With it’s many skyscrapers Central is probably Hong Kong’s most iconic neighborhood. Central is home to the Hong Kong business centre and is therefore a good place to start your Hong Kong adventure. Sheung Wan on the other hand is known as Hong Kong’s hipster neighborhood. Admirality..

This walk combines both neighborhoods and takes in total approximately 2 hours and 55minutes. The total length is about 12.8km spread over an entire day. Click here for the complete route on Google Maps. The route starts at the MTR station Central exit D2.

A quick glance

• Start the day with an iconic Milk tea breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen
• Sample authentic Chinese tea at Lock Cha Tea House
• Do it for the gram at Hollywood Road G.O.D store
• Get spiritual at the Man Mo temple
• Go antique shopping at Upper Lascar Row
• Visit the historical Pak Sing Ancestral Hall
• Chill out at Sun Yatsen memorial park
• Experience the unique Dried Seafood Market
• Taste Hong Kongs best Beef Brisket at Kau Kee Food Café
• Ride the Mid Level escalators, the longest escalators in the world
• Ride the Peak Tram, Asia’s oldest funicular railways
• Enjoy Hong Kong’s most iconic view at Victoria Peak
• See the Hong Kong flower in the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical gardens
• Pay a visit to Hong Kong Park
• Spot some birds at the Edward Youde Aviary
• Discover western heritage at St John’s cathedral
• Get your Feng Shui going at Cheung Kong Park
• Experience some vertigo at the Bank of China tower
• Cross the urban Chater garden
• Stroll around Tamar park
• Enjoy sundown at the touristic Hong Kong Observation Wheel
• Have a cocktail at SEVVA rooftopbar
• Indulge in the famous roasted goose of Yat Lok Roast Goose
• Try a Hong Kong Eggtart dessert at Tai Cheong Bakery

Start the day with an iconic Milk Tea breakfast at Lan Fong Yuen

If Hong Kong would have an official national drink it would be the milk tea (奶茶). Outside of Hong Kong the drink is even referred to as Hong Kong style Milk Tea. This combination of black tea and strong condensed milk can be enjoyed either hot or cold. The milk tea is typically enjoyed at a Cha Chaan Teng(茶餐廳), translated as tea restaurant, intended for locals and expats to eat as an alternative to the high-end European restaurants.  Lan Fong Yuen started in 1952 as a Dai Pai Dong (street cart) and is therefore one of the oldest Cha Chaan Tengs in Hong Kong.  Their classic milk tea is typically enjoyed with their just as famous pork chop bun and toasted condensed milk bun. They consider themselves to be the creators of the pantyhose milk tea. This is a version of the popular drink that gets strained through a pantyhose-like mesh. Their milk tea has become so popular that it is even sold at 7/11 and shops all around the world.

Address: 2 Gage St, Central

Opening hours: 7.30AM-6PM

What to order: Milk tea, pork chop bun, toasted condensed milk bun

Price: 5USD

Sample authentic Chinese tea at Lock Cha Tea House

The Lock Cha Teahouse is the place for a Chinese pot of tea. They have made it their mission to search in remote areas to find the finest of teas. No worries if you possess a limit knowledge of tea; employees can help you with your choice. Except for delicious tea the tea house is also famous for their vegetarian dim sum. The tea house is an excellent place to escape the hectic Hong Kong life.

Address: g/f, the k.s. lo gallery, Admirality

Opening hours: 10AM-10PM

Price:

Do it for the gram at Hollywood Road G.O.D store

This spot is one of Hong Kongs most picturesque spots. This mural graffiti is one of Hong Kongs most photographable spots. The artist, Alex Croft, depicted old townhouses as a commissioned piece for the lifestyle brand G.O.D. around the corner. Now the mural painting has become a highlight on its own.

Address: Hollywood Road

Get spiritual at the Man Mo temple

Dating from 1847 the Man Mo Temple is the biggest Man Mo Temple and one Hong Kongs most famous urban temples. It is still a commonly used temple for the locals to pray to the god of literature (Man) and the god of war (Mo). Parents are likely to be praying for their children’s school success. On the ceiling you might notice the spirals of incense; their smoke is intended to bring the prayers to the gods.

Address: 124-126 Hollywood Road

Opening hours: daily from 8AM-6PM (free entrance)

Go antique shopping at Upper Lascar Row

Upper Lascar Row is the place to be for antique shopping in the city. Those looking for some nice, authentic souvenirs might find something among Chinese calligraphy, and the popular Mao and Bruce Lee items.

Address: Upper Lascar Row

Visit the historical Pak Sing Ancestral Hall

This temple is one of the oldest buddhistic temples in Hong Kong. The words Pak Sing mean people and this temple was meant to serve as a temple for the people. In the 19^th century it was a common wish for the Chinese to be buried at home. This temple was built in 1856 to store corpses while they are waiting for their burial in China. It also served as a public ancestral hall for families who could not afford the expense of bone repatriation. Those families have erected 3000 memorial tablets of their ancestors in a room behind the altar.

Address: 40 Tai Ping Shan Street

Opening hours: 8AM-5PM (free entrance)

Chill out at Sun Yatsen memorial park

This park lays on the harbor with a marvelous view over the skycrapers. At first sight you can see that this is one of the more modern parks of Hong Kong. In the middle of the grassfield you can find a statue of young Sun-Yatsen. The local artist depicted the moment where Sun-Yatsen is about to return to Wuhan after being banned from China and succeeding the revolution.

Address: 18 Eastern Street North

Opening hours: 7AM-11PM

Experience the unique Dried Seafood Market

These little streets in the Sheung Wan district are packed with stalls selling dried foods such as; medicines, dried herbs, dried meats and dried seafoods. This market is colorful and above all extremely fragrant, making this an unique experience to have in Hong Kong.

Address: Des Voeux Road

Take the Starferry to Central

Cross the Victoria Harbour like they did back in de colonial times? The Starferry was the main facilitation to cross the harbor since the 18^th century. The company Starferry was founded in 1898 named after the ferries that all had a star in their name. Even with the existence of the MTR the starferries are still a very common way of transportation. Enjoy the ride with the amazing view both in the day and at night.

Address: Central Ferry Pier 7

Opening Hours: 6.30AM-11.20Pm

Price: mon-vr 2.50HKD, sa-sun 3.40HKD

Taste Hong Kong’s best Beef Brisket at Kau Kee Food Café

At Kau Kee Food Café you can find the best beef brisket in Hong Kong, if not in the world. The store originated in the 1930’s and has been added to the Michelin guide Hong Kong recently. Expect a large queue and to share a table, however the delicious broth and the tender meat make up for distress.

Address: Ground Floor, 21 Gough St, Central

Opening hours: Monday -saturday12.30 PM-10.30PM (sunday closed)

What to order: Beef brisket soup with noodles

Price: 5USD

Featured in: Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand & Opinionated About Dining (OAD)

Ride the Mid Level escalators, the longest escalators in the world

The longest escalators in the world are a creative construction to commute the residents from up hill Mid-levels to the down hill business center. From 6AM-10AM the escalators descend and the rest of the day they go up. They daily transport up to 85.000 residents and are in total 792 metres long. Ride a few escalators and imagine using this as daily transportation.

Address: Starting point at 100 queen’s road central, ending point at conduit road mid-levels

Opening Hours: 6AM-00AM

Ride the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, Asia’s oldest funicular railways

The Peak Tram and The Peak are one of the most touristic places in Hong Kong. The tram commuting since 1888 will bring you to the 552meter high Victoria Peak. Pick a clear day to enjoy the view. The view is best both in the day and at night.  If you feel like escaping the busyness go to Victoria Peak park.

Address: 128 Peak Road

Opening Hours: tram rides from 7AM-12AM

Price: 28HKD one-way

Enjoy Hong Kong’s most iconic view at Victoria Peak

See the Hong Kong flower at the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical gardens

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical gardens is one of the oldest zoological and botanical gardens in the world, and opened in 1871 as the oldest park in Hong Kong. Various mammals, reptiles and birds can be found in this mini zoo. Try to spot the Bauhinia Blakeana the flower of the Hong Kong flag in the Bauhinia Garden in the Green House.

Address: Albany Road

Opening hours: 5AM-10PM, Greenhouse: 9AM-4.30PM

Price: Free entrance

Pay a visit to Hong Kong Park

The Hong Kong Park is an oasis of tranquility surrounded by the fast paced life of the business center. In the park can be found the Tai Chi garden to relax and the SARS Memorial to remember the virus that interrupted Hong Kong life in 2003. Spot Birds in the Edward Youde Aviary. The park is a popular spot for wedding couples to take couples due to the proximity of the nearby wedding office Cotton Tree Drive.

Address: 19 Cotton Drive, Central

Opening Hours: 6AM-11Pm, aviary 9AM-5PM

Price: Free entrance

Spot some birds at the Edward Youde Aviary

The Edward Youde Aviary inside Hong Kong Park is the largest aviary in Hong Kong. It features a collection of 600 birds representing 80 species indigenous to Southeast Asia.

Address: 7 Kennedy Road, Central

Opening times: 9AM-5PM (free entrance)

Discover western heritage at St John’s cathedral

Dating back from 1847, this is the oldest existing western building in Hong Kong. The territory is the churches property, which is unique in Hong Kong where all the territory is owned by the government. It certainly stands out from is skyscraper neighbors.

Address: 4-8 Garden Road, Central

Opening hours: mon,tues,thurs frid 7AM- 6PM, wed 7AM-6.30 PM, sat & sun 7AM-7.30PM

Price: free entrance

Get your Feng Shui going at Cheung Kong Park

The Cheung Kong Centre is the home office of one of the wealthiest businessmen in China, Li Ka Shing. Next to the centre you can find the Feng Shui made Cheung Kong Park. The small garden includes several ponds and cascades with benches for visitors to experience the tranquility.

Address: 2 queen’s road, central

Experience some vertigo at the Bank of China tower

Seen as a thorn in the eye, this is no locals favorite skyscraper. The building has a very distinct shape and design, caracterisezed by the triangular frameworks covering the entire building. Take your passport and go up to the 43th floor for an inside view.

Address: 1 garden road, central

Opening hours: ma-fr 8AM-8PM, sat & sun 8AM-2PM

Price: free entrance with passport.

Cross the urban Chater Garden

Stroll around Tamar park

The designs of the Legislative Council and Government Offices resemble a bridge and symbolize the idea that their doors are always open and that people are connected. The Tamar Park symbolizes the forever green country.

Address: 1 legislative council road, Central

Opening hours: 9AM-6PM

Price: free English tour Tuesday at 3.30PM and Sunday at 11AM

Enjoy sundown at the touristic Hong Kong Observation Wheel

A ride in the observation wheel will provide you with an unique view over Victoria Harbour and Kowloon. A ride takes about 20 minutes and is very special at sundown. As I always say it is a very touristic thing to do, but it is touristic for a reason.

Address: 33 Man Kwong Street, Central

Opening Hours: 11AM-10.45PM

Price: 100HKD

Have a cocktail at SEVVA rooftopbar

SEVVA is a rooftopbar in Hong Kong located on the 25th floor of the Prince’s building. The bar offers a 360 degrees panoramic view over the city. Since the place is very popular with both locals and tourist reservations are recommended.

Address: 25/F, Prince’s building, 10 Chater Road, Central

Opening hours: monday-saturday 12AM-8PM

What to order:

Price:

Indulge in the famous roasted goose of Yat Lok Roast Goose

Roast goose is a dish that many people associate with Hong Kong. The way they roast meat and bird is considered a culinary art from by Anthony Bourdain. Participate in the infinite discussion who does it better: Yat Lok Roast Goose or Kam’s Roast Goose. Both obtained a Michelin Star, but are slightly different in taste. The original Yat Lok In Tai Po was visited by the famous Anthony Bourdain before it relocated to Central. If we believe Anthony this goose alone is a reason to fly all the way to Hong Kong for.

Address: Hongkong, HK 香港島 中環 士丹利街34-38號金禾大廈地鋪

Opening hours: ma-sat 10AM-9PM (closed on Wednesdays), Sun 10AM-5.30PM

What to order: Roast goose leg over rice or noodles

Price: 15 USD

Featured in: Infatuation, Opinionated About Dining (OAD), Anthony Bourdain (Parts Unknown) & Michelin *

Try a Hong Kong Egg tart dessert at Tai Cheong Bakery

As one of Hong Kong’s staples, a sweet egg tart is a another definite must eat. Creamy custard is packed in a golden buttery crust and resembles the Portugese egg tart. This particular one is said to be the favorite egg tart of former British governor Chris Patten. Very important (!): Make sure to get them when they are fresh from the oven.

Address: 32 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central

Opening hours: 9.30AM-7.30PM

What to order: Egg tarts

Price: 10 USD