• Home
  • About
    • Policies
    • Work With Me
  • Explore
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Archives
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Sunset Goddess Manila

Fabulous, Uplifiting & Inspired Everyday Living

  • Fabulous Goddess Travels
    • Around The Philippines
      • Boracay
      • Ilocos
      • La Union
      • Samar
      • Tagaytay
    • Around The World
      • France
      • Hong Kong
      • Korea
      • Macau
    • Fab Travelers
    • Food Trips
    • Journeys
      • Away on Holiday
      • Business Traveler
      • Girlfriend Getaways
      • Gone for the Weekend
    • Travel Guides
    • Traveling in Style
    • Visas & Passports
    • Wanderlust Inspirations
  • Goddess Style
    • Beauty Goddess
    • Fab Finds
    • Fashion Projects
    • Lookbooks
    • Outfits
    • Personal Style Journey
  • Goddess & The City
    • Fave Things
    • My Manila
    • Restaurants: Manila
    • Store Spotlight
    • Weekend Snaps
  • Domestic Goddess 101
    • Home Journeys
    • In The Kitchen
    • Sunset Goddess Celebrations
  • Life & Legal Goddess
    • Legal Lessons
    • Life Wisdom & Inspirations
    • Personal Musings

Hong Kong Day 5: The Sights of Central

June 5, 2012 by The Sunset Goddess Leave a Comment

Hong Kong Central landmark
Hong Kong’s Former Central Police Station compound in Central

When we were planning our itinerary for our Hong Kong trip, I knew that Day 5 will be one of my favorite days.  I lined up so many sights to see for this day, combining some touristy spots together with leisurely neighborhood walks, so I knew that it would be interesting. While in the previous days, we’ve gone around Lantau Island and saw the sights in the Kowloon side, this day was all lined up for the Hong Kong Island side.  Hong Kong Island was the original British settlement when Hong Kong became a colony and that’s still very much reflected in the architecture and the continuing role of the Island for Hong Kong’s expat community. On the other hand, Kowloon has a more noticeably local Cantonese flavor.

Central is one of Hong Kong’s main and most interesting districts and is even considered the heart of Hong Kong, especially in the Island side. It’s easily accessible by walking from our hotel which is located in the Sheung Wan/ Western district and it was this accessibility to Central, among others, that made us choose Sohotel for our hotel.  Getting to Central from our hotel was just a 5 to 10 minute leisurely walk, passing through the charming sights of Hollywood Road, which is a great area for antiques and art galleries.

Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
The charming sights of Hollywood Road near Central

One of the sights we passed through along Hollywood Road was the Man Mo Temple, which was one of the first traditional style temples built in colonial era Hong Kong and is the largest of its kind of temple built in honor of the Taoist gods of literature and war.  I love visiting temples such as this because I think they’re quite a novelty coming from our Catholic-dominated Philippines.

Man Mo Temple along Hollywood Road, Hong Kong
IMG_1080

Central is really quite a lovely mix of modern and colonial-era buildings (like that historic building in the first photo above), with Chinese elements (like temples) and quaint storefronts. And along with pockets of quiet areas, we also found the hustle and bustle that is typical of Hong Kong’s way of life.

Hong Kong Central

 

Hollywood Road Central Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong Central

A few steps from Hollywood Road, we reached a portion of the Central Mid-Levels Escalators, the world’s longest outdoor escalator system and has become a distinct Hong Kong landmark.  I found this quite cool not least because it’s predominantly a part of Chungking Express (a film made by an Asian director I really admire, Wong Kar Wai) and because there’s nothing quite like it here in Manila!

IMG_1087
A portion of the snaking Central Mid-Levels Escalators
IMG_1104

 

IMG_1094
Hong Kong's Daily Life

After we got off from the escalators, we found ourselves on Lyndhurst Terrace Street, where the famous Tai Cheong Bakery is located.

Tai Cheong Bakery Hong Kong

We tried their specialty sugar-coated donuts (HK$5 each). Tai Cheong is also known for their egg tarts (said to be the most favorite egg tarts in Hong Kong) and is a good place to pick up goodies to bring home.

IMG_1100
Tai Cheong Bakery egg tarts Hong Kong
IMG_1099

More pictures of the sights and Hong Kong slice of life in Central:

Hong Kong hustle & bustle
Cramped signs and Hong Kong’s hustle & bustle
A quiet corner in Central, Hong Kong
But amidst the chaos there is still serenity
100 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
Walking along Central in Hong Kong

 

Hong Kong Newsstand in Central
Old Bailey Street, Central
Central street map Hong Kong
After lunch in Lan Fong Yuen, we walked around some more in the popular Lan Kwai Fong area and found this interesting installation along one of the many public stairways (stairways like this were everywhere in Central!) , which doubles as a sitting area/ mini park—a perfect resting place for commuters and DIY sightseeing travelers like ourselves.
IMG_1129IMG_1136
IMG_1130

 

Central was certainly a joy to explore and it was nice to know that by simply exploring our hotel’s nearby neighborhoods, we saw a side of Hong Kong that was quite different from what we had so far seen.  This is what I really love about traveling DIY—if we had gone on a package city tour, I think the only time we would have been on street level would be when we have the free time to go shopping. The rest of the time, we would have been just mixed in with the tour crowds or shuttling back and forth on coach buses.

IMG_1074

I personally think that in order to really get the true feel of of a city, yes, I guess you must visit the tourist spots and the so-called top 10 attractions/things to do because that’s what makes that city what it is and why people visit it (for example, how can you go to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower?).  But more than that, to get a real appreciation of traveling to that city, I think it’s important that you should really go out of your way to see the side streets and the little neighborhoods. And as you let serendipity guide you and as you discover the place’s nook and crannies, and come upon beautiful sights that you didn’t or couldn’t have planned in your itinerary, I think that’s only when you’ll really, really fall in love with that city. And that’s when you’ll really fall in love with traveling.

Fabulous Travels! Cheers!

For more information on walking Hong Kong’s neighborhoods,  visit Discover Hong Kong here and specifically for Central, download here. jordan Sneakers | Adidas girls adidas baseline rose gold boots for women V2 ‘Citrin Non-Reflective’ — Ietp

Filed Under: Around The World, Fabulous Goddess Travels Tagged With: Away on Holiday, Neighborhoods, Street Photography, Travel, Walking Tours

« Hong Kong Day 4: Shopping in Elements & Dining in IFC Mall
Hong Kong Day 5: Lunch at Lan Fong Yuen »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

HELLO


The Sunset Goddess

{Lawyer by choice. Traveler by philosophy. Fasyon all the time.}

Join me in my quest of seeking and writing about meaningful, relevant lifestyle inspiration and information for fabulous and uplifting everyday living. Let's grow, discover, and travel together and explore what it means to have it all.

Search this site

Follow me on Instagram

  • Magic hour LaVieEstBelle SeraphinainSamar TheSimpleLifeinSamar absolutelynofilterneeded
  • Its been a week but still feeling refreshed and gratefulhellip
  • things that make me happy freshly picked malunggay from Tatayshellip
  • The only thing harder than being apart from my babyhellip
  • Havent been back to Japan since my first trip whenhellip
  • Its already the second month of the new year andhellip
  • Youre just too good to be true I cant takehellip
  • Im in love Im in love My heart no longerhellip
  • Notre petite famille  Portraits by photographybylianne gratefulheart2017 FrenchFilipinoFamille familyphotographyhellip

Featured Posts

Top Ten Things To Do In Boracay

Sunset Goddess Manila’s Guide to Hong Kong

30 for 30 Remix Challenge: The Summer Edition

Sunset Goddess Manila’s Definitive Travel Guide to Ilocos

Archives

  • ► 2016 (4)
    • ► September (1)
      • Photo Diary: Vannes
    • ► August (1)
      • Seeking the Path Through Pathways
    • ► March (1)
      • Follow Me to France
    • ► February (1)
      • Valentine's Day 2016 Wish List
  • ► 2015 (6)
    • ► June (2)
      • Our Paris Photo Shoot
      • McCormick Flavor Nation Festival 2015
    • ► May (3)
      • Of Beds & Bedrooms
      • OOTD Roundup: Statement Necklaces
      • Crepe Amélie
    • ► April (1)
      • Blogging & Beginnings
  • ► 2014 (3)
    • ► November (1)
      • Hole in the Wall at Century City Mall
    • ► July (1)
      • Kerasilk Keratin Treatment from Alex Carbonell for Cynos
    • ► April (1)
      • Hello World!
  • ► 2013 (5)
    • ► April (1)
      • Serendipitous Short Hair at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
    • ► March (2)
      • Happy Weekend x Five Things Friday
      • Vacation Anticipation
    • ► January (2)
      • EndDanger: An Arts & Music Fundraiser
      • Dreaming of Fall/Winter with a Basic Black Shirt
  • ► 2012 (105)
    • ► December (2)
      • On Love
      • Your Rights As An Airline Passenger in the Philippines
    • ► November (2)
      • Top Ten Things To Do In Boracay
      • The Enduring Allure of the Little Black Dress
    • ► October (6)
      • Champagne Room
      • Lookbook: Dress The Part
      • Sunset Goddess Manila's Guide to Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong Day 8: Last Day in HK
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 8
      • Hong Kong Day 8: Sheung Wan
    • ► September (13)
      • SoHotel in Hong Kong
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 7
      • Hong Kong Day 7: Harbour City, TST & Central
      • Hong Kong Day 7: Goldfish Market, Fa Yuen Street, Kam Wah Polo Bun & Langham Place
      • Hong Kong Day 7: Bird Street
      • Hong Kong Day 7: Blooming at the Flower Market
      • Hong Kong Day 7: Victoria Park
      • Hong Kong Day 7: Lunch at Delicious Kitchen in Causeway Bay
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 6
      • HK Disneyland: Fantasyland + Tomorrowland
      • HK Disneyland: Halloween Parade
      • HK Disneyland: Adventureland + Halloween Attractions
      • Fab Traveler: Myrna Cabaccang
    • ► August (9)
      • HK Disneyland: Lunch at Plaza Inn
      • Fangirling in Seoul
      • Hong Kong Day 6: The Magic of Hong Kong Disneyland
      • Hong Kong Day 6: Hollywood Road & Upper Lascar Row
      • Color & Hair Treatments at Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell
      • The Eco Bag Solution + Relief Ideas
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 5
      • Hong Kong Day 5: Fun at Madame Tussaud's
      • Celebrity Dresses
    • ► July (5)
      • Hong Kong Day 5: Victoria Peak
      • How to Apply for a Korean Tourist Visa in the Philippines- UPDATED!
      • Cebu for the Weekend
      • Bag Lust: The Givenchy Antigona
      • Date A Girl Who Reads
    • ► June (14)
      • Divisoria Finds!
      • Who wants free Uniqlo Gift Certificates?
      • Uniqlo Opens in Manila
      • Five Things Friday
      • Hong Kong Day 5: Wan Chai
      • 30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: The Finale
      • Fab Traveler: Tricia Abella
      • Hong Kong Day 5: Starbucks Bing Sutt Corner in Central
      • Hong Kong Day 5: Hong Kong Park & the Museum of Teaware
      • Hong Kong Day 5: Lunch at Lan Fong Yuen
      • Hong Kong Day 5: The Sights of Central
      • Hong Kong Day 4: Shopping in Elements & Dining in IFC Mall
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 4
      • 30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 5
    • ► May (8)
      • Hongkong Day 4: Afternoon Tea at the Ritz-Carlton
      • 30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 4
      • How to Renew Your Philippine Passport in 2 Hours (or Less)!
      • 30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 3
      • 30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 2
      • 30 for 30 Remix Summer Edition: Week 1
      • 30 for 30 Remix Challenge: The Summer Edition
      • Post-Digital Perm Hair Care Guide
    • ► April (4)
      • The Digital Perm Experience
      • 50 for 50 Project: The Finale
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 8
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 7
    • ► March (16)
      • Human ♥ Nature's Flagship Store
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 6
      • J. CO Donuts & Coffee opens in Manila: Overrated?
      • Hong Kong Day 4: Quintessentially Ocean Park (Part 2)
      • Hong Kong Day 4: Quintessentially Ocean Park
      • Angela Angeles Bijou Jewelry
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 5
      • Domestic Goddess: Tilapia & Salads
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 3
      • Hong Kong Day 3: Citygate Outlets
      • Hong Kong Day 3: Ngong Ping 360 & Po Lin Monastery
      • Sunset Goddess' 2012 Ilocos Travel Guide
      • Hong Kong Day 3: The Tian Tan Buddha
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 4
      • Hong Kong Day 3: Ngong Ping Cable Car
      • MV Logos Hope in Manila
    • ► February (15)
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 3
      • Fab Traveler: Raya Mananquil
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 2
      • Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell, Revisited
      • The New Sunset Goddess Manila
      • Sunset Goddess Travels
      • Hong Kong Day 3: Solo Cafe at Tai O Fishing Village
      • Hong Kong Day 3: Touristy, Authentic Tai O
      • 50 for 50 Project: Week 1
      • 50 for 50 Project: The Pieces
      • Cafe Publico
      • 50 for 50 Project: Inspirations
      • Hong Kong Day 2: The Apple Store
      • Hong Kong Day 2: Cafe de Coral
      • Hong Kong Day 2: Tsim Sha Tsui Sights
    • ► January (11)
      • Hong Kong Day 2: Sights, Sounds, & The Symphony of Lights
      • Hong Kong Day 2: Afternoon Tea in the Peninsula
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 2
      • Hong Kong Day 2: Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden
      • Hong Kong Day 2: Dimsum Lunch at Tim Ho Wan
      • Lookbook: Thunderbird Resort-Poro Point, La Union
      • Thunderbird Resorts-Poro Point {Food & Restaurants}
      • Thunderbird Resorts-Poro Point {Views}
      • Thunderbird Resorts-Poro Point, La Union
      • Quality vs. Quantity
      • Invest In Your Wardrobe
  • ► 2011 (126)
    • ► December (5)
      • Lookbook: Now THIS is Colorblocking!
      • Weekend Snippets
      • Fashion Friday: Red Pants!
      • Lookbook Hong Kong: Day 1
      • Hong Kong Day 1: HK Night Life at Mong Kok
    • ► November (5)
      • Hong Kong Day 1: Australia Dairy Co.
      • Happy Weekend x {Boracay in September}
      • Hong Kong 101: {Getting Around}
      • Wedding Weekend x {Photo Diary}
      • Hong Kong 101: {A Beginner's Guide}
    • ► October (6)
      • TGIF: Off to Hong Kong!
      • For the Love of Photography: The Joy of Imprinting with Canon's Pixma Printers
      • Five Things, Fab Finds, and Serendipity
      • Lookbook: Tagaytay Weekend
      • Gone for the Weekend: Cliffhouse, Tagaytay
      • Gone for the Weekend: Canyon Woods
    • ► September (6)
      • Gone for the Weekend: Lee Boutique Hotel, Tagaytay
      • Antonio's Grill
      • Antonio's
      • Lookbook: Breakfast at Antonio's
      • Breakfast at Antonio's
      • Trust Gratitude Inspiration Friday: The Power of Now & Vulnerability
    • ► August (13)
      • Samar is Calling
      • Sweet Weekend
      • Vintage Bicycle ♥
      • Five Things Friday
      • Size Matters
      • Sunset Goddess Manila's Travel Guide to MACAU
      • Roka Restaurant in Venetian Macao
      • Poolside at the Venetian Macao
      • Terrific Tempura Tradition at Tenmasa
      • More Adventures in Macau
      • I Jumped Off the Macau Tower!
      • Lugang Cafe
      • Sunday Afternoons: Ahavia Lounge Spa
    • ► July (14)
      • Shiok and Greenhills
      • Great Finds for Organizing My Vanity Dresser
      • Lookbook: Thrifted at a Cozy Lunch
      • Zucchini's
      • Reader Request: More Happy Lemon Please!
      • Boracay in July
      • Domestic Goddess: Lemon Sugar Scrub
      • Steak at Meat Plus Cafe & The Food in Anvaya Cove
      • Lookbook: Anvaya, Anvaya!
      • Inspiration
      • TGIF: Why We Travel
      • Gone for the Weekend: Anvaya Cove
      • Serenitea in North Greenhills
      • Happy Weekend! :)
    • ► June (22)
      • More Tea Fever: Chatime is Now on Wilson Street, San Juan!
      • Lunch at Fernando's Restaurant
      • Walking Macau's Taipa and Coloane Islands
      • Gong Cha in Mall of Asia
      • Sunday Afternoons: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber
      • Restaurante Litoral, Nighttime Macau & Venetian Macao Shoppes
      • Old School Dinner with Friends
      • Classic and Historic Macau Part 2: Senado Square & St. Paul's Ruins
      • Classic and Historic Macau
      • I Really Love My Sperry Top-Siders!
      • Weekend Staycation
      • Snapshot Saturday: Pagsanghan, Samar at Sunset
      • Gone for the Weekend: Marvelous Food at Balay Indang
      • Gone for the Weekend: More Balay Indang
      • Lookbook: Gone for the Weekend in Balay Indang
      • A Country Weekend Girlfriend Getaway in Balay Indang
      • Lookbook: Vintage and Lace
      • Lookbook: Rainbow Bright
      • Snapshot Saturday: Chasing Sunsets
      • Wai Ying Fastfood and other food trips in Binondo, Manila
      • Lookbook: Visita Iglesia
      • Visita Iglesia 2011
    • ► May (14)
      • How to Wear the Summer's Bright on Bright ColorblockingTrend
      • Afternoon Tea at the Makati Shangri-La
      • Lookbook: Everything is Black and White
      • Happy Lemon in Manila!
      • Papa John's Pizza in Greenhills, San Juan
      • Lookbook: Kids & A Bohemian Summer
      • Lookbook: Polka Dots and Circle Skirt
      • Fruiteamix in Greenhills, San Juan
      • Lookbook: Blushing Nude
      • Tao Yuan Restaurant in Newport Mall
      • Sunset Goddess Manila's Definitive Travel Guide to Ilocos
      • Travel Budget: Ilocos
      • When in Laoag: Fort Ilocandia
      • When in Laoag: La Preciosa & St. William's Cathedral
    • ► April (33)
      • When in Laoag: Sights to See in Batac and Paoay
      • When in Laoag: The La Paz Sand Dunes
      • Lookbook: Laoag
      • When in Laoag: {Marcos Museum & Sta. Monica Church} + Where to Stay
      • Leila's Cafe & Irene's Vigan Empanada
      • Pagburnayan Pottery & the Vigan Market
      • More Time Travel via Old Time Photograph Co.
      • Lunch in Vigan's Cafe Leona
      • Traveling Back in Time in Syquia Mansion
      • Chavit Singson's Baluarte
      • Vigan at Night
      • Lookbook: Vigan
      • Nostalgic in Vigan's Calle Crisologo
      • Cafe Uno and Kusina Felecitas in Grandpa's Inn, Vigan
      • Grandpa's Inn in Vigan, Ilocos Sur
      • Bantay Abot Cave & On the Road to Vigan
      • Saud Beach at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
      • Lunch in Polaris at Saud Beach, Pagudpud
      • Breathtaking Bangui Windmills
      • The Romance of Cape Bojeador Lighthouse
      • Sunset Goddess Lookbook: Pagudpud Style
      • Sights To See When in Pagudpud: The Patapat Viaduct
      • Blue Lagoon Cove, Maira-ira Beach, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
      • Food & Other Memories of Kapuluan Vista
      • Kapuluan Vista Resort, Ilocos Norte
      • Ya Kun Kaya Toast in NAIA 2, Manila
      • Getting to Ilocos Norte & Pagudpud
      • Ilocandia Girlfriend Getaway!
      • Packing for a Beach & Country Getaway
      • Why I Hope I'll Never Fly Cebu Pacific Again
      • Fashion Friday: The Many Lives of the Tie Neck Blouse
      • Wicked Kitchen
      • Bubble Tea Tokyo Milk Tea Place (Wilson)
    • ► March (7)
      • Studio Fix by Alex Carbonell & A Hair Story
      • Dim Sum Buffet at Li Li
      • Sweet Bella Cafe
      • Chatime Tea
      • Wynn Macau & Ristorante Il Teatro
      • Venetian Gondola Ride & First Night in Macau
      • Shang Palace
    • ► January (1)
      • Welcome to Macau
  • ► 2010 (6)
    • ► October (3)
      • Sunrise in San Antonio
      • San Antonio Girl
      • San Antonio, Northern Samar
    • ► August (1)
      • The Last Days of Summer
    • ► July (1)
      • Sunset Goddess in Samar
    • ► February (1)
      • Sunset Goddess Manila

Recent Comments

  • edelweiza on Photo Diary: Vannes
  • Nicole Nad on Post-Digital Perm Hair Care Guide
  • Eri on Post-Digital Perm Hair Care Guide
  • Kit on How to Renew Your Philippine Passport in 2 Hours (or Less)!
  • Just Me on How to Renew Your Philippine Passport in 2 Hours (or Less)!

The Sunset Goddess on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Custom Theme by Fancy Girl Design Studio · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress