Secrets: 30+ Things You Didn’t Know About Traveling in Hong Kong

 

In the past, people came to Gough Street mainly to try the flavors of Kau Kee Beef Brisket and Sing Heung Yuen. In 2003, a home décor shop called Homeless opened its first store next to Kau Kee. Besides selling works by local designers and illustrators, it also represented numerous overseas design brands. With its fun yet tasteful and quality products, limitless creativity paired with practical functionality, it quickly gained popularity and opened several branches on the same street within just a few years.

 

Thanks to the clustering effect, many similar shop owners also began seeking spaces on Gough Street. A successful example is Visionaire, which transitioned from an online seller to a physical store in 2011. Visionaire’s logo is a pair of binoculars, symbolizing their desire to help Hong Kongers see the world through a unique lens. Some of the owners are designers themselves. In the early days, they attended international design fairs abroad and got to know many promising designers from around the globe. Over time, these people became Visionaire’s regular partners. For instance, the works of French photographer Maron Bouillie are among Visionaire’s most popular items. She transfers images of Parisian old shop facades onto handbags — some even feature the shopfront on the exterior and the interior display on the lining, creating something not only glamorous and playful but also elegantly charming. Visionaire also thoughtfully includes descriptions and information about these shops with each bag, offering buyers deeper insight into their new favorite item, perhaps inspiring them to visit the originals in Paris someday.

 

Right across from Visionaire is Timothy Oulton, a brand of the same name by a British designer. Timothy excels at transforming vintage and antique pieces into home furnishings with a strong British retro vibe. From large sofas and tables to small leather bags and candle holders, every item exudes a sense of historical character while remaining effortlessly elegant. Take, for example, the frame of a floor-standing mirror, made from an actual old ship — the blue paint rubbed from collisions and the bent nails are all traces of its seafaring past. Or there's the suitcase handcrafted from decommissioned airplane fuselages — not only stylish and cool but also sturdy and durable (though maybe a bit heavy). While you shop, the staff may also pour you a glass of wine. Whether you plan to buy or not, they hope to make a friend over this drink — a toast to these rediscovered treasures from forgotten corners.

 

[Info]

Homeless

Address: G/F, 28 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, China

Phone: +852-2851-1160

Hours: Mon–Sat 11:30–21:30, Sun 12:00–18:00

Website: www.homeless.hk

 

Visionaire

Address: Shop 26, Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, China

Phone: +852-2745-6868

Hours: Mon–Fri 11:30–20:30,

Sat 11:30–21:30, Sun 12:00–18:30

Website: www.visionaire.hk

 

Timothy Oulton

Address: Shop 15, Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, China

Phone: +852-2161-1742

Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 11:00–21:00

Website: www.timothyoulton.com

Does Hong Kong have its own Venice? What was Hong Kong like in the 1970s? To many, Hong Kong is a dazzling international metropolis, but there are those who focus on the vanishing old Hong Kong — a centuries-old tree, a row of vintage houses, an alleyway everyone takes for granted, and the secrets hidden behind malls and modern skyscrapers. Secret Tour Hong Kong has taken travelers to try snacks in the last remaining traditional stilt houses of Tai O, take sampan rides out to sea to spot dolphins, sample authentic seafood on shrimp-catching boats. But most importantly, they tell stories — about history and culture, and the minute details of fishermen’s lives. For the brave, they’ve even organized half-day tours of Hong Kong cemeteries, with priests sharing tales.

 

The creation of Secret Tour Hong Kong was actually quite accidental. Founder Stephen, who always has a lot of creative ideas, told us that he used to work long hours in advertising. One day, he suddenly said to his partner, “Let’s do something crazy!” Because he knew many international friends, they first invited pals to join their first in-depth tour group. To their surprise, it got an enthusiastic response, and in February 2011, Secret Tour Hong Kong was officially established. “We’re not tour guides, we’re your friends in Hong Kong,” said Stephen.

 

With the goal of sharing how locals perceive Hong Kong, they aim to convey the most authentic, human, and emotional stories. Therefore, before preparing any new route, they spend one to two months gathering material and chatting with old neighbors to uncover unique little stories — all to let participants experience a one-of-a-kind view of Hong Kong. Stephen once took a group up to a mid-levels footbridge to meet Filipino workers who gather there on weekends. He chatted and danced with them. That interaction left a deep impression on him, as he discovered they are actually a very happy community who love Hong Kong.

 

Having been around for more than two years now, Secret Tour Hong Kong has gradually transformed — not only developing in-depth tour packages, but also producing advertisements for companies that carry the flavor of Hong Kong and resonate with its people. What remains unchanged is that Hong Kong is always the star.

 

【info】

Secret Tour Hong Kong (Hong Kong-based)

Website: www.secrettourhk.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/secrettourhk

E-mail: hello@secrettourhk.com

Note: Currently only accepts group bookings from companies, organizations, or schools. However, groups of 10 or more can still sign up, with reservations required at least one month in advance.

In the past, when people mentioned Cheung Chau, they might think of the famous Bun Festival and the Bun Scrambling Competition — a mysterious outlying island of Hong Kong. But beyond its beautiful beaches, this small island is also home to many new immigrants from abroad, adding an international flair. Praya One, located within a brick-red factory by the sea, is a place where local culture meets distant lands.

 

With sparkling waves on the sea surface and blue boats moored in the bay, a two-story building not far from Cheung Chau Pier was once an electronics parts factory. After being vacant for over a decade, it has now been transformed into a contemporary art space that combines artist studios, galleries, exhibition halls, and meeting spaces. On weekends, various themed workshops and events are held and open to the public free of charge. French artist Ghome and his partner Stephanie arrived on Cheung Chau in 2008 and 2009 respectively, and since then have fallen in love with the island and decided to make it their home. Stephanie says her 5-year-old nephew, though blond and blue-eyed, speaks fluent Cantonese and has become something of a little star on the island.

 

The couple, who have a deep affection for Cheung Chau, have long hoped to create a diverse contemporary art space on the island. One day, while strolling around looking for a suitable location, they discovered the old factory. It took them nearly five months to renovate it, preserving the original doors and windows and leaving traces of its transformation visible. Since then, the fishing village factory has taken on a new look, and through Ghome’s artwork and recurring art workshops, it introduces visitors to the hidden beauty of Cheung Chau and tells a new story of the island.

 

No matter how modern and ever-evolving Hong Kong may be as an international metropolis, this island still retains the charm of a traditional fishing village. Its simple and unpretentious lifestyle and warm, friendly people have captivated Stephanie and Ghome. As such, “residents” and “community” are key concepts of this space.

 

On the factory’s rooftop is a solar energy installation created by partner Xavier Young’s company, Eco.S Development, blending environmental sustainability with contemporary art.

 

【info】

Praya One

Address: 2/F, Shing Yip Industrial Building, 1 Hoi Pong Road, Pak Shek Kok, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, China

Phone: +852-2246-0505

Hours: Sundays 14:00–17:00

These days, when Hong Kong people talk about silk stocking milk tea, many think of Sing Kee Gourmet Garden View Tea House in Tai Wo, Tai Po — because at the fifth “Golden Tea King Competition 2013,” it not only won the Hong Kong championship but also beat competitors from Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Toronto, and Sydney to claim the title of International Golden Tea King.

 

The owner and milk tea master, Ms. Mok Pui Ling, was originally a teacher. She became interested in milk tea after trying some at a hotel coffee shop and began studying it. After leaving teaching and entering the food and beverage industry, she became convinced that a good cup of milk tea is the soul of a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style diner). She then sought out a master from the 1960s to learn the craft, so her milk tea retains the tea aroma, strong flavor, and bold taste emphasized in those days — distinct from modern styles. To keep improving, she also visits other shops to learn from others, taking the best from each to refine her own.

 

Having sold milk tea for 16 years, Mok Pui Ling says her standards are: “It must have tea flavor, but not be bitter or astringent, not too sweet, and the milk flavor must be balanced.” To achieve this high standard, she has always followed the principle of pouring tea before milk. She explains, “By adding tea first and then milk, you can control the milk flavor accurately without diluting the tea.”

 

Ms. Mok also likes to pour milk from a height into hot tea. Don’t think this “pulling” technique is just for show — it actually allows air to mix with the tea, breaking down tannins, reducing bitterness, and filling the room with a rich aroma.

 

As the first woman in Hong Kong to be crowned the “Milk Tea Queen,” Mok Pui Ling remains humble and says she won’t let it go to her head, let alone raise prices. She believes every workplace — whether a school or a cha chaan teng — is a testing ground, with the customers as examiners from all walks of life. Customer satisfaction is merely passing, but earning praise means getting top marks. If customers give you high marks, why would you raise prices?

 

Beyond her milk tea, Mok Pui Ling’s business philosophy is equally admirable.

 

【info】

Sing Kee Gourmet Garden View Tea House

Address: 105 Kam Shek San Tsuen, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China

Phone: +852-2657-3000

Time: 6:30~19:00

Access: Exit A of Tai Wo MTR Station, walk through the mall for about 5 minutes.