HONG KONG & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beyond Hong Kong’s dazzling skyscrapers, thrilling nightlife, and fine dining, there is Sham Shui Po – an eclectic neighborhood where tradition and modernity unify, and where every street corner exudes the sheer essence of daily lives.
On the heels of its successful “Old Town Central” campaign last year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) launched a new campaign presenting Sham Shui Po as a neighborhood where visitors will find all aspects of Hong Kong livelihood in the most authentic local flavors. Through a series of promotions, HKTB will showcase the fascinating features and offerings of Sham Shui Po. A number of walking routes recommended by locals will also be introduced, complemented by themed decorations displayed at various locations to help visitors experience the charm of Sham Shui Po.
“Travelers are seeking more in-depth travel experiences, and in Sham Shui Po, they can experience the authentic everyday lives of Hong Kong residents,” said Bill Flora, director at HKTB-USA. “Sham Shui Po has a fascinating mix of traditional and trendy elements, with many cool and creative shops. In addition, there is Michelin-starred food to enjoy, and a number of shopping streets and open-air street markets with different themes, all of which offer a rewarding experience for visitors.”
HKTB is immersing visitors into the extraordinary and enticing bustle of Sham Shui Po with a fascinating two-minute time-lapse video titled Immerse Yourself in Sham Shui Po like Locals Do. Shot by local resident and award-winning videographer Alex Rodriguez, at the invitation of HKTB, the captivating film debuted today showcasing Sham Shui Po’s best-kept secrets from the perspective of a gaai fong (local inhabitant) to a global audience of potential visitors.
Immerse Yourself in Sham Shui Po like Locals Do
The film portrays a typical day in the distinctive market community and begins as umbrellas spring up on stalls along the streets soon after daybreak. The buzz gathers as residents venture out to do their daily shopping. Within the markets lies a bewildering array of goods apart from fresh produce and roasted meat, such as vintage toys and antiques, colorful fabrics, latest models of computers, and so much more. Famous for electronics, the open-air market on Apliu Street attracts treasure hunters from local and abroad.
“Apliu Street is a playground for all walks of life,” Rodriguez explains. “They sell all sorts of gadgets and electronic parts, second-hand items, and everything you could imagine. Even my first time-lapse gear was built from parts I bought here. After living here for six years, I still feel like a kid in a candy store in Sham Shui Po.”
Capturing the scene of hungry diners in line to eat at the dim sum mecca and Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan, the film captures stacks of bamboo steamers. The culinary exploration continues through numerous Michelin-recommended favorite local eateries and street food stalls, including the hugely popular, silky-smooth tofu dessert at the Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, showing why Sham Shui Po is a magnet for food lovers.
The film then runs at a more leisurely pace at the entrance to the Arli Star Leather Factory, where craftsmen draw inspiration from the exuberant contrasts of the neighborhood surrounding them. The mellow ambience injected into the classic district by young dream-chasers radiates across Tai Nan Street to Café Sausalito, where a live jazz performance provides a fitting soundtrack to the vividly creative atmosphere.
The pace of life remains just as frenetic as dusk falls. Rodriguez’s video portrait ends in style at a dai pai dong, a traditional open-air restaurant where sizzling Cantonese stir-fry food is served up and enjoyed among friends under the glow of neon-lit streets.
Self-guided Walks Recommended by Locals
Visitors can follow in Alex’s footsteps and enjoy for themselves the extraordinary and life-enhancing scenes captured in his remarkable film. HKTB offers insider insight on exploring the authentic community through a walking guide of Sham Shui Po, containing personal recommendations from local personalities, making every traveler’s trip to this distinctly Hong Kong neighborhood an unforgettable experience. The walking guide offers visitors the best things to see, eat, buy and do. From stepping inside traditional temples built by early immigrants to lounging at coffee shops that are bringing a new energy to the historic district, Sham Shui Po radiates the simple pleasures of travel.
The walking guide is available at: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/common/ebook/SSP_booklet_EN.pdf
Members of the media can download the video and images from it through the following links:
- Time-lapse video – Immerse Yourself in Sham Shui Po Like Locals Do (video by Alex Rodriguez)
- High-resolution images