Sheung Wan

Jun 2025 | Last Updated

Sheung Wan is Central’s more creative next-door neighbour. Bordering Central Mid-Levels and down to the lowest slope of Victoria Peak, Sheung Wan is a vibrant blend of old, new, residential and commercial.

Often described as the new SOHO, there are chic coffee shops and international gourmet restaurants as well as small street side dai pai dongs, up market boutiques and antique shops as well as traditional Chinese medicine and dried food shops – the best of both worlds where old meets young.

Where is it?

The western shoreline of Victoria Harbour includes Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun (with its new escalator), Shek Tong Tsui and Kennedy Town. This is one of the oldest parts of Hong Kong Island and sits at the end of the tramway line.

Why live here?

For years, it was ignored by expatriates even though it is right on the harbour and handy to everything in the city, but with many of its old market and wholesale centres being converted to art spaces and cafés, it’s very popular and a cheaper alternative to Mid-Levels. The MTR extension is also a huge boost to the neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood Info

In addition to the old style low rise buildings, some of these now beautifully renovated with attractive roof top terraces, there is a wide range of new apartment buildings with excellent club house facilities. The area caters mainly for the professional single or couples market with high density living in compact units.
The convenience of city living is enhanced by good supermarkets, numerous street markets for fruit and vegetables.
There is a wide choice of serviced apartments in both Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun, something for every taste and budget!
Buses and taxis, but foot is the most common form of getting around. From the heart of Sheung Wan, Queen’s Road, Pedder Street and Des Veoux Road are a 10-minute walk. Sheung Wan MTR is on the main Island Line. Admiralty is an eight-minute taxi ride.
The area is well served by minibuses, City Bus, taxis, and the old style Hong Kong tram. Many bus routes run along Des Voeux Road and Queens Road West and though many streets are too steep or narrow for buses, some minibus routes travel through the upper streets. It is also served by the MTR since the newer stations opened in Sai Ying Pun, HKU and Kennedy Town, providing a speedy serve around the territory.
For a neighbourhood that was once known for its coffin shops more than its coffee shops, Sheung Wan has quickly transformed into one of Hong Kong's hippest neighbourhoods and formed a melting pot of old and new, East and West. Discover this eclectic neighbourhood and its great selection of restaurants, bars and boutiques.