8 Best Sights in Wan Chai, Hong Kong

A rare example of Lingnan-style architecture, this historic 1920s tenement painted an eye-catching cobalt blue once housed a clinic and martial arts school. Now a community hub and museum, it offers a glimpse into old Hong Kong. Nearby are other similar houses in bright orange and yellow.

Clad in reflective gold, silver, and copper-colored glass, this glitzy triangular building was built in 1992, at the height of Hong Kong's success. At the time it was briefly the territory's tallest building, but Two IFC soon beat it by 130 feet and, later, ICC by 360 feet. Note the colorful fluorescent lights atop the building; they actually are a clock that indicates time by changing colors every 15 minutes.

Devoted to the creative and quirky world of comics and animation, this center celebrates local artists by offering up ample space to create, exhibit, and sell their work. The complex is also a great example of Hong Kong’s historic East-meets-West architecture, as it’s housed in a cluster of revitalized prewar tenement-style buildings with cantilevered balconies, high ceilings, and staircases made of China fir wood.

The 19-story Hong Kong Arts Centre houses a branch of the Hong Kong Art School, several contemporary art galleries, interactive workshops, multimedia installations, art studios, a cinema, and performing arts venues. There are also a handful of eateries. It has been a longtime champion of up-and-coming artists and diverse genres, and also operates the comic and animation hub Comix Home Base, on nearby Mallory Street. There are free guided tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 3 pm, lasting about 45 minutes.

Land is so scarce in Hong Kong that developers usually only build skyward, but the HKCEC juts into the harbor instead. Curved-glass walls and a swooping roof make it look like a tortoise lumbering into the sea or a gull taking flight, depending on who you ask. Of all the international trade fairs, regional conferences, and other events held here, by far the most famous was the 1997 Handover Ceremony. An obelisk commemorates it on the waterfront promenade, which also affords great views of Kowloon.

Outside the center stands the Golden Bauhinia. This gleaming sculpture of the bauhinia flower, Hong Kong's symbol, was a gift from China. The police hoist the flag daily at 8 am; on the first of every month, there is an enhanced flag-raising ceremony with musical accompaniment by police bands.

Trams clatter along this busy road, which is choked with traffic day and night. It's also packed with shops selling food, cell phones, herbal tonics, and bargain-basement clothes. Rattan furniture, picture frames, paper lanterns, and Chinese calligraphic materials make up the more traditional assortment at Queen's Road East, which runs parallel to Johnston Road. The lanes that stretch between the two roads are also lined with stalls, forming a minimarket of clothing and accessories.

High above Wan Chai sits the suggestively shaped monolith known as Lovers' Rock, or Yan Yuen Shek. It's often visited by local single women, who burn joss sticks and make offerings in hope of finding a husband. Not in the market? The walk along Bowen Road offers excellent views over the city, particularly at dusk. The easiest way up is on Minibus 24A from the Admiralty MTR station.

Pak Tai Temple in Wan Chai (not to be confused with Pak Tai Temple in Cheung Chau) is the largest temple on Hong Kong Island and a reminder of Wan Chai's early development. Built in 1863 by the local community, the Taoist shrine honors Pak Tai, the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven. Its colorful, intricate carvings, imposing statues of deities, and handcrafted ceramics roof make it well worth a visit. Conveniently, the temple is located close to other attractions like Blue House and Wan Chai Market.