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A Local’s Tour Of Culture, Food And Sights

Morning

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In a city as bustling and dense as Hong Kong, 24 hours can easily pass in the blink of an eye. Maximise your time in this magical city with Monocle’s one-day itinerary. Start your day the right way with a stroll in Kowloon Walled City Park. Located on the former site of an infamous slum that was demolished in the 1990s, the 3.1-hectare park offers a welcome escape from the bustle of the metropolis. Its design draws inspiration from the Qing dynasty-era gardens of Jiangnan. Features include the Mountain View Pavilion, which looks up to Lion Rock, and a garden with sculptures depicting the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac.

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After your stroll, treat yourself to a fragrant cup of coffee at Tai Wo Tang, one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive cafés. Much like the park, the coffee shop has a colourful history, sharing a name with a Chinese medicine dispensary that once occupied the site. When that shop closed in 2017, the current owners soon took over. They converted the space into a coffee shop while preserving the historic interiors, giving patrons a chance to travel back in time while sipping a flat white.

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If you want a spot of culture, take a red taxi to Central, Hong Kong’s private gallery district. Gagosian’s sleek space has shows by global names such as Anselm Kiefer and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, while Pearl Lam Galleries showcases the work of leading international artists.

Afternoon

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From Central, head to Wan Chai on the iconic tram, which started operation in 1904 and is affectionately known by locals as “ding ding”. After browsing the expanded selection of clothing, luggage, homeware and gifts at the Monocle Shop on St Francis Street, explore Lee Tung Avenue, a photogenic part of Wan Chai, before wandering the street markets that spread out toward Wan Chai Road.

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While you’re in the neighbourhood, drop by My Cup of Tea, where you’ll find one of the best egg sandos in town. Sandwiched between two slices of white bread are eggs scrambled to fluffy perfection. For an extra hit of umami, try the corned beef option.

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To perfectly complement your lunch, head to Causeway Bay’s Shari Shari for kakigori, a shaved-ice dessert. Founder Shingo Take imports both ice and seasonal fruits from his native Japan to meet the demand for his sweet and flavourful concoctions.

Evening

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Sunset is the perfect time to take in Hong Kong’s skyline. Start at East Coast Park Precinct where the promenade extends from Causeway Bay back to Central, via the public-art-dotted Tamar Park and Golden Bauhinia Square, home to a daily flag-raising ceremony. At Central Pier, the 60-metre-high Hong Kong Observation Wheel offers panoramic views of Kowloon across the harbour.

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After a long walk, treat yourself to some premium calories at Yardbird. Beloved by gourmets and chefs alike, the Michelin-starred izakaya and bar serves the city’s best yakitori. From miso breast and ume thigh to neck skin and gizzard, if it is a part of the chicken, they serve it.

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End your evening at Kinsman, a new cocktail bar that has quickly become Soho favourite. 

The brainchild of F&B enthusiast and writer Gavin Yeung, Kinsman’s extensive cocktail menu is themed around traditional Hong Kong and Chinese flavours. The menu on Monocle’s visit included the “Afternoon in Swatow”, a twist on a Talisker 10 whisky fat-wash with Chiuchow beef stock and artisanal coffee from Sang Roastery.