If you’re a bit of a bookworm with a soft spot for Hong Kong’s cultural history, then this event should interest you. The Museum of Hong Kong Literature (MHKL), in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), has organised a series of literature-themed tours of Wan Chai, integrating local stories of the neighbourhood with literary elements and history.
This ‘Touring Wan Chai with Locals’ series is part of the URA’s efforts to preserve and highlight the individual characteristics of neighbourhoods while revitalising them. Starting from the group of pre-war Grade II historic buildings on 7 Mallory Street named M7, the tour focuses on revitalisation projects in Wan Chai, as well as historical or specialty architecture, streets, and shops, highlighting sights around town that you may otherwise overlook in our busy everyday lives.
The tours will be conducted by local Hongkongers who know Wan Chai like the back of their hands, supplemented by research from the MHKL on literature that has mentioned this area’s history, culture, native ways of living, and places of interest, bringing to life people and events that have ties to Wan Chai. Expect to see this corner of Hong Kong through the eyes of local and visiting writers such as Eileen Chang, Yesi Leung Ping-kwan, and Xiaosi, who have all recorded their memories of Wan Chai in their published works.
Some of the locations covered in these tours include the old Wan Chai Market, Blue House, the old Wan Chai Post Office, Spring Garden Lane, as well as 186-190 Queen’s Road East. Make sure to grab a ‘tour passport’, available at M7 and select locations along the route, so you can collect specially designed stamps to document your journey. The tours are free to attend, and interested parties can register to be chosen via lottery. ‘Touring Wan Chai with Locals’ will run on August 10, 13, 20, 24, and 27.
Since Hongkongers are such foodies, there will also be a special tour session that combines literary stories with Wan Chai’s food spots, led by Dr Ames Siu Yan-ho, who is a university lecturer with a passionate focus on Hong Kong food culture. While munching your way across Wan Chai, attendees of this session will learn about the origins of Cantonese cuisine, this history of cha chaan tengs, how to properly enjoy Hong Kong-style milk tea, and more. This foodie tour will take place on August 16, and registration opens on August 10.
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