Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [50]
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TRANSPORT – ISLAND EAST
MTR Take the Central line from Causeway Bay.
Tram A more atmospheric alternative to the MTR, it clatters sedately from Western Market ( Click here) in Sheung Wan to Shau Kei Wan.
North Point & Quarry Bay
Bus North Point: To get to the North Point Ferry bus terminus from Tsim Sha Shui take bus 110, which runs down Canton Rd. From the south of the island, bus 38 comes from Aberdeen bus terminus (by the promenade) or bus 77 from Aberdeen Main Rd, which runs along King’s Rd in North Point. Bus 63 (or 65 on Sundays) comes from Stanley (the bus terminus is just up from the market). The only direct bus from Shek O is the 309 on Sundays, which runs along King’s Rd in North Point.
Shau Kei Wan: To get to Shau Kai Wan bus terminus from Tsim Sha Shui take bus 110, which runs down Canton Rd. From the south of the island, take bus 77 from Aberdeen Main Rd. From Stanley bus 14 passes along Stanley Village Rd and takes you to Shau Kei Wan Rd close to the MTR station. From Shek O bus terminus take bus 9, which terminates at Shau Kei Wan MTR.
Ferry North Point: You can reach North Point by ferry from Kwun Tong, Hung Hom and Kowloon City.
Sai Wan Ho: Ferries from Kwun Tong and Sam Ka Tsuen (by Lei Yue Mun) on the mainland arrive here. There are also kaito services operating to Tung Lung Chau via Joss House Bay (although in significant numbers only on the weekend).
MTR By far the easiest way to reach this area is to use the Island line with stations at North Point, Quarry Bay, Tai Koo, Sai Wan Ho, Shau Kei Wan, Heng Fa Chuen and Chai Wan. North Point and Quarry Bay are also on Tseung Kwan O line.
Tram If you’re coming from Central or Admiralty, North Point has a tram terminus, as does Shau Kei Wan, which is at the end of the line.
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To reach the museum take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan station (exit B2). Then follow the museum signs on busy Tung Hei Rd for about 15 minutes. Bus 85, which is accessible via exit A3 and runs along Shau Kei Wan Rd between North Point and Siu Sai Wan, stops on Tung Hei Rd outside the museum.
Chai Wan
LAW UK FOLK MUSEUM Map
2896 7006; www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ce/museum/history/en/luf.php; 14 Kut Shing St; admission free; 10am-6pm Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat, 1-6pm Sun; MTR Chai Wan
This small museum, a branch of the Hong Kong Museum of History, occupies two restored Hakka village houses that have stood in Chai Wan (Firewood Bay) – a district of nondescript office buildings, warehouses and workers’ flats – for more than two centuries. The quiet courtyard and surrounding bamboo groves are peaceful and evocative, and the displays – furniture, household items and farming implements – simple but charming.
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top picks
HONG KONG FOR CHILDREN
As well as Hong Kong’s two theme parks, Ocean Park (opposite) and Disneyland ( Click here), Hong Kong offers plenty of amazement for kids as well as adults:
Beaches (Click here)
Cityplaza Ice Palace skating rink (Click here)
Hong Kong Park ( Click here)
Hong Kong Space Museum & Theatre ( Click here)
Junk and sampan trips in Aberdeen Harbour (opposite)
Noonday Gun ( Click here)
Peak Tram (Click here)
Star Ferry (Click here)
Symphony of the Stars lightshow ( Click here)
Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade ( Click here)
Zoological & Botanical Gardens ( Click here)
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To reach the museum from the Chai Wan MTR station, follow exit B and walk for five minutes to the west.
Return to beginning of chapter
ISLAND SOUTH
Eating Click here; Drinking Click here
The Southern District ( Map), which encompasses everything from Big Wave Bay and Shek O in the east to Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in the west, is full of attractions and wild spaces to escape into. This is Hong Kong Island’s backyard playground – from the beaches of Repulse Bay and Deep Water Bay and the outdoor activities available at Shek O, to Stanley Market, the shoppers’ paradise,