SHORT AND SWEET FINDING AUTHENTICITY NORTHERN GEMS ...

Ethnic shops stand side by side with Pakistani
briyani outlets, Indian curry stalls, African clothes
retailers, and other hole-in-the-walls with exotic
offerings. It is estimated that over 120 different
nationalities pass through the Mansion’s doors in a
single year.
On the top fl oors, Chungking Mansion houses
about 100 backpacker-styled accommodation
and low-rent guesthouses that attract guests
from mainland China for its affordability. In fact
in the early 1960s, Chungking Mansion attracted
the Chinese from Shanghai and Fujian looking
for a better life in Hong Kong mainly because
of the inexpensive accommodation and in some
apartments, there still lives the elderly from
the mainland.
ELIZABETH TAN
ELIZABETH TAN
This juxtaposition, hyperactivity and mix of cultures
that represent Hong Kong as a nation also made
Chungking Mansion the inspiration behind Wong
Kar-Wai’s 1994 fi lm Chungking Express. It is also
one of the reasons why Chungking Mansion is an
engaging place to be for those looking for a slice
of old Hong Kong.
Once you’ve braved that, it’s time to step outside
and make your way to the harbour for the best
eight-minute ride (and view) of your life. A ride on
the Star Ferry is always thrilling no matter the time
of day. The earliest archived account on the ferry
dates to 1888 with a ride cross-harbour taking at
least 40 minutes to complete using coal-power
ferries. In 1933, the fi rst diesel-powered ferry
was introduced. Today, many of the ferries, while
retaining their original names such as Morning
Star and Night Star, are powered by diesel-electric.
HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD
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Clockwise from top left: Hong
Kong’s skyline continues to
evolve merging the old and
new; sundry shops are still a
common scene though rare;
a typical shop selling everyday
goods behind Western
Market; Temple Street night
market resonates with the air
of a typical Chinatown.
OPPOSITE PAGE
Exploring Hong Kong Island
on a tram is one of the
island’s best experiences.
MAY | JUNE 2011 47