Going Soho in Hong Kong
artwork by Zhou Jin Hua
I just thought you should take a look at what’s it’s like on this side of the world. I had a housecall this afternoon (going to students’ home) at the top of the famous and fabulous Central-Mid-Levels escalator. This escalator goes all the way up to mid-mountain range — hence the neighborhood is called Mid-levels.Â
My home is about a 5 minute drive away from Soho. I needed a break from my template work anyway, so I went for some outward exploring.
I live and hang out on northwest corner of Hong Kong island since I got here. I’ve only ventured across to the dark side a.k.a. Kowloon twice since I’ve been here. It’s denser and packed and more Hong Kong than Hong Kong Island…
Take a look at the map, and you’ll see New Territories — it’s the peninsula further north of Kowloon. It’s kind of like the suburbia of Hong Kong.
So far, I’ve been to Stanley Market (south of Hong Kong Island) and the Aberdeen Hong Kong Harbour for a junk ride.
Back to Soho — since the escalator system was built, business had migrated from the street level further up to higher grounds. Soho is now a wonderful destination for some boutique shopping, art galleries, bistro and café lifestyle.   On a cool Tuesday afternoon like today, it was the perfect to do a little exploring.Â
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Inside the Escalator (photo 1); Stairway to the escalators and elevated walkways (photo 2)
Taking a stroll down along the escalator (the escalator runs downhill from 6:00am to 10:00am and uphill from 10:30am to midnight) led me straight into the heart of Soho.Â
Beside the escalator is a Subway, and a European bistro bar.Â
Around corner is Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme Donuts… but no Timmies :(   I really have to stock up on my timmies when I go visit Toronto this summer. [I wonder if I can get my coffee through the customs.]
Street sale for Chinese art works, including buddha statues, ink stamps and tiny figurines.Â
Inside one of these antique Chinese art boutiqes holds this bronze plate… incredible, isn’t it?
This is one level down closer to street level. This road is called Hollywood road. There are a lot of Chinese Art boutiques clustered here… and here in Hong Kong Island (and Kowloon) taxis are red. Taxis in the New Territories are green.
Back up one level and on Staunton road, with more bistros, boutiques, cafés and wine bars.
Like the rest of Hong Kong and the most famous Lan Kwai Fong entertainment district, this area architecturally blends the Chinese, British colonial (from the past 100 years), and the western corporate influence.  Unlike Lan Kwai Fong the club district, Soho is the café district with mostly boutique stores, pastry shops, cafés and bistro-bars. Way more layback… more my kind of place.
I’m thinking about getting myself a vespa to get around in Hong Kong… but my mom would just freak, and freak and freak, and freak, and nag, and nag, and nag… sigh… never mind. Bye-bye vespa… I’ll just take a picture and admire you from afar.
Still Soho - I see this as kind of like a “Little-north-America” with a mixture of Little Italy, Little China, Little India, and Little-Canada, and Little everything else. Mostly bars, bistros, pastry shops, cafés and restaurants - no clubs.
An Italian Pastry shop with Chinese Red-lanterns next door.
Time has changed, hasn’t it - old timer?
An exhibition galleria at the corner of Hollywood Road and Peel street currently featuring works by Zhou Jin Hua.
You like?
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February 28th, 2007 at 10:05 am
I really enjoyed the view of your world and I love your thumbnail.
[Reply]
February 28th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Mlle: You don’t need a Vespa, rather a motorcycle 750cc minimum. Than you can go where you want to be when you want to. As the most famous person on the planet said “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” that is how one should travel at all times.
[Reply]
February 28th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Wow, it’s fabulous! It’s amazing to see what West meets East REALLY looks like! Thanks! Love the photos!
[Reply]
February 28th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Tracey - it’s fun to be traveling and seeing new worlds. I’m trying to have a good time. Thanks for dropping by.
xoxo - I think I’ll be hanging in Soho for a while.
boo - it’s quite a cultural blend here - glad you like the photos.
Mitchell - you think I can handle a 750cc? That sounds heavy.
[Reply]
March 5th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Y’know, CK. I really love the photos and the way you organize your trip. I really feel like I’m there checking out with ya. Nice. Really nice.
[Reply]
February 24th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
[...] At first, I just wanna stay in my PJs all day and watch movies - so I thought I’ll go the DVD store in Soho and rent something. I dug my wobbly and heavy legs to Soho, and thought about renting first season of “Monk” or “Lost” - I have never seen the first season of Lost. [...]
March 4th, 2008 at 2:25 am
[...] CK: SPEED — I love motorcycles even though I don’t know how to drive one - I’m still thinking about getting a vespa. I will get a pilot license eventually - a helicopter license would be fantastic. [...]
May 19th, 2008 at 3:50 am
[...] Ken arrived on Monday, and immediately I showed him the best cheap eats in Hong Kong. LKF for a little dining at the rat alley, drinks at LKF, then more food at a local Dai-Pai-Dong in Soho’s Elgin street. [...]