Among the top tourist attractions in Hong Kong, the Sheung Wan district stands out as a must-visit. Ranking as the best neighborhood in the world according to Time Out in 2023, Sheung Wan represents the juxtaposition of Hong Kong’s past and present. You can find historic temples and buildings standing alongside art galleries, fancy boutiques, and upscale restaurants.
One of Sheung Wan’s most notable landmarks is the Western Market, one of the oldest structures in Hong Kong that is used to sell various handicrafts and textiles. When visiting the Western Market, be sure to have your camera ready, because you will find buildings with Edwardian architecture, characterized by their red colors, which will definitely offer a fascinating backdrop or object of focus for your photography.
Beyond the architectural uniqueness, Sheung Wan offers Antique Street (Hollywood Road) and Cat Street (Upper Lascar Row), which are famous for their various antiques, such as jewelry, ornaments, wood carving products, and pottery. When shopping along this road, you have the chance to bargain to get an affordable price.
Experience the nightlife in one of Sheung Wan's areas, District So Ho, an entertainment hub equipped with various art galleries, restaurants, clubs, and popular wine bars. Various other unique experiences related to history, health, and culinary delights make Sheung Wan a perfect destination to visit.
To get around Sheung Wan, you can use the MTR, which has different ticket prices depending on your destination, ranging from HKD4.50 to HKD14.50 for a single trip. There are several types of tickets available that you can get at the ticket sales machines at every MTR station. A single journey ticket requires you to select your destination, and it must be kept until you reach the final station. Alternatively, you can use a 24-hour tourist pass for HKD65, which you can buy online. You can also use the Octopus Card, a rechargeable contactless smart card that can be used for almost all transportation in Hong Kong.
Sheung Wan is known for its unique blend of ancient and modern elements, it can be seen by their tourist attraction sites. Additionally, Sheung Wan is renowned for being the location of popular tourist destinations, such as the Western Market, Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, Sunday Street Market, and numerous Western-style cafes.
When exploring Sheung Wan, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in its rich historical sites. Visit Man Mo Temple, one of the oldest temples dedicated to honoring the Taoist deities of Literature (Man) and War (Mo). Here, you can discover historical bronze bells and various other religious artifacts.
You can also follow the Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail to trace the life of Sun Yat-sen and other revolutionaries in the late Qing era.
Apart from visiting its historical places, you can also stroll along Ko Shing Street, also known as Medicine Street, a wholesale trading center for Chinese herbal medicine in Hong Kong, where you can find the famous ginseng and bird's nest. Alternatively, explore Dried Seafood Street on Wing Lok Street and Bonham Strand, where you can find rows of shops specializing in rare and expensive dried seafood. Remember to be careful, as this area is very busy during Chinese New Year.
Exploring the local delicacies and cuisine is a must when you’re in Sheung Wan. One of the top destinations is Lin Heung Kui, renowned as one of the finest Cantonese restaurants in the area. Popular menu items to try include eight treasures duck, dim sum, poached chicken, and tofu in soy sauce.
If you are in the mood for foreign cuisine, head to Chachawan, one of the most popular Thai restaurants in Sheung Wan. Here, you can indulge in delicious Thai dishes, such as tom yum kung soup, tender grilled chicken, and flavorful som tam salad.
Additionally, treat yourself to expertly prepared chicken yakitori dishes at Yardbird, featuring options like pork belly with ponzu and onion and chicken 'oysters' extracted from the backbone.
One of the best places to shop for vintage goods is at Select 18, where you can discover a diverse array of retro Hong Kong memorabilia, such as jewelry, toys, and posters. Apart from that, make sure to visit The Floristry, where you can purchase various beautiful flower bouquets while tasting their artisanal coffee. You can also stop by various other shops, such as Mount Zero for books, Nelle Gemmes for jewelry, and Holy Club for a selection of trendy local sneakers.
The best time to visit Sheung Wan is from October to April. If you choose to visit Sheung Wan during the summer, you can explore Sheung Wan in August, the warmest time of the year. However, if you prefer dry weather for your holiday, then December, January, and February are recommended, as these months typically have the lowest rainfall.
Travel Tips for Sheung Wan