Your neighbourhood guide to Chai Wan
What to do at the east end of Hong Kong IslandAt the eastern end of the MTR Island Line sits Chai Wan, a blend of residential and industrial areas. The neighbourhood is built on reclaimed land and extends west from Lei Yue Mun and east to Siu Sai Wan. Full of culture, Chai Wan was home to six villages at the end of the 18th century, one of which you can still visit as a museum. If you’ve exhausted yourself of Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, here’s how to explore this more rural, yet still exciting historical area.
Read more: Your neighbourhood guide to Shau Kei Wan
How to get there
From Central, take the MTR Island Line to Chai Wan Station. You can also take bus 780, 780P or A12.
Things to do
Chai Wan Park
Occupying more than seven hectares, Chai Wan Park is one of Hong Kong’s largest green spaces. It started off as the Chai Wan campsite of The Boy Scouts Association before it was transformed into a public park in 1993. The lily pond in the middle of Chai Wan Park is undoubtedly its main attraction, drawing in photographers and bird watchers over the weekend.
Chai Wan Park, Tsui Wan Street, Chai Wan, 2898 7560
Read more: 7 beautiful parks and green spaces in Hong Kong
Law Uk Folk Museum
Soak in the culture at Law Uk Folk Museum, just a convenient five minutes’ walk from the MTR station. Named Law Uk, which translates to ‘Law House’, the museum was once owned by a Hakka family with the surname Law. Today, this 18th-century village house is a declared historical monument and the only example of its kind in Chai Wan.
Law Uk Folk Museum, 14 Kut Shing Street, Chai Wan, 2896 7006
Read more: Best museums in Hong Kong
Youth Square
Owned by the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong government, Youth Square has been conducting a range of arts activities for young people since its opening in 2008. Its premises include a theatre, studio, multi-purpose area, hostel, retail shops and offices to facilitate youth development activities.
Youth Square, 238 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, 3721 8888
Chai Wan Ghost Bridge
Don’t be put off by the name – Chai Wan Ghost Bridge is anything but scary. Rumours say that come nightfall, Japanese soldiers who died during the war will come out and haunt the 200-metre bridge… but that’s as far as it goes. During the day, Chai Wan Ghost Bridge is a popular photo spot for hikers, with its stone facade and arched pillars. If we had to describe it with one word, it would be ‘magnificent’, especially against the backdrop of the rolling mountains.
Chai Wan Ghost Bridge, Fung Wah Estate, Chai Wan
Sai Wan War Cemetery
Visiting a cemetery may not be the first thing on your list, but hear us out. There’s something eerily beautiful about Sai Wan War Cemetery, a military cemetery built in 1946. Created to commemorate soldiers of Hong Kong Garrison who perished during both the First World War and the Second World War, it draws visitors in who want to pay their respects or simply admire the ethereal impression in the area. Perhaps refrain from Instagram photos for this one, though.
Sai Wan War Cemetery, Cape Collinson Road, Chai Wan
Restaurants
Springtime
Tucked away in a factory building, Springtime is an independent bistro serving western-style dishes. From juicy wagyu burgers with thick potato chips to flavourful salads packed with superfoods, you’ll be able to find something that tingles your tastebuds, guaranteed. Springtime is currently moving to a new space and will reopen in October, so keep an eye on its Facebook for updates.
Springtime, G/F, 12 Kut Shing Street, Chai Wan, 5408 0366
Leisure
Travel may be out of the question right now, but you can still transport yourself to Japan with a meal at Leisure. This affordable Japanese restaurant offers set lunches and dinners arranged in dainty bento boxes. We recommend the unadon, a donburi of steamed white rice topped with grilled eel fillets that are sweetened with a soy-based sauce.
Leisure, 1/F, Chai Wan Sports Centre, 6 Yee Shun Street, Chai Wan, 9441 0951
耀東號
You know a place is authentic when it doesn’t have an English name. Known by Chai Wan residents as the ‘Pork Chop King’, this independent restaurant specialises in fried pork chop, which it doles out from the afternoon until 2am. Night after night, it sees a crowd return for its golden and crispy chops served alongside rice or noodles – the perfect comfort food after a late night out.
耀東號, Shop 87, Koway Plaza, 111 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, 2388 7999
Loud Tea
Loud Tea is a forerunner in the bubble tea business, effortlessly beating out all its competitors in the area. A favourite among Chai Wan locals, this beverage shop is known for its signature winter melon tea and mango milk tea. It also rolls out seasonal varieties, such as the refreshing green grape soda and the quirky durian four seasons of spring tea.
Loud Tea, Shop 317-318, G/F, Lok Hin Terrace, 350 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, 9864 3317
My Bros Suite
End your day on a sweet note at My Bros Suite, a dessert store with dai pai dong-style seating piled onto the street. Real locals know there’s nothing better than to chomp on an icy serving of mango sago on midsummer’s eve or sip on a warm bowl of sesame soup on a cold winter night.
My Bros Suite, Shop 419, G/F, Lok Hin Terrace, 350 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, 2790 3900
Feature image courtesy of @kingsssssleychung
