View source for Central, Hong Kong

{{Short description|Central business district in Hong Kong}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}

{{Infobox Chinese
|pic=Hong Kong Island Skyline 2009.jpg|piccap=Central as viewed from [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], on the opposite side of [[Victoria Harbour]]
|title=Central
|order=ts
|t=中環
|s=中环
|ci={{IPA|yue|tsʊ́ŋ wȁːn|}}
|j=Zung<sup>1</sup> waan<sup>4</sup>
|y=Jūng Wàahn
|p=Zhōnghuán
|showflag=y
}}

'''Central''' ({{zh|t_hk=中環}}), also known as '''Central District''', is the [[central business district]] of [[Hong Kong]]. It is located in the northeastern corner of the [[Central and Western District]], on the north shore of [[Hong Kong Island]], across [[Victoria Harbour]] from [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], the southernmost point of [[Kowloon Peninsula]]. The area was the heart of [[Victoria, Hong Kong|Victoria City]], although that name is rarely used anymore.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tsang |first=Steve |title=A Modern History of Hong Kong |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=2004 |isbn=1-84511-419-1 |pages=17}}</ref>

As the central business district of Hong Kong, it is the area where many multinational [[financial institution|financial services corporation]]s have their headquarters. [[Consulate]]s of many countries are also located in this area, as is [[Government Hill]], the site of the [[Government of Hong Kong|government]] headquarters until 2011. The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as the centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest days of the [[History of Colonial Hong Kong (1800s–1930s)|British colonial era]] in 1841, and continues to flourish and serve as the place of administration since the [[Handover of Hong Kong|handover to China]] in 1997.

==Naming==
{{multiple image
| align     = right
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| image1    = DSC05294 hk.jpg
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| caption1  = View of Central and Victoria Harbour from [[Victoria Peak]]. Tsim Sha Tsui is visible across the harbour.
| image2    = Central Western View 201007.jpg
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| caption2  = Admiralty, Central and the [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation]], view from the east in 2010.
| image3    = City Hall and General Post Office.jpg
| alt3      =
| caption3  = The [[General Post Office, Hong Kong|General Post Office]], the [[Hong Kong City Hall|City Hall]], and the surrounding business buildings in Central, viewed from the west.
}}
The area of '''Chung Wan''' (previously spelled "Choong Wan")<ref>[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zfLImz3BT30/SqB6_YTNnvI/AAAAAAAAAZo/pUyeHQoxbSc/s1600/c+1880+victoria.jpg#www.omuser.com/archiver/?tid-169962.html Map of circa 1880]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Building Appraisal Steps of Pound Lane Sheung Wan, H.K. |url=http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/20210315_historic_3_new_items.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218091311/http://www.aab.gov.hk/form/20210315_historic_3_new_items.pdf#page=1 |archive-date=2021-12-18 |website=aab.gov.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2011 |title=Consultancy for Heritage Impact Assessment for Transformation of the Former Police Married Quarters Site on Hollywood Road into a Creative Industries Landmark |url=https://www.amo.gov.hk/form/PMQ-HIA-vol_01-BHIA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110012401/https://www.amo.gov.hk/form/PMQ-HIA-vol_01-BHIA.pdf |archive-date=2014-01-10 |website=amo.gov.hk}}</ref> is a direct translation of "central" in English and was one of the districts ({{lang|zh-hk|四環九約}}) in Victoria City. The English name, Central became prevalent {{citation needed span|after the [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] of the [[MTR]] metro system was built in the early 1980s,|date=September 2022}} and the connected [[metro station|stations]] of Pedder and Chater (named after major streets in the area) were renamed as ''[[Central station (MTR)|Central]]''. On some older maps, Central and the area to its west are named '''Kwan Tai Lo''' ({{lang|zh-hk|羣帶路}}) below [[Victoria Peak]]. It formed a channel, '''Chung Mun''' ({{lang|zh-hk|中門}}), with [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], on the sea route along the coast of [[Northern and southern China|southern China]]. The eastern part of Central District has been known as [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]] {{citation needed span|date=May 2019|since the completion of [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty station]] in the early 1980s.}}

Despite the name Central being synonymous with the Central and Western District, and Central station, there are significant differences. Central and Western is a administrative district with strict boundaries, legislative representation, and elections for its legislators. Central station (more commonly referred to as Central) is a stop along the MTR [[Island line (MTR)|Island Line]], but is not the only station within the Central and Western District. Other stops include Hong Kong, Admiralty, Sheung Wan and more. The Central area is a loosely defined area within the Central and Western district defined by the presence of major banks, sky scrapers, and multi-modal transportation nodes.

==Location==
Central is located on the north shore of [[Hong Kong Island]], across [[Victoria Harbour]] from [[Tsim Sha Tsui]], the southernmost point of [[Kowloon Peninsula]]. It is bordered in the west by [[Sheung Wan]], with the border being along [[Aberdeen Street]] (also called [[Wing Kut Street]]). It is bordered in the east by [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]], an eastern extension of the Central and Western District. As such, Admiralty is sometimes considered a part of Central. Central is bordered in the south by [[Mid-Levels]], an affluent residential area halfway up [[Victoria Peak]]. The boundary between Central and Mid-Levels is not clearly defined.

For [[Central and Western District Council|district council]] elections purposes, the area, together with Admiralty, correspond roughly to the "[[Chung Wan (constituency)|Chung Wan]]" constituency.<ref>[http://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/distco/maps/dc2003a.pdf District Council electoral boundaries – Central and Western District]</ref> The boundaries of such constituencies may be subject to modification.<ref>[http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201012/03/P201012030246.htm Press release: "Public consultation on proposed constituency boundaries for 2011 District Council Election", 3 December 2010]</ref>

==History==
[[File:Hong Kongfromtheharbour c1920.JPG|thumb|left|Central waterfront in the 1920s.]]
[[File:Hong Kong Legislative Council Building.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Court of Final Appeal Building]], completed in 1912, once used as the building of [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong]] from 1985 to 2011.]]
The British landed on [[Possession Point]] of [[Sheung Wan]] in 1841. They soon decided to build a city on the north coast of Hong Kong Island, and the present-day Central was chosen to house major military facilities and an administrative centre. Part of these military facilities include the [[Royal Navy]] port known as Naval Dockyard, and then later Admiralty. Another area to the north of Admiralty would be named [[Tamar, Hong Kong|Tamar]] for the [[HMS Tamar (shore station)|HMS Tamar]] shore station (named for HMS Tamar, a Royal Navy troopship that arrived and was used as a shore base during the [[Second Opium War|second opium war]]). The area soon attracted both [[Westerners]] and Chinese to trade and live in the area, and a Canton Bazaar (the precursor of the [[Central Market, Hong Kong|Central Market]]) was built between [[Cochrane Street]] and [[Graham Street]] in 1842. The area was soon zoned for Westerners only, and Chinese residents were restricted to Sheung Wan. It was zoned for "Western-style buildings," meaning buildings with space requirements and hygiene standards similar to European. The area was largely dominated by the presence of Victoria City. The popularity of this area would also boost the [[Demographics of Hong Kong|population of Hong Kong]] from 5,000 in 1841 to 24,000 in 1848.<ref>{{cite book |title= The British Empire in the nineteenth century: its progress and expansion at home and abroad|last= Sanderson|first= Edgar |author-link=Edgar Sanderson|volume= IV|year= 1897–1898|publisher= [[Blackie and Son]]|location= London| oclc = 11625716| lccn = 02002538|page= [https://archive.org/details/britishempireinn04sandiala/page/337 337]|url= https://archive.org/details/britishempireinn04sandiala}}</ref> [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]] and other [[Government of Hong Kong|Hong Kong Government]] buildings were completed during this period on [[Government Hill]]. Various [[Hong Kong Garrison|barracks]], naval bases and the residence of the [[British Forces Overseas Hong Kong|Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong]], [[Flagstaff House, Hong Kong|Flagstaff House]] were built on the east end of the district. Between 1860 and 1880 the construction of [[Old City Hall, Hong Kong|City Hall]], Theatre Royal and other financial structures made Central the heart of Hong Kong.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

In 1904, the [[Praya Reclamation Scheme]] added {{convert|59|acre|ha}} of land to Central's waterfront. Many of the proposals came from [[Paul Chater|Sir Paul Chater]] and [[James Johnstone Keswick]], the founders of [[Hongkong Land]], a modern property development group.<ref>Wordie, Jason. [2002] (2002) Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press. {{ISBN|962-209-563-1}}</ref> During the 1920s, Hong Kong was able to push far ahead economically, because of the cohesive collaboration between Central and all waterfront commerce.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

The military structures survived until the 1980s. Only Flagstaff House remains as Museum of Tea Ware in [[Hong Kong Park]]. [[Hong Kong City Hall#First generation|City Hall]] sat on the present premises of the [[HSBC]] [[HSBC Building (Hong Kong)|Hong Kong headquarters]]. Hong Kong's first road, [[Queen's Road, Hong Kong|Queen's Road]] (subdivided into [[Queen's Road East]], [[Queen’s Road Central|Central]], and [[Queen's Road West|West]]), passes through the area and the business centre has continued to expand the Hong Kong shoreline into Victoria Harbour.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} The [[Hong Kong Garrison]] was home to the [[British Forces Overseas Hong Kong|British Forces in Hong Kong]], until the [[Handover of Hong Kong|handover in 1997]], since then it has been occupied by the [[People's Liberation Army of China]].

Central has been the site of a number of major political protests. From October 2011 to September 2012, the [[Occupy Central (2011–2012)|Occupy Central]] movement against global economic inequality was based in front of the [[HSBC Building (Hong Kong)|HSBC Main Building]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradsher |first=Keith |date=2012-09-11 |title=Occupy Hong Kong Protesters Forcibly Removed |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/business/global/occupy-hong-kong-protesters-evicted.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two years later, in September 2014, democratic activists initiated [[Occupy Central with Love and Peace]], demanding [[universal suffrage]] for the election of the [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]], eventually contributing to the [[Umbrella Revolution]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Barber |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Campbell |first2=Charlie |date=2014-09-28 |title=Police Fire Tear Gas at Hong Kong Democracy Rally |url=https://time.com/3439242/hong-kong-democracy-china-ocuppy-central/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |magazine=Time |language=en}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{expand section|date=September 2011}}

There are many [https://www.treasureland.com.hk/en/property/hong-kong-office-for-rent/central Grade-A commercial buildings in Central],<ref>[https://www.treasureland.com.hk/en/property/hong-kong-office-for-rent/central Office For Rent at Central] Treasure Land. Retrieved 3 Oct 2018</ref> a prime commercial district in Hong Kong.

[[Bank of China (Hong Kong)]] has its head office in the [[Bank of China Tower, Hong Kong|Bank of China Tower]].<ref>"[http://www.bochk.com/ir/contactus_e.html Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820001414/http://www.bochk.com/ir/contactus_e.html |date=20 August 2011 }}." [[Bank of China (Hong Kong)|Bank of China]]. Retrieved on 11 September 2011. "Registered Office BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Limited 52/F Bank of China Tower 1 Garden Road Hong Kong"</ref> [[The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation]], a subsidiary of [[HSBC]], has its head office in the [[HSBC Building (Hong Kong)|HSBC Main Building]].<ref>"[http://www.hsbc.com/1/2/contact-us Contact Us]." [[HSBC]]. Retrieved on 12 September 2011. "The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation – Hong Kong Address: GPO Box 64, Hong Kong, 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong SAR, China"</ref> [[Bank of East Asia]] and [[Hang Seng Bank]] have their head offices in Central.<ref>"[http://www.hkbea.com/hk/ci/investor_comm/investor_enquiries/index.htm Investor Enquiries]." [[Bank of East Asia]]. Retrieved on 11 September 2011. "Registered Office: 10 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong"</ref><ref>"[http://bank.hangseng.com/1/2/contact-us/sme-centres Business Banking Centres]." [[Hang Seng Bank]]. Retrieved on 11 September 2011. "Level 1 & 6, Hang Seng Headquarters, 83 Des Voeux Road, Central" ([http://bank.hangseng.com/1/PA_1_2_S5/content/pws/aboutus/images/bbc_central_map.jpg Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402102406/http://bank.hangseng.com/1/PA_1_2_S5/content/pws/aboutus/images/bbc_central_map.jpg |date=2 April 2012 }})</ref> [[Standard Chartered|Standard Chartered Bank]] is also located in Central. The [[Hong Kong Monetary Authority]] is based in [[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|IFC 2]]. [[Chu Kong Passenger Transport]] is headquartered in the Chu Kong Shipping Tower (珠江船務大廈) in Central.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cksp.com.hk/en/over_view/contact_us|title=Contact Us|publisher=Chu Kong Passenger Transport|accessdate=2021-08-25|quote=Company Address: 22/F.,Chu Kong Shipping Tower, 143 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong|archive-date=25 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825181612/http://www.cksp.com.hk/en/over_view/contact_us|url-status=dead}} – [http://www.cksp.com.hk/zh-HK/over_view/contact_us Traditional Chinese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825181535/http://www.cksp.com.hk/zh-HK/over_view/contact_us |date=25 August 2021 }}: "香港干諾道中一四三號珠江船務大廈22字樓" ,  [http://www.cksp.com.hk/zh-CN/over_view/contact_us Simplified Chinese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825181543/http://www.cksp.com.hk/zh-CN/over_view/contact_us |date=25 August 2021 }}: "香港干诺道中一四三号珠江船务大厦22字楼"</ref> The head office of [[New World Development]] is in the {{ill|New World Tower (Hong Kong)|lt=New World Tower|zh|新世界大廈}} in Central.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nwd.com.hk/contact-us|title=Contact Us|publisher=New World Development|accessdate=2022-09-15|quote=30/F, New World Tower, 18 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong}} – [https://www.nwd.com.hk/zh-hant/contact-us Traditional Chinese address]: "香港中環皇后大道中18號新世界大廈30樓", [https://www.nwd.com.hk/zh-hans/contact-us Simplified Chinese address]: "香港中环皇后大道中18号新世界大厦30楼"</ref> [[HKR International]] has its head office in [[Shun Tak Centre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hkri.com/en/Contact-Us|title=Contact Us|publisher=HKR International Limited|access-date=2023-12-09|quote=Mail HKR International Limited 23/F, China Merchants Tower Shun Tak Centre 168 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong}} - [https://www.hkri.com/zh-TW/Contact-Us Traditional Chinese]: "香港干諾道中168號 信德中心招商局大廈23樓", [https://www.hkri.com/zh-CN/Contact-Us Simplified Chinese]: "香港干诺道中168号 信德中心招商局大厦23楼"</ref>

Before 1999, [[Cathay Pacific]] had its head office in the [[Chater House|Swire House]] in Central.<ref>{{cite web|title=World Airline Directory|publisher=[[Flight International]]|date=30 March 1985|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%200928.html|page=68|format=PDF|access-date=17 June 2009}} "Head Office: Swire House, 9 Connaught Road, C, Hong Kong"</ref> In 1999, the airline relocated its head office to the [[Hong Kong International Airport]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Cathay Pacific wins award for providing a smoke-free workplace at its Hong Kong Headquarters|publisher=Cathay Pacific|url=http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_HK/aboutus/pressroomdetails?refID=cfac25318ffaa010VgnVCM22000022d21c39____|date=6 January 2005|access-date=2 July 2009}}</ref>

[[Nord Anglia Education]], which operates international schools in various countries, formerly had its head office in Central.<ref>"[http://www.nordangliaeducation.com/contact-us Contact Us]." [[Nord Anglia Education]]. Retrieved on 5 March 2016. "Central Office Address: Nord Anglia Education St George's Building Level 12 2 Ice House Street Central Hong Kong"</ref> The head office moved to [[Hong Kong]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/article/2012/1/15/nord-anglia-education-relocates-its-global-headquarters-to-hong-kong|title=Nord Anglia Education Relocates its Global Headquarters to Hong Kong|publisher=Nord Anglia Education|date=2012-01-15|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref> In 2018 the company announced it was returning its head office to the United Kingdom.<ref name=Pie>{{cite web|url=https://thepienews.com/news/nord-anglia-moves-hq-to-london/|title=Nord Anglia moves HQ to London|work=The PIE News|publisher=Professionals in International Education|date=2018-10-10|access-date=2020-11-22}}</ref>

==Notable places, streets and buildings==

===Office buildings===
[[File:Hong Kong Central District Night View 201305.jpg|thumb|right|Night view of [[Statue Square]]. From left to right: [[Bank of China Tower (Hong Kong)|Bank of China Tower]], [[HSBC Building (Hong Kong)|HSBC Main Building]], [[Standard Chartered Bank Building]] and [[Prince's Building]]]]
[[File:IFC, Hong Kong Island (2796343561).jpg|thumb|right|[[Two International Finance Centre]].]]
*[[9 Queen's Road Central]]
*[[Agricultural Bank of China Tower]]
*[[AIA Central]]
*[[Alexandra House]]
*[[Bank of America Tower (Hong Kong)|Bank of America Tower]]
*[[Bank of China Building (Hong Kong)|Bank of China Building]], housing the [[China Club]]
*[[Bank of China Tower (Hong Kong)|Bank of China Tower]]
*[[Central Building (Hong Kong)|Central Building]]
*[[Chater House]]
*[[Cheung Kong Center]]
*[[Cheung Kong Center II]]
*[[Citibank Plaza]]
*[[CITIC Tower]]
*[[Entertainment Building]]
*[[Exchange Square (Hong Kong)|Exchange Square]], housing the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]]
*[[Hong Kong Club Building]], housing the [[Hong Kong Club]]
*[[Hong Kong Trade Centre]]
*[[HSBC Building (Hong Kong)|HSBC Main Building]]
*[[Hutchison House]]
*[[Jardine House]]
*[[Man Yee Building]]
*[[Prince's Building]]
*[[St. John's Building]]
*[[Standard Chartered Bank Building]]
*[[The Center]]
*[[The Centrium]]
*[[The Henderson]]<ref>[https://www.thehenderson.com.hk] The Henderson</ref>
*[[The Landmark (Hong Kong)|The Landmark]] (office and shopping complex)
*[[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|International Finance Centre]] (IFC), the second [[List of tallest buildings in Hong Kong|tallest building]] in Hong Kong
*[[Wheelock House]]
*[[Wing On House]]
*[[World-Wide House]]
*[[York House, Hong Kong|York House]]

===Streets and squares===
[[File:Pedder Street 2015.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pedder Street]]]]
[[File:D'aguilar Street 2016.jpg|thumb|Intersection of the lower end of D'Aguilar Street with Queen's Road in 2016]]
*[[Aberdeen Street]], marking the limit between Central and [[Sheung Wan]]
*[[Arbuthnot Road]]
*[[Battery Path]]
*[[Chater Road]]
*[[Connaught Place, Hong Kong|Connaught Place]]
*[[Cochrane Street]]
*[[Connaught Road Central]]
*[[Cotton Tree Drive]]
*[[D'Aguilar Street]]
*[[Des Voeux Road Central]]
*[[Edinburgh Place]], a [[public square]] adjacent to the [[Victoria Harbour]]
*[[Elgin Street, Hong Kong|Elgin Street]]
*[[Gage Street]], a market street
*[[Garden Road, Hong Kong|Garden Road]]
*[[Glenealy, Hong Kong|Glenealy]]
*[[Graham Street]], a market street
*[[Gutzlaff Street]]
*[[Hollywood Road]]
*[[Ice House Street]]
*Jubilee Street ({{lang|zh|租庇利街}}). Named for the [[Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria]] in 1887.<ref>{{cite book |title= Signs of a Colonial Era|last1= Yanne|first1=Andrew|last2= Heller|first2= Gillis|year= 2009|publisher=[[Hong Kong University Press]]|page= 8|isbn= 978-962-209-944-9}}</ref>
*[[Lower Albert Road]]
*[[Lyndhurst Terrace]]
*[[Old Bailey Street]]
*[[On Lan Street]]
*[[Pedder Street]]
*[[Peel Street, Hong Kong|Peel Street]]
*[[Pottinger Street]], one of the "[[ladder streets]]"
*[[Queen's Road Central]], the first road in Hong Kong built by the [[Government of Hong Kong]] between 1841 and 1843<ref name=lim>Lim, Patricia. [2002] (2002). Discovering Hong Hong's Cultural Heritage. Central, Hong Kong: Oxford University Press. ISBN Volume One 0-19-592723-0</ref>
*[[Queen Victoria Street, Hong Kong|Queen Victoria Street]]
*[[Queensway (Hong Kong)|Queensway]], in Admiralty
*[[Stanley Street, Hong Kong|Stanley Street]]
*[[Statue Square]], a public pedestrian square
*[[Staunton Street]]
*[[Staveley Street]], one of the "ladder streets"
*[[Theatre Lane]], home to many of [[Shoe shiners in Hong Kong|Hong Kong's shoe shiners]]
*[[Wellington Street, Hong Kong|Wellington Street]]
*[[Wyndham Street]]
*Wing On Street ({{lang|zh|永安街}}), aka. Cloth Street ({{lang|zh|花布街}})

===Government buildings===
[[File:New Govn Headquarters Site 201103.jpg|thumb|[[Central Government Complex (Hong Kong)|Central Government Complex, Tamar]] under construction in March 2011.]]
[[File:Court of Final Appeal (HK).jpg|thumb|[[Former French Mission Building]]]]
[[File:Hong Kong Cenotaph.jpg|thumb|[[The Cenotaph (Hong Kong)|The Cenotaph]]]]
[[File:St. John's Cathedral, HK bell tower.JPG|thumb|[[St John's Cathedral (Hong Kong)|St. John's Cathedral]]]]
[[File:HK Chater Garden.jpg|thumb|[[Chater Garden]]]]
*[[Central Government Complex (Hong Kong)|Central Government Complex]], Tamar
*[[Former Central Government Offices]] on [[Government Hill]]
*[[Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong Building]]
*[[Hong Kong City Hall|City Hall]]
*[[Former French Mission Building]], housing the [[Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal]]
*[[General Post Office, Hong Kong]]
*[[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]]
*[[Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery]]
*[[Court of Final Appeal Building|Legislative Council Building]]
*[[Queensway Government Offices]]

===Other historical buildings===
*[[Bishop's House, Hong Kong|Bishop's House]]
*[[Central Market, Hong Kong|Central Market]]
*[[Central Police Station (Hong Kong)|Central Police Station]]
*[[Duddell Street]] Steps and Gas Lamps
*[[Flagstaff House, Hong Kong|Flagstaff House]]
*[[Former Central Magistracy]]
*[[Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre]]
*[[Old Dairy Farm Depot]], housing the [[Hong Kong Fringe Club]] and the [[Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong|Foreign Correspondents' Club]]
*[[Pedder Building]]
*[[The Cenotaph (Hong Kong)|The Cenotaph]]
*[[The Helena May main building]]
*[[Victoria Prison]]
*[[Zetland Hall]]
*[[Central and Western Heritage Trail]]
*[[Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail]]

===Hotels===
Central, together with [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] and [[Tsim Sha Tsui East]], is home to many hotels.
*[[Conrad Hotels|Conrad Hong Kong]] (Pacific Place, [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]])
*[[Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong]] ([[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|IFC]])
*[[Hong Kong Hilton]] (demolished in 1995)
*[[JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong]] (Pacific Place, [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]])
*[[Landmark Mandarin Oriental]] ([[Landmark|The Landmark]])
*[[Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong|Mandarin Oriental]] ([[Connaught Road Central]])
*[[Murray Building|The Murray, Hong Kong]]
*[[Ovolo Hotels]] (2 [[Arbuthnot Road]]). Opened in October 2012.
*[[Ritz-Carlton]] (Chater Road), closed 1 January 2008.
*[[Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts|Island Shangri-La]] ([[Pacific Place (Hong Kong)|Pacific Place]], [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]])

===Entertainment areas===
*[[Lan Kwai Fong]], the location of numerous bars, restaurants and clubs
*[[Hong Kong Maritime Museum]], Central Ferry Pier 8
*[[SoHo, Hong Kong]]
*[[Wyndham Street]]
*[[Central Harbourfront]]
*[[Central Market, Hong Kong|Central Market]]
*[[Tai Kwun]]
*[[PMQ (Hong Kong)|PMQ]]

===Places of worship===
*Various [[Buddhist]] temples
*[[St John's Cathedral (Hong Kong)|St. John's Cathedral]] ([[Sheng Kung Hui]], Anglican Church)
*First Church of Christ Scientist
*[[Union Church, Hong Kong|Union Church]]
*[[Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Hong Kong)|Immaculate Conception Cathedral]], Hong Kong (Roman Catholic)
*St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic)

===Parks===
[[File:190728 HK Protest Incendo 01.jpg|thumb|right|Protesters in [[Chater Garden]] on 28 July 2019]]
*[[Chater Garden]]
*[[Cheung Kong Park]]
*[[Hong Kong Park]], former location of the [[Victoria Barracks, Hong Kong|Victoria Barracks]]
*[[Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens]]
*[[Statue Square]]

===Education===
* [[Raimondi College]] (高主教書院)
*[[Sacred Heart Canossian School]]<!--Address says Central-->
*[[St Joseph's College, Hong Kong]]<!--Address says Central-->
*[[Ying Wa Girls' School]] (in Mid-Levels)
*[[St. Paul's Co-educational College]] (in Mid-Levels)

Central is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 11. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and the following government schools: [[Bonham Road Government Primary School]] and {{ill|Li Sing Primary School|zh|李陞小學|preserve=yes}} (李陞小學).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/school-lists/2023dpnet-11b.pdf|title=POA School Net 11|publisher=[[Education Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-09-12}}</ref>

[[Hong Kong Public Libraries]] operates City Hall Library in Central.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/locations/central-and-western/library/city-hall.html|title=City Hall Public Library|publisher=[[Hong Kong Public Libraries]]|access-date=2025-10-12}}</ref>

==Former buildings==
[[File:Clock Tower, Star Ferry Pier in Central.jpg|thumb|left|[[Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier]] was demolished in 2007.]]
*[[Beaconsfield House]], demolished in 1995
*[[Hong Kong Hilton]], closed in 1995
*[[Hongkong Hotel]], closed in 1952
*[[Murray House]], part of [[Murray Barracks]], moved to [[Stanley, Hong Kong|Stanley]]
*[[Old Central Government Offices]], demolished in 1954
*[[Wellington Barracks, Hong Kong|Wellington Barracks]], demolished in 1992
*[[City Hall Ferry Pier]], barge pier, closed due to the [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation]]
*[[Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier]], demolished in 2007
*[[Blake Pier, Central]], demolished, partially [[Blake Pier at Stanley|moved to Stanley]]
*[[Queen's Pier]], demolished in 2008
*[[United Pier]], demolished in 1994

==Transport==
[[File:20091005 Hong Kong 7204.jpg|thumb|[[Hong Kong Tramways|Tram]] in Central.]]
[[File:Central Piers Overview 2010.jpg|thumb|View of the Central Piers.]]
[[File:HK Central Cochrane Street Central-Mid-Levels escalators Upsidedown.JPG|thumb|[[Central–Mid-Levels escalator]]s at [[Cochrane Street]].]]
[[File:Connaught Road C - Central (7318769180).jpg|thumb|The night view of [[Connaught Road Central]]]]

===Public transport===
The area is a major transport hub for Hong Kong (see also [[Transport in Hong Kong]]).

*'''Bus'''
**[[Kowloon Motor Bus|KMB]], serving only cross-[[Victoria Harbour|harbour]] routes on Hong Kong Island
**[[Citybus (Hong Kong)|Citybus]]
*[[Public light bus|Minibus]]
*'''Trains and Trams'''
**[[MTR]] – [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]], [[Tsuen Wan line]], [[Tung Chung line]], [[Airport Express (MTR)|Airport Express]], [[South Island line]], [[East Rail line]] at [[Sheung Wan station|Sheung Wan]], [[Hong Kong station|Hong Kong]], [[Central station (MTR)|Central]] and [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] stations
**[[Hong Kong Tramways|Tram]]
**[[Peak Tram]]
*'''[[Ferries]]'''
**[[Sun Ferry]], to Silvermine Bay ([[Mui Wo]]), [[Peng Chau]] and [[Cheung Chau]]
**[[Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry]], to [[Sok Kwu Wan]] and [[Yung Shue Wan]] on [[Lamma Island]]
**[[Star Ferry]], to [[Tsim Sha Tsui]] and [[Hung Hom]]
**Discovery Bay Ferry, to [[Discovery Bay]] service at Central Pier 3
**[[Park Island Transport|Park Island Ferry]]
*Ferry piers:
**[[Central Piers]]
**[[Star Ferry Pier, Central]]
*'''Pedestrian facilities'''
**[[Central Elevated Walkway]]
**[[Central–Mid-Levels escalator]]

===Expressways and routes===
*[[Route 4 (Hong Kong)|Route 4]]
**[[Connaught Road Central]]
**[[Central–Wan Chai Bypass]]

==Climate==

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location = Hong Kong Park (2011–2020) Extremes (2008–present) Sunshine hours (2019–2023)
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
<!-- Record high temperatures -->
| Jan record high C = 28.4
| Feb record high C = 27.9
| Mar record high C = 30.9
| Apr record high C = 32.3
| May record high C = 35.8
| Jun record high C = 34.8
| Jul record high C = 36.0
| Aug record high C = 36.1
| Sep record high C = 35.8
| Oct record high C = 34.2
| Nov record high C = 32.0
| Dec record high C = 29.0
| year record high C = 36.1
<!-- Average monthly absolute maximum temperatures (that is, on average, the highest temperature to be observed in a month). It is important to note that this data is not very prominent in most climate data archives. -->
| Jan avg record high C  = 25.3
| Feb avg record high C  = 26.4
| Mar avg record high C  = 28.3
| Apr avg record high C  = 30.4
| May avg record high C  = 33.2
| Jun avg record high C  = 34.1
| Jul avg record high C  = 34.8
| Aug avg record high C  = 35.2
| Sep avg record high C  = 34.2
| Oct avg record high C  = 32.1
| Nov avg record high C  = 29.6
| Dec avg record high C  = 26.4
| year avg record high C = 35.5 <!-- Note: the yearly data does NOT necessarily reflect the highest temperature in any of the months. This refers to the yearly highest temperature, that is, on average, the highest temperature to be observed in a year. -->
|Jan high C = 19.6
|Feb high C = 20.0
|Mar high C = 22.3
|Apr high C = 25.8
|May high C = 29.0
|Jun high C = 31.2
|Jul high C = 31.8
|Aug high C = 31.8
|Sep high C = 31.0
|Oct high C = 28.6
|Nov high C = 25.5
|Dec high C = 21.1
|year high C = 26.5
|Jan mean C = 16.5
|Feb mean C = 17.0
|Mar mean C = 19.4
|Apr mean C = 22.9
|May mean C = 26.4
|Jun mean C = 28.5
|Jul mean C = 28.7
|Aug mean C = 28.6
|Sep mean C = 27.8
|Oct mean C = 25.6
|Nov mean C = 22.7
|Dec mean C = 18.0
|year mean C = 23.5
|Jan low C = 14.3
|Feb low C = 14.9
|Mar low C = 17.3
|Apr low C = 20.8
|May low C = 24.4
|Jun low C = 26.5
|Jul low C = 26.5
|Aug low C = 26.2
|Sep low C = 25.6
|Oct low C = 23.4
|Nov low C = 20.7
|Dec low C = 15.7
|year low C =21.4
<!-- Average monthly absolute minimum temperatures (that is, on average, the lowest temperature to be observed in a month). It is important to note that this data is not very prominent in most climate data archives. -->
| Jan avg record low C  = 8.8
| Feb avg record low C  = 9.8
| Mar avg record low C  = 12.8
| Apr avg record low C  = 16.6
| May avg record low C  = 20.3
| Jun avg record low C  = 23.7
| Jul avg record low C  = 24.2
| Aug avg record low C  = 23.7
| Sep avg record low C  = 23.5
| Oct avg record low C  = 19.9
| Nov avg record low C  = 15.6
| Dec avg record low C  = 9.7
| year avg record low C = 7.9 <!-- Note: the yearly data does NOT necessarily reflect the lowest temperature in any of the months. This refers to the yearly lowest temperature, that is, on average, the highest temperature to be observed in a year. -->
<!-- Record low temperatures -->
| Jan record low C = 2.9
| Feb record low C = 6.7
| Mar record low C = 8.4
| Apr record low C = 13.6
| May record low C = 16.7
| Jun record low C = 20.3
| Jul record low C = 22.2
| Aug record low C = 22.6
| Sep record low C = 22.2
| Oct record low C = 15.0
| Nov record low C = 10.0
| Dec record low C = 5.8
| year record low C = 2.9
|Jan sun = 175.4
|Feb sun = 137.7
|Mar sun = 149.3
|Apr sun = 131.6
|May sun = 141.6
|Jun sun = 138.9
|Jul sun = 215.4
|Aug sun = 177.4
|Sep sun = 189.6
|Oct sun = 185.8
|Nov sun = 174.5
|Dec sun = 174.3
|year sun = 1991.5
|source 1 = [[Hong Kong Observatory]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsYearlyExtract.htm?stn=HKP
| title = Monthly Means of Meteorological Elements for The Peak, 2004–2017
| publisher = Hong Kong Observatory
| access-date = 29 May 2018}} {{nowrap|[http://www.weather.gov.hk/cis/region_climat/VP1/VP1_mean_c.htm 山頂氣象要素月平均值 (2004–2017)]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsMonthlyExtract.htm?stn=HKP
| title = Monthly Means of Meteorological Statistics for The Peak, 2004–2017
| publisher = [[Hong Kong Observatory]]
| access-date = 29 May 2018}} {{nowrap|[http://www.weather.gov.hk/cis/region_climat/VP1/VP1_statistic_c.htm 山顶气象统计月平均值 (2004–2017)]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.hko.gov.hk/en/cis/awsMonthlyElement.htm?stn=HKP&ele=TEMP
| title = Extreme Values and Dates of Occurrence of Extremes of Meteorological Elements between 1884–1939 and 1947–2017 for Hong Kong
| publisher = [[Hong Kong Observatory]]
| access-date = 29 May 2018}}</ref>
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Hong Kong/Central}}
*{{Commons category-inline|Central, Hong Kong}}
*[https://centralionrock.com/en/places-to-visit-in-central/ Lastest Guide to Central Hong Kong]
*[http://gohongkong.about.com/od/whattoseeinhk/ss/centralpictour.htm Photo Tour of Central Hong Kong] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524033703/http://gohongkong.about.com/od/whattoseeinhk/ss/centralpictour.htm |date=24 May 2016 }}, About.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311075728/http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk/hkclr2/object?svc=objrtv&src=CM&itemid=R7CXR%23LEZ4%23WZMWQ&pid=1&mime=image%2Fjpeg Map of Central District in 1964 (crown copyright)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061231113112/http://hkclweb.hkpl.gov.hk/doc/internet/cht/cnt_highlight.html Map of Hongkong Central 1911]

{{Coord|22|16|55|N|114|09|29|E|type:city_region:HK|display=title}}

{{Portal bar|Hong Kong}}
{{Central, Hong Kong}}
{{Central and Western District}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Hong Kong Urban Areas}}
{{Reclaimed land in Hong Kong}}

[[Category:Central, Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:Central and Western District, Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Central business districts]]
[[Category:Economy of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Populated places in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Areas of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Victoria, Hong Kong]]
[[Category:999-year leases in Hong Kong and Kowloon]]