Located in the north of Hong Kong Island, Wan Chai is a district coexistent with the old and the new. It is one of the most distinctive districts with long history in Hong Kong.
As time went by, great changes have taken place in this area. Wan Chai has evolved into a thriving shopping center from a small fishing village. In 1950s, it was a serene residential area. In 1970s, with completion of the cross-harbor tunnel, it became the main path connecting Hong Kong with Kowloon and also the important transportation hub linking up the eastern and western Hong Kong. Now, Wan Chai is a cluster of high-rise office blocks and well-established department stores equipped with the most advanced and convenient public means of transportation including the subway, bus, electric car etc.
Wan Chai was made famous as the location of the 1957 novel and 1960 film The World of Suzie Wong. It was most people's impression that Wan Chai was lined with the sleazy bars and haunted by drunken soldiers. However, it is now described as the heart of the city representing the epitome of Hong Kong lifestyle. The favorite places for most visitors in this area are Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, the Bauhinia Square and Causeway Bay.
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center is one of the masterpieces of world class architectures Wan Chai boasts. Facing the harbor in Wan Chai, it is a building with the world's largest 'glass curtain', about seven stories high window. Numerous functions are held here each year including exhibitions, conventions, banquets and other special events. New Wing in the center once witnessed the significant moment when the regime of Hong Kong was handed over to its motherland in 1997. This unique sea-gull shaped hall lends much color to the beautiful Victoria harbor.
In front of the New Wing Hall is Bauhinia Square. The sculpture of the golden Bauhinia that was presented to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by Chinese State Council is pretty eye-catching. The flag-raising ceremony is held here each day. Just west of Wan Chai is the area known as Admiralty, a cluster of office towers, hotels and shopping centers.
In addition, Causeway Bay in Wan Chai is also worth visiting. It has the high concentration of the places of entertainment, featured restaurants and the various merchandises from the up-market goods to the medium ones, thus it is beloved by the white-collars. Paying a visit here can help you know more about the fashion trend. As the biggest shopping mall in Causeway Bay, Times Square leaves its dearest customers with more choices and surprises. When you feel tired, you may go to the Victoria Park for the rest. In the morning, local residents come here for the morning exercises such as walking, Taiji practice.
Apart from the modern architectures, Wan Chai maintains some distinctive historical buildings like the Wan Chai old Post Office, the oldest in Hong Kong, Hung Shing Temple, the one to worship Hung Shing and the Pak Tai Temple, dedicated to bronze statue of the numen of the fishermen.
Transportation:
A. Star Ferries: Tsim Sha Tsui to Wan Chai & Hung Hom to Wan Chai
B. Subway: Subway Island Land, Wan Chai station
C. Buses: No. 1, 2, 5, 6X, 8, 10, 11, 15, 18, 70, 76, 77, 81, 85, 720, 788, 789, A11, A12 or E11.
D. Tunnel Buses: No. 101 - 117, 170, 171, 182, 601, 603, 619, 671, 680, 692, 905, 914, 968 or 969
E. Green Minibus: No. 4A, 5, 6, 14M, 21A, 24A, 25, 28, 30, 31, 35M, 36X, 39M, 40, 56 or 69
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