FAMILY | DINING | PHOTOGRAPHY | TIGERS
September 2020
Market musings How you can help Stanley Market
Wong Chuk Hang See the places and meet the faces of this thriving community
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CONTENTS — 09/20
18 COVER STORY
The faces and places of Wong Chuk Hang
2 CONTRIBUTORS
16 OUTDOORS
35 SOUTHSIDE SECRETS
6 PEOPLE
25 DINING
36 ZIM CITY
Meet our team
Southsiders out and about
8 THE PLANNER
What’s on in September
10 NEWS
What’s happening in our backyard
Hiking trails under one hour
Dr Emilie Berthet Clairet on immune boosting foods
District Councillor Paul Zimmerman on commercial banner and bills around Southside
30 MUST HAVES THIS MONTH Cosy night in essentials
32 PETS
Dr Pauline answers your cat questions
13 LOCAL
Stanley’s struggling market and how you can help
Stanley’s last tiger
18
15 FIVE MINUTES WITH
David Welsh managing director of Venture Studios
25 16 35
30
8 “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”- Margaret J. Wheatley
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editor’s letter Covid-19 has changed life in so many ways. Instead of exploring the city with my camera, I’ve found myself more often than not at home with my husband, my kids and dog. Working from home and supervising homeschooling seems to be our new normal for the time being. But when we do venture out, there are some wonderful places that need support right on our doorstep. Our cover story this month shines a light on the ever developing community of Wong Chuk Hang. We’ve met some of the area’s most influential people and locations worth visiting for when you need a change of scenery (page 18). From a newly built up area to a classic Southside destination, Stanley Market has faced a dramatic drop in visitors this year. In this month’s local story we met the local business owners of some of Stanley’s most popular stalls, they shared their thoughts on how us Southsiders can help them through this difficult time (page 13). Wherever this month takes you, it’s important to keep a positive mind and immune system. Founder of Holistic Nutrition HK Dr Emilie Berthet Clairet shares her top tips for keeping our immune system up with food in our dining section (page 25). Wishing you a happy and safe September.
Editorial Editor-in-chief Nicole Slater, nicole@hongkongliving.com Senior Staff Writer Charmaine Ng, charmaineng@hongkongliving.com Contributing Editors Melanie Cox, melanie@hongkongliving.com Gemma Shaw, gemma@hongkongliving.com Digital Editor Apple Lee, apple@hongkongliving.com
Design Graphic Designer Vicky Lam, vicky@hongkongliving.com Yankee Tsang, yankee@hongkongliving.com
Sales & Marketing Director of Content Hilda Chan, hilda@hongkongliving.com Head of Digital Content Isamonia Chui, isamonia@hongkongliving.com
Karin Bremer, Guest Editor
Things we love
Partnership Manager Chrissie Ip, chrissie@hongkongliving.com Elaine Li, elaine@hongkongliving.com
Publisher Matt Eaton, matt@hongkongliving.com
Founding Director Tom Hilditch, tom@hongkongliving.com
Contact us Admin: 3568 3722 | Editorial: 2776 2773 | Advertising: 2776 2772 Published by Hong Kong Living Ltd, L1 Kai Wong Commercial Building, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Staycays are the new vacays
Mooncakes
The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong is offering a Ritz Kids Night Safari package in collaboration with Mercedes Benz. Families can enjoy a in-suite tent experience and complimentary breakfast at The Lounge & Bar when booking the Grand Seaview or Deluxe Suite. ritzcarlton.com
Mooncake season is back again with weird and wonderful flavours. Keep it traditional with Rosewood Hong Kong’s mooncake gift boxes designed by local artist Frank Tang or indulge yourself with Mardain Orientals chocolate lava mooncakes.
Covid-19 update
As Southside & The Peak goes to print we have done our best to keep our content as accurate and timely as possible, but if Covid-19 has taught us anything it’s that life is nothing if not unpredictable. Check with local businesses for the most up to date operation hours and services and above all, stay safe.
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HONG KONG hongkongliving.com
Photo: Kenny Chan
Printer Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Southside Magazine is published by Hong Kong Living Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Southside Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors. The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
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contributors
Thank you to our contributors
Emilie Clairet Nutrition Coach Emilie moved to Hong Kong in 2008 and pursued a career in nutrition and fitness. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she began to study holistic nutrition to cope with the treatment. This month, she shares her top immune boosting foods in our dining section.
David Welsh As managing director of Venture Studios, David knows the importance of capturing a memory. This month he tells us all about the studio’s new flagship location on Lyndhurst Terrace and why the space is the perfect fit for its images in our five minutes with section.
Kenny Chan Founder of Seayou Explorer Travel Kenny offers cultural tours around Aberdeen fishing village aboard a sampan. Find out more about his tours and recommended places around Aberdeen in our cover story.
Paul Zimmerman Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks and Southern District Councillor of Pok Fu Lam. In his column this month, Paul tackles commercial banners and bills around Southside.
Dr Pauline Taylor Pauline is a senior vet at Pets Central and specialises in small animal medicine. She graduated in Scotland and spent 10 years practising in New Zealand before moving to Hong Kong with her various four-legged family members. This month Pauline answers your cat queries in our pets section.
Jason Dembski American architect and art curator Dembski started nonprofit arts organisation HKwalls in 2014. Each year he organises a street art festival that takes over a different part of the city, including his Wong Chuk Hang festival in 2017. See his work in our cover story.
Want to write for Southside Magazine? Contact editorial@hongkongliving.com 4 | SOUTHSIDE
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people
Snaps from Southside
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say cheese
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planner SEP 15
Love & Bananas - An Elephant Story Earth.Org and The Hive film screenings are back with a gut-wrenching yet optimistic film about an elephant rescue in Thailand. 6:30-8:30pm. Free for Hive members. Online via Zoom. thehive.com.hk
SEP 24
SEP 13
Hong Kong as F*ck: A Comedy Panel Game Show
Expert Series: Taste like a Master with Debra Meiburg MW
Test how Hong Kong you really are with this live panel game show and win amazing prizes. 8:3010:30pm. $150. The Riff HK, 8/F, California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central. theriff.hk
Kick off the end of the summer season with beach games, face painting, surf lessons and more, with a delicious lunchtime BBQ buffet. 10am-5pm. Adults $250, children $125. Treasure Island Beach Club, Pui O Beach, Lantau. treasureislandhk.com
materials. 11am–7pm. Free. White Cube G/F, 50 Connaught Road, Central. whitecube.com
SEP 8-12
Shorties Film Festival Take part in this week-long celebration of short films celebrating Asia Pacific’s up-and-coming filmmakers and their latest film projects. $160. The Hive, 33-35 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan. thehivesheungwan.com.hk
SEP 12 SEP 1
Bobby’s Rabble Quiz Night
Hong Kong Student Association of Neuroscience 1st Annual Conference 2020
A diverse presentation of artwork by 31 shortlisted artists from across the Asia Pacific region. Visitors will be invited to cast a vote for their favourite artist until July 12. Free. L2, K11 ATELIER, 728 King’s Road, Quarry Bay. sovereignartfoundation.com
Founded in 2020, HKSAN aims to connect and inspire Hong Kong students on the advancement and popularisation of neuroscience. 8am-5:30pm. $150. Cheung Kung Hai Lecture Theatre 3-4, G/F, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong. hksaneuroscience.org
SEP 11
SEP 13
In her first solo exhibition in Asia, the New York artist makes use of objects she encounters in a range of environments from agricultural to industrial, her practice is driven by what she has described as a natural push and pull inherent in
Hong Kong Spartan Trail 2020 brings a new challenge to the table for the city’s trail and adventure runners. Run 10k and half marathons races in open or elite categories. 8am-6pm. $400. Lam Tsuen, Heung Kung Sho Road, Tai Po. tickets-hk.spartan.com
Virginia Overton exhibition at White Cube
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Spartan Trail
SEP 26
Spartan Kids Race The city’s first stand-alone Spartan Kids Race will have children aged four to 13 take part in both open and competitive races in a unique obstacle course. 8am-6pm. $420. Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central. tickets-hk. spartan.com
SEP 26
99 Bottles turns three The popular Peel Street bar will be giving away 999 bottles for free, so turn up early and grab a drink. 4pm. Free. 99 Bottles, 59A Peel Street, Soho, Central.
SEP 30
Momentai Charity Quiz Test your knowledge and support local charity Sai Kung Stray Friends. A maximum of six people per team. 7-10pm. $100 per person, entrance fee donated to charity. Kiosk 1 Waterfront, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung
what’s on
BOOK NOW OCT 1
Mid-Autumn Festival Eat a mooncake, light up a lantern and enjoy the four day weekend.
OCT 11
OCT 18
Hong Kong Whisky Festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary with 1,100 different whisky expressions.1-8pm. $248. InterContinental Grand Stanford, 70 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. hkwhiskyfestival.com
Hop on the ferry over to Discovery Bay, grab a bargain and support the local independent businesses at this outdoor monthly market. 11am. Free. Discovery Bay Plaza, Discovery Bay Road, Lantau.
Hong Kong Whisky Festival
DB Sunday Market
OCT 9-11
China Coast Regatta Based out of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Middle Island clubhouse, sailors will compete in a variety of windward, leeward, geometric and island courses. chinacoastraceweek.com
Got an event? We can publish the details for free. Email editorial@hongkongliving.com
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news
Leptospirosis cases on the rise
HK Tramways and CheckCheckCin prepares you for autumn With autumn just around the corner, local companies HK Tramways and CheckCheckCin have joined forces to bring Hongkongers a new limited edition osmanthus and pear rice water. In Chinese medicine, Yin Qi predominates as the weather cools and pears nourish the lungs and promote fluidity. The new drink combines
Spread in running water, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread by rat urine that is washed into freshwater sources like puddles, streams and waterways during downpours. Dogs can become infected and develop leptospirosis if their gums (or skin with any cuts) come into contact with infected urine, urinecontaminated soil or water, leading to acute renal failure, liver disease and possible death. “As well as possible detergents, rat poisons and other chemicals discarded by humans, a host of disease organisms left by other animals walking by could be ingested by your dog,” said Dr Pauline Taylor, a veterinarian at Pets Central. To prevent your dog from contracting leptospirosis, the easiest thing to do is to never allow them to play or drink from freshwater.
both of these elements together with rice water, which helps strengthen your stomach and promises to be a source of nourishment post-summer. The limited edition osmanthus and pear rice water is now available at the HK Tramways online shop, CheckCheckCin, Green Common, HKTVmall, Ztore and Citysuper. hktramways.com
Free Office 365 education As coronavirus takes full strike, social distancing has changed face-to-face lessons into screen-to-screen virtual classes. To help learners and educators better embrace remote learning, Microsoft Hong Kong has launched a “Learn Anywhere Remote Teaching” programme – available to schools for free. The initiative offers participating schools a complimentary set-up that allows students and teachers to access Office 365 Education. Supporting all students from kindergartens to secondary schools, the programme aims to help build a safe, secure and collaborative learning environment. sway.office.com
Wine & Dine Festival goes virtual Originally set to take place at Central Harbourfront in October, the four-day Wine & Dine Festival will be switched to an online occasion that spans across several weeks. In lieu of the usual pop-up
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market format, this year’s festival will see a busy line-up of events including wine tasting, cooking classes with chefs, wine auctions and more – all happening online for the public to take part in.
Hands free
As part of anti-pandemic efforts, Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) has developed a contactless panel to lessen the risk of coronavirus transmission whilst using an elevator. The new panel, named kNOw Touch, is made of a sensor that can be easily installed inside the elevator. By detecting the blockage and reflection of infrared light, the location of a person’s floating fingertips can be identified into coordinates and signals to control the buttons. The device can be applied to all brands and models of elevators as its interface is added on physically and no protocol is needed. It is currently being deployed into various government buildings including the EMSD Headquarters.
in your backyard
Enhale Meditation Studio closes its doors
After months of coronavirus and on-andoff social distancing restrictions, Enhale Meditation Studio closed its doors on August 28. Following a brief period of reopening, gyms and fitness centres in Hong Kong have been closed since mid-July due to a third-wave outbreak of the coronavirus. Many studios including Enhale have pivoted to offering
online classes since the forced closure, but some are finding it difficult to engage with their clients online the same way. “Corona has made it challenging to gather and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close our doors. We poured our hearts into providing a safe space but cannot continue to operate at this time,” the studio said via Instagram.
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local
Market musings Karin Bremer meets the faces behind Stanley Market The third wave of Covid-19 lockdown rules, which started in late July was one of the strictest yet. However, many shop owners felt the strain long before July. The civil unrest in the city marked the beginning of the decline in tourists visiting Hong Kong, closely followed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw borders shut for non- residents. Many small business owners have been struggling to stay afloat. Many shop keepers in Stanley Market are feeling the impact. Walking through a normally thriving street on any given day is a sad sight indeed. Shop operators estimate that about half of all Stanley stores have either already closed or will have to shut due to a lack of visitors over the next few months.
Mr Philip Choi was born and raised in Stanley. His parents used to run a store that serviced the military families at the Stanley Ford over 60 years ago. Mr Choi’s store is the first you see when walking towards the market from the bus terminal, selling luggage and souvenirs. He tries to keep the store open as much as possible, even during the week as people believe that the market is closed if he is not open. Another long term operator is Bed & Beyond which has called Stanley Market home since 1985. The shop is well-known for its high quality bed sheets, embroidered table linen and sleepwear and used to have around 100 visitors each day. Today, the shop is lucky to receive 10 transactions a day. Lolita Yiu has worked at iTech selling everything from paintings to electronics and toys since 2003. When the pandemic hit, toys became her best seller but business has been shrinking. Lolita used to sell over ten paintings a day but now it’s down to just two or three on a good day. To try and adapt to the situation, Lolita has changed the shop’s slogan to “you name it, we have it. And if we don’t have it straight away, we will find it for you within a week.”
Sun and Moon Fashion is another well-known store, operated by Doris Kwan for over 34 years. The garment outlet has taken a sharp decline over the past few months, but remains open everyday offering branded clothing at discounted prices. Ms Kwan urges Southside residents to “support each other to ride this tide”. The high rent and lack of visitors to Stanley Market is putting this tourist destination and independent business hub under threat. Business owners urge Southside residents to pop by and help support them during this time before it’s too late.
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five minutes with
Five minutes with
David Welsh Charmaine Ng meets the managing director of Venture Studios in its new flagship location Photographs play an important role in our lives. With time continually ticking, they offer a tangible link to the past, preserving the important events and people we meet. Since the 1960s, photography studios in Hong Kong have offered portraiture services to people of all classes. Venture Studios came about in 1998 as the industry slid into stagnation with the same portrait style on cloudy backgrounds. Founded on the idea to
revolutionise how family portraits are thought of, the studio has since become a mainstay in Hong Kong’s photography scene. David Welsh, managing director of Venture, recounts how the business got on its feet more than two decades ago. “We started off with a couple of studios in England and eventually grew to over 20 studios in the UK, three in the US and two in Hong Kong,” says Welsh. Welsh, who joined Venture six years
ago, was impressed by the studio’s ethos of thinking outside the box and its constant innovation to stay ahead of the game, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas for clients. “I have met some great people through Venture. We work closely with a lot of charities, both locally and globally.” On a typical day at Venture, one family comes and another goes. The studio hosts several shoots a day and there is a constant traffic of people coming back to see their photos in the Cinema Room. “There is always a buzz as you hear the laughter from the studio and the oohs and ahhs as people look at the finished products,” Welsh says with a smile. The majority of Venture’s shoots are with families who want to make a record of a special moment in time with their loved ones. These clients tend to come back when there is a new addition to the family, an anniversary or a graduation. Pet photography has also grown in popularity as more Hongkongers welcome furry friends into their household. Despite the pandemic, Venture is still standing strong, adapting to the changes brought about by the ever-changing regulations. “It’s a little less hectic these days as we spread our appointments to leave time to sterilise everything before the next clients arrive, but this has also given our photographers more time to come up with fresh ideas and prepare for the next client,” he says. With one client in at a time, Venture’s team can really ensure they are properly looked after and safety precautions are in place. Most recently, the studio made the move to a new flagship location on Lyndhurst Terrace in Central. After being in its last location on Wellington Street for 14 years, Venture wanted to modernise its working area and add new features. “The new space was available with a view of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline and it seemed to fit perfectly with our needs,” Welsh says. We end our interview with Welsh by asking him for tips that new photographers can adopt in their art. “If you are photographing your kids or pets in the house, have them stand near a window as the quality of light will really help improve your photos,” Welsh says. “But most importantly is to just enjoy what you do and capture what makes you happy.”
Venture Studios Central location: 20/F, Oriental Crystal Commercial Building, 46 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central Tsim Sha Tsui location: Suites 608-9, World Commerce Centre, 11 Canton Road, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui
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outdoors
Clear skies ahead Nicole Slater conquers the mountains on these quick and easy hikes
Now that mandatory mask restrictions have been relaxed for outdoor exercising, it’s time to ease your way back up the mountains. Here are some of Hong Kong’s easiest hikes to get you out and about.
Rhino Rock Well-known for its rhinoceros-shaped rock formation, this Stanley trail is one of the shortest in Hong Kong, taking less than 30-minutes. Starting at Stanley Fort, the trail is just one-kilometre each way and leads you to the perfect Instagram location.
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Lung Ha Wan Country Trail Lung Ha Wan Country Trail is perfect for those wanting a hiking experience without feeling exhausted. The two-kilometre hike will take you above Clearwater Bay Country Park where you can enjoy fresh air while overlooking Sai Kung and the outlying islands.
Bowen Road Popular with joggers and dog-walkers alike, Bowen Road is the perfect place for an evening stroll, offering panoramic views of Central, Wan Chai and Happy Valley. The four-kilometre trail
is paved and flat, with plenty of rest stops so you’ll never be short of breath.
Braemar Hill A short 20-minute hike will take you to one of Hong Kong’s most iconic viewing points. The trail starts off steep but soon flattens out. Follow the red ribbons conveniently located along the route and be rewarded with stunning views of Hong Kong Island.
Trio Beach This scenic stroll in Sai Kung leads you to Sai Kung’s best beach, as voted in our Readers’ Choice
hikes
Awards. The trail is mainly flat with a gradual incline half-way through taking around 30-minutes to reach the beach. With current beach regulations you won’t be able to cool off at the end, but you can enjoy some shady grassland nearby.
A classic in our books, this trail is the perfect way to up your step count and enjoy some of Hong Kong’s finest views. With seating areas and shady spots spread throughout it’s easy to stop and take a breather when things get tough.
Photo: Michael Hsu
Peak Circle Walk
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cover story
Wong Chuk Hang anew Apple Lee meets the faces and places of the burgeoning Southside arts and cultural hub Wong Chuk Hang has come a long way from the booming manufacturing hub it was in the 1980s. At the peak of its prime, the light industrial area was home to over 1,190 factories. Soon after in the 1990s, the majority of manufacturers migrated to Mainland China, leaving many former factory buildings deserted. In the last two decades, the area was rejuvenated by an influx of creatives and small business entrepreneurs. A flurry of art galleries, boutique shops and hole-inthe-wall cafes have taken over the vacated factory buildings and given them a new life. When the MTR station opened in 2016, the new railway network vastly improved accessibility to the area and shortened the transport time to Admiralty to just 10 minutes. At the same time, new office
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towers were built, ushering in even more corporates and smaller companies with cheaper rent compared to the city centre. A big residential project, led by a consortium made up of Kerry Properties, Swire Properties and Sino Land, is currently underway at the old Wong Chuk Hang depot and estimated to be completed by 2025. The opening of the housing complex is expected to invite a younger population into the area and will mark the start of the neighbourhood’s gradual transformation into an up-and-coming residential district. As Wong Chuk Hang continues to change and evolve, some have voiced concerns of the neighbourhood’s gentrification. “I suspect the area will lose its soul once the new residential and commercial
projects are open. They will certainly drive up the rent of the industrial buildings, which are currently home to hundreds of start-ups, designers and new businesses,” says Delphine Lernoud, founder of Lumeun, a pre-loved furniture shop based in Wong Chuk Hang. Others are more optimistic about the future of the burgeoning creative hub. “Hong Kong is a place where the land is outrageously scarce, which is why cultural and heritage projects often have to make way for residential projects. With the ongoing new developments, I hope to see Wong Chuk Hang remain a hub for arts and culture that is intertwined with housing, just like Soho,” says Kenny Chan, a long-time Southside resident.
wong chuk hang
Chan is the founder of Seayou Explorer Travel, a yacht charter platform that offers curated boating packages and tours at sea for locals and tourists alike. The travel company operates out of an office in Wong Chuk Hang. In 2019, Chan launched a cultural tour that takes visitors around Aberdeen Fishing Village aboard a sampan and a traditional Tanka-style houseboat. “I want to run a tour that highlights the origins of Hong Kong as a small fishing village and allow people to explore a lesser-known side of this cosmopolitan city,” says Chan. Adjacent to Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen Fishing Village used to be a major entrepot port in Hong Kong and was once crowded with sampans. Today, the typhoon shelter blends the old and the new. You can find an interesting juxtaposition of antique sampans floating just metres away from fleets of luxury yachts – all set against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers. “Nowadays, the traditional fisherman’s lifestyle preserved in Aberdeen may seem
insignificant to many. But this tiny fishing port is actually Hong Kong’s place of origin and where the name of the city came from,” he says. “This simple way of living on boats
reflects the true spirit of the city. Even in the face of adversity, Hongkongers still work hard and help each other out – which allowed the city to grow into the international metropolis that it is today.”
Kenny Chan
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cover story Wong Chuk Hang timeline 1960 Development of low-cost public housing project Wong Chuk Hang Estate
1982 Opening of the Aberdeen Tunnel
1980 More than 1,190 factories operating in Wong Chuk Hang
1990 Many factories relocated to Mainland China
2009 Wong Chuk Hang Estate demolished
2025
2018 Opening of Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel
Completion of Wong Chuk Hang residential development project by a consortium formed by Kerry Properties, Swire Properties and Sino Land
American architect and art curator Dembski started non-profit arts organisation HKwalls in 2014 to promote street culture in Hong Kong. Each year, he organises a street art festival that takes place around the city. The 2017 edition of the annual HKwalls festival took place in Wong Chuk Hang and featured over 25 artworks and murals created by local and international artists. “Prior to HKwalls 2017, we had only ever hosted the festival in residential and commercial areas like Sheung Wan and Sham Shui Po, so Wong Chuk Hang’s industrial nature felt like a nice change of scenery. There is an amazing creative community in Wong Chuk Hang. From the design, photography and art studios, to South Island Cultural District’s amazing group of art galleries who were very enthusiastic about us hosting the festival there,” says Dembski. Three years on, some of the pieces from the 2017 festival have disappeared, which Demski remarks is normal as the neighbourhood evolves. Others, especially those located near the MTR station, still get a lot of attention. “A mural that the community seemed
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Jason Dembski
to really enjoy was the one that read ‘Wong Chuk Hang’ really big at the LCSD Heung Yip Road Sitting-out Area by graffiti artist EDGE,” says Dembski. The piece was damaged sometime last year, but LCSD
agreed to let another artist repaint it with something else. The new mural, which is a painting of a pair of lovebirds, was recently completed by local artist Christine Wong last month.
wong chuk hang Lernoud started Lumeun two years ago to offer a range of hand-renovated vintage furniture sourced from around Asia. The brand has since expanded to offer contemporary metal furniture and
eco-friendly home textiles made and tailored in Hong Kong. Before founding Lumeun, Lernoud worked in the beauty and cosmetics industry, opening new markets and new points of sale for international brands in Asia. She decided to make a career switch when she realised she was contributing to the waste problem and that it was going to take a long time for corporations to adopt more sustainable practices. “I wanted to create a business that was meaningful to me and respectful to the environment. I also wanted to support local small businesses. That’s why we produce our home textile collection exclusively in Hong Kong,” says Lernoud. Lernoud has a showroom in Wong Chuk Hang where visitors can check out the furniture and get a better sense of the brand ethos. “When I visited the area for the first time, I knew immediately it was the place to open my showroom. There are no white collars, no ties, no boundaries – that’s how I would describe Wong Chuk Hang. People know each other for what they do and not for who they are.”
Delphine Lernoud
WCH classified Restaurants and bars
to 3/3rds, a boutique cafe and restaurant popular amongst the office lunch crowd. When the cafe closed its doors due to a complaint filed to the Lands Department, many decried the government decision. Two years later, Wesley Wan, one of its co-founders, returned to the same building with a new plant-based concept, Esca. “It has been great returning to Wong Chuk Hang. There is a great community vibe here. Although we have been open for just a year, I consider many of the customers my friends,” says Wan. escahk.com
Sensory Zero
Esca If you worked around Wong Chuk Hang a few years back, you have probably been
With five locations dotted across Hong Kong, Sensory Zero is one of the fastest growing coffee chains in the city. Its flagship store is an industrial loft-style space, located conveniently across from the MTR station. The roaster offers regular coffee workshops for both hobbyists and professional baristas looking to practice roasting coffee or brush up their espresso and latte art. sensoryzero.com
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cover story
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wong chuk hang Shops
Above Nestled on the rooftop of Ovolo Southside, this cosy hotel bar offers glorious panoramic views of the neighbourhood. Out on the terrace, the walls are covered in edgy street arts that punctuate the space with a cool hipster vibe. ovolohotels.com
Blindspot Gallery Young Master Brewery As one of the leading craft beer breweries in Hong Kong, Young Master operates two production facilities – one in Ap Lei Chau and another in Wong Chuk Hang. Inside its forty-hectolitre brewery in Wong Chuk Hang, you can find a fully automated CraftStar brewhouse from Germany along with bottling and canning lines where the brewery packages its own beers. Young Master runs its own barrel-aging and mixed fermentation programmes, creating locally-inspired flavours veering from classic pale ale to salted lime Gose. For those who are curious how the beers are made, the brewery hosts guided tours on Saturdays. youngmasterales.com
Founded in 2010, Blindspot Gallery started with an initial focus on contemporary photography and image-based art. Over the years, it has expanded to showcase a diverse collection of contemporary artworks across various media. The gallery has represented a number of emerging and established artists including renowned London-based photographer Nadav Kander, local talent Angela Su and awardwinning Chinese abstract artist Jiang Pengyi. blindspotgallery.com
Eastern Mediterranean flavours meet southeast Asian spices at Pomegranate Kitchen. Founded by Lebanese chef Maria Bizri, the boutique caterer offers a range of canapes and sharing platters inspired by Bizri’s cultural roots and travels around Middle East and Asia. “I started Pomegranate from my home in Headland Road in Repulse Bay. When it got to a point where my kitchen was overflowing with so much food that my family didn’t have space to eat, I moved to our current space in Wong Chuk Hang,” Bizri says. pomegranate.com.hk.
HULA is an online platform that retails preowned designer women’s wear from over 1,000 luxury labels, including Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. In 2019, the company opened a warehouse space in Wong Chuk Hang. Founder Sarah Fung has over 15 years of fashion experience but after being inspired to pursue a more sustainable approach, she launched HULA. “In Asia, buying pre-owned is often frowned upon, many people turned their noses up when HULA first started. However in the past few years, I have seen the perception of pre-owned change, largely due to growing sustainability awareness in Hong Kong. Sustainability is so important, and almost trendy, right now,” says Fung. thehula.com
Rossi & Rossi Founded by mother and son duo Anna Maria and Fabio in London in 1985, Rossi & Rossi is a leading dealer of antique Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian art. With a headquarters and showroom in Wong Chuk Hang, the gallery attracts high profile clients from around the world including private collectors and major museums with the likes of Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. rossirossi.com
Pekin Fine Arts
Pomegranate Kitchen
HULA
Founded by 20-year China resident Meg Maggio, Pekin Fine Arts first opened in Beijing in 2005 and established its second outpost in Hong Kong in 2012. With a 600-square-metre exhibition space designed by internationally acclaimed artist and architect Ai Wei Wei, the gallery is responsible for promoting the work of many important Asian artists. pekinfinearts.com
Mirth Home Founded by Australian designer Kylie Platt, Mirth is a homeware and lifestyle concept store that stocks everything from home decor, artwork to children’s clothing, books and toys. Tucked away in a former stool factory building that dates back to the 1960s, the 4,000 square foot space has been transformed into a bright and cheerful showroom. mirthhome.com
Lump Studio Opened in 2017, Lump is a fully-equipped pottery studio that welcomes ceramic artists of all levels. The studio offers both private and group classes for those interested to learn ceramic making. Its workshops cover a range of techniques from wheel throwing to hand-building methods like pinch, coil and slab building. lumpstudio.com.hk
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dining
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Dining
dining
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dining
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dining Fermented foods are a source of probiotics Our intestinal flora or gut is referred to as the second brain and is essential to our health, in particular for our immune system. Probiotics are good bacteria similar to the ones living in our gut. While we can take probiotics as a supplement, the probiotics coming from food such as Kimchi, tempeh, kefir, yogurt and sauerkraut are more natural and a great help to repopulate our gut with a healthy stream of germs.
Leafy greens and vegetable are rich in fibers Green vegetables are packed with fibre, essential to strengthen your gut and immune system. Kale is considered the most nutritious food per calorie, meaning that it has the most nutrients and the least calories. Spinach and broccoli are also recommended for fighting against infections, preventing cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Avoid sugar
Boosting immunity with food Founder of Holistic Nutrition HK Dr Emilie Berthet Clairet shares her tips for keeping healthy When we are sick we often rely on medication to make us feel better, forgetting that our food can also be a great help and source of healing nutrients. Here are some of my tips for keeping your body fit and healthy to help fight an infection.
Fresh fruits are the best source of vitamin C Lemons, oranges, guavas, blackcurrants, strawberries, kiwis, papayas and also persimmons are packed in vitamins especially vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for some immune cells to function and defend themselves. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps our body fight against infection and is the only vitamin that can help prevent illnesses. You can take it as a supplement, but fresh fruits are more natural and better absorbed with no risk of toxicity.
Whole grains are rich in vitamins B, zinc and fibers Vitamins B6, B12 and zinc are essential to energy reactions in our body and help fight infections. Whole grains are one of the best sources of these nutrients. Whole grain is a grain that hasn’t been processed. Processed grain is white and loses its bran and nutritional qualities. When you can, add whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta and brown rice into your diet.
Sugar has a negative effect on our immune system. A high level of sugar in the blood, called hyperglycaemia, impairs many immune cells in their function and is the main reason why diabetes patients are more sensitive to infections. While battling an infection or to protect ourselves from catching it, it is essential to avoid sodas, dessert and sweets. Foods rich in vitamin B, C, zinc and magnesium are the best way to keep our immune cells strong and ready for the fight. Incorporating these foods in our diet can help us prevent infection and not getting sick.
Dr Emilie Berthet Clairet is a registered medical doctor in her native France and works as a nutritionist and holistic practitioner at the Vitality Center and is the founder of Holistic Nutrition HK. Find out more about starting a healthy lifestyle at holisticnutritionhk.com
Nuts, seeds and avocados are rich in vitamin E Containing powerful antioxidants like omega 3 and vitamin E, nuts, seeds and avocado help our body to cope with the stress of an infection. Avocado is perfect in salads or even at breakfast on toast, while nuts are one of the best snacks you can have when you are hungry in the middle of the day.
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nibbles
Takeaway teas
Classy deals a Classified To beat the pandemic blues, the Europeanstyled café in Repulse Bay is offering a 40 percent discount on all pick up orders after 6pm. Diners can enjoy its wide selection of salads, sandwiches and pizzettes and enjoy a cosy night in. classifiedfood.com
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Served in an elegant bento box, you’ll find a range of savoury and sweet items including prawn and lobster choux and elderflower summer berry cheesecake. At $398 for two, this set is very popular so be sure to order online in advance. hongkong.grand. hyattrestaurants.com
Do it yourself pasta Love Fratelli’s signature artisan pastas? Learn how to make them at home with its new Cook Your Own Pastas sets. With easy step-by-step instructions from head chef Pradip Malbul and fresh ingredients, you can practice your cooking skills and enjoy a delicious Italian meal from the comfort of your own home. Sets start at $160. fratelli.hk
Fortnum & Mason The luxury British department store is offering its signature afternoon tea set for pick-up or delivery, so you can spoil yourself at home. Available at $588 for two, savour a range of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and bite-sized cakes, all accompanied by the brand’s best-selling Royal Blend Tea. 181fortnums.com.hk
The Daily Tot opens on Hollywood Road Originally set to open in July, Cuban-inspired rum bar had to postpone its opening due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak and government restrictions but finally opened in late August. Industry veteran Gerry Olino, makes up one-half of the founding team behind The Daily Tot. Guests can enjoy curated rum cocktails as well as a niche collection of rums sourced from Caribbean distilleries at the 1,300 square feet drinking den. thedailytot.com
Rosewood Hong Kong
A pizza my heart Artisan pizza bar Amalfitana is offering special delivery packages when you order via its direct delivery bikes (WhatsApp 6274 3932), Deliveroo or Food Panda. The packages include the Romantic Package for two which comes with a tricolore salad, bufala mozzarella, dough balls, Italia pizza and a bottle of Chiara Prosecco for $700. The Family Package feeds four with a tricolore salad, dough balls, French fries, bufala mozzarella, margherita pizza, pepperoni pizza and a Nutella pizza along with two soft drinks and two Peroni’s for $650. amalfitana.hk
Rosewood Hong Kong is now offering its signature afternoon tea to-go, available for pick-up from its all-day lounge The Butterfly Room. Packaged in elegant monochromatic boxes, the tea set features an array of savoury and sweet treats including traditional tea sandwiches and baked scones. The set is priced at $625 and serves two to three. rosewoodhkshop.com
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must haves
Velvet eye mask $156 from TONIC amara.com
Red wine glass set $720 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com
Tender is the night\ massage bar $110 from Lush lush.com
Chateau La Grave A Pomerol 2007 $500 from The Bottle Shop thebottleshop.hk
Cosy night in Netflix and chill in style with these home comforts. By Nicole Slater Goddess bath bomb $85 from Lush lush.com
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White natural Himalayan salt lamp $588 from Himalayan Magics himalayanmagics.com
Sublime Replenishing Night Masque $920 from Aesop aesop.com
Sara Miller zebra mug $199 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com
keep it cosy
Piet I geo cushion cover $250 from Home Essentials homeessentials.com.hk
Swiss Miss Marshmallow lover cocoa mix $28.5 from ParknShop parknshop.com
Gloria sofa $13,990 from Indigo Living indigo-living.com
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pets
Ask a vet... Dr Pauline answers your cat queries this month Dr. Pauline Pets Central veterinarian My cat loves exploring our garden. What can I do to prevent her from bringing germs into the house?
The only way to truly do this would be to stop your cat going out into your garden. Pet cats can get anxiety issues and things we can do to reduce stress in our pets should be supported. If she really needs time out of your house to express her natural predatory instincts, it’s important to keep her anxiety levels down. Enclosing cats in confined environments can lead to some life threatening medical problems and behavior issues. You are probably as likely as your cat to bring garden germs into your home so my advice would be simple. As long as you have a happy healthy normally behaving cat and enforce good home cleaning and disinfection, and brush/groom your cat regularly then you don’t need to worry about the germs. My cat keeps waking me up for food in the middle of the
night. I don’t feed her but she keeps doing it. How can I get her out of that habit? If this was my cat, I’d make sure she had some food in her bowl at bedtime. If it’s only food she wants, you could try a food delivery toy set to go off during the night and deposit some food around your house to keep her amused as well as fed. This would be much easier than trying to break a habit. I’ve heard of people trying to shut cats out of their bedroom but that doesn’t work because the cats will then just scratch the bedroom door and continue to wake their human ‘provider’. Couples have split up due to arguing about their cat, or abandoned their cat to save the relationship. It’s true to say that cats have a different internal body clock to humans. They eat, sleep and play at different times, so it may not be food your cat wants. It may be time to play or hunt and your cat looks to you for these needs in her environment.
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woof
Walkies
Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail Lung Fu Shan Country Park is both the newest and the smallest country park in Hong Kong covering just 47 hectares. Within the park you’ll find The Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail. Roughly just 400 metres long, this walk is perfect for those looking for a relaxing stroll with their pooch. Begin the short hike at the entrance of Picnic Area Site No.1 on Hatton Road, stroll alongside relics of the Pinewood Battery, a military fort built in 1903 and later converted into an air defense battery in the 1920’s. The fort is now under preservation but there is still plenty for pooches to sniff out along the way and you’re sure to enjoy taking in the history. A picnic site awaits you for a leisurely lunch before you head back the way you came. How to get there: Walk uphill along Hatton Road for about 1.5 km until you will reach the beginning of the trail at Picnic Area Site No.1.
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marketplace
marketplace
To advertise, email talk@hongkongliving.com or call 2776 2772.
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southside secrets
The last tiger Growls, gunshots and gardening forks. Nicole Slater reports on what happened to Stanley’s last tiger. Hanging on the wall in a dark corner of Tin Hau Temple in Stanley is a tiger skin. Blackened by incense smoke and frankly rather crispy-looking, it is accompanied by a sign that claims it is the skin of the last tiger on Hong Kong Island, which was shot outside Stanley Police Station in June 1942 by Indian policeman Rur Singh. It’s a good story and Singh certainly shot
a tiger, but there’s some debate about what happened to it. Some accounts claim the tiger was sent to the Government House, where it was eaten by the occupying Japanese and its skin was sent to Japan to be stuffed. In his book, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads, Stanley prisoner-of-war George Wright-Nooth says the 240-pound tiger was skinned by a fellow prisoner named Bradbury, who had worked as a butcher at Dairy Farm, after nights of terrorising the internment camp. Wright-Nooths diary entry for May 30 1942 reads: “last night Langston and Dalziel who were sleeping outside at the back of the bungalow were woken up at about 5am by snarls and growls. Langston at Dalziels instigation, got up to have a look. He went to the edge of the garden and looked down the slope to the wire fence. There Dalziel saw him leap into the air and fly back into the boiler room shouting ‘there’s a tiger down there’. Next morning on being told the story we were inclined to laugh.” But a tiger there was. Gunshots rang out the following night and next morning the prisoners watched as the hillside was thoroughly searched by Chinese and Indian police under Japanese supervision. A camp
supervisor told Wright-Nooth an Indian policeman had been mauled at 2am. Sleeping in a room with no windows or doors, the understandably nervous prisoners set their own tiger guards, two men armed with a gang and a gardening fork, until the tiger was caught later in June. In another book about the Stanley Camp, Hong Kong Internment 1942-1945, Geoffrey Charles Emerson says the tiger was stuffed and “put on exhibition in the city and attracted a great many viewers.” Some of the meat was given to members of the Hong Kong Race Club and “was as tender and as delicious as beef.” There’s also debate about exactly where the tiger came from. On rare occasions, tigers had been known to swim across the harbour to Hong Kong Island but Wright-Nooth writes that the big cat shot in Stanley is likely to have been released from a circus that was performing in Causeway Bay at the time of the Japanese invasion. Whatever the truth, the skin has long been revered for its magical properties. One story even credits it with saving the temple - and hundreds of people sheltering inside from two wartime bombs that failed to explore after being dropped nearby.
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zim city
Vigilante war on property sales agents
But as fast as they clean up, new ones appear with ever greater amounts of glue and tape. That is, until they meet my ‘friends’, residents who are determined to clean our streets. They sent me pictures of people hanging bills. They take down every commercial poster, banner and bill from railings, lamp posts and traffic signs, dumping them in the nearest bin (after they sent me a picture or two). Legal or not, until the Government gets its act together and prosecutes the people who answer the phone numbers, vigilante clean ups appear to be the only way forward. Please help my ‘friends’ and keep Hong Kong clean by removing any estate agents posters.
Paul Zimmerman on the influx of commercial banner and bills around Southside Prior to elections, the Lands Department instructed the removal of all banners from the roadside to make way for campaign banners by the candidates. With the September Legislative Council elections postponed, Hongkongers have a rare opportunity to enjoy clean streets. No more broken and sagging banners spoiling the view of our pavements, planters and shop fronts. However, what also stands out is the mess of bills and posters glued to all manner of street furniture, lamp posts and traffic signs. Despite this being illegal nothing is hidden. Phone numbers are visible in large fonts. The law is clear. Under Section 104A(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap.132), any person displaying
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or affixing a bill or poster on Government land without permission commits an offence, and is liable to a maximum penalty of $10,000 and a daily fine of $300 upon conviction. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) officers can remove the commercial publicity materials and even recover the removal costs from the persons concerned. But they hardly do. I have written to the FEHD pointing out the obvious: The phone numbers identifying the property sales agents, the dominant culprits, are right there. It is claimed that these are often disposable phone cards and that agents argue they are being framed by their competitors. Only when FEHD catch a person in the act of posting bills will they issue a meagre fixed penalty of $1,500 under another law, the Public Cleanliness and Obstruction Ordinance (Cap. 570). This is no deterrent for these agents hoping to cash in on hefty commissions. We wrote to the Estate Agents Authority on numerous occasions, but they replied lamely that they can only control licensed agents and that a phone number alone is no evidence. So the mess continues. Once in a while cleaners can be seen scraping the posters off.
Paul Zimmerman is the CEO of Designing Hong Kong, a Southern District Councillor and the co-convenor of Save Our Country Parks alliance.
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