iDiscover Hong Kong
by Craig Lindsay
As with many frequent business travellers to Hong Kong, I usually spend my days cloistered in the glass towers of Central and Wanchai, with occasional forays during my downtime to Bowen Road for an early morning run, a walk up to the Peak or very infrequent shopping trips to Stanley Village or Mongkok. However, on a trip to Hong Kong this past December, I came across an amazing app called iDiscover Hong Kong which opened my eyes to a whole range of “off the beaten path” communities such as Lei Yue Mun, Sham Shui Po and Kennedy Town. The app was developed by Urban Discovery, a not-for-profit group focused on assisting cities throughout China and Southeast Asia to better manage their heritage assets.
Working with local residents, non-governmental organizations and universities in Hong Kong, the app’s creators have mapped various routes to discover some of Hong Kong’s overlooked backstreet gems. The recommended walks range from 1 .5 hours to 9 hours (for Kwun Tong), and are displayed on interactive, downloadable maps that identify various points of interests. Because locals have been involved in the selection, creation and introduction of destinations and events, they highlight many roads less travelled by mainstream tourist guides.
Visitors can explore, for instance, Kennedy Town, which for years was seen as a backwater of Hong Kong because it was so far away from Central and lacked subway access. Many visitors will only know of Kennedy Town as they have seen the name on a tram running through Central. Nowadays, K-Town (as it is now known) is well-known for its vibrant bars and restaurants, while its famous Sai Wan Estate apartment blocks have been spruced up with colorful playgrounds. Sai Wan Estate, developed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority and dating back to 1958, is the second oldest public housing estate in Hong Kong in existence, making it a must-visit for visitors who want to take a close-up look at metropolitan history.
To experience traditional fishing villages, pay a visit to Aberdeen on southwest Hong Kong Island. Sai Kung, meanwhile, is known for its bay and islands where you can escape the crowds and noise and relax in a seaside resort vibe, enjoy fresh seafood and go hiking in the mountains. Sai Kung District’s Hoi Pong Street is filled with numerous cafes and little souvenir shops with both vintage styles and unique contemporary art.
Using the free app, visitors can connect directly to locals, stop by their businesses and living quarters or even get involved in everyday activities. These family-run businesses and traditional craftsmen traditionally operate on the fringes of the city, and are normally invisible to tourists. With the app, users can stop by veteran artisans who specialize in sewing or bamboo steamers used for Chinese dumplings, scavengers and recyclers of wood, generations-old family run restaurants or traditional handicraft workshops. In Sai Ying Pun, for example, you can visit the shop of Yu Kwun Yick, a legendary family-run chili sauce brand since 1922.
Yes, Hong Kong is dynamic, modern and sophisticated. But underneath this bustling metropolis lies a beating heart waiting to be discovered by a new generation of visitors. The iDiscover app can be downloaded at https://i-discoverasia.com/neighbourhoods/hong-kong/ (where you’ll also find apps for several other destinations in Asia).