Pottinger Street / Central (Hong Kong) -- Even though this wasn't my first trip to Hong Kong, I…read moremust've conveniently forgotten how steep the hills can get to elevation-challenged tourists like myself, especially the steep inclines to be found in the Central district on Hong Kong Island. That's why there are helpful automatic walkways and escalators under long canopies over certain roadways. That was definitely a smart urban renewal move built back in the '90's, but Pottinger Street has been left intact. This atmospheric walkway consists of a series of steps and inclines on terra firma and retains its vintage Hong Kong charm with seemingly random stone slabs that connect Connaught Road Central up to Hollywood Road. Souvenir kiosks line the street on both sides, and they apparently change depending on the holiday season. Jamie W and I were here too early to see Christmas trinkets and decorations, but we saw stall after stall of local tchotchkes and T-shirts. It's worth the stroll in either direction. RELATED - Exploring Hong Kong? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AGgadg

A touristy three or four block sloping street made up of granite slabs that aren't quite stairs…read more Its official name is Pottinger Street, named in 1858 after Henry Pottinger, the first Governor of Hong Kong, serving from 1843 to 1844. Fun fact was that in the early days in HK, Chinese and European residents used to live separately in different neighborhoods. Pottinger street once acts as a rough boundary between the two groups. The Chinese used to mainly live west of the street and westerners to the east. Today there are various vendors selling trinkets and services such as caricature painting on the street. Many blockbuster HK movies have had iconic scenes filmed here including "Lust Caution", "October Besieged City", "Infernal Affairs III", and "Dragon and Phoenix Fight".

The first time I visited Hong Kong I had never heard of this place, despite all of the Hong Kong…read morefilms that I had watched. However, after watching an awful lot of youtube I ended up discovering this notorious place. However, it no longer exists, and it has been turned into a park. Despite that, there are a number exhibits, including a model, on the former slum. It is quite a nice a peaceful park though.

The park is really nice to stroll through, but the main attraction is the history of the Kowloon…read moreWalled City. You'll reach a section where it talks about the Kowloon Walled City, interesting facts, and a small statue of how dense the apartments were. As you walk further in, there will be people giving away vouchers (free) to walk inside the Cinematic Journey (movie set). You get free entry and for 15 minutes, you can view the movie set, get a sense of how the apartments used to look, and read more history. It was very interesting and worth checking out if you have the time. Tip(s): - Visit the Cinematic Journey for free (someone will be handing out vouchers)

This is a special place to all CU people, alumni, students, staff alike…read more This is also a place of deep emotional attachment to i believe all who have studies in CUHK. Located just in front of the university library, this is more than mere a sculpture. Rumors have it that whoever dares to pass thru the arch of the sculpture, he or she shall never graduate from the university unless he or she rolls down the steep flight of stairs next to chinese culture research center. I am not sure how true the rumor is, but i rarely see people date to pass through the arch. It is also a place for big events to take place. In the university dance community, during the first semester there will be joint-U mass dance; dance teams of different universities will flock to this part of CU for a show. The statue serves as a backdrop to witness the show. While in the past it was actually the place for student to hold forums to discuss political issues, a place for different opinions to voice out. It is also a place to gather and to unite the students as an entity to represent themselves in critical times. As an alumni, this is a place where I feel proud of; for it is a symbol of the students in CU has a deep tradition in playing an active role and standing firm on their own grounds. CU is a place not only to gain knowledge, it is also a nurture ground for social responsibilities.