Small-Group Tour: Sham Shui Po Neighborhood

At 2:00 p.m, our friendly tour guide will meet you at the Shek Kip Mei MTR station (Exit A).

We will start our tour by bringing you back to the year of the 1960s, visit “Mei Ho House” of Shek Kip Mei Public Housing Estate – the oldest public housing complex in Hong Kong. Shek Kip Mei Housing Estate consisted of 29 concrete blocks, built in 1954 to resettle the homeless victims from the burnt down shanties. Mei Ho House is the only one still standing today while all other buildings of the estate dating from the 1950s have been demolished, being replaced by new ones. Only Mei Ho House was chosen to be preserved as a Grade II Historic building and was transformed into a Youth Hostel in 2013, regenerated by the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association. It contains the Mei Ho House Museum, showcasing the oldest public housing history of the local community, through a mixture of donated exhibits and first-hand anecdotes from the former residents and the evolution of public housing and folklife.

Golden Shopping Center – very well known for the number of video game stores it contains, wide choices of gaming systems, software and accessories at either a slightly discounted price, or in special in-store packages which might include an extra game or extra accessories. The mall has 2 storeys, Golden Computer Center on the upper level is mainly selling games and gaming software. Golden Computer Arcade on the lower floor, focuses on the sales of the computer-oriented hardware.

Apliu Street Market – Known as “Man’s market” Vendors in this open-air Market sells a wide variety of electronic products at reasonable prices, allowing individuals to trade second-hand goods here. Different shops or stalls sell a variety of goods including industrial electronics, analog, and digital radio communications equipment, disco effects equipment, crockery, 1940s-era radios, LPs, torches, and audiophile hi-fi amplifiers in various stages of repair. And with plenty of open stalls, it isn't all about just buying but also browsing, looking and learning what is interesting. Whether you are interested in gadgets and electronics from the Market, Apliu Street has something for everyone.

The Sam Tai Tsz Temple is listed as Grade II historic building and was built in 1898. The temple was built for the god Sam Tai Tsz (also named Na Cha), for his miracle to dissipate an outbreak of plague in 1894 in the area. The god was invited from the temple in Wai Chau by Hakkas. It is the only temple worshipping Sam Tai Tsz, in Hong Kong.

Nam Cheong Pawnshop (Chinese: 南昌押) is located at the junction of Nam Cheong Street and Yu Chau Street which established in 1933. Pawnshops are sunset businesses and are not common in Hong Kong, but they still hold an important function in today’s society. In fact, many traditional local residents and domestic helpers prefer pawnshops to banks. The double doors and screens guarantee privacy; they have long opening hours and do not require any proof of income. The building of Nam Cheong Pawnshop was chosen to be preserved as a Grade II Historic building. You can recognize a pawnshop by the sign that depicts a bat holding a coin. The bet represents fortune, and the coin represents benefits.

Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street – Looking for brand-names at discounted rates? If you are interested in wholesale clothes, Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street is the place you should not be missed. Sales here are not because of seasonal stock clearance but because these outlets are working with bulk quantities. However bulk is quite small as they are also experienced with working for buyers from small boutiques that visit from around the world. Purchase 10 or 20 of an item here at a few percents of retail costs.

Fook Wing Street Market - there's a mass of toy stores selling brand-name goods at half the price of those at department stores - and no-name toys at half that again. If you are planning to buy some toys for your kids at home, Fook Wing Street may have something for you.

At the end of the tour, our tour guide will lead you the way to the nearest entrance of Shamshuipo MTR Station. You are also welcome to stay behind and explore all these markets on your own.