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Hong Kong Island
Understand
The great majority of Hong Kong Island's development is packed on the northern shore. In order from west to east, the major centers of what has fused into a solid mass of buildings are Kennedy Town, Sheung Wan, Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and North Point. As you might guess from the name, Central is the focal point with the highest skyscrapers and tallest buildings, while the scenery becomes more low-rise and residential the further away you travel.
Leading up from Central is the Escalator and the Peak Tram (see Get around), which pass through the hip district of Soho and the residential Mid-Levels. Up top is the The Peak, the tallest point on the island and traditional residence of the governors, and thus still the most expensive place on the island to live (monthly rents can easily top $100,000).
Developments on the south of the island, exposed to typhoons and historically on the wrong side of the hills, are more limited but growing thanks to better connections including a cross-island tunnel, although the MTR is still notably lacking. Larger centers include Aberdeen and Stanley.
Eat
Prices on the Island tend to be higher than elsewhere in Hong Kong, but the selection of food (especially non-Chinese fare) is also larger. Soho, halfway up the Central Escalator, has a wide array of trendy and/or atmospheric restaurants serving international food.
Mid-rangeFung Shing Restaurant (鳳城酒家), 7 On Tai Street, Sheung Wan (in Western Market), tel. 28158689. Very local eatery known for its dim sum, which is cheap and good at $10 and up per serve. Open daily from 7:30 AM for the dim sum breakfast crowd, but no English menu!
Lin Heung Tea House (蓮香樓), 160-164 Wellington Street, Central, tel. 25444556. Famous for traditional Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. It is more than 70 years old, and always packed with diners. Do not expect luxury decorations and service in this restaurant, it is a restaurant serving with genuine and traditional Cantonese food but not the decoration and service. The most famous dish here is the whole roast duck ($120), but there's a wide range of other dishes for around $40 or so; try their other speciality, the succulent pork ribs. English menu available.
The American Peking Restaurant 20 Lockhart Rd, Hong Kong. tel. 25277770. The Peking Duck, carved in front of the table, is a speciality, best shared amongst several people. Also recommended are the sizzling prawns. Most dishes can be ordered in small, medium or large sizes. The upstairs tables have the best atmosphere.
The Quarterdeck Club, 1 Lung King Street, Fenwick Pier, Wanchai. This is one of the few harborside restaurants. Currently slightly spoiled by the land reclamation nearby.
Thai and Chinese Restaurant, by the roundabout, Shek-O. Great at the weekend after you've walked the Dragon's Back.
Red Pepper Restaurant, 7 Lan Fong Rd, Causeway Bay (MTR: Causeway Bay). Sichuan cuisine; spicy dishes.
SplurgeLuk Yu Tea House (陸羽茶室), 26 Stanley Street, Central. Famous for the excellent tea and traditional dim sum. It is a popular meeting place for businessmen....
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