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Everything You Need to Know about Wan Chai in Hong Kong
- Where is Wan Chai?
- What is the main street in Wan Chai?
- How to get to Wan Chai?
- What to Do and See in Wan Chai
- Take pictures at Golden Bauhinia Square
- Visit Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple
- Explore Starstreet Precinct
- Appreciate local art at Hong Kong Arts Centre
- Check out The Blue House
- Where to Eat and Drink in Wan Chai
- Samsen
- The Optimist
- Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
- Where to Shop in Wan Chai
- Lee Tung Avenue
- Tai Yuen Street Market
- Where to Stay in Wan Chai
- The Harbourview
- Burlington Hotel
- FAQ
Forget what you’ve heard about Wan Chai. Gone are the days when it was dubbed as the city’s notorious and dangerous red light district.
Now, it’s one of the most dynamic and vibrant neighborhoods where you can explore an eclectic mix of historic landmarks and modern hotspots. From interesting architecture and waterfront views to street markets and local eats, you won’t run out of spots to check out in Wan Chai!
Where is Wan Chai?
Wan Chai is on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. It’s bounded by Bowen Road to the south, Gloucester Road to the north, Canal Road to the east, and Arsenal Street to the west.
What is the main street in Wan Chai?
The best streets to check out in Wan Chai are Queen’s Road East and Tai Yuen Street. On Queen’s Road East, you can see the neighborhood’s historical landmarks and other attractions.
Meanwhile, Tai Yuen Street is where the shoppers go. Here, you can find many hawker stalls and boutiques offering a wide array of goods and trinkets.
How to get to Wan Chai?
Closest subway stop: If you’re coming from Central, take the Island Line and get off at Wan Chai MTR Station. It’s a super quick trip because you’re off to Wan Chai’s streets after about three minutes.
What to Do and See in Wan Chai
Take pictures at Golden Bauhinia Square
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Address: 1 Expo Dr, Wan Chai
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
One of the most iconic landmarks you can’t miss in Wan Chai is the Golden Bauhinia Square.
It’s a 20-foot-tall golden sculpture of a blooming Bauhinia flower (the flower emblem in HK’s flag) set outside the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Many tourists come here to see and take pictures of the symbol of Hong Kong’s reunification and handover to China in 1997. This place is also a great spot to appreciate the harbor vistas.
Visit Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple
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Address: Lung On St, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2573 2086
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5 PM
Built in 1863, Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple is one of the largest temples in the city. It’s an important historical landmark that mirrors Wan Chai’s identity.
The main star of this temple is the Pak Tai statue in the main hall. It’s a three-meter bronze statue that’s almost 400 years old now. Pak Tai, also called Yuen Tin Sheung Tai (Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven), is believed to have the power to abate disasters.
The temple also features multiple halls dedicated to a variety of deities, such as the Dragon Mother, the God of Wealth, and the Three Pristine Ones.
Explore Starstreet Precinct
Address: Between St. Francis Street and Wing Fung Street
If you don’t mind exploring crowded streets to experience the real Wan Chai, Starstreet Precinct should be on your must-visit list. It has the district’s busiest streets like the Star Street, Wing Fung Street, St. Francis Yard, and more.
At Starstreet Precinct, you can discover a diverse variety of boutiques, cafes, and bars. Besides that, there’s a line up of small galleries and hip home and design shops perfect for those looking for lifestyle goods and gifts.
Appreciate local art at Hong Kong Arts Centre
Media Credit: hongkongartscentre
Address: 2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2582 0200
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 11 PM
Hong Kong Arts Centre is a well-established and recognized art institution in the city.
For more than 35 years, this non-profit organization has been promoting local and international contemporary art through various visual arts, exhibits, performances, and so much more.
The main building has theaters, museums, cinemas, and other facilities. It showcases art exhibits, conferences, and related programs to encourage people to connect more with Hong Kong’s art scene.
Currently, here are some of the exhibits and performances you can check out:
- A Diary of A Girl’s Happiness
- Infinite Possibilities
- Synergy between Tradition and the Contemporary
- Urban Impressions
Check out The Blue House
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Address: 72 to 74A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2833 4608
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
A trip to Wan Chai wouldn’t be complete without a stopover at The Blue House. Just like its name suggests, this attraction is a cluster of eye-catching blue houses.
But guess what? Aside from the blue houses, you can also find a cluster of vibrant yellow and orange houses in the area.
What’s special about these colorful houses is that they represent the city’s history and living culture. Built during the 1920s, they showcase unique Lingnan-style architecture that mirrors Chinese and Western influences to the city.
On the Blue House’s ground floor, you can take many IG-worthy pictures and discover a community-run museum, workshops, exhibitions, and more.
Where to Eat and Drink in Wan Chai
Samsen
Media Credit: samsenhk
Address: 68 Stone Nullah Ln, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2234 0001
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Sunday to Thursday – 12 PM to 3 PM, 6 PM to 10 PM, Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 3 PM, 6 PM to 11 PM
Good to know: Best for Thai street food and specialties
Samsen is a casual eatery in Wan Chai serving tasty and authentic Thai street food. The distressed posters and antique wooden decor here create a cozy and rustic appeal, so you’ll feel like you’re eating right off the street food markets of Thailand.
Seating can be a bit cramped, especially during lunch hours, but the food is worth the squeeze. It’s a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, so you know the menu features good stuff.
Many customers recommend their signature Samsen Pork Boat Noodle Soup and Samsen Wagyu Beef Noodle Soup. If you want something with more spice, the Pad Thai Noodles & Tiger Prawns and Stir Fried Chicken & Noodles are also must-tries.
The Optimist
Media Credit: theoptimisthk
Address: 239號地下至, 2樓, 239 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2433 3324
Pricing: $$
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM
Good to know: Offers set menus and tasting menus
The Optimist is a chic and retro-style Spanish restaurant. It’s a nice restaurant to visit if you’re looking for a chill place to hangout with your friends.
Aside from the large menu of mains and sharing plates, the restaurant also has a bar serving various cocktails, wines, and more. Happy hour here is from 3 PM to 7:30 PM, so you have plenty of time to enjoy!
Of course, before you check out the drinks, you should first try the range of Northern Spanish delights they offer. The brunch menus offer a range of seafood and grilled meat dishes, and our favorites are the King Prawn Al Ajillo and Iberian Pluma.
Wooloomooloo Steakhouse
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Address: 31/F The Hennessy 256 Hennessy Road, 213 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2893 6960
Pricing: $$$
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:45 AM to 3 PM, 6 PM to 10 PM
Good to know: Must-visit steakhouse
If you’re craving a slab of juicy, meaty, and flavorful steak, you can’t go wrong with Wooloomooloo Steakhouse. In this steakhouse, you can indulge in a wide array of top-grade and handpicked cuts.
For first-time dinners, we recommend you try their Australian beef selection. The Beef Wellington, Wooloomooloo Cajun Spiced Ribeye, and Wagyu Sirloin Kiwami are among our favorites.
This rooftop restaurant is perfect for date nights due to its ambience. It has floor-to-ceiling windows boasting breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour, Wan Chai, and Happy Valley Racecourse.
Where to Shop in Wan Chai
Lee Tung Avenue
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Address: 200號 Queen’s Rd E, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 3791 2304
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Lee Tung Avenue is the ideal street to stroll in if you want to experience shopping like a local but in style. This avenue features tree-lined and stone-paved walkways. It’s filled with local joints and international stores selling all sorts of jewelry, cosmetics, and more.
You can also find an array of shops that offer products and services related to weddings. That’s why this place was also called the “wedding card street” before.
Once you’re done shopping, you can also visit the sidewalk cafes and gourmet restaurants in the area.
Tai Yuen Street Market
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Address: Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 7 PM
To experience Hong Kong’s old-school and street-stall shopping scene, Tai Yuen Street Market is a great place to start.
Here, you can find various hawker stalls selling a treasure trove of toys, collectible items, and other trinkets. Most of the products sold here are more affordable than those sold in malls, so you can definitely score great deals when you shop here.
Where to Stay in Wan Chai
The Harbourview
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Address: The Harbourview, 4 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 2802 0111
Pricing: $
Want to wake up to the picturesque views of Wan Chai Bay or Victoria Harbour? Check out The Harbourview’s beautiful yet affordable 4-star accommodation.
All rooms here are furnished with modern amenities and decor, so you can enjoy your staycation in style. Besides that, you can access a range of facilities including, onsite restaurant and bars, meeting and banquet facilities, and more.
Another thing we like about this hotel is that it’s close to the various shopping spots in the district as well as those in Central and Pacific Place.
Burlington Hotel
Media Credit: theburlingtonhk
Address: 55 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai
Phone: +852 3700 1000
Pricing: $
Burlington Hotel is one of the go-to hotels for many busy professionals and tourists because it’s right in the middle of everything.
It’s close to public transportation, famous attractions and restaurants, and even shopping spots. It’s a very convenient pick when you’re in Wan Chai.
When it comes to the rooms and suites they offer, they’re nothing too fancy but they’re worth their price. If you’re after comfort and accessibility, Burlington Hotel is an excellent choice for you.
