Eastern Hong Kong Island

Landmarks

landmarks
The Old Wan Chai Post Office
221 Queen's Road East, Wanchai
Wanchai MTR, Exit A3

Now an Environmental Resource Centre, this building was used for over 70 years as a Post Office. This attractive building is the only declared monument in Wan Chai.

landmarks
Golden Bauhinia Square
Expo Promenade
outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

The site of the handover ceremony in 1997. Visit at night time for a stunning view of the neon lit skyline of both Kowloon and Hong Kong.

landmarks
Central Plaza

Can be seen from most of Wan Chai. Central Plaza was the tallest building in Asia from 1992 to 1996, and the tallest in Hong Kong until 2003. It is possible to tell the time by the changing lights on the top of this building. During business hours, you can take the lift from the ground floor to the sky lobby on the 46th floor to get a spectacular free view of the harbour and the island. Another option for a free is view is from the observation lift in the Hopewell Centre at 183 Queen's Road East. This is one of the very few round towers found in the city. This glass lift can be taken from the 17th floor and the amazing journey to the 62nd floor takes about 90 seconds. Once at the top you have the option to eat at the revolving restaurant on top of the building, or you can just head back down again.

landmarks
Noon Day Gun
across from the World Trade Centre, near Causeway Bay

Historic place deemed thus because it is fired every day at noon. To access the Noon Day Gun, enter the underground tunnel between the World Trade Centre and the Excelsior Hotel and follow the signs. Finding this subway is difficult and you might need to ask staff for directions. The tradition of firing a gun into Victoria Harbour everyday at noon dates back to the 1860s. It is believed that this is the gun referred to in Noel Coward's song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen".

landmarks
Hong Kong Central Library
66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay
3150 1234
Causeway Bay MTR, Exit E or take the tram

Opened in 2001, Hong Kong's main public library looks over the playgrounds of Victoria Park. It is an impressive 12-storey structure that holds a vast collection of Chinese and English resources. Visitors will find exhibitions, wifi access, plus newspapers and magazines. There is a souvenir shop and a branch of Delifrance where you can relax.

Museums and exhibitions

museums and exhibitions
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
Quarry Bay Park Phase 1, Taikoo Wan Rd
2367 7821
Free
M, W-Su 10AM-5PM
in Quarry Bay Park

Exhibits firefighting stuff.

museums and exhibitions
The Museum of Coastal Defence
175 Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan
Admission $10
F-W 10AM-5PM, last admission at 4:30PM
15-minute walk following road signs from Exit B2 of Shau Kei Wan MTR Station

Despite its dry title, this museum is worth a visit if you enjoy military history.

museums and exhibitions
Law Uk Folk Museum
14 Kut Shing Street, Chai Wan
2896 7006
Free
M-W, F-Sa 10AM-6PM; Su 1PM-6PM
5 minutes' walk from the Chai Wan MTR Station

18th-century Hakka village house.

museums and exhibitions
museums and exhibitions
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
at the harbour-front at Wan Chai, take directions from the MTR; alternatively, use the Star ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to arrive at the Wan Chai ferry terminal

One of Hong Kong's most outstanding buildings. If you are refused admittance, you can take a walk along the promenade at the front of the building to find the place where the British returned Hong Kong to mainland China. Paved in cheap concrete, the modest plaza where the Handover took place in 1997 is home to two monuments; one takes the form of a giant golden bauhinia and the other looks like a chimney stack. The bauhinia tree is sometimes known as the Hong Kong orchid and has been adopted as the emblem of the SAR which features on the Hong Kong flag that flutters above the square. For the many tourists from mainland China, this place holds a special significance, so you can expect a steady stream or tour buses.

Parks and nature

parks and nature
Victoria Park
Causeway Rd.
between Causeway Bay MTR and Tin Hau MTR stations

Take some time to walk through it or to watch people play football on three fields. There is also a jogging track through the park. Victoria Park can also be reached by MTR Exit B at Tin Hau station. During the summer months you can use the public open-air pool in Victoria Park. The pool costs $19 for adults $9 kids and payment can be made by coins or Octopus card.

parks and nature
Southorn Playground
Hennessy Road and Johnston Road
Adjacent to Wanchai MTR, Exit B1

Amidst the skyscrapers of Wan Chai, Southorn Playground offers a scarce area of public outdoor space for football, basketball and has seating for those who just want to relax and watch.

parks and nature
Quarry Bay Park

(http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/pa...) is a good place to walk which provides an alternative view of the eastern end of the harbour, instead of the familiar one of the west. it also serves as a connection between soho east a reasonably attractive restaurant and pub area and citiplaza shopping centre.