Down Des Voeux Road crossing Hong Kong Island’s Central area towards Sheung Wan is an old indoor market dating back to the days of old Hong Kong – Western Market.
The northern part that remains a shopping area today was constructed a bit later in 1906. It’s a good tourist stop in Sheung Wan to get a sense of the “former Hong Kong” might have felt like with the architecture pretty much the same and many of the shops still maintaining that special spirit.
The government Heritage Trails website explains (trail map here):
Initially a very shabby market, the Western Market came into business in 1844. It was leased from the government by the merchants in the Central and Sheung Wan districts. The South Block of the Western Market was built in 1858. Since the market could not meet with the demand of the increasing population in the district, the North Block was thus built in 1906. The South Block of the Western Market was later replaced by the Sheung Wan Complex in 1981.
Best way to get there, is on the tram. Get off just before it makes the turn off Des Voeux Road.
This is the grand entrance, under renovations during my visit.
Let’s go inside…
As you can see, not that big, but looking somewhat posh.
Plenty of tailor shops on the second floor…
And on the top floor… a Chinese/Shanghai restaurant offers seafood with old Chinese music performances in the background…
More on Western Market :
- Western Market
- Hong Kong: Walkaround Western Market, Sheung Wan and to North Point
- SHEUNG WAN
- On Walkabout In: Sheung Wan, Hong Kong