Wan Chai, Commercial neighborhood in Hong Kong Island, China.
Wan Chai is a neighborhood on Hong Kong Island in China that extends between Victoria Harbour to the north and forested hills to the south. The main streets run parallel to the water, while steep lanes lead upward and mix older residential blocks with new office towers and shops.
Chinese fishermen established the first settlements around Hung Shing Temple in the 19th century, before British colonists developed the area and built roads from 1842 onward. After World War II, the neighborhood grew rapidly with refugees from mainland China and became a densely populated commercial and residential district.
The many small shops along Queen's Road East and Johnston Road sell fabrics, buttons and sewing supplies, while craftsmen work at their sewing machines in the side streets. In the early morning markets, residents buy fresh vegetables and dried seafood directly from the vendors.
The MTR station and tram connect the neighborhood to other parts of Hong Kong, and most destinations are within walking distance, though some streets climb steeply. Restaurants and markets open early in the morning, while many shops stay open until late in the evening.
On the upper floors of older residential buildings, rooftop terraces remain where residents dry laundry and grow plants in pots. The narrow Stone Nullah Lane runs along a former watercourse now hidden beneath the street, still marking the boundary between different blocks.
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