Escape the Expat Bubble – Chai Wan
Sarah Richard – World Wanderer
Let’s be honest, us expats are as bad as each other. We roll our eyes when people say they never go to Kowloon and sigh when others only ever suggest the same bars to go to. But how many of us actually head out further than the safe zone of Soho, Central and Sheung Wan? Well you should, HK is a big city if you step outside your little box. May we suggest… Chai Wan? Here’s what’s going on just a few tram stops away:
Restaurants
There’s no big chain restaurants raising the rent here. Dai Pai Dongs (open-air food stalls) are the way forward. Head over to the cooked food market on kut shing street for the most authentic Chinese food this side of China.
If you fancy something a bit more western go to the New Jade Shopping Arcade where you will find Genki Sushi – a Japanese chain convey belt sushi restaurant. (Shop 111-112A, 1/F). For dim sum Ngau Kee Food Cafe has you sorted at shop A2, 1/F, East Point City, Koway Court, 111 Chai Wan Road and the BAKERY餅家 supplies you with your sugar high for the day
Shop 4A, L5, Greenwood Terrace Commercial Complex, 16 Tai Man Street
Genki Sushi
Shops
New Jade Shopping Arcade is the new big boy in town – it’s the biggest in the region and a popular spot with a diverse mix of shops including fashionable boutiques, jewellery shops and restaurants. Only a 2 minute walk from the MTR, it is easily accessible and better than a lot of the shopping malls you can find near Central.
New Jade Shopping Arcade, 233 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan
New Jade Shopping Arcade
Museums
Possibly the best known attraction in Chai Wan, Law Uk Folk Museum is a historical eighteenth-century village house. This teeny museum occupies two restored Hakka village houses that have stood in a district of office buildings, warehouses and workers’ flats for over two centuries.
Law Uk Folk Museum
How To Get There
One word: MTR. Sure there’s some buses (Route 8 for example) or even Mini Buses (too many to list), but the easiest way to get there will be to prop yourself on the Island line and ride it to the last stop ;)
Sarah Richard is a 26 year old professional world wanderer. 4 years ago she left the UK and everything that offered her security and routine in exchange for a constant life of excitement and adventure. And she is still living it now. Through out working as a Dive Master, freelance writer,running her blog (coffeewithasliceoflife.com) and working along the way she now leads a life as a full time digital nomad. So follow her in her travels, in which ever country in the world she choses, and learn how you can do it too.