Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 9 Tai Ping Shan St, Sheung Wan; 9am-6pm; 26)
A quirky temple featuring statuettes of deities governing the different Chinese zodiac anim-
als (there are 12 altogether). For under HK$100 and four red packets (of any amount), they
will help you burn incense and offer prayer to bless your animal, which will translate into
blessings for you.
BURIAL GARMENTS
LEUNG CHUN WOON KEE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 17 Square St, Sheung Wan; 9am-5.30pm Mon-Sat; 26)
Leung Chun Woon Kee (1904) is one of the last remaining burial garment producers in
Hong Kong. White, black, brown or blue are preferred colours for the clothing, never red.
The Chinese believe only those who want revenge on the living depart in red. Sleeves cover
the hands completely - exposed hands make beggars of one's descendants. The outfits also
come without pockets to prevent the dead from taking money or luck from his family. Pho-
tos are not allowed in the shop.
STREET
CAT STREET
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan; 9am-6pm; 26)
Just north of (and parallel to) Hollywood Rd is Upper Lascar Row, aka 'Cat Street', a
pedestrian-only lane lined with antique and curio shops and stalls selling found objects,
cheap jewellery and newly minted ancient coins. It's a fun place to trawl through for a
trinket or two, but expect most of the memorabilia to be mass-produced fakes.
STREET
POSSESSION STREET
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Possession St, Sheung Wan; 26)
Just before Hollywood Rd meets Queen's Rd West is Possession St, where Commodore
Gordon Bremmer and a contingent of British marines planted the Union Jack flag on 26
January 1841 and claimed Hong Kong Island for the Crown (though no plaque marks this
birthplace of colonial Hong Kong).
PAPER OFFERINGS
QUEEN'S ROAD WEST INCENSE SHOPS
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Queen's Rd W, Sheung Wan; 8am-7pm; 26)
At 136-150 Queen's Rd West, there are shops selling incense and paper offerings for the
dead. The latter is burned to propitiate departed souls and the choice of combustibles is
mindblowing: dim sum, iPads, Rolexes, Viagra tablets, and - the latest - solar-powered wa-
ter heaters. You may buy them as souvenirs, but remember that keeping these offerings
meant for the dead (rather than burning them) is supposed to bring bad luck.
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