Central: Chinatown

The western part of Central is considered Hong Kong's Chinatown; an area dominated by dusty streets, old buildings and a chaotic hubbub of people always at work.

A walk on foot along Hollywood Road and Tai Ping Shan Street can be an extremely entertaining experience. (Photo 1)

I decide to visit this new slice of Central; I set off from Hollywood Road and am captivated by the many antique shops that line the street, typically Chinese furniture, wonderfully inlaid wooden statues that numerous traders, leaning out onto the street, invite me to look at more closely; although the temptation is strong, I carry on.

The shop windows are full of typical objects, carpets, seals, paintings, beautiful teapots, and the atmosphere you breathe is truly enchanting.

I enter a modern art gallery, suddenly appeared, and manage to take a few photos before I'm asked to leave my camera at the entrance; a fine exhibition of paintings by Chinese artists. (Photo 2)

I go on…I find myself in front of the Man Mo Temple, one of the oldest in Hong Kong; although it is small I am struck by its beauty and I understand why it is held so important.

I pass through the red lacquered door and immediately a strong smell overwhelms me, given off by the numerous incense coils that hang from the ceiling and can burn for weeks. (Photo 3)

Inside is the statue of Man, the god of literature and of officials, and of Mo, the god of war.

The area is smoky and once again the atmosphere, created by the stifling light and the intense scents, carries my thoughts far away.

I leave an offering and continue my walk…

By now, the precise antique shops have been replaced by shops selling bric-a-brac, colourful and chaotic; here you find splendidly ancient buildings, survived through time, with their wooden shutters and precious carvings a beauty to behold.

By now I am in the heart of Sheung Wan, an up-and-down of climbs and descents; the shops here become more diverse, there are numerous sellers of medicinal herbs, miracle cures and coloured potions.

A small temple appears suddenly, Kwong Fook I Tze, small, modest and poor in decoration, yet worthy of a visit. (Photo 4)

Arriving at Hollywood Road Park I stop here, I watch the elderly playing cards, the children joking, in a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere; just outside I will meet numerous hawkers and fortune-tellers, sellers of benign destinies for a few coins.

Having reached the Western Market I jump onto a wooden tram; there are many in this area, the ride costs little and lets you see Hong Kong Island in yet another way; I go up to the upper deck and stand at the front, to enjoy the best view; there are many of us and I am the only Westerner; this means of transport, used above all by the locals, is fast and clean. (Photo 5)

I look at the streets jammed with traffic, I reluctantly leave my tram, the bright light of the advertising signs replaces that of day, I head to the pier to return to Kowloon where my hotel is, I take the Star Ferry and leave behind me a spectacle of giant, glittering skyscrapers.