Sometimes when you discover a new place, an emotion of frenzy and excitement overwhelms you. My insides were screaming “Oh My God! This is my new heaven”. This was how I felt when I entered Tung Street (‘west’ in Cantonese) for the first time. There were two rows of old shop houses that were separated by a wide concrete road with no cars in sight – serendipity indeed. This was definitely a rare sight in Hong Kong! In between the old houses, you are treated with modern lighting coming from chic galleries, artsy retail outlets and florists.
The journey does not end at the end of Tung Street. You will find even more interesting things at Tai Ping Shan Road. It is so nice to chill at Tea Kha or Knock Box Coffee Company. This is definitely a secret hideout place that makes you forget that you’re in Hong Kong.
Sheung Wan is famous for antique shopping during the day, the bars at night serving the noisy crowd at Hollywood and for some dining, there’s a restaurant and café at Mid Level. This other end of Tung Street feels like a whole new world.
Word of caution – you will probably have some problems getting here if you tell the taxi driver to head to Tung Street, he will either be clueless (because Tung Street is so small) or he probably does not want to go to this area because cars are not allowed there. Try telling the taxi driver to go Tai Ping Shan Road instead!
I enjoyed visiting, taking photos and chatting with the people who worked in the shops and galleries. They were all very nice and welcoming. As the evening sets, I am very sure there are more things to come in this area. There are already signs of new outlets blossoming here and I can’t wait to visit Tung Street again.
Here are some interesting finds:
Tung Street
Loveramics www.loveramics.com
Ellermann Florist www.ellermanndesign.com
Signed By www.signedbydesigners.com
Konzepp www.konzepp.com
Identity Art gallery www.identityartgallery.com
www.55tung.com
East Street
The upper station theupperstation.com
Vintage shop ” zhan”
Tai Ping Shan Road
Rat’s cave www.facebook.com/ratscave
Tallensia Floral http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tallensia-Floral-Art
Knock Box Coffee Company by Cerise Tip http://www.facebook.com/Knockboxcoffee
Ange mashop
Chum 5 www.facebook.com/chum5
Tea kha
Input output www.inputoutput.tv
- Paul Khor
