It’s more than pork buns and five star hotels in Hong Kong taking the kids to Hong Kong provides cultural experience for children of all ages. With so much to experience be sure that your little nomads go Ding Ding on a historic trip on Hong Kong’s Trams.
More than 100 years old and known locally as ‘Ding Dings’, Hong Kong’s trams offer an unforgettable insight into the history and continuing evolution of this favourite destination.
Now the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched an online guide to exploring Hong Kong Island by tram, detailing more than 150 restaurants, shopping opportunities and cultural attractions easily accessed along the six main tram routes.
Available at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/tramguide/eng/index.jsp, the guide also showcases the story of Hong Kong’s trams. Introduced in 1904, the Hong Kong system is one of only three in the world still operating double-decker trams (along with Blackpool and Alexandria in Egypt), and is in fact the only system operated exclusively using double-deckers.
Today, Hong Kong Tramways operates a fleet of 163 tramcars, including two antique-style trams. On average, 230,000 passengers use the trams each day. Fare is HK$2 (£0.16) for adults and HK$1 (£0.8) concessionary for senior citizens and children.
The tram’s six routes stretch between Kennedy Town in the west of Hong Kong Island and Shau Kei Wan in the east. Key districts waiting to be explored along the route are:
Sheung Wan – densely packed, narrow side streets, a world inhabited by Chinese merchants, traditional herbs and medicine shops which bring the sights, sounds and smells of old Hong Kong to life.
Central – where the rich go to shop in marble malls, and skyscrapers sit side-by-side with old colonial architecture, antique streets, temples, churches and the popular watering holes of Lan Kwai Fong. This is the classic ‘East meets West’ part of HK.
Wan Chai – 100 years ago Wan Chai was just a fishing village; today it’s the most famous (some would say ‘infamous’) nightlife district in Hong Kong. But it’s also a modern hub for art, culture and business, with the bustle of open-air markets and historic architecture like the Blue House and Hung Shing Temple. Then, when night falls, enter the world of Suzie Wong…!
Happy Valley – capture the essence and vitality of Hong Kong’s Chinese culture under the dazzling lights of one of the world’s few in-city race tracks. Happy Valley has been the home of racing in Hong Kong since the first meeting on a strip of reclaimed marshland in 1846.
Causeway Bay – a mecca for the style-conscious in search of the latest clothes, accessories and gadgets from some of HK’s trendiest flagship stores and boutiques; but also a great place to eat – Causeway Bay’s alleys are home to an array of eateries offering cuisine from all corners of the world.
Tin Hau, Fortress Hill & North Point – predominantly residential areas where old traditions live side-by-side with the bustle of modern-day Hong Kong. Tin Hau takes its name from a Qing dynasty temple featuring well-preserved stone lions, sculptures and wall paintings; while North Point is the place to go for great local snack stalls.
Tai Koo Sing, Sai Wan Ho & Shau Kei Wan – contrast the shopping, dining and entertainment experiences of Tai Koo Shing with Sai Wan Ho’s al fresco harbourfront dining options, or take a tour through the history of kung fu movies at the Hong Kong Film Archive. In Shau Kei Wan, visit traditional temples where fishermen worshipped their gods and stroll around shipyards and wholesale fish markets – a vivid reminder of Hong Kong’s past as a fishing village!
The Hong Kong Tram Guide is set to continuously be expanded with the addition of information on even more attractions and landmarks, including Hong Kong Island’s unique architecture.
