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brompton | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Wanchai Heart of HongKong tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Wanchai Heart of HongKong

But can it survive in HongKong's fast-changing landscape?

Wanchai is a wonderful and colourful mix of young and old, homes and offices,shopping malls and tiny boutiques, Chinese herbalists and Western chemists, supermarkets and street markets, workshops and services, high-brow(and low-brow) culture, restaurants,bars and clubs, horse racing and cricket, all backdropped with significant Chinese and Colonial historical influences, and coming together to make it HongKong's most unique district for both locals and visitors alike.
But can it survive the relentless ambitions of HongKong's property developers and the "hands-off" planning style of the HK Government?
Wanchai has occupied a special place in HongKong's history over the past 200 years, but sadly this counts for little when property dollars are involved and the Government is looking the other way.
So before everything old is torn down and local lifestyle is changed forever, with Wanchai becoming
a mere extension of the Central office district and being submerged in a sea of 7-11s and Subways, I have walked throughout Wanchai to record what it looks like today in 2011, together with my impressions of current day-to-day life.
Perhaps I am being too pessimistic but I fear that Wanchai will change dramatically over the next 10 years and it will become a significantly less colourful area. If this happens, then all of us in HongKong will be the poorer.
Looking towards Wanchai 1890
Looking towards Wanchai 1890
Wanchai to Central 1883
Wanchai to Central 1883
Market in Wanchai 1920
Market in Wanchai 1920
Wanchai street in 1899
Wanchai street in 1899
Tram from Wanchai 1913
Tram from Wanchai 1913
Wanchai Street  1923
Wanchai Street 1923
Official raising of HK and China flags
Official raising of HK and China flags
The two flags of HongKong
The two flags of HongKong
China presence after 1997
China presence after 1997
British presence after 1997
British presence after 1997
China tour group at Golden Bauhinia
China tour group at Golden Bauhinia
Noon Gun fired daily since 1841
Noon Gun fired daily since 1841
Pawn building  Johnston Rd 1896
Pawn building Johnston Rd 1896
Pawn restaurant cleaner
Pawn restaurant cleaner
Blue House Old hospital 1872
Blue House Old hospital 1872
Part of Blue House building
Part of Blue House building
Side entrance to Blue House
Side entrance to Blue House
Family memories inside Blue House
Family memories inside Blue House
Yellow House Neo Classical  facade 1920
Yellow House Neo Classical facade 1920
Entrance of Yellow House
Entrance of Yellow House
6-8 Kennedy Rd 1927 To be demolished 2011
6-8 Kennedy Rd 1927 To be demolished 2011
26 Kennedy Rd Old School 1896
26 Kennedy Rd Old School 1896
28 Kennedy Rd for SAR leaders 1896
28 Kennedy Rd for SAR leaders 1896
64 Kennedy Rd Private home 1924
64 Kennedy Rd Private home 1924
1932 Wanchai police HQ
1932 Wanchai police HQ
2011 Wanchai police HQ
2011 Wanchai police HQ
1930s building in Johnston Rd
1930s building in Johnston Rd
Crowds at Lin Fa Kung temple 1863
Crowds at Lin Fa Kung temple 1863
Joss sticks at Lin Fa Kung festival
Joss sticks at Lin Fa Kung festival
Art Deco style Wing Kung St.
Art Deco style Wing Kung St.
Only remains of Tung Chi college 1936
Only remains of Tung Chi college 1936
Nam Koo Terrace Ship St 1916
Nam Koo Terrace Ship St 1916
Flying free in Ship St for now
Flying free in Ship St for now
Sikh temple in Queens Rd East 1901
Sikh temple in Queens Rd East 1901
Lovers Rock in Bowen Rd
Lovers Rock in Bowen Rd
Old Wanchai post office 1915
Old Wanchai post office 1915
Convention Centre N Wanchai with Star Ferry
Convention Centre N Wanchai with Star Ferry
4 high rises in Queens Rd East
4 high rises in Queens Rd East
Heart of Wanchai 2011
Heart of Wanchai 2011
The two big guys of Wanchai
The two big guys of Wanchai
Academy for Performing Arts N Wanchai 1984
Academy for Performing Arts N Wanchai 1984
Pacific Place Three office 2007
Pacific Place Three office 2007
 Tung Lau style 18 Ship St 1937
Tung Lau style 18 Ship St 1937
Small shrine at 18 Ship St.
Small shrine at 18 Ship St.
PakTai temple Lung On St 1862
PakTai temple Lung On St 1862
PakTai roof with Cantonese opera figures
PakTai roof with Cantonese opera figures
Old British Military Hospital  1907
Old British Military Hospital 1907
Haw Par Mansion to be restored 2012
Haw Par Mansion to be restored 2012
St Francis girls school 1869
St Francis girls school 1869
Rebuild of traditional style at Li Chit St
Rebuild of traditional style at Li Chit St
Hung Shing temple 1850
Hung Shing temple 1850
Cassels former British Army quarters 1910
Cassels former British Army quarters 1910
HK Cricket Club founded 1851
HK Cricket Club founded 1851
HK Police Museum Stubbs Rd 1988
HK Police Museum Stubbs Rd 1988
Lee Tung St redevelopment 2011
Lee Tung St redevelopment 2011
One new building means one less old one
One new building means one less old one
Government re zoning home work mix 2020
Government re zoning home work mix 2020
Hiking crossroads for Wanchai in Bowen Rd
Hiking crossroads for Wanchai in Bowen Rd
Daredevil bamboo scaffolders Queens Rd East
Daredevil bamboo scaffolders Queens Rd East
Break for Minibus driver
Break for Minibus driver
Gloucester Road Wanchai rush hour
Gloucester Road Wanchai rush hour
Most popular noodles in Wanchai
Most popular noodles in Wanchai
Turn left for Wanchai
Turn left for Wanchai
Street selling a new tablet
Street selling a new tablet
Traditional mail boxes in old block
Traditional mail boxes in old block
Waiting for big boss at Fook Lam Moon
Waiting for big boss at Fook Lam Moon
Any evening in Causeway Bay
Any evening in Causeway Bay
Sweet potato hawker Amoy St
Sweet potato hawker Amoy St
Stylish wine bar in Star St
Stylish wine bar in Star St
Historical Gresson St market
Historical Gresson St market
Lion Dancers brings luck to Gloucester Rd bank
Lion Dancers brings luck to Gloucester Rd bank
Tang Lung Street in Wanchai
Tang Lung Street in Wanchai
Tyres on sale in Wood Street
Tyres on sale in Wood Street
Usual crowded lunch spots
Usual crowded lunch spots
Subway connection for Wanchai
Subway connection for Wanchai
Free papers at Wanchai MTR
Free papers at Wanchai MTR
Wall menu Queens Rd East
Wall menu Queens Rd East
Star of Tai Wong St East petshop
Star of Tai Wong St East petshop
Another jam in Hennessy Rd
Another jam in Hennessy Rd
Anti Government demo from Wanchai
Anti Government demo from Wanchai
Hand delivery of the fresh pork
Hand delivery of the fresh pork
Wanchai in all directions
Wanchai in all directions
Jams in Jaffe Street
Jams in Jaffe Street
Famous bar girls of Wanchai
Famous bar girls of Wanchai
Wanchai still a little naughty
Wanchai still a little naughty
Dai Pai Dong in Swatow St
Dai Pai Dong in Swatow St
Dinner preparation in Bowrington St
Dinner preparation in Bowrington St
Selling hot-pots in Wanchai Road
Selling hot-pots in Wanchai Road
Chinese New Year trees at Tak Yam St.
Chinese New Year trees at Tak Yam St.
Last minute flower buying at New Year
Last minute flower buying at New Year
Introducing grand daughter to Chinese New Year
Introducing grand daughter to Chinese New Year
Picking the best message
Picking the best message
New Year shopping off Johnston Rd
New Year shopping off Johnston Rd
Wanchai market packed for New Year
Wanchai market packed for New Year
First horse race meeting of the New Year
First horse race meeting of the New Year
Deserted Johnston Rd Chinese New Years day
Deserted Johnston Rd Chinese New Years day
Enemy of the people in Star St
Enemy of the people in Star St
Lunch time crowds in Causeway Bay
Lunch time crowds in Causeway Bay
Beating enemies at Canal St West
Beating enemies at Canal St West
Take-away dim sums for lunch
Take-away dim sums for lunch
Crowds near Times Square
Crowds near Times Square
Bowen Road dog poisoner still at large
Bowen Road dog poisoner still at large
Turning out of Morrison Hill Rd
Turning out of Morrison Hill Rd
Typical sign clutter in Wanchai
Typical sign clutter in Wanchai
Lunch off Wanchai
Lunch off Wanchai
Trams passing the Pawn building
Trams passing the Pawn building
Three trams in a row
Three trams in a row
Tram driver at the wheel
Tram driver at the wheel
Rush hour crush in trams
Rush hour crush in trams
True about trams too
True about trams too
Relaxed read of  Financial Times
Relaxed read of Financial Times
Colour coded tram travellers
Colour coded tram travellers
60 year old fare machine
60 year old fare machine
Bad news from her broker maybe
Bad news from her broker maybe
All quiet on tram top deck
All quiet on tram top deck
Wanchai bus caught in jam
Wanchai bus caught in jam
 The pervasive mini-bus
The pervasive mini-bus
Taxis everywhere anytime
Taxis everywhere anytime
Wanchai ferry docking from Kowloon
Wanchai ferry docking from Kowloon
Striking caligraphy at Wanchai MTR
Striking caligraphy at Wanchai MTR
Law and Order in Causeway Bay
Law and Order in Causeway Bay
Buying best Oolong at Ki Chan Tea Co
Buying best Oolong at Ki Chan Tea Co
Gallery in fashionable Star Street area
Gallery in fashionable Star Street area
Teamwork in Hing Wan St repair shop
Teamwork in Hing Wan St repair shop
Dried fish shop in Tang Lung St
Dried fish shop in Tang Lung St
Fair price for fair weight
Fair price for fair weight
Friends out shopping Wanchai Rd
Friends out shopping Wanchai Rd
Furniture work in Queens Rd East.
Furniture work in Queens Rd East.
Locksmiths assistant Tai Yuen St
Locksmiths assistant Tai Yuen St
Portable power delivery
Portable power delivery
Massive crowds at Times Square
Massive crowds at Times Square
Roast meats in Wanchai Rd
Roast meats in Wanchai Rd
Renminbi shoppers in Johnston Rd
Renminbi shoppers in Johnston Rd
Road workshop in King Sing St
Road workshop in King Sing St
Lolipop sucking vegetable seller
Lolipop sucking vegetable seller
Traditional weigh system at Bowrington
Traditional weigh system at Bowrington
All the news
All the news
Lamborghini showroom Gloucester Rd
Lamborghini showroom Gloucester Rd
Noodle maker in Tai Wo Rd
Noodle maker in Tai Wo Rd
Not a spare inch here
Not a spare inch here
Herbalists making up prescriptions
Herbalists making up prescriptions
Selling fish at Bowrington
Selling fish at Bowrington
Rush for fresh chicken
Rush for fresh chicken
Starbucks also big in Wanchai
Starbucks also big in Wanchai
Street key maker off Hennessy Rd
Street key maker off Hennessy Rd
Untidiest shop in Wanchai
Untidiest shop in Wanchai
Yan Yan hairdresser off Jaffe Rd
Yan Yan hairdresser off Jaffe Rd
Roast pork coming up
Roast pork coming up
Lunch box at Hing Wan St
Lunch box at Hing Wan St
Traditional butcher at Tai Wo St
Traditional butcher at Tai Wo St
Instant shoe repair on Canal Rd West.
Instant shoe repair on Canal Rd West.
7-11 on every corner
7-11 on every corner
Bananas bananas and bananas
Bananas bananas and bananas
Chinese medicines at Fleming Rd
Chinese medicines at Fleming Rd
Lapchung master of Wanchai
Lapchung master of Wanchai
Pensive butcher ar Bowrington
Pensive butcher ar Bowrington
Local rentals in Wanchai
Local rentals in Wanchai
Choi Sum at its best
Choi Sum at its best
Asian artifacts at Ovo Queens Rd East
Asian artifacts at Ovo Queens Rd East
Two regulars at Annies salon
Two regulars at Annies salon
Bowen Road jogger
Bowen Road jogger
 Workers at Lee Tung St development
Workers at Lee Tung St development
Revitalising tea at Spring Garden Lane
Revitalising tea at Spring Garden Lane
School break Wood St
School break Wood St
Steady as she goes in St Francis Street
Steady as she goes in St Francis Street
Yunnan visitor at Golden Bauhinia
Yunnan visitor at Golden Bauhinia
Las Vegas Wanchai style Kennedy St
Las Vegas Wanchai style Kennedy St
Caught for illegal parking
Caught for illegal parking
Checking share prices in local bank
Checking share prices in local bank
iphone fan in Bowrington market
iphone fan in Bowrington market
Flowers for the wife
Flowers for the wife
Waiting for number 15 bus
Waiting for number 15 bus
China girl
China girl
Looking for odd jobs
Looking for odd jobs
Mr Smoothie on the phone
Mr Smoothie on the phone
Old Herbalist at 152 Queens Rd East.
Old Herbalist at 152 Queens Rd East.
Halal meat buyer at Bowrington
Halal meat buyer at Bowrington
News reader in Wanchai Park
News reader in Wanchai Park
Pawn shops still thriving
Pawn shops still thriving
The people changing Wanchai
The people changing Wanchai
Pizza makers on break
Pizza makers on break
The young spenders
The young spenders
The Canal Road gang
The Canal Road gang
Planning the next move
Planning the next move
Shoe repair expert Jaffe Rd
Shoe repair expert Jaffe Rd
Smoking is not hazardous to your fish
Smoking is not hazardous to your fish
Reflecting on another new year
Reflecting on another new year
Card game in Wing St West workshop
Card game in Wing St West workshop
Filipino ball game at Southorn Playground
Filipino ball game at Southorn Playground
Hand painted Chinese New Year messages
Hand painted Chinese New Year messages
Three Pacific Place chefs
Three Pacific Place chefs
On the way to Sikh temple
On the way to Sikh temple
Star Street regulars
Star Street regulars
Rugby 7s HK Stadium since 1976
Rugby 7s HK Stadium since 1976
Wanchai window cleaners at work
Wanchai window cleaners at work
Helping  Wanchai tourists
Helping Wanchai tourists
Perhaps not listening hard enough
Perhaps not listening hard enough
Growing up in a different Wanchai
Growing up in a different Wanchai