Hong Kong gets uncomfortably hot and humid in summer. It's best to avoid July and August, especially when travelling with little nuggets.
About This Day
Explore Tai Ping Shan in this itinerary for things to do in Hong Kong with kids. Experience a great mix of old Hong Kong (pastel-coloured high rises, Man Mo Temple, narrow laneways, steps and more steps). But also find some light touches of urban renewal, with small, local boutiques, galleries and cafés. First, head to Des Voeux Road West Dried Seafood Market, then grab a coffee at Corner Kitchen Café. Next, check out the park at Hollywood Road before further exploring Tai Ping Shan neighbourhood. Afterward, let the nuggets exercise their creativity at Art in Motion by Lighthouse. To cap things off, grab a coffee at The Cupping Room and stroll through the creative hub of PMQ. Here, locals, old and new, seem to mingle nicely and you face less crowds or tourists. Lastly, the colours of temples, antiques, street art and shops all blend into a quintessential Hong Kong experience (reminiscent of director Wong Kar Wai's earlier films).
Des Voeux Road West is a traditional market area, specialising in wholesale and dried seafood. The area is buzzing with workers and shoppers, and is a great sensorial experience. Make sure to explore the side streets south of Des Voeux Road on your way to the next stop. Watch the locals going about their daily business and well-fed cats lounging around (all that seafood).
DIRECTIONS Visitors can access the seafood market from Sai Ying Pun MRT Station on the Island Line (exit A2).
TIP Streets are busy with traffic so keep your nuggets close and on the footpaths. You will encounter quite a few steps and stairs as you move south toward Tai Ping Shan neighbourhood, so not recommended for buggies/strollers.
A lovely local coffeeshop, offering good coffee and simple but tasty dishes and cakes. A perfect spot to take a short break before exploring Tai Ping Shan.
DIRECTIONS It is a 5- to 10-minute walk uphill, south from Des Voeux Road West.
TIP There is a playground and park across the street.
3
Hollywood Road Park
FREE
This is a traditional Chinese garden with a carp pond and mini-pagodas, frequented by local seniors and families. There is a nice, simple playground for your nuggets to burn off the calories from your previous stop.
DIRECTIONS Hollywood Road Park is located right across the street from Corner Kitchen Café.
This old Tai Ping Shan neighbourhood is experiencing some urban rejuvenation whilst still maintaining its character and relaxed atmosphere.
It mixes pastel-coloured high-rise buildings with smaller side-street dwellings. Trees, narrow lanes, more steps and communal basketball courts enhance the genteel feeling of the place. We loved quiet Sai Street and Tai Ping Shan Street, which mix old residential complexes, small boutiques, galleries and great restaurants and bars. The locals were incredibly friendly and chatty. We met an art teacher, Serena, in a local boutique and she opened her space up the road just for us to have a peek.
DIRECTIONS This is only minutes away from Hollywood Road, head right and up the steps toward Sai Street and Tai Ping Shan Street.
TIP Quite a few stairs and steps make the area unsuitable for strollers or buggies.
5
Art in Motion by Lighthouse
20-20A Tai Ping Shan Street,
$$$
Go meet Serena at her lovely workshop just off Tai Ping Shan Street, here she runs small art workshops for children. Your nuggets will be able to express their creativity, while you can chat to Serena, who grew up on one of Hong Kong's outer islands. Alternatively, take some time off and go browse the local boutiques.
DIRECTIONS This is located just off Tai Ping Shan street, toward the overhead basketball court.
TIP Call Serena in advance to schedule (+852 6755 6611).
Great coffee and well-executed food (think avocado toast, eggs benedict and the like) in a sleek décor, just off buzzing Queens Road and downhill from Man Mo Temple.
DIRECTIONS A 5- to 10-minute walk downhill.
TIP Bear in mind it closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends.
PMQ is the former Police Married Quarters and has been re-developed as a creative hub. It houses local craftsmen and provides a nice opportunity to support the local scene and bring back some cool and quirky souvenirs made in HK.
DIRECTIONS Take your time walking up Hollywood Road (toward Central), looking at the many fancy boutiques, antique shops and bars that line the street.
TIP Studio opening hours vary, and it is best to visit in the afternoon.