Business Traveller (Asia-Pacific)
Soaking up authentic cultural experiences in North Point
Spend an afternoon discovering these local gems in Hong Kong’s North Point district, from bustling markets to a high-end rooftop bar
1 Oi!
Start your exploration with an artistic experience at Oi! on Oil Street. Housed in a Grade II historic building constructed in 1908 (the former clubhouse of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club), Oi! is a new platform to promote young talents, encourage artistic collaboration and connect people with the community. The centre hosts numerous quirky workshops such as the Music Table, where professional musicians teach visitors to play melodies with cups, wine glasses and other kitchen equipment. The Twins Kitchen workshop encourages guests to bring food with them to participate in a shared group meal. There are also regular art exhibitions: running until the end of May, Back to the Basics from Kwan Sheung Chi and Daniel Knorr showcases the relationship between art and materials in daily life. Open Mon 2pm-8pm, Tue-Sun 10am-8pm; free admission. lcsd.gov.hk
2 Java Road Market Cooked Food Centre
If you skipped the Twins Kitchen at Oi! then head to one of Hong Kong’s most famous cooked food markets to sample some local delicacies. Head east and walk for ten minutes along Electric Road before turning onto Java Road and ascending to the second floor of the Java Road Municipal Services Building. Don’t be put off by the lack of refinement in the plastic tables and chairs: this is where you can experience Hong Kong’s local “dai pai dong” style at its finest. Must-try Cantonese dishes include pork rib and bitter melon, black ink squid and wind sand chicken. Tung Po Kitchen has become the favourite eatery for locals and expats, largely due to “superstar waiter” and part-owner Robby Cheung with his trademark mohawk, customised Wellington boots and habit of performing the moonwalk or teaching customers how to open their beer bottles with chopsticks. Open daily 6am-10.30pm; Tung Po Kitchen reservation: +852 2880 5224
3 Chun Yeung Street
After a hearty meal, walk it off with a stroll to the local market. Head back down Java Road and turn onto Tong Shui Road where you will reach Chun Yeung Street – a bustling marketplace that offers a real window onto the daily life of locals. The all-purpose market is always busy: housewives buy fresh meat and vegetables for dinner; couples snap up prized foodstuffs imported from Japan; and bargain hunters browse the pop-up stalls for everything from pyjamas to accessories. However, the main draw for tourists is the crazy combination of the impossibly narrow, crowded lanes doubling up as one of the main thoroughfares for Hong Kong’s iconic double-decker tram. Listen out for the “ding ding” as it comes through and hop out of the way.
4 Harbour Cruise Bauhinia
For a less frantic scene, what better than a cruise encompassing the gorgeous views of Hong Kong’s famous Victoria Harbour. Head to the North Point Ferry Pier to board your vessel. At 7.30pm, the pink Harbour Cruise Bauhinia f leet offers a special two-hour Dinner Buffet cruise, timed with the Symphony of Lights laser show at 8pm (from HK$470/US$60). The harbour tour includes a live band performance and a buffet dinner as you sail past landmarks like the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Observation Wheel. There is also an earlier sailing departing at 5.45pm returning at 7.15pm (from HK$350). cruise.com.hk
5 Cruise at Hotel VIC on the Harbour (opening in summer)
After disembarking, wrap up your tour by enjoying a sophisticated glass at Cruise, the rooftop bar of the soon-to-open Hotel VIC on the Harbour. The 671-room hotel has an enviable position on the waterfront, and the rooftop bar offers unbeatable panoramic views of the harbour. When it opens in June, guests will be able to relax with a selection of cocktails, wines or spirits, plus tasty nibbles prepared by a talented culinary team. Another option is to enjoy a walk along the hotel’s harbourfront promenade (also opening in June) to enjoy the stunning views from another angle. hotelvic.com