HK Highlights #14 // Shanghai Street

Heritage, creativity and humour all blend on my favourite Hong Kong street.

Stretching from Mong Kok to Jordan, Shanghai Street showcases a vibrant cross section of Kowloon that remains both authentic and unique. Here, you can’t enjoy the best of Hong Kong without also being exposed to some of its worst; interspersed between the unique shops and historical buildings are the whore houses, brazenly advertising the trade with nationalities listed by price.

Here’s 6 things I love about Shanghai Street…

1.Architecture

Engineer's Office of the Former Pumping Station, 344. Shanghai St.

From the late 19th century to mid 20th, Shanghai Street was one of Hong Kong’s most prosperous areas. Numerous Grade 1 listed buildings (including shophouses and Hong Kong’s only remaining example of an old pumping station) line the road making a walk down it visually different from elsewhere in the city.

2.Shops

IKEA eat your heart out

Over the years, many small businesses have thrived in this district and today the retail heritage lives on. The kitchenware shops, in the Yau Ma Tei section of the street, stock everything from knives and forks to specialist Dim Sum gear.

I Love Cake, 338. Shanghai St.

3.Art spaces

Shanghai Street Artspace, 404. Shanghai St.

The city is investing much money in developing an engaged art scene before the opening of the West Kowloon Cultural District, but Shanghai Street is already a place where art and the local community blend. Classes and workshops are held here by a few independent art spaces (like Shanghai Street Artspace and Shanghai Street Studios), giving the street a creative and free thinking feel.

The street's proximity to numerous markets, including the Wholesale Fruit Market, make it a popular through way for cats on the hunt for prey or scraps. Adorbs.

4. Alleyways

The alleys off Shanghai Street are fascinating pathways that let you behind-the-scenes of Hong Kong life. Not only does taking them save time, but it gives a whole new view of the area.

5. Kubrick Cafe & Bookstore

Although not technically on Shanghai Street, Kubrick café and shop is on Tung Kun Street, a sidestreet to Shanghai in Yau Ma Tei. With a great selection of books, magazines and tea (with a particularly strong collection of photography and design work), Kubrick is the perfect end point to a journey down Shanghai Street.

6. Greenery

A street resident tends to his plant pots 

Compared to Nathan Rd., which runs parallel, Shanghai St. is a veritable rain-forest. The local government has nurtured a few trees in the small public parks and residents tend to flower boxes on their balconies, giving a welcome break for the eye from concrete.

Think I've missed the mark with my choice of Street, want to recommend more HK Highlights? Tweet or email!

Thanks

PFHK