- 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
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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.
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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
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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!
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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!
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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!
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Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct
Next to East Coast Park Precinct is the Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct where traditional boats rub shoulders with modern yachts
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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.
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The Edwardian 2-storey pink building, Wavell House, is now an Education centre
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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
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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.
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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.
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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!
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The cable cars are still a thrill to ride on and there’s the “new” Ocean Express train to get back to the lowland.
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The view of Aberdeen is nice but Ocean Park is not really a place for the more mature!
I gladly put myself in the pictures of my recent “discovery”! Others in this series
https://gotthefridgemagnet.com/?p=13241
https://gotthefridgemagnet.com/?p=13527
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