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Area Descriptions
The Peak
The Peak was always considered to be the most prestigious address on the island due to the fact that it was green and relatively quiet when compared to Central, and a couple of degrees cooler than the rest of the Island. Today, it is still considered to be one of the most desirable areas in Hong Kong having remained sparsely populated and having retained its beautiful green walks and parks. Residences on the Peak include townhouses and lowrise “colonial” blocks, usually with balconies, high ceilings and sometimes fireplaces and occasionally exclusive free-standing substantial residences. Many of the newer developments offer recreational facilities including swimming pools.
The trip from the Peak to Central is a fifteen minute journey by car, minibus or double decker or alternatively by the famous and very popular Peak Tram which leaves from St. Johns Building on Garden Road, Central to the Peak.
The Peak Galleria, next to the Peak Tram offers vast shopping and dining facilities! You can enjoy spectacular views of Hong Kong Island from approximately 3 km’s walk on Lugard Road.
Mid Levels
Mid Levels stretches between the north coast of the Island and the upper area of the Peak. It is a wide area of residential properties which spans from the Wong Nai Chung roundabout in the east to Kotewall Road, in the west. It includes main residential streets such as Upper Stubbs Road, Bowen Road, MacDonnell Road, Kennedy Road, Conduit and Robinson Road as well as the Central Mid Levels addresses such as May Road, Old Peak Road, Tregunter Path and Albany.
Mid Levels is traditionally composed of high rise developments of various ages, quality and size, all of which have easy access by public transport to Central, either through mini-buses, double deckers or more recently the Mid Levels escalator which starts from Conduit Road down to IFC Building and Star Ferry terminals in Central.
Some of the modern high rises offer beautiful harbour views whereas the older lowrises still have the charm and character but unfortunately miss out on the view which they enjoyed 15 - 20 years ago!
SOHO - NOHO
With the huge popularity of the escalator, many hip restaurants, small shops and night clubs have opened up, not to mention the many apartments in old Chinese lowrise buildings that have been refurbished and designed to a high and modern standard. SOHO stands for South of Hollywood Road vs NOHO stands for North of Hollywood Road.
The Mid Levels area tends to attract young couples and singles with a range of smaller studio apartments and larger homes as well as more luxurious properties.
Happy Valley / Stubbs Road area
Situated above busy Causeway Bay and its extensive dining and shopping facilities, Happy Valley is best known for its race course. It is a busy, popular area which is generously supplied with supermarkets, open food and vegetable stalls and restaurants offering a huge array of international cuisines and ample transport. Many old as well as new high and lowrises cluster around and beyond the race course circumference. There are a number of fully furnished and serviced apartments in this area. With its easy accessibility to Causeway Bay and Central and its reasonably priced accommodation, Happy Valley is one of the most popular expatriate areas, particularly for young bachelors and couples.
Stubbs Road with Shiu Fai Terrace and Tung Shan Terrace as well as Tai Hang Road with Wang Fung Terrace offer mainly lowrises and the high rise blocks are found on roads from Happy Valley leading up to the Peak and also to Wong Nai Chung Gap to the South side.
Pokfulam
Conveniently located on the Southwest side of the Island, Pokfulam offers marvellous views over the Lamma Channel as well as lovely mountain views.
The transportation is good particularly since the new fly-over connecting Pokfulam to Central opened and more recently the Western Cross Harbour tunnel with closer access to Kowloon and the airport. Older lowrise buildings, small townhouse developments and high-rises are spread across the area from Kennedy Town to Aberdeen.
Three good schools are located in this area, Kennedy School (ESF Primary), West Island School (ESF Secondary) and Kellet School.
Two large supermarkets service this area, one is located in one of the major developments (lower Baguio Villa), Cyberport and a short bus or taxi ride takes you to an excellent fish market in the western district.
Bel Air
Bel Air is a large new, up market residential development offering high standard residences with unobstructed seaviews. The Cyperport Commercial and retail complex services the residential towers. The Le Meridien Hotel and a selection of dining facilities is offered in this complex.
South Side
Along the southern coastline of the island beyond Deep Water Bay after the Aberdeen tunnel, Repulse Bay past the cricket club and HK Parkview lies the peninsular suburb of Chung Hom Kok which offers lowrises apartment or townhouse living with a Mediterranean style surrounding. There is a beach at the end of the peninsula, as well as a supermarket on the main street. The main facilities are found in Stanley, Tai Tam, Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay with restaurants and shops very close by and a bus route which runs to the far end of the peninsula.
Stanley
Stanley itself has for decades maintained a village-like atmosphere with a small market town and was originally a fishing village. Stanley is most famous for its market which is one the important tourist focuses of Hong Kong.
Popular with expatriate families who prefer a village-style existence, Stanley, in recent years, has seen considerable development of very good quality homes, whether lowrise apartments or townhouse developments. Shopping facilities for residents are excellent and include The Stanley Plaza, good vegetable and fish markets, fresh bakery and wine boutique. Stanley has one of the most popular beach front streets offering many pubs, restaurants and street side cafes. Recently, an extended pavement has opened for enjoyment of the public. Transportation in the form of mini-buses and double deckers is in good supply.
Tai Tam
Following the coast between the Stanley Peninsula and the Redhill Peninsula, is the Tai Tam area which has become a popular luxury high rise development with townhouses which all face the sea and the famous American Club. The proximity to Stanley and its shops and restaurants, means the area is very attractive to expatriates especially Americans who prefer to be close to the Senior section of HKIS (Hong Kong International School).
Access to Central can either be via Chai Wan and The Eastern Island corridor via shuttle buses and MTR or via Stanley and Repulse Bay through the Aberdeen Tunnel or the old “Mountain route”.
Repulse Bay
Repulse and South Bay are nicked named the Mediterranean of HK Island. It’s relative closeness to Wanchai/Central as well as it’s fine dining and shopping makes it an attractive area to live. The Repulse Bay complex has a quaint and welcoming shopping facility. Recently, “The Pulse” a second shopping complex has opened up. It is located on the southern tip of Repulse Bay Beach and offers shopping and dining facilities.
A wide range of apartments and houses are located here, many of them enjoying great sea views.
Deep Water Bay
Deep Water Bay is situated between Shouson Hill and Repulse Bay. There is a blend some of townhouse developments and lowrise apatment blocks on the hills, overlooking Hong Kong Golf Club. Many homes on the hill offer spectacular views.
This area is very attractive with the Aberdeen Tunnel in close vicinity and the quick access to commercial and shopping center in Causeway Bay.
Shouson Hill
Shouson Hill is surrounded by Deep Water Bay and the Golf Club on one side and Ocean Park on the other side. It offers a quiet and leafy environment with many lowrise townhouses and family orientated areas with close proximity to Central / Wanchai through the Aberdeen Tunnel in approximately 10 minutes by taxi.