Top Five Things to Do in Tsuen Wan
T荃he town of Tsuen Wan is situated on a bay in Western New Territories, opposite Tsing Yi island across the Rambler Channel. Fish fleets in the area necessitated the forming of a market town, which the government then developed into a new town during the 50s. Tsuen Wan has come a long way since its humble roots, from a town that didn't even have regular bus services until 1933, to a district with one of Hong Kong's largest shopping centres, Hong Kong's longest connected overpass, and an ever-growing number of residents.
1 Steep yourself in a bit of history
Even though Tsuen Wan was developed as a new town, it still has a lot of history to offer. One of its most famous landmarks is the Western Monastery, built in the 1970s in the likeness of a traditional Chinese palace. Walk among the serene complex and let the golden sweeping roofs and quiet grottos bring you back in time. Also worth a visit is the Sam Tung Uk Museum, which portrays rural life as it was lived in an 18th century walled village. The entrance, assembly and ancestral halls, as well as twelve of the original houses from the old village have been preserved. The main exhibit hall changes its displays regularly and admission is free; why not visit?
2 Visit a revitalised heritage destination
A cluster of disused cotton mills have been transformed into a design hub and culture hotspot. The Mills were built in the 1950s and 60s by Nan Fung's late founder—with a total of six mills, it was Hong Kong's biggest yarn-spinning business. Today, Nan Fung is a prominent property developer, and three mills from its birthplace remain, which now incubate ‘techstyle' companies whose products merge fashion and technology, or improve business models and supply chains for the fashion industry. Visit Mill 6 for the Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile, as well as its public roof garden. To augment the past rather than erase it, much of The Mills' industrial appearance has been left untouched, including peeling paint and battered beams—we think this could make for some very interesting photography!
3 Try your hand at bowling
Well hidden in a residential neighbourhood, Dragon Bowling (also known as US Dacos Bowling Centre) boasts 32 lanes (huge for Hong Kong standards!), is suitable for players of all ages and proficiency levels, and also offers training classes and tournaments. Visitors walk through a chandelier-adorned alley to reach the entrance; this itself is a spot loved by locals and tourists alike. This bowling joint makes a great place to host birthday parties and similar events.
4 Treat yourself to these culinary gems
Caffeine addicts and Instagram vultures need to stop by Beans, famous for their colourful drinks such as the rainbow latte. They also create incredible 4D latte art; if you want your coffee topped with a foamy Mount Fuji or a wobbly cat, this is the place for you. Another Instagram-worthy restaurant is Girlboss by Master Kama, serving healthy dishes to make girls feel empowered. Eating a pink-tinted burger on pink crockery against pink walls might sound like overkill but there's no denying the interesting concept. Lastly, head to Tsuen Hing Path to find the two bean curd stores that were waging a muchpublicised price war; Ah Yuk Tofu Pudding and Zan Wo Bean Products are right next to each other so try both and decide for yourself which has the better tofu fa.
5 Pet a cat to reduce stress
Who would've guessed that the largest cat café in Hong Kong is based in Tsuen Wan? The Cats Tearoom houses approximately 30 furry felines which prowl the 1,600-square-foot space, looking for treats and attention. 11 of their residents used to be strays, which the business is committed to helping, through both adoption and donations to local stray cat NGOS. Low tables and poufs are in place to encourage engagement with the kitties. If waving a feather toy around ends up being tiring work, the café also serves Western dishes and desserts. It's worth supporting even if only for the work they do to promote animal welfare and adoption!