Good Attractions in Central (Hong Kong)

Goldfish Market

The Goldfish Market is on Tung Choi Street south of Prince Edward Road West, and it is the place for fish lovers to go to for all manner of fish-related products. Not only are there all sorts of different kinds of fish, including many colorful tropical fish, but there are also other special sea creatures like small jelly-fish, Brazilian tortoises and dainty sea horses. Also on offer are a variety of fish tanks ranging from the ubiquitous bowl to enormous tanks, as well as all sorts of plants and rocks with which to create that perfect fish abode.

Yaumatei Tin Hau Temple

Tin Hau Temple is one of the most popular sites for the filming of Hong Kong gangster movies. Located just a block north of the Jade Market, it is yet another one of the many temples in Hong Kong dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The public square of this temple complex is a favorite place for Chinese chess players and acts as the communal heart of Yaumatei. In front of the main temple, there is a row of fortune-tellers, who are only too keen to help temple visitors see into the future.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

Stretching from the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry to Hunghom, this promenade offers some of the best views in Hong Kong, especially at night, when the Hong Kong skyline is lit up with neon signs. The Promenade is a popular place for lovers, joggers, photographers with tripods and the occasional fishermen fishing in the waters of the harbor. During the Chinese New Year fireworks display, tons of people crowd into the area to watch the spectacle.

Happy Valley Racecourse

Horse-racing has been the most popular spectator sport in Hong Kong since 1846, and it is one of the few gambling activities that is legal within the territory. The race season runs from September to June, and races at Happy Valley are usually held on Wednesday evenings, but extra races are sometimes held on Sundays and public holidays. For a comfortable way to see the races, there is a horse race tour organized by the Hong Kong Tourist Association. Racing is also held at Shatin Race Track. The racecourse opens on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30p.

Kowloon Mosque & Islamic Centre

The Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre, the largest mosque in Hong Kong, is located in a corner of Kowloon Park, near the intersection of Nathan Road and Cameron Road. Completed in 1984, this beautiful white-marbled structure has become the focal point of the Kowloon-based Islamic community.Non-Islamic visitors are not permitted to enter without permission, but small groups can call to arrange a tour, although permission is not always granted.

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Headquarters

Designed by British architect Sir Norman Foster, the building cost nearly a billion Hong Kong dollars to construct and was the world's most expensive building when it was completed in 1985. The bank does not have tours for the public, but information booklets about the building are available at the reception desk on the first floor. While you're there, it is worth having a look at the internal structure of this monolith, which is made up of a giant atrium surrounded by floors suspended from steel masts. Outside, the two bronze lions have been guarding the entrance since 1935.

Fung Ying Sin Koon

Fung Ying Sin Koon is a popular Taoist temple, decorated in traditional Chinese style. A special feature is that the temple offers traditional Taoist fortune telling, called fu gei. When worshipers have difficulties or problems they seek the advice of the Taoist communicates with the Tao power. The answer is revealed through a special instrument made of bamboo, held by the Taoist. The temple can get pretty busy during weekends, as is typical of temples with fortune tellers all over Hong Kong.

Sha Tin Racecourse

Opened in 1978, this is Hong Kong's second racetrack, the main one being the Happy Valley Racecourse. Races at Shatin are usually held on Saturday afternoons but there always extra races on Sundays and public holidays. Penfold Park, which occupies the center of the racetrack, is a popular place for parents to bring their children for outings. On Mondays, days following public holidays, and race days, the park is closed to the public, but if you call the park any other time, you can schedule a tour of the facilities. Racing in Hong Kong is very popular with attendance averaging upwards of 46,000 people per racecard, so make sure you get there early! Admission is 10HKD.

Colonial Duddell Street Steps

So the fun evening of partying in Lan Kwai Fong is over, but what to do about a night that is definitely still young? Okay, how about grabbing a few cans of beer from the bar and walking to Duddell Street, which is only five minutes away. Just off Ice House Street, the stone steps at Duddell Street were built between 1875 and 1889 and are lit by the only surviving gas street lamps in Hong Kong. An ideal spot, in fact, for whiling away those late night hours, relaxing and enjoying the night air.

Des Voeux Road West

Des Voeux Road West is where all the shops selling Chinese preserved foods can be found. On sale are all kinds of preserved food from the expensive shark's fins to dried shrimps, mussels, oysters and squid, mushrooms and mosses. Winter specialties include ever-popular Chinese sausages and preserved pressed duck, which are used to make the famous clay pot rice dish. A word of warning though; all this dried and preserved food has a particularly pungent aroma all of its own, and although it is not unpleasant it is definitely an acquired taste, or rather smell, as it were!

Hong Kong City Hall

Established in 1962, Hong Kong City Hall was the first fully fledged cultural venue in Hong Kong. Consisting of two unmistakeably sixties-styled blocks, the low block houses major facilities such as the Concert Hall, a theatre, an exhibition hall and restaurants, whilst the high block is home to an exhibition gallery, recital hall, committee rooms and a marriage registry. City Hall is conveniently located in Central, and individuals and organisations can hire the venues for cultural and art activities. Right in front of the building's main entrance are Edinburgh Place and Queen's Pier, where many official ceremonies are held.

Saffron Cruises

A great way to get a different view of Hong Kong is to go sailing. For a unique experience, you can charter a junk, a traditional Chinese sailboat usually distinguished by a flamboyant red sail which are still seen around Victoria Harbour. Saffron Cruises runs charter tours around Aberdeen and the harbor. The cost for a minimum two and a half hour tour. A crew is provided to operate the junk but there is no tour guide, so it is best to look at a map and figure out exactly where you would like to go.