. There were only 54 students studying at The University of Hong Kong in the first academic session, but since its establishment, the number graduates has exceeded 40,000 and many of them have since become elites in the government and indeed in all sectors of Hong Kong.

Many buildings of The University of Hong Kong are declared monuments, the oldest being the Main Building which was the sole building at the very beginning. The Main Building is spacious and symmetric in appearance. It features the granite columns of the Renaissance style of architecture and has a tower with four turrets on the top. Other noteworthy sites include the Hung Hing Ying Building, the historic Eliot Hall, the Tang Chi Ngong Building, the University Museum and Art Gallery, which has a rich collection of cultural artifacts and art masterpieces, and the University Hall, which was built in a blend of Tudor and Gothic architectural style and as used as a hostel for male students.

Dried Seafood Street

Sai Ying Pun is the well-known trading centre for salted fish and other seafood. Most of the seafood stalls lie in Des Voeux Road West, between Queen Street and Centre Street. Because the seafood trade is flourishing, the processing factories of many related products (such as salted fish and shark fins, sacks and reed products) are centralized in Sai Ying Pun. These factories are small in scale with only a few employees and are located in the residential buildings.

The Old Mental Hospital

Located in High Street, the Old Mental Hospital was built in 1892 as the dormitory for the European nursing staff of the civilian hospital. Later, the building was converted and became a mental hospital until 1961. The 2-storey brick building is constructed with Chinese tiles on the pitched roof and with grand arch granite verandas with ornamented railings at the front entrance. In 1992, the Antiquities and Monuments Office declared the building a historical monument. The building has since been redeveloped as a government complex containing a community hall and dormitories for single people as well as social welfare facilities.

Western Market

Situated on Morrison Street, between Des Voeux Road Central and Connaught Road and built in 1858, Sheung Wan Market is an Edwardian style building. In 1991, the Land Development Corporation carried out large-scale renovation of Sheung Wan Market which was later renamed Western Market. Among the buildings in the ever-changing Central District, this four-storey complex has a unique cultural and architectural style, and is dedicated to the purpose of selling handicrafts, cloth, Chinese food and art.

Man Mo Temple

Man Mo Temple was built in the mid-19th Century and is dedicated to the Taoist God of Literature and God of War, who are respectively, Man Cheung and Kwan Yu. Many worshipers come to visit this temple to pay their homage to the great gods. Lots of colourful religious articles and coils of burning incense packed the temple. According to legend, the God of Literature, Man Cheung is in charge of official ranks so many parents pay homage to him and pray for their children's academic success. Kwan Yu, the God of War, is a very brave, upright and faithful hero. Stories about Kwan Yu are described in detail in the famous historical novel, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'. The charitable Tung Wah Group of Hospitals holds an annual worship in Man Mo Temple which becomes the highlight of the activities of the temple in recent years.

The Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences

Located at the site of former Pathological Institute in Caine Lane, the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences not only provides a valuable education function, it also properly preserve medical apparatus with historical value. The building is one of the prime examples of Edwardian architecture and has been renovated. The majestic building is a declared monument and protected by law. Now, it offers many showrooms, a lecture hall and various special study facilities used by the public, schools, researchers and overseas visitors. On March 22, 1996, the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences was officially opened, celebrating the 90th anniversary of the building.

Lascar Row

Hollywood Road, Upper Lascar Row, Lower Lascar Row and Cat Street comprise the most famous antiques centre of Hong Kong. The name "Hollywood Road" is not intended to be synonymous with Hollywood, California, USA, of movie-production fame. Taking the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator, travelers can directly reach Hollywood Road. Walking along Hollywood Road towards the east, you can get to Cat Street which is a centre for curios stalls selling all kinds of oriental antiques, including Chinese antique porcelain, jewellery, silk ware and other handicrafts. In addition, there are many delicate and interesting treasures just waiting to be discovered. The area around Elgin Street and Staunton Street (to the south of Hollywood Road) features many different cuisines and is equal in stature to Lan Kwai Fong. Besides featuring stalls with rich oriental characteristics, various types of Western food are available here. Similar scenes are hard to find in other districts of Hong Kong.

The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator

The innovative Central to Mid-Levels Escalator is linked to Hong Kong MTR Station. The nearby attractions include the well-known Hollywood Road shopping area, the dining paradise of Elgin Street and Staunton Street and the residential buildings of the Mid-Levels. The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator not only relieves traffic congestion in the district, but also transports visitors to experience the local street scenes and to enjoy the various life styles the city has to offer. It also provides visitors with the chance to see the distinctive city views along the hill. It is the world's longest outdoor covered escalator, being 800 metres (2,600 feet) long in total with 20 sections and is used by 30,000 to 40,000 people per day.

Starts from Connaught Road Central to the terminal at Conduit Road.

Lan Kwai Fong

Located in the heart of the Central District, Lan Kwai Fong is a continuously developing, young and energetic community. Many unique bars and restaurants are available in Lan Kwai Fong offering Californian cuisine, Italian pizza, German beer, Vietnamese and Japanese food, Austrian dishes as well as other international cuisine. During the past years, all kinds of stores and restaurants along with cultural and entertainment venues have become established, making Lan Kwai Fong one of the most fashionable areas, attracting thousands of local and overseas visitors alike. In addition, there are street carnivals held in the Lan Kwai Fong area, especially at times such as Halloween, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Government House

Government House lies on Mid Levels, in front of the north entrance of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. It was the residence and main office of former Hong Kong governors. Government House, which was built in 1855, is famous for the azaleas planted throughout the gardens. Government House, originally built during the Victorian era, was expanded by the Japanese army during World War II and has been renovated several times since. After the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, Government House has been used mainly for receiving honourable guests. There are open days allowing public access to the gardens of Government House, during which time the public can enjoy its blooms free of charge.

The Court of Final Appeal

The Court of Final Appeal Building, originally built between 1842 and 1843, is a declared monument. It is built from red brick and granite which imbues it with a feeling of classic opulence, demonstrating the nobleness and simplicity yet grandeur of ancient Greece. During the Hong Kong colonial period, the building was the mansion of several former governors, tycoons and celebrities. It has also been used as the French Mission Building, the post-war temporary government headquarters, the District Court and the Supreme Court. It has been used as the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after its renovation in 1997.

Legislative Council Building

The Legislative Council Building was built between 1898 and 1910 and was used as the Supreme Court. It was listed as a declared monument in 1984. The east and the west of the building are Charter Garden and Statue Square, respectively. The Building has a grand look, mixing the architecture styles of China, the UK and Greece. Standing erect, on top of the building, is Themis, the Greek Goddess of Justice. The blindfolded Goddess has a sword in her left hand and a pair of scales in her right hand, representing the spirit of law - fair, strict and impartial. As the Hong Kong economy started to take off, the original facilities of the High Court fell short, so the government relocated it to its current site on Supreme Court Road in 1975. The original building was transformed into the Legislative Council Building, in which, Legco members discuss the affairs of government and handle official business. It is also an important landmark in the Central District.

City Hall

City Hall was the first large-scale entertainment venue in Hong Kong. It has become the landmark of the Central Waterfront as well as the centre of early Hong Kong cultural activities. City Hall houses the Recital Hall, Exhibition Gallery, the Library and the Marriage Registry in the High Block. The Lower Block is home to the well-equipped Concert Hall, Theatre, Exhibition Hall and several restaurants.

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

Located in Hong Kong Park, Flagstaff House originally served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong during the colonial period. It was converted to the Museum of Tea Ware in 1984. In addition to various types of Chinese tea, the Museum also exhibits modern and antique china tea ware. The Museum of Tea Ware is a preferred attraction for both local and overseas visitors because not only can they appreciate its range of Chinese cultural relics, they can also sample a wide range of Chinese teas.

Victoria Peak and Peak Tramway

Victoria Peak, 552 metres (1,817 feet) above sea level, is the highest point of the whole of Hong Kong Island. There are many panoramic views from the Peak, allowing tourists to enjoy the beautiful overlook over Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, most parts of the New Territories, the Outlying Islands and both the east and west seaways.

The Peak Tramway is one of the steepest cable railroads in the world. It carries passengers from the downtown of the city, passes the residential area of the Mid-Levels and then to the Peak. The Peak Tramway was put into service in 1888 and was improved in 1989 so as to provide world-class cable railroad services.

There are modern malls, restaurants, museums, theatres and various recreational facilities near the Peak Tram Station, each setting off one another while combining with the beautiful natural scenery of the Peak. The facilities here are comprehensive, allowing tourists to enjoy a leisurely day, and when the lights are turned on at sunset, one of the world's most spectacular nightscapes comes to life. It really is a pity if a tourist comes to Hong Kong without taking a journey on the Peak Tramway.

The Centre

Light shining on the outside wall is the hallmark of The Centre which has become the seaside landmark of Hong Kong Island because of its brilliant appearance. With 80-storeys and a height of 350 metres, The Centre is the fourth tallest amongst many buildings.

The HSBC Building

The headquarters of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation is a modern glass and steel building designed by the famous English architect Norman Foster. It is one of the most expensive buildings in the world and is on the world-class excellent buildings list.

The Bank of China Building

Designed by the world famous Chinese-American architect, I. M. Pei, the Bank of China Building is innovative, elegant and highly prasied. The building has 70-stories, is 369-metres high and is the third tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong.

Major Shopping Centre

There are a number of innovative, large-scale malls and department stores situated in the Central & Western District which can satisfy your shopping demands. Pacific Place, Queensway Plaza and the United Centre on Queensway are large malls hosting many local and international brands. In addition, many department stores are centralized in The Landmark, The Galleria, Pedder Building, Prince's Building, Chater House, International Finance Centre, Shun Tak Centre and Wing On Centre. Small hawker stalls sell inexpensive clothing and commodities.

Soho

Soho is the dining area to the south of Hollywood Road and is a must-go place for nightlife. Taking the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator, you can enjoy a huge range of international cuisine in Old Bailey, Staunton, Peel, Elgin and Shelley streets.