Western District, Hong Kong Island
Just a short distance from Central, yet a completely different mood. In the 19th century, the Western District was associated with slaughterhouses, asylums, and red-light zones. It wasn’t until the 1850s—when mainland immigrants began arriving in large numbers—that it gradually transformed into a busy seaside commercial area.

“Western District” usually refers to three areas: Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, and Kennedy Town. Here, island-side Hong Kong charm is on full display. Dried seafood shops still bustle, century-old tram tracks still run, and daily life flows along the main arteries of Des Voeux Road West and Queen’s Road West, echoing the city’s 1970s–80s golden era.

This guide takes you through the lesser-explored western edge of Hong Kong Island, where you can feel its unique character and enjoy rare stretches of coastal calm.

MTR: Sai Ying Pun Station
Route: Centre Street - Art Lane - Dried Seafood Street - Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park - Western District Public Cargo Working Area Promenade - The University of Hong Kong - Western Street Station (Take the Tram) - Admiralty MTR Station

Main Street | The Steepest Street in Hong Kong

Right outside Sai Ying Pun MTR Exit B2 is Centre Street (often translated here as “Main Street”). Despite the name, it’s known for being one of Hong Kong’s steepest streets. Walking it gives you a real sense of the city’s vertical terrain. An escalator was added to help with the incline, though it’s famously high-maintenance. Nearby, Centre Street Market offers a very local experience—fresh ingredients, busy stalls, and everyday neighborhood energy.

The side streets branching off from Main Street are First, Second, and Third Streets. Walking all the way toward the seaside, you’ll pass First Street and arrive at Queen’s Road West, where across the street lies Artlane Mural Street.

Artlane｜Murals Bring Old Streets to Life

Enclosed by Chung Ching Street, Ki Ling Lane, and Shek Tsai Lane, ARTLANE is Hong Kong’s newest artistic mural village, attracting many social media influencers who come specifically to snap photos. Originating from a real estate developer’s urban renewal project, ARTLANE features 26 murals by international artists, breathing new life into the weathered walls of old buildings.

Next to Exit B3 of Sai Ying Pun MTR Station, there is a mural titled Urban Forest, which revitalizes the wall-mounted air conditioners and pipes, extending into the artistic community and guiding visitors to explore the artwork. Ascending the rainbow staircase, you’ll encounter a massive two-story-high mural—the largest artwork in Art Lane. Nearby, Chung Ching Street draws inspiration from Vienna, with its murals adopting a fresher style, infusing the neighborhood with the romantic charm of an Austrian town.

Address: 8 Chung Ching Street

Seafood Street | Local Seafood Culture

Step out of the elegant and refined Art Lane, and take a stroll through the down-to-earth Dried Seafood Street. Walking along Des Voeux Road West, a glance eastward reveals a uniform stretch of dried seafood shops. Back when the Western District had yet to undergo land reclamation, Des Voeux Road was right next to Victoria Harbour. Fishing boats would dock and deliver fresh seafood straight to these shops, giving rise to the time-honored establishments that have been rooted in the Western District for over half a century.

Founded in 1920, "Tung Hing Tai Kee" is undoubtedly the pioneer of Hong Kong's dried seafood shops, frequented by renowned chefs and celebrities for their supplies. Standing strong for over 60 years, "Man Lai Lung Preserved Meat Shop" fills its walls with sausages and preserved ducks, offering the most authentic old Hong Kong flavors. Then there's "Tak Shing Golden Ham" at the street corner, where staff tirelessly slice premium hams—a scene that has become a local landmark. In short, a treasure hunt on Dried Seafood Street promises endless culinary inspiration.

Many seafood products cannot be brought through customs, so remember to check the relevant laws before purchasing.

Address: Des Voeux Road West, Sai Ying Pun

Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park | Serene Seaside Lawn

Turning from Des Voeux Road West into Eastern Street and heading north under the flyover, you will arrive at Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park. The Hong Kong government built this memorial park in the Central and Western District, where the great revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat-sen often resided. The plaque at the park's entrance is inscribed with the words "The World Belongs to All," while the ground features a carved map of Hong Kong Island's Central and Western District—a thoughtful design that bridges past and present.

The park's standout feature is undoubtedly the expansive circular lawn by the seaside—a rare gem in land-scarce Hong Kong. Spacious and uncrowded, lying on the grass offers sweeping views of the open skyline and coastline, while the towering skyscrapers behind seem to belong to another time and space. It’s a precious oasis of tranquility in the urban heartland, perfect for experiencing Hong Kong’s slower pace of life.

Address: 16 Eastern Street North, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 24 hours

West Ring Sea Central Park | Stunning Seaside Sunset

The seaside promenade within the park is the Central and Western District Promenade. This coastal walkway is far less bustling than Tsim Sha Tsui's, and its peaceful atmosphere instead becomes its unique charm. With fewer visitors, it has also become a frequent filming location for Hong Kong TV dramas.

Across the water lies the West Kowloon Cultural District, facing the Hong Kong Palace Museum on the opposite shore. Heading west along the waterfront promenade, a roughly 15-minute walk will take you to Sai Wan Ho Hoi Centre Park. This small pier extends out over the sea, and since the closure of the nearby famous Sai Wan Pier, the public has turned to this spot to enjoy sea views and sunsets. You can also catch sight of ferries shuttling to and from Macau—blue and red vessels carrying passengers, creating a distinctive scene along Hong Kong’s coastline.

Address: Sai Wan Ho Hoi Centre Park, Shek Tong Tsui, Hong Kong
Opening Hours: 24 hours

The University of Hong Kong | In-Depth Tour of Higher Education Institutions

Returning from the seaside to Des Voeux Road West, a climb up Pok Fu Lam Road leads to the foot of Lung Fu Shan, where the prestigious University of Hong Kong (HKU) is nestled. As Hong Kong's oldest and most renowned institution of higher learning, HKU has educated numerous luminaries, including Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China; Zhu Guangqian, a pioneer of modern Chinese aesthetics; and the celebrated Hong Kong writer Eileen Chang.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) may not cover a vast area, but its campus preserves several colonial-era buildings, reflecting the heritage of this prestigious institution. The Main Building, featuring Renaissance-style granite pillars, once housed the Faculty of Arts where Eileen Chang studied. Eliot Hall, the male dormitory, blends Tudor and Gothic architectural elements and houses a quaint library. The University Museum and Art Gallery, Hong Kong’s oldest museum, boasts a collection of over 1,500 Chinese artworks. Even a casual stroll through the campus immerses visitors in an atmosphere of scholarly charm.

Address: The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Riding the Ding Ding Tram | A Retro Century-Old Tram

From the University of Hong Kong, head back to Des Voeux Road West along Western Street. You might want to hop on a tram (Ding Ding) at Western Street Station and ride back to Admiralty MTR Station for a transfer. The Ding Ding trams don’t have horns—instead, they rely on ringing bells to alert pedestrians, producing their iconic "ding-ding" sound. Since its opening in 1904, the tram has accompanied Hongkongers for over a century. Today, it holds more significance as a tourist attraction than a means of transport. Who would have thought it was once the fastest mode of transportation on Hong Kong Island?

The tram is a cherished childhood memory for Hong Kongers. These iconic trams shuttle between the eastern and western districts of Hong Kong Island, passing through the fishy sea breeze of Des Voeux Road West, the towering financial hubs of Central, and the bustling crossroads of Causeway Bay, before finally arriving at the lively street markets of North Point.

Address: Des Voeux Road West, Sai Street Stop
Fare: HK$3 per adult; HK$1.5 per child (Octopus card accepted)

Harbor and Old Streets together embody the Hong Kong-style romance of the Western District—a charm best experienced firsthand. After the journey, returning to the vibrant streets of Central or Tsim Sha Tsui and immersing yourself once more in the neon-lit hustle and bustle often leaves you with a surreal sense of having stepped through time.