A fresh Look at Hong Kong 2023 (2) – Hong Kong Island

This post is part of a series called Hong Kong 2023

A fresh look at Hong Kong 2023 (3) – Culture and Experience
A fresh Look at Hong Kong 2023 (2) – Hong Kong Island
A fresh look at Hong Kong 2023 (1) – away from the city

In all the time that I have spent in Hong Kong, I never really explored Hong Kong Island but I made an effort to make amends on this trip, starting with the western district.

Western District – vibrant street art

Most tourists don’t venture further west than Sheung Wan. Western District is not really a tourist destination, it’s more a local community where some traditional shops stand cheek by jowl with chic cafes and restaurants, where old-fashioned apartments nestle alongside swanky new ones.

I was thrilled to “discover” some splendid murals at Artlane near Sai Yang Pun MTR station. They’re comparable to those that I have seen in Lyon (France) Paphos (Cyprus) or Madeira and it has a quirky charm all of its own

Sai Ying Pun MTR station

At Sai Ying Pun MTR station, there’s some charming 3D artwork depicting Hong Kong in the bygone years. I was amused to note that people hurried past without a second glance, and then looked back in curiosity to see what I was photographing! I guess we don’t tend to notice things that we see everyday!

*3D artwork at Sai Yang Pun MTR Station*

East Coast Park Precinct

On a cross harbour tunnel bus I noticed this colourful open space just before the bus disappeared into the tunnel. I managed to find out that it’s called East Coast Park Precinct. I took MTR to Fortress Hill as directed only to find that it’s just down the road from Tin Hau Station!

East Coast Park Precinct was opened in 2021. There’s a huge art pavilion that reminds me of a Fabergé egg! The floating canopy in front of it is composed of 15,000 plastic ropes of different colours, made out of 30,000 recycled plastic bottle caps. That is awesome!

Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct

Next to East Coast Park Precinct is the Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct where traditional boats rub shoulders with modern yachts

Central District

Away from the obvious tourist attractions I came across 2 gems that I had previously overlooked.

Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is an oasis in the middle of the busy central district, a very pleasant place for a stroll for residents and visitors alike. It occupies the site Old Victoria Barracks and was opened in 1991.

The Edwardian 2-storey pink building, Wavell House, is now an Education centre

Another imposing building is Cassels Block which was part of the barracks for married British officers during the colonial days. It is now Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre

Tai Kwun

Tai Kwun is about a mile or 15 minutes’ walk from Hong Kong Park. It was transformed from the 19th century Central Police Station Compound in the British colonial days into an art-and-culture hub. Since its inception in 2018 it has also become a popular place for social gatherings.

South of the Island – Ocean Park

Ocean Park on the southern side of Hong Kong island which now has its own MTR station is a very popular tourist attraction.

It had been at least 20 years since I last visited Ocean Park. I’m afraid the revisit did not fill me with elation. It’s no longer a marine park as I remembered but a giant amusement park catering for young people. It’s just as well that I had a complimentary entrance ticket!

Having had fond memories of The Grand Aquarium I was eager to visit it again, to walk under the glass tunnel with sharks swimming overhead. Alas, this best part of it has been sectioned off as a restaurant! What a disappointment!