Neighbourhood guide

Central

Tai Kwun, PMQ, Lan Kwai Fong and the Peak

Central is the business and government core of Hong Kong Island. Heritage sites like Tai Kwun and PMQ sit a short walk from the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator, and Victoria Peak is above it all.

Tai Kwun is a centre for heritage and arts built from the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. Its grounds are open 8am to 11pm, the Visitor Centre 10am to 8pm and JC Contemporary 11am to 7pm, Tuesday to Sunday. PMQ, on Aberdeen Street, was converted from the Former Hollywood Road Police Married Quarters. Its studios and shops list 12:00 to 19:00, and cafes and restaurants 9:00 to 23:00.

Hong Kong Park on Cotton Tree Drive is open from 06:00 to 23:00 for its outdoor areas, and entry is free apart from the Sports Centre and Squash Centre. Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, inside the park, is free as well. The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum on Castle Road is open Monday to Wednesday and Friday 10am to 6pm, weekends 10am to 7pm, and closed Thursdays.

The Peak is about 552 m high, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, and the Peak Tram has run since 1888. Near the harbour, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel stands 60 m tall with 42 gondolas, and the Hong Kong Maritime Museum is on Central Pier No. 8. Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo hold the bars and restaurants.

Getting there

Tai Kwun's visitor page gives Central Station Exit D1 as the way in, with a walk along Queen's Road Central and up the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator. That escalator system has 16 reversible one-way escalators and 3 travelators, and starts at Queen's Road Central.

22 places

Central Station Exit D1 station

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See Central on the interactive map

What to see

Start at Tai Kwun and PMQ, then walk up to Hong Kong Park and the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum. The Bank of China Tower, HSBC Main Building and Government House are all on the way.

Where to eat and drink

Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo are the two nightlife areas. Lock Cha Tea Shop runs a tea house at Tai Kwun.

Nearby neighbourhoods

Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun Man Mo Temple, dried seafood streets and Western Market 12 places · 1.5 km away

Wan Chai and Causeway Bay Harbourfront, old temples and shopping streets 21 places · 2.4 km away

Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon, Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui and West Kowloon Museums, the harbour promenade and M+ 27 places · 2.4 km away

Yau Ma Tei and Jordan Temple Street and the old fruit market 5 places · 3.5 km away

The best of Central

Best for heritage Tai Kwun The grounds open 8am to 11pm.

Best green space Hong Kong Park Open 06:00 to 23:00 and free to enter.

Best for tea Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware Free admission, inside Hong Kong Park.

Best view Victoria Peak and Peak Tram The Peak is about 552 m high.

Things to do in Central

Former Central Police Station block at Tai Kwun with arched verandas, Central, Hong Kong

Landmark Tai Kwun Tai Kwun, located at Hollywood Road, Central, is a centre for heritage and arts. It comprises three groups of buildings: the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison.

Open courtyard atrium of PMQ with tiered walkways and a hanging sign over the stage

Shopping PMQ PMQ at Aberdeen Street in Central was revitalised and transformed from the Former Hollywood Road Police Married Quarters. The site first served as the campus of the Central School.

Nightlife Lan Kwai Fong A cluster of bars and restaurants in Central, one of Hong Kong's best-known nightlife areas.

Nightlife SoHo SoHo refers to the array of restaurants and bars along Staunton Street, Elgin Street and Shelley Street. The area derives its name from being located south of Hollywood Road, Central and is a popular place for nightlife.

Gold Central Market lettering in Chinese set into the paving at Central Market

Shopping Central Market Accorded as a Grade 3 historic building, the Central Market is located in Central between Queen's Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central. Built in 1939 and ceased operation in 2003, it was then handed over to the Urban Renewal Authority for conservation and revitalisation and fully reopened to the public in 2022.

Pond and trees in Hong Kong Park with Central towers rising behind the water

Park Hong Kong Park Hong Kong Park at Cotton Tree Drive, Central covers an area of 8.16 ha. The present site of the Park was originally a garrison named Victoria Barracks.

Entrance sign of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens among tropical foliage

Park Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens Located at Albany Road in Central, the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is the oldest park in Hong Kong. Built in 1860, the Gardens was fully completed and opened to the public in 1871.

Colonial white-columned veranda of Flagstaff House in Hong Kong Park

Museum Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware Located inside Hong Kong Park on Cotton Tree Drive in Central, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware was originally Flagstaff House which served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong until 1978.

Red brick and white stone facade of Kom Tong Hall, the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum

Museum Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum is located in Kom Tong Hall at Castle Road, Mid-Levels in Central. Opened in 2006, the 4-storey museum, with a floor area of 2 560 sq m, has 2 permanent exhibitions displaying a number of precious historical artefacts.

Museum Hong Kong Maritime Museum Hong Kong Maritime Museum was established in 2005 at Murray House in Stanley and relocated to its current address at Central Pier 8 in 2013. It is dedicated to preserving, collecting and displaying objects that tell the story about trade and maritime in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.

Hong Kong Observation Wheel on the Central waterfront beside harbour-front towers

Landmark Hong Kong Observation Wheel Located at Man Kwong Street, Central near the Central Harbourfront, the Hong Kong Observation Wheel is a 60-metre tall ferris wheel with 42 gondolas, each holding up to 8 passengers.

Landmark Government House Government House at Upper Albert Road in Central is the official residence of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a venue for the reception of dignitaries and other important official and social functions.

Bank of China Tower with its angular steel-braced glass facade against a blue sky

Landmark Bank of China Tower The 367.4 m tower, designed by the architect Ieoh Ming Pei, on Garden Road in Central has four prism-shaped sections. Its design takes the sectioned trunk of bamboo as its starting point.

HSBC Main Building exposed steel frame seen from street level in Central

Landmark HSBC Main Building HSBC Main Building at Queens Road Central is designed by the well-known British architect Norman Foster. The Building stands 178.8 m high across 52 floors and is one of the prominent landmarks on Hong Kong Island.

Covered Central to Mid-Levels Escalator rising above a narrow Central street at night

Landmark Central to Mid-Levels Escalator The Central to Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System starts at Queen's Road Central, passes through narrow streets and ends at Conduit Road. It consists of covered walkways, 16 reversible one-way escalators and 3 reversible one-way travelators.

Red Peak Tram car climbing the steep incline through green hillside to Victoria Peak

Viewpoint Victoria Peak and Peak Tram The Peak, about 552 m high, is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. The Peak Tram began operating in 1888 and runs from the city to the Peak Tower. The Peak Circle Walk follows Harlech Road and Lugard Road around the summit.

Museum City Gallery The City Gallery, situated in Edinburgh Place, Central, is Hong Kong’s first exhibition hall with the theme of urban planning and large-scale infrastructure development.

Red brick Former French Mission Building with its dome among trees and Central towers

Landmark Former French Mission Building The former French Mission Building on Battery Path in Central, was originally built in 1842. Expansion and conversion works were completed in 1860 and 1917 respectively.

Hong Kong City Hall travertine wall carrying its bilingual City Hall sign in Central

Special Hong Kong City Hall Hong Kong City Hall, situated at Edinburgh Place in Central, opened in 1962. It has been reputed as one of the most prominent arts and cultural venues in Hong Kong.

Park Tamar Park Tamar Park is located at Harcourt Road, Admiralty. Adjacent to the Central Government Offices and the Legislative Council Complex, it covers an area of around 1.76 ha.

Pale green Jamia Mosque with arched windows on Shelley Street in Mid-Levels

Landmark Jamia Mosque Located on Shelley Street, Central, Jamia Mosque is the oldest mosque in Hong Kong, which could accommodate a congregation of around 400 people. It was built in the 1910s with donations from Haji Mohamed Essack Elias, a Bombay merchant, to replace the old mosque on the same site.

Cafe Lock Cha Tea Shop A Chinese tea shop and tea house selling and serving tea, with a branch next to the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park.

What's on in Central

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

Guided Tour: Who's Next? at Anne Imhof: House of Swans Exhibition
Listed Saturdays and Sundays, to 3 Jan 2027. Next: Sun 8 Nov · JC Contemporary, Tai Kwun
Guest guides from art, music and performance lead visitors through the Anne Imhof exhibition, each on their own listed dates. Sessions run 1 hour.
Free with an exhibition ticket on the day (exhibition HK$50, HK$40 concession) · 13:30 (Cantonese or Putonghua) and 15:00 (English) · Map · Source: Tai Kwun · 導賞團：Who's Next?
Tai Kwun free docent tours (Heritage Walk daily, Architectural Legacy Thursdays and Sundays) Activities
Daily. Next: Sun 8 Nov · Visitor Centre, Block 03, Tai Kwun
Free docent-led tours: the 45 minute Heritage Walk daily, in Cantonese, Putonghua or English, and the 60 minute Architectural Legacy tour on Thursdays and Sundays. Arrive 10 minutes early; cancelled under Typhoon Signal 3 or the Red or Black Rainstorm Signal.
Free, booking on the Tai Kwun site · See the Tai Kwun timetable (45 minutes) · Map · Source: Tai Kwun · 大館古蹟漫遊
Blue Moon Milonga (tango taster class and social) Nightlife
Tue 10 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
A tango taster class for beginners from 7:30 pm, then a milonga until 11:30 pm.
Taster class and milonga HK$200 with a drink, milonga HK$150, student HK$100 · 19:30 · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · November Blue Moon Milonga
Discover Swing Dancing class (Wednesdays) Activities
Wednesdays, 11 Nov to 23 Dec 2026. Next: Wed 11 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
A one-hour partnered swing class at the Fringe Club, every Wednesday in the dates listed, with entry to the 8 pm swing social included.
Drop-in HK$300, 4-week course HK$1,100 · 19:00 (1 hour) · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · Discover Swing Dancing
Weekly Swing Dance Social (November) Nightlife
Wednesdays in November 2026. Next: Wed 11 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
Swing dance social run by the Fringe Club and Hong Kong Swings, with a 30 minute taster class at 8:15 pm each week.
HK$108 at the door, HK$138 online with a drink · 20:00 (3 hours) · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · November Weekly Swing Dance Social
Salsa workshop with Franky Salsaman Activities
Listed Thursdays, 12 and 19 Nov 2026. Next: Thu 12 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
Thursday salsa lessons taught by Franky Salsaman at the Fringe Club.
HK$250 a lesson, 4 lessons HK$880 · 19:30 (2 hours) · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · 2026 Salsa Workshop
Ora-Ora: The Hunch Exhibition
On now, until 14 Nov · Tai Kwun
An exhibition at Ora-Ora in a Tai Kwun gallery shop space.
Free · Map · Source: Tai Kwun programme · Ora-Ora - The Hunch
The Hunch (Ora-Ora 20th anniversary exhibition) Exhibition
On now, until 14 Nov · Ora-Ora, Shop 03-105 to 107, Tai Kwun
A group show of nine international artists curated by Cyrus Lamprecht, on intuition, belief and uncertainty.
Free · 10:00 to 19:00 (Mon to Fri), 12:00 to 18:00 (Sat) · Map · Source: Tai Kwun
INKstudio: Losing My Way to Watch the Flowers Bloom (Peng Kanglong solo exhibition) Exhibition
On now, until 28 Nov · Tai Kwun
A solo exhibition by Peng Kanglong in a Tai Kwun gallery shop space.
Free · Map · Source: Tai Kwun programme · INKstudio - Losing My Way to Watch the Flowers Bloom: Peng Kanglong’s Solo Exhibition
Tai Kwun Conversations: Sir Cecil Clementi and the Making of "Modern" Hong Kong Activities
Mon 16 Nov · JC Cube, Tai Kwun
Graham Hutchings introduces his biography of Sir Cecil Clementi, in English with English-Cantonese interpretation.
Free for TK FAN members; reservation full, standby places possible · 19:00 to 20:30 · Map · Source: Tai Kwun

Show all 21 events

Stephen Hough: Beethoven, Schumann and More Concert
Tue 17 Nov · Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall
Pianist Stephen Hough plays Beethoven and Schumann in the Premiere Performances 20th season.
$280 to $880 · 19:30 · Map · Source: Premiere Performances of Hong Kong · Event Info
Where Colors Gather: Yuho Chang solo exhibition Exhibition
19 to 22 Nov · Anita Chan Lai-ling Gallery, Fringe Club
Abstract ink and acrylic works by Yuho Chang, open 19 to 22 Nov with an opening reception on 20 Nov from 5:30 pm.
Free · 19 Nov 17:00 to 19:00, 20 and 21 Nov 10:00 to 20:00, 22 Nov 10:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · Where Colors Gather
deTour 2026 design festival Festival
20 to 29 Nov · PMQ
The annual deTour design festival in the Courtyard and Marketplace at PMQ, organised by PMQ.
Free · 11:00 to 20:00 (to 15:00 on 20 Nov) · Map · Source: PMQ programmes and events · deTour 2026 - design festival
Ruby: a Cantonese musical, staged reading Performance
Fri 20 Nov, Sat 21 Nov, Sun 22 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
A staged reading of an original Cantonese musical with 12 new songs, in four shows over three days. Cantonese, no subtitles, ages 16 and over.
HK$300, HK$220 concession · Fri 20:00, Sat 15:00 and 20:00, Sun 15:00 · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · 香港原創粵語音樂劇《RUBY》演讀劇場
SoulMeet Happy Hour Nightlife
Fri 20 Nov · Urban Coffee Roaster SOHO
A Friday happy hour with free-flow wine and soft drinks at a Central SOHO coffee shop, run by SoulMap as a social mixer.
HK$198 · 18:30 · Map · Source: Popticket (organiser: SoulMap)
TBC Improv Show (2026 to 27 season) Performance
Fri 20 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
An improvised comedy show on one Friday a month in the listed season, each with its own theme.
HK$150, HK$200 on the door, HK$100 concession · 20:00 (1 hour 30) · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · TBC Improv Show
The Master and Apprentice (magic show) Performance
Sat 21 Nov, Sun 22 Nov · The Jockey Club Studio Theatre, Fringe Club
Twelve magicians from My Arsenal Magic Workshop perform on stage in two evening shows.
HK$200 · 20:00 · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · The Master and Apprentice
Operation Oops! - the Musical Performance
22 Nov to 13 Dec · Hong Kong City Hall Theatre
The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre stages the musical Operation Oops! at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre, with tickets at URBTIX.
Map · Source: Hong Kong Repertory Theatre
Between Worlds: Aristo Sham in dialogue (two piano concerts) Concert
Fri 27 Nov, Sun 29 Nov · Prison Yard, Tai Kwun
Two programmes curated by pianist Aristo Sham with violinist Fanny Clamagirand, erhu player Yiwen Lu and hornist Bar Zemach, on 27 Nov at 7 pm and 29 Nov at 6 pm.
HK$480 · 19:00 and 18:00 · Map · Source: Tai Kwun · Between Worlds: Tradition and Discovery in Dialogue
Blue Blue Heart (HKU drama double bill) Performance
Fri 27 Nov, Sat 28 Nov, Sun 29 Nov · The Jockey Club Studio Theatre, Fringe Club
Two linked plays by hkupudrama about family and love, in Mandarin and English with Chinese and English subtitles. Five shows over three days.
HK$240, HK$170 concession · 19:30 · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · 藍藍心
Community Drum Jam: 25 Years of Rhythm Activities
Fri 27 Nov · Fringe Dairy, Fringe Club
A participatory drum circle led by percussionist Kumi Masunaga, marking 25 years of the Hong Kong Community Drum Jam.
HK$180 early bird, HK$200 standard, HK$220 at the door · 20:00 · Map · Source: Hong Kong Fringe Club · November Community Drum Jam: 25 Years of Rhythm. One Big Circle.

All 21 local events in Central

Live music in Central

Hong Kong City Hall 24 upcoming gigs
Fringe Club 5 upcoming gigs
Central Harbourfront Event Space 3 upcoming gigs

What's on in Central this week

From the blog

Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbour at night seen from Victoria Peak

Things to Do in Hong Kong: The Peak, Star Ferry, Big Buddha and Night Markets Read

Stay in Central

Browse live availability and compare prices around the neighbourhood.

See hotels near Central on Booking.comPrices are for the night of Saturday 14 November. You can change the dates on Booking.com. If you book, Roam Hong Kong earns a small commission from Stay22 at no extra cost to you.