The 20th anniversary of UNIQLO in Hong Kong is just around the corner. What sights and bites shouldn’t be missed in today’s city? Hong Kong-based magazine Milk X knows the best answers.
Separated by the magnificent Victoria Harbour, the three areas Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, and Sheung Wan, where historic alleys exist alongside modern skyscrapers, illustrate the contrast between local tradition and modern city life. Why not embark on a treasure hunt in a historic market or an intriguing bookshop, followed by a stroll along the iconic shoreline’s renewed promenade? You can take a break afterwards in a century-old tea house. Alternatively, enjoy the chic combination of Cantonese pop music and egg tarts. Let’s explore the beauty of this cosmopolitan city set between mountains and sea, old and new.
SWIPE
Separated by the magnificent Victoria Harbour, the three areas Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, and Sheung Wan, where historic alleys exist alongside modern skyscrapers, illustrate the contrast between local tradition and modern city life. Why not embark on a treasure hunt in a historic market or an intriguing bookshop, followed by a stroll along the iconic shoreline’s renewed promenade? You can take a break afterwards in a century-old tea house. Alternatively, enjoy the chic combination of Cantonese pop music and egg tarts. Let’s explore the beauty of this cosmopolitan city set between mountains and sea, old and new.
UNIQLO Mira Place
Back in 2005, the film Initial D, adapted from a Japanese racing manga, premiered in Hong Kong. Its surprising box office success highlights the local fascination with Japanese culture. That same year, UNIQLO opened its first store in Hong Kong at Mira Place in Tsim Sha Tsui. Now, as UNIQLO celebrates its 20th anniversary in the city, the original store is set to be revamped this October, including a new RE.UNIQLO STUDIO for repair services, UTme! for creating original designs, and UNIQLO COFFEE, the second shop of its kind in Hong Kong. Limited items designed in collaboration with Hong Kong artists also be available.
B1, GF & L1, Mira Place 1, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
CollaborationWhat is Milk X Magazine ?
Founded in Hong Kong by TK MAK in 2006, Milk X offers a fresh lens on fashion, culture, and lifestyle, with a goal of inspiring readers through both trend coverage and deeper storytelling. Four years ago, Milk X conducted an interview with LifeWear magazine, which sparked a friendship between the two teams, ultimately culminating in a long-awaited collaboration on the eve of Milk X’s 20th anniversary. This installment of “UNIQLO and Our Town“ brings together their shared passion and deep understanding of Hong Kong culture, showcasing the city’s unique mix of East and West, tradition and innovation. After flipping through the pages, you’ll surely be eager to experience the city’s uniqueness firsthand. In the upcoming October issue of Milk X, expect to see the vibrancy and features of UNIQLO, so stay tuned!
Bolton Cafe
Opened in May 2024, this retro coffee shop’s must-try is pork lard with rice (top left, HKD 68). Add lard, soy sauce, fried garlic and chopped green onions to the rice and stir. The vanilla ice cream sandwiched in a crispy pineapple bun (Hong Kong famous bread layered with cookie dough) is such a satisfying choice for dessert (top right, HKD 40). The old-fashioned style tiles and posters on the walls and Cantonese pop melodies will bring you back to a nostalgic era of the city.
20 Ashley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Hong Kong Space Museum
The structure’s unique domed exterior, romantically dubbed the “Pineapple Bun Under the Starlight,” has been an icon of the town for decades. The interior was revamped in 2021 sporting new and interactive exhibits about planets and galaxies, as well as updates on the wonders of space exploration (Standard entry HKD 10; free every Wednesday). It’s worth reserving tickets online to avoid the disappointment of showing up to fully-booked Space Theatre shows.
10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
The Commercial Press
Visit this bookstore in Tsim Sha Tsui if you love books, enjoy calligraphy, or simply want to clear your mind. Spanning over 1,000 square meters, this shop is not only a peaceful retreat in the bustling area. Vistors are inspired to get creative in various cultural spaces and studios for live streaming, or head to the cafe Afterword or The Hub for unique reading experiences. Friendly staff are always ready to assist and recommend good books and pens.
83～97 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Star Cafe
Reopened after the original building was purchased and replaced. The signature “Cheese Tomato Noodles“ (left, HKD 46) and “Tomato Beef Noodles” (right, HKD 40), remain best-selling dishes. The tomato sauce and beef are prepared fresh everyday by fourth-generation proprietor, Mr. Lam, who shared stories about notable figures who signed a plaque when the shop opened in 1996 and the vibrant nightlife scene of the 1980s, as if they were just yesterday.
58 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Bing Kee Cha Dong
Open for seven decades, this tea stall is a Tai Hang community treasure. Six days a week (closed on Mondays), shop owner Hong and his staff prepare breakfast and lunch for locals and travellers. The silk-stocking milk tea (HKD20) and fried dough (HKD 20) are an ideal combo. It’s recommended to add fish sauce to the pork chop noodles (HKD 38) for an extra burst of flavor. The classic taste has been promoted on social media to reach the younger generation.
5 Shepherd St, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay
East Coast Park Precinct
Opened in 2024, this is a lesser-known yet spectacular spot to enjoy panoramic views of Victoria Harbour, with joggers on the paths, travellers relaxing in stylish chairs, and a playground for kids. The unique structure pictured on the far right is a ventilation shaft structure on the eastern side of the Central-Wan Chai Bypass. The best time to visit is at dusk for golden hour on the promenade, which is a five-minute walk from Fortress Hill MTR station.
Watson Road, Causeway Bay
Lin Heung Tea House
As we sat down at a table for eight on the first floor of the teahouse, manager Chan gave us a warm welcome, while cries of “shrimp dumplings, shumai“ instructed diners to pick fresh orders of dim sum (HKD 38~) off of the carts. At this kind of old-fashioned teahouse, you can simply remove the lid of the teapot and the waiters will bring you more hot water. They also sell tea ground by hand in the traditional style. Experience the charms of Lingnan tea culture.
160-164 Wellington Street, Central
Tong Lau Experience Room
A community conservation project for tong lau (Chinese tenement buildings), “Habyt Bridge” has been launched in collaboration with the Urban Renewal Authority and the flexible housing solution HABYT. Originally an office and a staff dormitory for the China Daily newspaper, it is now a shared living space for travellers and residents. The first floor is a small exhibition hall which preserves the nostalgic red brick walls and patterned floor tiles of tong lau units from the 50s and 60s.
88 Staunton Street, Central
Central Market
Gone are the loud din, wet floors and hawkers of the mid-nineteenth century. The latest revamp of the four-story Central Market is abuzz with energy for treasure hunt shopping experiences and incredible dining. The Bauhaus-designed structure alone is worth a visit. Must-see shops include the Hong Kong Tram Store and The Good, The Bad and The Creative, which offers creative souvenirs and local snacks, rare cassettes and prints, secondhand toys and goodies from the past.
93 Queen’s Road Central, Central
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How to Taste Tea in Hong Kong?
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How to Taste Tea in Hong Kong?
While Hong Kong-style milk tea stands as the city’s most emblematic beverage, pu-erh tea traditions have remained steadfast for years. Nana Chan, the founder of Plantation Tea Bar, whose mission is to welcome everyone to delve into the realm of tea, offers the following advice for brewing pu-erh: “Using a pitcher balances the flavours in each cup, ensuring a smooth and consistent flavour.“
Steps of Brewing Tea 5 mins
1.Pour some hot water into a gaiwan cup or lidded teapot and let it sit.
2.Add aged pu-erh tea, then pour hot water into the vessel until it’s about three-quarters full. After about 20 seconds, transfer the tea into the pitcher.
3.Serve the tea from the pitcher into teacups and enjoy the flavors of traditional pu-erh tea.
Plantation Tea Bar
A teahouse located in Sai Wan Po Tuck Street and founded in 2023 by Nana Chan (middle of photo above). After a career in law, Nana moved into the world of tea. Her modern teahouse enjoys great popularity for its seasonal tea banquets and wide selection of tea that can be ordered by the pot. Combining traditional teas with innovative brewing methods makes for a unique tea-drinking experience.
Hong Kong is a treasure trove of unique souvenirs that capture its vibrant culture and history. If you’re hunting for fun trinkets, stop by Hong Kong Tram Store for mahjong keychains (1. HKD 38 each) and rooster bowls (6. HKD 38) or The Good, The Bad, and The Creative in the Central Market for piggy banks (3. HKD 450). When visiting the Hong Kong Space Museum, grab space-themed goods like this astronaut enamel pin (4. HKD 20 each). Snacking at the Plantation Tea Bar, don’t miss the popular tea leaf “Tea Bars” (2. HKD 128~208), scored like a candy bar so they can easily be broken into pieces, making it easy to brew a single cup of tea. At the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, a local landmark, you receive a kitschy free gifts T-shirts (7) for a 100 HKD donation taken upon entry, or can buy stickers (5. HKD 20).
*All prices and information current as of July 2025.
