Step Back in Time at These 10 Historical Hidden Gems in Hong Kong

Aleksandra Milewicz

Last updated 27 Mar 2024

Trace back Hong Kong’s fascinating history through traditional trades and historical sites around the city

Did you know Hong Kong is filled with historical hidden gems? Trace back the city’s fascinating history from the stilt houses of Tai O fishing village to the remnants of the infamous Kowloon Walled City Park. Or, if you’re a vintage aficionado more than a history buff, grab a pineapple bun and milk tea at picture-perfect Mido Cafe before heading off for some retro arcade games at Game Centre. One thing is sure: old Hong Kong’s spirit is alive and well if you know where to look.

Step Back in Time at These Historical Hidden Gems in Hong Kong:

Kowloon Walled City Park
Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter
Tai O Fishing Village
Mido Cafe
Sai Wan Swimming Shed
Ping Shan Heritage Trail
Blue House
Tin Hau Temple, Shau Kei Wan
Game Centre
Aqua Luna

1. Kowloon Walled City Park

The infamous Kowloon Walled City, once the most densely populated spot in the world, is one of the most captivating chapters in Hong Kong history. From the 1950s to 1970s, the walled city became a lawless enclave for fugitives, gangs and opium parlours. But for most of its 33,000 residents, the walled city was simply home. With low rent and no regulations, it was easy to set up a business here and soon all kinds of factories flourished in the dark alleyways and cramped spaces. Kowloon Walled City functioned as an independent ecosystem within Hong Kong until its demolition in 1994.

Kowloon Walled City Park occupies the area of the former walled city. Some of the artifacts have been preserved here, such as the city’s main entrance and yamen, a historic governmental office. There is a small exhibition devoted to the life of Kowloon Walled City residents and a fascinating model of the city that really puts into perspective how cramped the living conditions were then.

The park itself is lovely too, so save some time for a wander around.

Kowloon Walled City Park

Address: Kowloon Walled City Park, Carpenter Road Park, Kowloon City
Opening times: Mon-Sun, 6:30 AM - 11 PM

2. Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter

Expensive yachts docked right next to sampans (Chinese wooden boats)? Skyscrapers towering over an old fishing village? Only in Hong Kong. Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter offers a blend of the new and old that makes Hong Kong so intoxicating. Here you can board your junk boat for the day… or experience the vibrant fishing culture that dates back to the very beginning of Hong Kong.

Start your exploration with a sampan audio tour. Board a sampan boat and explore 13 landmarks around Aberdeen with an immersive audio guide tour. If you have an appetite for more, book an evening of seafood, history and tradition. Seafood Feast on a Sampan typically includes the famous Typhoon Shelter crab (also known as chilli crab), razor clams, fresh prawns, Chinese kale, and stir-fried noodles with crab meat. All this is prepared and enjoyed on a traditional sampan boat!

Reserve your spot for an authentic sampan seafood feast at Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter

3. Tai O fishing village

Tai O Fishing Village is almost impossibly pretty. Traditional wooden stilt houses are precariously perched on the river banks, with a backdrop of lush green mountains. But beyond the scenic views, the village is also home to some of Hong Kong’s disappearing trades. The pinkish paste drying out under the sun (you’ll smell it before you see it) is the famous Tai O shrimp paste. In its heyday, Hong Kong used to export the condiment all over the world but today, only two factories remain in operation in Tai O. The fishing lifestyle is also slowly dying out but you can still catch a glimpse of fishermen bringing back the catch of the day and try traditional salted fish at the market.

Once you tour the fishing village, visit Tai O Heritage Hotel, a former police station situated on a hill just outside Tai O. The building was converted into a luxury colonial-style hotel but it still has many of the original features, including a prison cell, that you can view as a visitor. For a chance to see not just the fishing village but also some of the surrounding nature, opt for the Tai O sea kayaking expedition — maybe you’ll get lucky and spot the famous pink dolphins!

4. Mido Cafe

There’s so much to love about Hong Kong but the incredible food culture is definitely near the top. If you want to relive the golden days of cha chaan tengs, Hong Kong-style diners, look no further than Mido Cafe. Opened in 1950, Mido Cafe hasn’t changed one bit in the last 70 years. You’ll find here the same coloured windows, mosaic tiles and ceiling fans that accompanied dates and family meals back in the 50s. Grab a window seat and order baked spare rib rice and milk tea for a taste of Hong Kong nostalgia.

Mido Cafe

Address: 63 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei
Opening times: Thu - Tue, 9 AM - 9:45 PM (closed on Wednesdays)

5. Sai Wan Swimming Shed

Follow the steep stairs off Victoria Road in Kennedy Town and you’ll find a surreal sight: a rickety wooden pier stretching out into the open sea. It’s Sai Wan Swimming Shed, the last swimming shed still in service in Hong Kong. Swimming sheds, which were usually a simple bamboo hut changing room, became popular in the early 20th century. Hong Kongers could rent swimwear here and take a refreshing dip in the Harbour for a small fee.

Today, Sai Wan Swimming Shed is frequented mainly by older residents who come for a morning swim and photography enthusiasts. It’s also a beautiful vantage spot to watch the sunset!

Sai Wan Swimming Shed

Address: Victoria Road, Mount Davis, Hong Kong Island
Opening times: Free to access 24/7
Best time to visit: early morning or sunset

6. Ping Shan Heritage Trail

Ping Shan Heritage Trail connects a series of well-preserved ancestral halls, temples and courtyards along an easy 1.6-kilometer route. During the self-guided walk, you’ll learn more about the history and culture of the Tan clan, who settled in this area during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127). Some of the highlights along the way include Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda, the only one of its kind in Hong Kong, and Kun Ting, an impressive 700-year-old ancestral hall. Your last stop will be the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre which provides a welcome blast of air conditioning and showcases a small exhibition about the history of the Tan clan. Short walking distances between landmarks and easy access by public transport make it a great walk for families with kids.

Ping Shan Heritage Trail (self-guided)

Start point: Tin Shui Wai MTR
End point: Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery, 10 Ping Shan Lane, Hang Tau Tsuen
Trail map: via website

7. Blue House

Tucked away on a quiet street of Wan Chai, Blue House is a living piece of history. The four-story tenement block was built in 1922, although it wasn’t painted blue until 1990. Beautifully preserved in the traditional style, Blue House is still home to nineteen families today. It also houses Hong Kong House of Stories, a communal space that hosts exhibitions, screenings and cultural events.

House of Stories recently resumed guided tours of the Blue House so keep an eye out for announcements on the website. Some of the old apartments have been preserved intact so it’s worth taking a peek and learning a bit of Hong Kong history through architecture.

House of Stories, Blue House

Address: G/F, 72A Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai
Opening times: Thu-Tue, 10AM - 6PM (closed on Wednesdays)
Website: https://vivabluehouse.hk/en/
Book: via website

8. Tin Hau Temple in Shau Kei Wan

Tin Hau is the Goddess of the Sea and the protector of fishermen caught in violent storms. You’ll find Tin Hau temples in almost every fishing village in Hong Kong but why is there one in Shau Kei Wan? Don’t let the skyscrapers fool you: back in the day, Shau Kei Wan was a fishing village too!

The Tin Hau Temple was constructed in 1873 and houses amazingly well-preserved murals, wood carvings and ceramics. Marvel at the art and enjoy the otherworldly effect of hundreds of incense coils suspended from the ceiling. After visiting the temple, take a walk along Kwong Ming Marina to get a glimpse of the few remaining shipyards that are still operating here today.

Tin Hau Temple, Shau Kei Wan

Address: 53 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong Island
Website: http://www.ctc.org.hk/en/directcontrol/temple5.asp
Opening times: Mon-Sun, 8AM - 5PM

9. Game Centre

Calling all Stranger Things fans: this is what your retro horror dreams were made of. Descend down a dark stairway accompanied by the buzzing of neon lights and you’ll be rewarded with a treasure trove of retro arcade games. A handful of regulars are locked in a fierce battle of Maimai but other than that, the place is eerily quiet. Get your game card from the ticket window, top it up in an ancient-looking machine and you’re all good to go. Our personal favorites are Bishi Bashi (you’ll see why) and the above-mentioned Maimai, a rhythm game that looks like a washing machine but is infinitely more fun than doing your laundry, we promise.

Game Centre

Address: 1 Jubilee Street, Central
Opening times: Sun-Thu, 10AM - 11:30PM; Fri-Sat, 10AM - 8:30PM

10. Aqua Luna

Aqua Luna is a hidden gem in plain sight. You’ve probably taken photos of it before but have you ever sailed on the famous boat? Although it’s not that old (it was launched in 2006), Aqua Luna gets an honorable mention for continuing a long Hong Kong tradition. It was built by local craftsmen using traditional shipbuilding methods — the whole process took 18 months!

Named Cheung Po Tsai in Cantonese , after the 19-century pirate, Aqua Luna has an almost magical quality of transforming you back to Hong Kong’s very origins, when pirates still roamed these waters. Hop on for a 1-hour Night Cruise on Victoria Harbour to catch the sunset or watch the Symphony of Lights. If you’re up for a full-day adventure, sail from Central to Stanley on a scenic route (weekends only).

Klook Tip: For Stanley Cruise, board at Central to get first dibs on the best seats.

Aqua Luna

Boarding: Central Pier No. 9 or Tsim Sha Tsui Public Pier No. 1
Price: HK$218 Sunset Promo, HK$295 Symphony of Lights Cruise, HK$295 One-Way Ticket to Stanley (weekends only)
Book: via Klook

Book your Aqua Luna tickets on Klook for instant confirmation and next-day bookings