The Best Photo Locations in Kennedy Town; Through the Lens of the Community

April 5, 2023

Kennedy Town is Hong Kong’s new hipster hood, with craft beer cafés and trendy restaurants at the quaint quayside. But it wasn’t always like that. Locals call the neighbourhood Sai Wan - Western Bay - and for many years this remote neighbourhood at the end of the tramline was the ‘backyard’ of the island with slaughterhouses, factories, wholesale markets, squatter villages and even a mortuary. It slowly developed into a quiet residential neighbourhood and the arrival of the MTR in 2014 catapulted K-Town into a sought-after destination. Many of the old factories transformed into co-working places and artisanal coffeeshops but the area has retained a unique atmosphere that you don't find elsewhere on Hong Kong Island. A camera in hand, we asked some long-time locals for their favourite spots in the neighbourhood, the places they like to come to eat, drink, pray and play. This is what they shared. Listen to their stories and learn what they love:

The terraced streetscape, so typical of Kennedy Town. Locals make their daily stroll up and down the steep ladder streets.

Ching Lin Terrace half way between HKU and Kennedy Town Station is a charming tree-lined cul-de-sac, typical for this quiet neighbourhood.

The Lo Pan temple tucked away at the quiet Ching Lin Terrace in Kennedy Town is one of Hong Kong's most spectacular temples, the roof is shaped like it has just landed from a Star Wars movie..

Sai Wan Estate is one of Hong Kong’s architectural highlights. It was Housing Authority’s 2nd ‘low-cost housing estate’ built in the days when architects all over the world were experimenting with ways to reduce construction cost and increase density. Sai Wan is the oldest housing estate from that generation that still provides affordable housing for low-income city dwellers.

This red brick building is one of the few reminders of Kennedy Town industrial past. Now used as an elderly home it was built in 1923 for what was then called the 'Sanitary Department'. It also housed a small fire station manned by just 10 firefighters and one motor pump.

In the old days, Kennedy Town had many mobile street vendors, selling anything from sweet soups to bamboo brooms. Some were so successful they opened permanent shops or small restaurants. When the Smithfield Municipal Services Building opened in the 1990s many moved into the cooked food centre, which remains the best place for authentic and affordable cuisine in the neighbourhood.

Kennedy Town is at the end of the line. Since 1904 the city’s trams have rumbled through its streets and brought passengers to this corner tip of Hong Kong Island At just HK$2.30 per trip, the tram is the most affordable way to travel and it remains the favourite mode of transport for many of the K-Town locals.

The new Kennedy Town Swimming Pool is a favourite among the local elderly community. Until the government reclaimed the land in 1970s the only places of leisure were the bamboo swimming sheds in Victoria Harbour.

More than 20 big banyan trees grow on the stone wall at Forbes Street, some more than 100 years old, their leathery roots a collective memory of the community and a reminder of Kennedy Town’s bygone age.

Explore Kennedy Town

These memories of Kennedy Town were collected by Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kun Community Centre and iDiscover. Do you want to explore the neighbourhood's forgotten places, hidden gems and learn more about the area’s history? Try the digital walking trail curated with the help of locals or download the free illustrated memory map of Kennedy Town.

In the iDiscover Kennedy Town memory map and walking trail, long-term residents share memories of their 20 favourite places in this fast-changing neighbourhood.

Credits

Created by

Powered by

Designed by

About

Caritas

Caritas MCSK Community Centre started serving Western District in 1964, and aims to build up community identity and a sense of agency. Through community engagement and developing self-help network, and with Sai Wan people's strength and capacity, it is hoped that Sai Wan will become a resilient community, where the quality of life is enhanced. 明愛莫張瑞勤社區中心，自1964年起服務港島西區。中心致力扶助弱勢社群，發展個人及家庭才能，提倡自助互助精神，促進區內居民集體參與，改善生活質素，培養社區共同身份，推動鄰里和合，建立社區柔韌力量。

mcskcc.caritas.org.hk/public/modules/main_page/index.htm

Grosvenor Grosvenor

Grosvenor Asia Pacific is an investor, developer and asset manager active in Hong Kong for over 20 years. Our purpose is to deliver lasting commercial and social benefit; applying our expertise with a far-sighted perspective to improve properties and places while delivering positive impact to communities. 過去二十年，Grosvenor Asia Pacific活躍於香港物業的投資發展及管理。高瞻遠矚的目光及長年積累的專業讓我們持續創造社會及經濟效益，發展物業並改善周邊地區，為社區帶來正面效益。

www.grosvenor.com

Maoshan Connie Maoshan Connie

Maoshan Connie is a map and children's book illustrator, passionate in exploring and documenting all the secrets and stories of this ever-changing city. She believes that maps should not just show roads, but also hidden alleys, footpaths and beautiful encounters that make up a city. Every handmade map is full of memories and love, created to share with other curious explorers. 畢業於英國劍橋大學主修兒童文學的貓小姐專門繪畫地圖及兒童繪本。她相信每張手繪地圖都該展現城市中的小故事、小人物、樹木及回憶等，而不單只是車路高樓。每張地圖都好像一本故事書般，是畫家跟其他好奇的探險朋友充滿愛的分享。