Sheung Wan

Sheung Wan is a neighborhood on Hong Kong Island that sits between modern retail spaces and traditional Chinese medicine storefronts. The area is crossed by narrow streets lined with older buildings, contemporary galleries, and recently opened dining establishments that occupy converted shophouses.

The neighborhood developed following the British arrival in 1842 at Possession Street, one of the island's earliest European settlements. Over subsequent decades, it grew into a major trading hub where Chinese merchants and Western businesses operated side by side.

The neighborhood blends practical commerce with long-standing traditions like incense selling and herbal medicine shops visible on nearly every corner. Residents and visitors move through spaces where daily routines include visiting temples and patronizing family-run businesses passed down across generations.

The neighborhood is centrally located and easily reached on foot from other tourist sites, with direct access to Sheung Wan MTR station. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since streets are steep and many staircases connect different street levels throughout the area.

Man Wa Lane remains a quiet corner where specialized artisans hand-carve Chinese seals and stamps as their families have for generations. This traditional craft is rarely practiced elsewhere in Hong Kong and draws collectors seeking authentic pieces.