URA's 'City Walk' Programme in Central and Sheung Wan Launches Free 'Touring Central with Locals' - Registration Now Opens for Hong Kong Citizens
With over a century of evolution, Central and Sheung Wan have become a unique community that blends old and new, as well as Eastern and Western cultures, attracting locals and visitors worldwide. Hollywood Road has been named the second coolest street in the world for 2024 by a prominent international travel magazine. Connecting Hollywood Road, the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) is launching the ‘City Walk’ programme, which links up its urban renewal projects in Central and Sheung Wan with the iconic buildings, streets and shops in the area. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the district’s rich historical, architectural and cultural heritage through various tour activities.
The 'City Walk' programme aims to strengthen the connection between its urban renewal and place-making initiatives in the Central and Western District with the area’s distinctive historical and local character on levels of "point", "line" and "plane". The goal is to collaborate with diverse stakeholders in the district to elevate the '"coolest street" into the "coolest community", thereby attracting more local and overseas visitors.
Local docents Share Stories for a Unique Touring Experience
'Touring Central with Locals' is the debut activity of the "City Walk" programme. Running from 9 November to mid-January next year, this Cantonese-conducted docent tour will take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, offering over 40 free tours for approximately 500 Hong Kong residents. The tours are characterised by their personal approach, with docents sharing their unique stories. The URA has partnered with The Salvation Army and Central Market to recruit around 60 volunteers, aged 55 and above, who grew up, lived or worked in Central and Sheung Wan. These "local docents" designed four main tour themes based on their experiences and memories, offering participants first-hand oral histories of the area’s evolution and local life.
To enhance the quality of the tours, the URA has provided a series of training sessions for the docents. Mr Cheng Po Hung, a consultant to the Hong Kong Museum of History and a local history expert, has been invited to share insights on the history, street transformations and daily life of Central and Sheung Wan. Additionally, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and experienced tourism professionals have participated in trial tours, offering feedback and sharing best practices with the docents.
Four Themes Showcasing the City's Unique Urban Landscape
The "Touring Central with Locals" docent tour focuses on four major themes:
1. History and Architecture Tour
Participants will explore several historically significant buildings and sites in the Central and Western District, including the Grade 3 Historic Building Central Market, the century-old Graham Street Market, the Staunton Street/ Shing Wong Street revitalisation project recently completed by the URA, the declared monument "Tai Kwun" (the former Central Police Station Compound), and PMQ. A unit within the Grade 2 Historic Building at 88 Staunton Street has been preserved as the "Tong Lau Living Experience Room", showcasing architectural features and old household items of tenement to provide visitors with a glimpse into the everyday life of past residents. Docents will also share personal stories from their childhoods, offering insights into daily life in “Tong Lau” and the close-knit community spirit of the neighbourhood.
2. Gourmet and Local Community
Docents will take participants to several long-standing eateries in Central and Sheung Wan, allowing them to experience Hong Kong culture through traditional cuisine. The tour will also include a stop at the Central Market, where docents will share stories about the market's architectural features, history, and the lives of the vendors and residents from years gone by.
3. Art and Culture
Participants will discover several mural "selfie spots" throughout Central and Sheung Wan, featuring artworks orchestrated by the URA in collaboration with local and international artists. These pieces highlight the district’s history and unique characteristics through the lens of art.
4. Classic Film Locations
The tour will pass by filming locations of several classic local and international films. By connecting these cinematic scenes with the history of Central and Sheung Wan, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the community’s charm.
Enhancing the "City Walk" Experience with Technology and Innovation
The URA has invited the China Academy of Art to participate in a community creation project. Using digital art that combines a visual positioning system with augmented reality (AR) technology, five new AR "check-in spots" have been introduced to enhance the tour experience, adding both "emotional depth" and "intellectual depth". These attractions will enable participants to explore the unique character of the Central and Western District in ways that connect the past, present and future, thereby infusing new vitality to the area.
Launching the "Touring Central with Locals" Map to Broaden the Reach of "City Walk"
In light of the popularity of "city walking", the URA has created a "Touring Central with Locals" map. This vividly illustrated map highlights attractions, locations and tour routes, and will be available for public download from the URA website. It allows residents and visitors, beyond the docent tours, to easily explore and experience the area’s charm.
"Touring Central with Locals" is just the first step in the "City Walk" programme in Central and Sheung Wan. The URA team will explore the possibilities of expanding the programme into more areas, enabling more residents and tourists to gain a deeper understanding of the URA’s urban renewal efforts in many other districts.
The "City Walk" programme aligns with the announcement of the formation of the "Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots" in the Chief Executive’s latest policy address, which aims to identify and develop popular and attractive tourist destinations in different districts, thereby boosting tourism in Hong Kong. The Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong has also recently announced partnerships with hotels, retailers and the food and beverage sector to offer in-depth themed tours. The URA hopes to join hands with different sectors to enhance the travel experience for locals and tourists, implementing the concept of "tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong", showcasing the glamour of Hong Kong as "The Pearl of the Orient" and contributing to the rejuvenation of the city's tourism industry and economy.
Registration Link (Chinese only) : https://bit.ly/4hpjeuI