These articles below can also be found in the June 2010 issue of Serviced Living Guide: Contents: Back to index   Get to know your district     Wanchai   Out on the Town   Wanchai  is  well-known  as  an entertainment  hub,  and  the  stretch around  Lockhart  Road  will  not disappoint ardent party-goers seeking entertainment  from  sundown  to sunrise. Yet, this is not all that Wanchai has  to  offer.  The  area  adjoining  the Admiralty district  is  home  to  the Star Street  complex  and  comprises  a leafy  few  lanes  with  modern  cafes, restaurants  and  the  occasional boutique  store  and  has  a  peaceful neighbourhood feel. Another  handful  of  restaurants  and bars sits on the streets along Johnston Road.  These  include  the  Michelin-starred Bo  Innovation and The Pawn, whose  colonial  stylings  feature  a verandah overlooking the city’s famous tramway.  The  area  is  intermingled with  historical  buildings  and  the lively  Wanchai  market,  which  offers a  fascinating  glimpse  into  everyday lives  of  Hong  Kong’s  residents. With its  close proximity  to  the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and frequent bus  links  to China, Wanchai is  a  multi-faceted  destination,  with plenty  to offer  those  in  town  for work and play.   Causeway Bay   Loud and Proud Anyone that loves hustle, bustle, shopping and  eating will  feel  at  home  in Causeway Bay. The area  is a  favourite pick  for many locals,  features  every  kind  of  imaginable food stall or restaurant and  is packed with shops. While their stock differs significantly, from  high-end designers  to  export  shops, a shared trait is late opening hours. Its not unusual  to  find  music  playing  and  doors open until 10 or 11pm each night. Times  Square  mall  is  recognizable  for  its huge LCD screen and draws crowds before propelling  them  up  to  an  impressive  nine floors  of  wall  to  wall  shopping,  crowned with another three floors of restaurants. The  lane across  from  the mall, Tang Lung Street,  looks  down  at  heel  but  is  another food paradise, with  some  famous hot pot restaurants  and  authentic  Thai  cuisine  on offer at good prices. Beyond  this, headed towards  the  harbour  is  a  newly  gentrified area  known  as  Fashion  Walk.  The  area houses upscale boutiques and little cafes. Those  seeking  a  break  from  the  crowds with  a  moment  of  solitude  can  head  to Victoria  Park,  a  large  park  with  running tracks, public pool and, in the cool morning light, groups of Hong Kongers performing Tai Chi.     Central   Staying Power   Hong  Kong’s  financial  district  also encompasses the steep streets of the Mid-Levels and winding lanes of Soho, and is a premier destination  for many Western and Asian  expatriates  who  often  also  work  in the area. The masses that head each night to nearby Lan Kwai Fong – Central’s  famous strip of bars  and  clubs  holds  magnetic  draw  for tourists  and  locals  alike  –  may  give  the impression that the area is all hurl and burl, but surrounding streets can be surprisingly sedate,  with  even  more  food  and  drinks options. Hong  Kong’s  industrious  spirit  is  easily glimpsed in the clusters of Soho boutiques and  trendy  restaurants  often  set  up  by Chinese educated overseas since returned or by  long-term expats  that now consider the region home. It is here you’ll find organic cafes  next  to  Spanish  tapas,  designer burgers, frozen yogurt outlets and whatever else is hot to trot. Flashy gyms, sparkling malls The Landmark and IFC, and international supermarkets all add to the cosmopolitan feel, while traditional temples  and  bustling  markets  offers  an authentic  Eastern  backdrop.  Chinese furniture, antiquities and art galleries can be found via a stroll on Hollywood Road. With Central hosting two main train stations getting out of  the city  isn’t a problem. The airport is a 20-minute train ride away, while train  links  to China are via a connection  in nearby Tsim Sha Tsui.   New Territories   Calm the Senses   Taking up  residence  in  the New Territories affords visitors the chance to experience a life unchanged for decades. Lush mountain scenery and a slower pace of life offer real respite  from  the  hectic  city  life  that Hong Kong  is  famous  for,  as  well  as  offering  a greater sense of space for families. Those  doing  regular  business  in  China might want  to  consider  areas  in  the West or  Eastern  New  Territories  as  a  base.  Tai Po and Tin Shui Wai are both close  to  the mainland border, boosted with an efficient train  network  and  modern  expressways. And venturing into the city limits is also done easily, with  regular  bus  and  train  services delivering passengers to Central in under an hour. Properties such as the Harbour Plaza Resort run additional shuttle bus services to make the journey even smoother.   Tsim Sha Tsui   Bright lights, fast-pace   Tsim Sha  Tsui  has  been  a  bustling  tourist centre  for  decades,  and  is  still  a  major destination  for  those making  stopovers  in Hong  Kong.  Accordingly,  the  area  has  a huge concentration of hotels, a varied mix of people and many dining options. Recent  openings  have  centered  the  busy district as a shopping mecca, with Canton Road  a  jewel  offering  famous  high-end designer  names  in  new  flagship  stores completely  different  to  the  streets  running off  Nathan  Road,  which  are  a  maze-like sprawl of restaurants and small shops and also  invite  exploration.  The  City’s  Cultural Centre, with a space museum, art museum and a theatre complex, can be found along the waterfront promenade. TST, as the area is often known, is a prime transport  hub.  The  famed Star  Ferry  runs from a  terminus outside  the  large Harbour City mall and links the district with Wanchai and  Central,  while  the  Hong  Kong  China Ferry  Terminal  offers  services  to  Macau, Guangzhou,  and  other  destinations  in  the Pearl River Delta. Two MTR stations merge in the area, and includes a direct train line to the Shenzhen, China border.