Tin Hau Temple, Shau Kei Wan
Start your day spiritually with a visit to a house of worship: there are around 100 Tin Hau (it means “Goddess of the Sea” in Chinese) temples in Hong Kong, which references the city’s roots as a major fishing port. In 1874, Hong Kong faced the most severe typhoon in its history, causing over 2,000 deaths – but Shau Kei Wan suffered relatively little damage. Residents believed that it was Tin Hau who protected them, so they raised money and repaired the temple – notable for its colourful murals and elaborate wooden carvings – which is still frequented by worshippers today.
The temple is located at 53 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East and open from 8am-5pm daily.
Shau Kei Wan Main Street East
The temple is situated on a bustling strip filled with shops and restaurants. For a quick lunch, try On Lee Fishball Noodles, which is something of an eastern district institution. Its signature dishes include fish slices (HK$24/US$3.1 a bowl), beef brisket (HK$28/US$3.6 a bowl) and wonton noodles (HK$24/US$3.1 a bowl). The restaurant gets really busy from noon to 2pm, so avoid this peak time if possible.
Open 7am to 7pm daily.
Museum of Coastal Defence
After lunch, familiarise yourself with Hong Kong’s maritime history with a 15-minute walk to the Museum of Coastal Defence, which provides a detailed insight into the defensive work of this former fort back in the territory’s early colonial days. Walk the historical trail outside, where attractions include a military vehicle and gun display area that houses a British Comet Mark I tank, then peruse the indoor exhibitions, which start at the Ming Period (1368-1644) and end with a gallery dedicated to the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, which has handled Hong Kong’s defence since the handover to China in 1997.
Open daily from 10am-5pm except Thur; admission HK$10 (US$1.3) or free on Wed; tel: +852 2569 1500; http://hk.coastaldefence.museum
Hong Kong Film Archive
Let the learning continue with a five-minute taxi ride to the Hong Kong Film Archive, where you can relive the city’s cinematic past at the resource centre or take in a movie or exhibition (check website for listings).
Open daily from 10am-8pm except Tue; admission free; tel: +852 2739 2139; www.filmarchive.gov.hk
Soho East
Relax over a snack or glass of wine at Soho East in Sai Wan Ho, which is just two minutes on foot from the Film Archive. Located along the waterfront, this line-up of international restaurants, themed pubs, wine bars and chic cafes makes the most of the sea breeze with open-fronted seating. Pull up a chair at Tapeo for tapas and other Spanish dishes.
Tapas plates start from HK$58 (US$7.48), and wine starts from HK$48 (US$6.19) a glass; tel: +852 2513 0199; www.sohoeast.com.hk
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
Walk for ten minutes along the waterfront from Soho East towards Quarry Bay and you’ll find retired fireboat Alexander Grantham, which went into service in 1953 and was decommissioned in 2002. The former flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department’s fireboat team, it not only responded to fire alarms but also conducted rescue operations in Hong Kong’s waters. Inside the boat is an exhibition gallery, showcasing everything from 19th century metal firefighter helmets to a 1950s morse code signalling lamp.
Open daily 10am-6pm except Tue; admission free; tel: +852 2367 7821; www.lcsd.gov.hk
City Plaza
To catch a cab or board the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) back into Hong Kong’s main hub, you need to pass through Cityplaza, Island East’s largest shopping centre. Both local and international brands are showcased here, as is a wide range of restaurants and a food court serving mostly Asian cuisine, Food Republic. Looking for a tasty memento of your visit? Then call in at Kee Wah Bakery, one of the city’s most famous Chinese bakery chains. A Hong Kong Gifts package costs HK$120 (US$15.5) and includes shortcakes, cookies, eggrolls and biscuits. If you have the energy, glide around at the Ice Palace, the mall’s ice-skating rink.
Open Mon-Fri from 1:30pm to 9:30pm; 12:30pm-10pm on Sat and 12:30pm-6pm on Sun; admission including skate hire starts from HK$65 (US$8.4);
tel: +852 2844 8688; www.cityplaza.com
Start your day spiritually with a visit to a house of worship: there are around 100 Tin Hau (it means “Goddess of the Sea” in Chinese) temples in Hong Kong, which references the city’s roots as a major fishing port. In 1874, Hong Kong faced the most severe typhoon in its history, causing over 2,000 deaths – but Shau Kei Wan suffered relatively little damage. Residents believed that it was Tin Hau who protected them, so they raised money and repaired the temple – notable for its colourful murals and elaborate wooden carvings – which is still frequented by worshippers today.
The temple is located at 53 Shau Kei Wan Main Street East and open from 8am-5pm daily.
Shau Kei Wan Main Street East
The temple is situated on a bustling strip filled with shops and restaurants. For a quick lunch, try On Lee Fishball Noodles, which is something of an eastern district institution. Its signature dishes include fish slices (HK$24/US$3.1 a bowl), beef brisket (HK$28/US$3.6 a bowl) and wonton noodles (HK$24/US$3.1 a bowl). The restaurant gets really busy from noon to 2pm, so avoid this peak time if possible.
Open 7am to 7pm daily.
Museum of Coastal Defence
After lunch, familiarise yourself with Hong Kong’s maritime history with a 15-minute walk to the Museum of Coastal Defence, which provides a detailed insight into the defensive work of this former fort back in the territory’s early colonial days. Walk the historical trail outside, where attractions include a military vehicle and gun display area that houses a British Comet Mark I tank, then peruse the indoor exhibitions, which start at the Ming Period (1368-1644) and end with a gallery dedicated to the People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, which has handled Hong Kong’s defence since the handover to China in 1997.
Open daily from 10am-5pm except Thur; admission HK$10 (US$1.3) or free on Wed; tel: +852 2569 1500; http://hk.coastaldefence.museum
Hong Kong Film Archive
Let the learning continue with a five-minute taxi ride to the Hong Kong Film Archive, where you can relive the city’s cinematic past at the resource centre or take in a movie or exhibition (check website for listings).
Open daily from 10am-8pm except Tue; admission free; tel: +852 2739 2139; www.filmarchive.gov.hk
Soho East
Relax over a snack or glass of wine at Soho East in Sai Wan Ho, which is just two minutes on foot from the Film Archive. Located along the waterfront, this line-up of international restaurants, themed pubs, wine bars and chic cafes makes the most of the sea breeze with open-fronted seating. Pull up a chair at Tapeo for tapas and other Spanish dishes.
Tapas plates start from HK$58 (US$7.48), and wine starts from HK$48 (US$6.19) a glass; tel: +852 2513 0199; www.sohoeast.com.hk
Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery
Walk for ten minutes along the waterfront from Soho East towards Quarry Bay and you’ll find retired fireboat Alexander Grantham, which went into service in 1953 and was decommissioned in 2002. The former flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department’s fireboat team, it not only responded to fire alarms but also conducted rescue operations in Hong Kong’s waters. Inside the boat is an exhibition gallery, showcasing everything from 19th century metal firefighter helmets to a 1950s morse code signalling lamp.
Open daily 10am-6pm except Tue; admission free; tel: +852 2367 7821; www.lcsd.gov.hk
City Plaza
To catch a cab or board the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) back into Hong Kong’s main hub, you need to pass through Cityplaza, Island East’s largest shopping centre. Both local and international brands are showcased here, as is a wide range of restaurants and a food court serving mostly Asian cuisine, Food Republic. Looking for a tasty memento of your visit? Then call in at Kee Wah Bakery, one of the city’s most famous Chinese bakery chains. A Hong Kong Gifts package costs HK$120 (US$15.5) and includes shortcakes, cookies, eggrolls and biscuits. If you have the energy, glide around at the Ice Palace, the mall’s ice-skating rink.
Open Mon-Fri from 1:30pm to 9:30pm; 12:30pm-10pm on Sat and 12:30pm-6pm on Sun; admission including skate hire starts from HK$65 (US$8.4);
tel: +852 2844 8688; www.cityplaza.com 
