Why Hong Kong Island’s ‘Southside’ is tipped to be city’s next ‘cool’ neighbourhood
- Wong Chuk Hang, known for ‘holiday environment’ and ‘quieter, slower pace’, has thriving restaurant, arts and cultural community
- Area will become tourist haven and major residential, cultural and commercial centre as part of ‘Invigorate Island South’ plans
Hong Kong Island’s Southern district – home to popular coastal destinations such as Stanley, Repulse Bay and Aberdeen – is being transformed into a tourist haven as part of plans that will see the area become a major residential, cultural and commercial centre.
The move, announced in the Hong Kong government’s “Invigorate Island South” initiative last year – will lead to new cultural facilities being created in Wong Chuk Hang and Aberdeen, with old, existing buildings revitalised for use by the arts community and emerging industries.
The area in and around Wong Chuk Hang, which is also becoming known as Southside, has already been undergoing great change.
Island South is a unique area … It’s been revamped into something very chic and modern with shops, eateries and new hotels
It has developed into a thriving neighbourhood community of restaurants, cafes and art galleries since businesses started moving to the district following the 2016 opening of the MTR railway network’s South Island Line, between Admiralty and South Horizons on the small island of Ap Lei Chau, which allows travellers to reach central Hong Kong within minutes.
“Island South is a unique area,” Joe Yuen, co-founder of JW Marine, a Hong Kong yacht brokerage and service company, says as he sips his cup of morning tea while relaxing on a luxury yacht in Aberdeen Harbour.
“It’s been revamped into something very chic and modern with shops, eateries and new hotels, which has been interesting for such a historical area. And with the MTR, it’s very convenient to be here.”
