View source for Wan Chai

{{Short description|Area of Hong Kong Island}}
{{Other uses|Wan Chai (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Chai Wan}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|pic=Wan Chai Overview 2008.jpg
|picsize=250px
|piccap=Wan Chai as seen from [[Victoria Harbour]]
|t=灣仔
|s=湾仔
|ci={{IPA|yue|wáːn tsɐ̌i|}}
|j=Waan<sup>1</sup> zai<sup>2</sup>
|y=Wāan dzái
|p=Wānzǎi
|l="small bay" or "cove"
|showflag=yj
}}

[[Image:Wan Chai location map.svg|right|thumb|Location of Wan Chai within Hong Kong SAR]]

'''Wan Chai''' ([[Traditional Chinese characters|Chinese]]: 灣仔) is located in the western part of [[Wan Chai District]] on the northern shore of [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Hong Kong]]. It is bounded by [[Canal Road, Hong Kong|Canal Road]] to the east, Arsenal Street to the west, and [[Bowen Road]] to the south. The area north of [[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]] is often called '''Wan Chai North.'''

Wan Chai is one of the busiest commercial areas in Hong Kong with offices of many small and medium-sized companies. Wan Chai North features office towers, parks, hotels and an international conference and exhibition centre. Wan Chai is also well known for its famous night life which has evolved over decades. As one of the first areas developed in Hong Kong, the locale is densely populated but facing [[urban decay]]. The government has undertaken several [[urban renewal]] projects in recent years. There are various landmarks and [[List of tallest buildings in Hong Kong|skyscrapers]] within the area, most notably the [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]] (HKCEC), [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]] and [[Hopewell Centre (Hong Kong)|Hopewell Centre]].{{TOC limit|2}}

==Names==
[[File:Wan Chai.jpg|thumb|Panorama of Wan Chai, Hong Kong, taken from a lookout along [[Stubbs Road]] near [[Victoria Peak]]]]
Wan Chai originally began as '''Ha Wan''' ({{lang-zh|t=下環|labels=no}}), literally meaning "a bottom ring" or "lower circuit".<ref name="Wordie">{{cite book |title= Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island|last= Wordie|first= Jason|year= 2002|publisher= [[Hong Kong University Press]]|location= Hong Kong|isbn= 962-209-563-1}}</ref> As one of the earliest developed areas in Hong Kong along the [[Victoria Harbour]], [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]] ("centre ring" in Chinese), [[Sheung Wan]] ("upper ring"), [[Sai Wan]] ("western ring") and Wan Chai are collectively known as the ''four rings'' ({{lang-zh|t=四環|labels=no}}) by the locals. Wan Chai literally means "a cove" in [[Cantonese]], from the shape of its coastal line; however, owing to drastic city development and continual [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|land reclamation]], the area is no longer a cove.

==History==
[[Image:Wanchai60s.jpg|thumb|right|The coastline of Wan Chai in the early 1960s]]
[[Image:Protesters occupied the Gloucester Road.jpg|thumb|right|Protest zones were set up in Wan Chai for the international [[World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2005|2005 WTO conference]]]]
[[Image:Wan Chai Buildings 201007.jpg|thumb|right|High density buildings in Wan Chai]]
Wan Chai was the first home to many Chinese villagers living along the undisturbed coastlines in proximity to [[Hung Shing Temple, Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]]. Most of them were fishermen, who worked around the area near Hung Shing Temple overlooking the entire harbour. [[Hung Shing Ye]], the God of the Sea, was one of the deities worshipped by the locals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaiworldview.com/hongkong/hkisland/wanchai2.htm|title=Wan Chai|publisher=Thaiworldview|date=1 January 1998|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref>

===British Colony (from 1842)===
With the growth of the [[British Empire|British]] [[History of Colonial Hong Kong (1800s - 1930s)|Hong Kong]] administration, centred in old [[Victoria, Hong Kong|Victoria]] (modern Central), Wan Chai attracted those on the fringes of society, such as "coolie" workers, who came to live on [[Queen's Road, Hong Kong|Queen's Road East]]. A focal point of development at that time was [[Spring Garden Lane|Spring Gardens]], a [[Red-light district|red-light zone]].<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2af62ecb329d3d7733492d9253a0a0a0/?vgnextoid=7624abf540dcc110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News 24-site heritage tour for Wan Chai, SCMP, 6 Oct 2008], quoting Ho Pui-yin, Chinese University historian</ref>

By the 1850s, the area was already becoming a Chinese residential area.<ref name="Wordie" /> There were dockyards on [[Ship Street, Hong Kong|Ship Street]] and [[McGregor Street]] for building and repairing ships. The edge of [[Sun Street]], [[Moon Street]] and [[Star Street (Hong Kong)|Star Street]] was the original site of the first power station in Hong Kong, operated by the [[Hongkong Electric|Hongkong Electric Company]], which began supplying power in 1890.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hec.com.hk/hehWeb/MajorGroupCompanies/TheHongKongElectricCompanyLimited/Generation/Index_en.htm|title=Hong Kong electric company generation|publisher=Hong Kong Electric|date=27 July 2007|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref>

One of the first waterfront hospitals was the [[Seaman's Hospital]], built in 1843, which was funded by the British merchant group Jardine's. It was then sold to the [[Royal Navy|British Royal Navy]] in 1873 and subsequently redeveloped into the [[Royal Naval Hospital]]. After the [[Second World War]], the hospital was revitalised as the [[Ruttonjee Hospital]] and became one of the main public hospitals in Hong Kong.<ref name="davis">{{cite web|url=http://www.pdavis.nl/RN_Hosp.htm|title=Hong Kong royal navy|publisher=private website citing Harland, Kathleen, The Royal Navy in Hong Kong since 1841, Maritime Books, Liskeard, Cornwall, undated; and Melson, Commodore P.J., White ensign – red dragon, Edinburgh Financial Publishing, Hong Kong|date=1 January 1997|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref>

The district was home to several well-known schools. One of these schools was established by the famous traditional teacher, [[Mo Dunmei]] ({{lang-zh|t=莫敦梅|labels=no}}). Started as a ''[[shushu]]'' ({{lang-zh|t=書塾|labels=no}}) in 1919, the school was renamed [[Dunmei School]] ({{lang-zh|t=敦梅學校|labels=no}}) in 1934 after him.<ref name="hku.hk">{{cite web|url=http://www.hku.hk/sociodep/oralhistory/2/2.2.2.4.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702185033/http://www.hku.hk/sociodep/oralhistory/2/2.2.2.4.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 July 2007|title=Hong Kong Dunmei school history|publisher=Hong Kong university|date=1 January 2007|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="oralhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.hku.hk/hkcsp/oral_wanchai.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301182609/http://www.hku.hk/hkcsp/oral_wanchai.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 March 2007|title=The Hong Kong Oral History Archives Project|publisher=University of Hong Kong Centre of Cultural studies|date=1 January 2007|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref> It taught [[classical Chinese]] writings and [[Confucianism|Confucian]] ethics.

In 1936, the Chinese Methodist Church ({{lang-zh|t=香港基督教循道衛理教會|labels=no}}) moved its building from [[Caine Road]], [[Mid-Levels|Mid-levels]] Central, to [[Hennessy Road]] ({{lang-zh|t=軒尼詩道|labels=no}}), Wanchai, a thoroughfare of the district running from west to east.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.hk/about/|title=香港基督教循道衛理聯合教會之歷史|website=www.methodist.org.hk|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref> This church building became the landmark of the district. In 1998, this building was demolished and replaced by a 23-storey building.

===Second World War and the Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945)===
During the [[Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong|Japanese occupation]] in the early 1940s, many bombardments took place in Wan Chai. There were abundant incidents of [[Human cannibalism|cannibalism]], [[starvation]], [[torture]] and abuses of the local population by the Japanese soldiers, including the illegal use of child labour. Senior residents could recall vividly how they survived the hardships: this oral history became an important, first-hand source of the harsh living conditions in Hong Kong under the Japanese period.<ref name="oralhistory" /> The Dunmei school was closed during the Japanese occupation period. After the war, the school continued to provide Chinese education for children from families of higher income.<ref name="hku.hk" />

===Post-war development (from 1945)===
During the [[1950s in Hong Kong|1950s]], the [[Communist Party of China|pro-Communist]] underground cell network Hailiushe (海流社) established their headquarters at the rooftop of a multi-story house on [[Spring Garden Lane]]. This group was successfully raided by the [[Hong Kong Police Force|Hong Kong Police]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fung |first=Chi Ming |title=Reluctant Heroes: Rickshaw Pullers in Hong Kong and Canton, 1874-1954 |date=2005 |publisher=Hong Kong University Press |isbn=962-209-734-0 |series=Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong studies series |location=Hong Kong |page=155}}</ref>

[[Prostitution in Hong Kong|Prostitution]] had been one of the oldest occupations in Wan Chai. There are numerous historical accounts of women trading sexual services for western merchandise, especially with sailors from trading ships visiting this area.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} In the [[1960s in Hong Kong|1960s]], Wan Chai became legendary for its exotic [[night life]], especially for the [[United States Army|US servicemen]] resting there during the [[Vietnam War|War in Vietnam]].<ref name="Wordie" /> Despite rapid changes of Wan Chai's demography due to reclamation and redevelopment, the presence of sex workers operating among ordinary residential areas has continued to be a distinctive feature. Some of the lifestyle was illustrated in past movies such as ''[[The World of Suzie Wong (film)|The World of Suzie Wong]]''.<ref>Eric Cavaliero, [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=32891&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=19970703&sear_year=1997Changing face of Wan Chai], [[The Standard (Hong Kong)|The Standard]], 3 July 1997</ref>

===Transfer of sovereignty to China (PRC)===
Wan Chai's [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]] has been home to major political and economic events. It was the site of the [[Hong Kong handover ceremony]] in 1997, in which the last governor of Hong Kong, [[Chris Patten]], formally concluded the British chapter and transferred Hong Kong to [[China]]. The [[WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005|WTO Ministerial Conference]] in 2005 was also one of the largest international events hosted in Hong Kong, with delegates from 148 countries participating.

In May 2009, 300 guests and staff members at the Metropark Hotel in Wan Chai were quarantined, suspected of being infected or in contact with the [[Influenza A virus subtype H1N1|H1N1 virus]] during the [[2009 swine flu pandemic|global outbreak of swine flu]]. A 25-year-old Mexican man who had stayed at the hotel was later found to have caught the viral infection. He had traveled to Hong Kong from Mexico via Shanghai.<ref>Cheng, Jonathan; Ye, Juliet; Stein, Peter, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124119134084477477 "Hong Kong Orders Quarantine of Hotel"], Wall Street Journal, 2 May 2009</ref><ref>Dasgupta, Saibal, [https://web.archive.org/web/20121023195232/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-05-03/china/28195542_1_swine-fever-mexican-citizens-mexican-foreign-minister "Swine flu scare: China puts 460 in isolation"], [[The Times of India]], 3 May 2009.</ref>

===Reclamation===
[[Image:Wanchaireclamation.gif|thumb|left|250px|The changes of Wan Chai's coastline from {{clarify span|1842|Johnston Road, originally Praya East, was opened in the late 19th century. Wan Chai Road was on the coast.|date=May 2024}} to 1997]]
Wan Chai's coastline has been extended outwards after a series of [[Land reclamation in Hong Kong|land reclamation]] schemes. Early in 1841, the coastline was located at Queen's Road East (the area of Spring Gardens and Ship Street). The first reclamation took place and new land was sold to {{highlight|Minister of Foreign Affairs of the British Colony.|#f0f0ff}}{{who|date=May 2024}} The project was privately funded and the government did not take part. Soon after, in 1858, the Minister and his salesmen sold the land back to {{highlight|the Chinese|#f0f0ff}}{{who|date=May 2024}} after Sir Robert Brown Black {{clarify span|was named [[President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong|President]] of the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong]].|The governor was ex-officio president of the council.|date=May 2024}}<ref name="amogov">{{cite web|url=http://www.amo.gov.hk/form/AAB_Paper129_queen_annexb_e.pdf|title=A historical and architectural appraisal of Queen's Pier central|publisher=Amo gov hk|date=1 January 2007|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref>

The next reclamation project in Wan Chai was the [[Praya East Reclamation Scheme]]. The coastline was extended to today's Gloucester Road. The reclamation after [[World War II]] from 1965 to 1972 pushed the coastline further out to the areas around [[Convention Avenue]] and {{highlight|the [[Wan Chai Pier]].|#f0f0ff}}{{which|Which generation of Wan Chai Ferry Pier?|date=May 2024}} The 1990s [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation#Wan Chai Development Project|Wan Chai Development project]] added additional land, on which the current [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]] stands today.

==Community life==
[[Image:Hk-bookfair2.jpg|thumb|right|Book fair inside the [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]]]]
[[Image:No. 1,3,5,7,9,11 Mallory Street, Wan Chai.JPG|thumb|right|[[Comix Homebase]]]]

===Arts and culture===
Wan Chai is a major hub of foreign and Chinese cultural institutions in Hong Kong. It is home to the French [[Alliance Francaise]], German {{lang|de|[[Goethe-Institut]]|italic=no}} and the [[British Council]] (until 2001). Near the waterfront, there are the [[Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts]] and [[Hong Kong Arts Centre]], two of the most popular venues for theatrical and cultural performances in Hong Kong. The Academy for Performing Arts is a higher education institution that trains musicians, performers, actors and dancers, as well as a public venue for drama, concerts, dance, and [[musical theater|musicals]] productions. Every year the academy produces a number of [[Broadway musical]]s, including ''[[Singin' in the Rain]]'', ''[[Saturday Night Fever]]'', and ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]''. The Arts Centre, just opposite to the academy, houses a studio theatre, art galleries, rehearsal rooms, the [[Goethe-Institut]] and a restaurant overlooking the [[Victoria Harbour]].

The [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]] (HKCEC), a HK$4.8 billion convention centre with an extension completed in 1997, covers over 16 acres (65,000 m<sup>2</sup>) of newly reclaimed land that added an extra 38,000 m<sup>2</sup> of functional space to the existing convention centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200506/16/06160199.htm|title=Government gives policy support to TDC's atrium link extension proposal|publisher=HK Government|date=16 June 2005|access-date=31 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/panels/ci/papers/552e04.pdf|title=Letterhead of Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention organiser's and supplier's association|publisher=HK Legislative Council|date=12 January 2001|access-date=31 July 2007}}</ref> It remains a venue for international trade fairs, some of which are among the biggest in the world: the annual [[Hong Kong Book Fair]] in July, food fair and festival, technology exhibitions, and [[cosplay]] competitions.

===Dining===
[[File:Lung Moon Restaurant 2009.jpg|thumb|right|''Lung Mun'', an old-styled Cantonese restaurant]]
[[File:3a Sun Street.jpg|thumb|right|Shops in Sun Street]]
* [[Cha chaan teng]] are local-styled [[fast-food restaurant]]s, and [[Chinese bakery|Chinese pastry]]. Many of the restaurants can be found all along [[Jaffe Road]]. Numerous [[Hong Kong tea culture|tea shop]]s offer cheap [[Chinese herbal tea]], like [[Chinese herb tea|leong cha]] (''lit.'' cool tea) and [[24 flavors|24-mei]].
* [[Dai pai dong]], open-air restaurants in a big tent, is another classic restaurant type that appeared in Wan Chai. Despite the often unclean and uncomfortable eating conditions, many people are attracted to the freshly made [[Rice noodle roll|steamed rice roll]], [[congee]] and [[chow mein]] early in the morning. Due to [[urban renewal]] projects in recent years, most of these restaurants are fading away.
* [[Yum Cha]], is the name associated with having [[dim sum]], e.g. [[Fook Lam Moon]] restaurant.<ref>[http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/eat/best-hong-kong-dim-sum-restaurants-674709 "The best Hong Kong dim sum"] ''CNN Go''. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011</ref> People usually have "[[one bowl with two pieces]]" ({{lang-zh|t=一盅兩件|labels=no}}, meaning a cup of tea with two dim sums) for breakfast. There were three old-styled dims restaurants remaining in Wan Chai, namely ''Lung Mun'', ''Lung To'', and ''Lung Tuen''. ''Lung Mun'', the last of the trio, closed on 30 November 2009. A number of [[Buddhist cuisine|Buddhist cuisine restaurants]] are also available in the area.
* The [[1980s in Hong Kong|1980s]] also saw an expansion of [[Cuisine of Hong Kong#Western styles|Western-cuisine restaurants]] in Wan Chai. Nowadays, [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese]], [[Korean cuisine|Korean]], [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnamese]], [[Thai cuisine|Thai]] and [[Indian cuisine|Indian]] restaurants are all very common. There are also many [[fast food restaurant]]s serving [[Cantonese cuisine|Cantonese]] and other Chinese dishes, including the franchised [[Maxim's Catering|Maxim's]] and [[Café de Coral]]. [[Jaffe Road]] and Lockhart Road are famous for pubs.

===Bar district===
The area towards the western end of [[Lockhart Road]], including a small part of the parallel [[Jaffe Road]], is one of Hong Kong island's two main bar districts (the other being the more upmarket [[Lan Kwai Fong]] in Central). Once considered primarily as a [[red light district]], this area is now more diverse with bars, pubs, restaurants and [[Nightclub|discos]]. A number of the raunchier bars still remain; however, their doorways festooned with women from [[Thailand]] and the [[Philippines]]. The famous novel and film ''[[The World of Suzie Wong]]'' sets many scenes in this area. The bar district has been popular with visiting sailors and navies, when Fenwick Pier, west of the [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]], was in use as a military pier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gwulo.com/the-world-of-suzie-wong-hong-kong-locations|title=The World of Suzie Wong (1960) - Gwulo: Old Hong Kong|website=gwulo.com|access-date=19 March 2018}}</ref>

===Recreational activities===
[[File:HK Wan Chai Road 灣仔道 night Basketball court Hennessy Road Dec-2013.JPG|thumb|right|Basketball court near [[Wan Chai Road]]]]
[[Southorn Playground]] on Johnston Road (the tram line) is a meeting place for the locals in Wan Chai, particularly the senior residents. During the prime years of the British colonial administration, [[coolie]] workers would convene at the playground in the morning to await employment opportunities. In the evening, the playground became an open-air pitch where people sold food, performed [[Magic (illusion)|magic]] and [[kung fu]].

Some of those trademark activities still exist through today: senior citizens socialise and play [[Xiangqi|Chinese chess]], young people at school play [[association football|football]] and [[basketball]], ad-hoc street basketball games that attract flocks of spectators and players. Occasionally, the entire playground is used for carnival fairs, three-player drill basketball contests and [[hip hop dance]] competitions.

===Religious diversity===
[[Image:Hk wan chai old temple 1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hung Shing Temple, Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]]]]
Wan Chai's places of worship represent [[Buddhism]], [[Taoism]], [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]], Christianity, [[Mormonism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Islam]]. Despite the wide variety, many religious structures are located in close proximity to each other. [[Hung Shing Temple, Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]], for example, is a typically [[Taoist]] temple. Inside, there are [[Buddhist]] [[Kwun Yum]] chapels next to the main altar. People coming to worship [[Hung Shing Ye]] could also burn [[joss stick]]s to Kwun Yum as well. [[Villain hitting]] is another blended ceremony, combining in different proportions [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], and [[Chinese folk religion|folk religion]]. Some old female "psychics" perform this ancient ceremony under the [[Canal Road Flyover]] in particular days of a lunar month. The Wan Chai [[Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple]] is the biggest [[Gurdwara|Sikh temple]] in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaiworldview.com/hongkong/hkisland/wanchai.htm|title=Wan Chai1|publisher=Thaiworldview|date=1 January 1998|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref> The Asia [[Area (LDS Church)|Area Office]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], along with chapels where multiple congregations meet throughout the week, is on [[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]].

==Tourism and landmarks==
[[Image:GoldenBauhiniaSquare.jpg|thumb|The [[Golden Bauhinia Square]] at night]]
[[Image:Lee Tung Avenue Night view 201512.jpg|thumb|[[Lee Tung Street|Lee Tung Avenue]]]]
Wan Chai offers historical conservation sites including [[Old Wan Chai Post Office]], [[Hung Shing Temple, Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]] and [[Sam Tai Tsz Temple and Pak Tai Temple|Pak Tai Temple]]. Many of the medium-sized shopping centres are named in numerals, such as Oriental 188, 328, and 298 Computer Centre. These numbers might have come from the earlier days when all prostitution houses were numbered, as they were referred to as "big numbers" ({{lang-zh|t=大冧巴|labels=no}}, ''dai lum bah'').<ref name="Wordie" />

There are many commercial complexes and office skyscrapers in Wan Chai. The [[Hong Kong dollar|HK$]]4.4 billion 78-storey skyscraper [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]] currently stands as the third tallest building in Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://courses.arch.hku.hk/IntgBuildTech/cases/centplaz/centplaz.htm|title=Wan Chai central plaza architecture|publisher=Hong Kong university|date=1 January 2007|access-date=28 August 2007|archive-date=1 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601234410/http://courses.arch.hku.hk/IntgBuildTech/cases/centplaz/centplaz.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Small but free art exhibitions used to be held on the second floor all year round, whereas the first floor connects Wan Chai's footbridge network: the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre at the network's extreme north, [[Wan Chai Pier]], China Building, Harbour Centre, Central Plaza, Immigration Department Tower, Wan Chai Court, [[Wan Chai station|Wan Chai MTR station]] and Johnston Road (the tram line) at the network's extreme south.

More recent tourist attractions include the [[Golden Bauhinia Square]], the site of a daily flag-rising ceremony. This ceremony is enhanced on 1 July ([[Handover of Hong Kong]]) and 1 October ([[National Day of the People's Republic of China|National Day of China]]).

A 3-storey [[pergola]] exhibition is built opposite to [[Li Chit Garden]]. [[Tai Fat Hau]] footbridge also holds an art display of the fingerprints of 30,000 citizens slated for the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} The sticker pictures on 50 poles of the bridge have been colloquially called the ''"50 landscapes of Wan Chai"'' ({{lang-zh|t=灣仔五十景|labels=no}}).

[[Bowen Road#Lovers' Rock|Lovers' Rock]] reclines on the hillside of [[Bowen Road]] near Shiu Fai Terrace, mid-levels Wan Chai. The rock received its name since it resembles a small, thin column sticking out of the rock base. This special-looking rock is said to have granted happy marriages to its devoted worshippers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gohk.gov.hk/eng/welcome/wc/wc_info_wc10.html|title=Lover's Rock|publisher=Go hk gov|date=1 January 2007|access-date=28 August 2007|archive-date=24 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524033823/https://www.gohk.gov.hk/eng/welcome/wc/wc_info_wc10.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many people are attracted by its reputation.

[[Image:Wan Chai Pano 202105.jpg|thumb|center|1200x1200px|View of Wan Chai at night from [[Stubbs Road]], also showing [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]] on the right]]

==Buildings and constructions==
[[File:Wan Chai shops.JPG|thumb|Old-fashioned shops (''[[tong-lau]]'') in Wan Chai are typical examples of [[Lingnan culture|Lingnan architecture]], comparable to those found in [[Guangzhou]] and [[Taipei]]. Attached to the second story from the pavement, numerous pillars were built in front of the closed stores.]]
[[File:Lee Tung Street.JPG|thumb|Banners brandished all over [[Lee Tung Street]] against the demolishing action of the government in 2005]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Central a.jpg|thumb|The floor plan of the [[Central and Wan Chai Reclamation]]]] -->

===Architecture===
Throughout Wan Chai's history, construction styles have changed according to the architectural movement at the time.

{|class="wikitable"
! width=10% | Era
! width=30% | Style
! width=30% | Examples
|-
|[[Qing Dynasty]] || [[Chinese architecture|Chinese-style]] ||[[Hung Shing Temple, Wan Chai|Hung Shing Temple]]
|-
| 1910s–1920s || [[Neoclassical architecture]] ||[[Old Wan Chai Post Office]]<br/>[[Blue House (Hong Kong)|Blue House]]
|-
| 1930s || [[Streamline Moderne|Streamline Moderne architecture]] ||[[Wan Chai Market]]
|-
| Post-WWII || [[Bauhaus|Bauhaus-style]] ||Shop houses (''[[tong-lau]]'') on [[Lee Tung Street]], [[Tai Yuen Street]]<br/>[[Chevron House|Caltex House]]
|-
|}

In the [[1950s in Hong Kong|1950s]] and [[1960s in Hong Kong|1960s]], an increasing number of [[bar (establishment)|girlie bar]]s and [[nightclub]]s were opened in the [[red-light district]] by [[Jaffe Road|Jaffe]] and [[Lockhart Road]]. The establishments entertained visiting sailors landing at [[Fenwick Pier]]. Beyond Gloucester Road is the commercial area developed in the late 1970s and 1980s, a time at which Hong Kong underwent economic development at full speed. At the same time, buildings like the [[Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts]], [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]], and [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]] were constructed on the newly reclaimed land.

Skyscrapers in Wan Chai include:
* [[Central Plaza (Hong Kong)|Central Plaza]], 78 floors, offices, completed in 1992
* [[Hopewell Centre (Hong Kong)|Hopewell Centre]], 64 floors, offices, completed in 1980
* [[Sun Hung Kai Centre]], 56 floors, offices, completed in 1981
* [[May House (Hong Kong)|May House]], 47 floors, government offices, completed in 2004. Headquarters of the [[Hong Kong Police Force]]
* [[China Online Centre]], 52 floors, offices, completed in 2000
* [[Three Pacific Place]], 40 floors, offices, completed in 2004
* [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|Convention Plaza Office Tower]], 50 floors, offices, completed in 1990
* [[Immigration Tower]], 49 floors, government offices, completed in 1990
* [[Revenue Tower]], 49 floors, government offices, completed in 1990
* [[Wanchai Tower]], 44 floors, government offices, completed in 1985
* [[MLC Tower]], 40 floors, offices, completed in 1998
* [[Wu Chung House]], 40 floors, offices and government offices, completed in 1992
* [[Great Eagle Centre]], 35 floors, offices, completed in 1983
* [[Shui On Centre]], 35 floors, offices, completed in 1987
* [[QRE Plaza]], 35 floors, offices and shops, completed in 2007
* [[China Resources Building]], 48 floors, offices, completed in 1983 
* [[Harbour Centre]], 33 floors, offices, completed in 1983

===Urban decay and renewal===
Many of Wan Chai's older buildings now face a serious problem of [[urban decay]]. To tackle the problem, the government has launched a series of [[urban renewal]] projects to bring new life into the area. Many local residents have relocation worries such as whether the [[Urban Renewal Authority]] can compensate enough to put them in a new space of equal size. Other concerns involve the loss of building character that make up part of that [[Culture of Hong Kong|Hong Kong cultural identity]].

* '''''Demolition of Lee Tung St''''' – Old buildings on [[Lee Tung Street]] are scheduled for demolition. Many businesses have shut down or moved out. Today, most stores have signs on their gate proclaiming "This is an [[Urban Renewal Authority]] Property".
* '''''Renovation of Tai Yuen St''''' – Visitors may gain a distinctive experience of bustling local street-stall shopping in [[Tai Yuen Street]]. Many [[huckster]] stalls sell a wide variety of [[Food preservation|dried goods]], garments, household products, [[dumpling]]s, and [[Chinese herbal medicine]]. This predominantly tourist attraction area is a place where old houses and modern mansions mingle, creating an interesting disparity.

===Central and Wan Chai reclamation (from 2007)===
{{Main|Central and Wan Chai Reclamation}}
After the completion of the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation Feasibility Study in 1989, the Land Development Policy Committee endorsed the idea of an ongoing series of reclamation.<ref name="cwr">{{cite web|url=http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/achievements/regional/regi_central.htm|title=Central and Wan Chai Reclamation|publisher=Hong Kong civil engineering and development department|date=27 June 2007|access-date=28 August 2007|archive-date=28 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928020152/http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/achievements/regional/regi_central.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The reclamation comprises three discrete development areas to be aligned by public parks, namely, Central, Tamar and Exhibition. The urban development of each cell would be further divided into five subsequent phases. As of 2014, reclamation for the Central area has been completed: the area is largely taken by the new government offices and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (its old building in the heart of Central has been reverted to its original use as the Supreme Court).

==Government==
The Hong Kong [[Immigration Department (Hong Kong)|Immigration Department]] has its headquarters at the [[Immigration Tower]] in Wan Chai.<ref>"[http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/contactus.htm Contact Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817051201/http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/contactus.htm |date=17 August 2011 }}." [[Immigration Department]]. Retrieved on 14 August 2011. "Immigration Department Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong"</ref> The [[Hong Kong Police Force]] operates from the Wan Chai District; their headquarters is located at the Wan Chai Police District Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street.<ref>"[http://www.access.gov.hk/en/hkpf.htm Hong Kong Police Force] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828034102/http://www.access.gov.hk/en/hkpf.htm |date=28 August 2011 }}." Government of Hong Kong. Retrieved on 14 August 2011.</ref> within the [[Hong Kong Police Headquarters]] Compound. Maggie Farley of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said in 1996, referring to the then [[Wan Chai Police Station]], that the police headquarters was "a stolid, whitewashed building with square pillars and breezy verandas".<ref>Farley, Maggie. "[https://archive.today/20130201043646/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/10563104.html?dids=10563104:10563104&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:FT&type=current&date=Dec+06,+1996&author=MAGGIE+FARLEY&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=LAW+ENFORCEMENT;+Colony's+Expatriate+Police+See+'97+as+Incentive+to+Hand+In+Badges;+Those+who+opt+to+leave+Hong+Kong+cite+reasons+ranging+from+uncertainty+under+Chinese+rule+to+perks+for+early+retirement.+Series:+++LIVES+IN+TRANSITION.++Hong+Kong+Awaits+China's+Takeover.++One+in+an+occasional+series&pqatl=google LAW ENFORCEMENT; Colony's Expatriate Police See '97 as Incentive to Hand In Badges; Those who opt to leave Hong Kong cite reasons ranging from uncertainty under Chinese rule to perks for early retirement. Series: LIVES IN TRANSITION. Hong Kong Awaits China's Takeover. One in an occasional series]." ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. 6 December 1996. Part A Foreign Desk. Retrieved on 14 August 2011. "In the Wan Chai police headquarters, a stolid, whitewashed building with square pillars and breezy verandas[...]"</ref>

==Economy==
[[Esquel Group]] has its head office in {{ill|Harbour Centre (Hong Kong)|lt=Harbour Centre|zh|海港中心}} (海港中心), Wan Chai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.esquel.com/#contactus|title=Contact Us|publisher=Esquel|accessdate=2022-06-24|quote=ESQUEL ENTERPRISES LTD. [...] 13/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong}} - [https://www.esquel.com/zh-hant#contactus Traditional Chinese address]: "溢達企業有限公司 [...] 香港灣仔港灣道25號 海港中心13樓", [https://www.esquel.com/zh-hans#contactus Simplified Chinese address]: "溢达企业有限公司 [...] 香港湾仔港湾道25号 海港中心13楼"</ref>

Jademan (now [[Culturecom]]) was formerly headquartered in Harbour Centre.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jademan Kung Fu Special #1|publisher=[[Jademan Comics]]|place=[[Hong Kong]]|year=1988|page=2|quote=JADEMAN (HOLDINGS) LIMITED, 28/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road, Hong Kong.}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange 15-05-2022(2).jpg|thumb|Exhibition Centre Station Public Transport Interchange]]
Geographically, Wan Chai is the crossing point between the Central and Western District ([[West Point, Hong Kong|West Point]]/[[Central, Hong Kong|Central]]), and the Eastern ([[Causeway Bay]]/[[North Point]]) district. Its thoroughfares connect the main developed areas along the northern coast of [[Hong Kong Island]]. The [[Transport in Hong Kong|transport infrastructure]] is efficient, convenient and highly accessible.

* [[Mass Transit Railway]] (MTR)
** [[Wan Chai station]] on the [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]], trains run between Kennedy Town and Chai Wan (north-eastern part of Hong Kong Island)
** [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition Centre station]] on the [[East Rail line]], trains run between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau border crossings
* [[Hong Kong Tram|Trams]] run between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan (north-eastern part of Hong Kong Island)
* Buses travel along thoroughfares such as Gloucester Road and Hennessy Road, with destinations as different parts of Hong Kong
* Ferry services from [[Wan Chai Pier]] to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, across the [[Victoria Harbour]]

===Ferries===
The [[Star Ferry]] at [[Wan Chai Pier]] is the sole ferry operator in the area. Frequent services cross the [[Victoria Harbour]] from [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre|HKCEC]], Wan Chai to the [[Hong Kong Cultural Centre|Cultural Centre]] in [[Tsim Sha Tsui]]. In light of more convenient and competitive cross-harbour public transportation, the Star Ferry continues to provide an inexpensive option to local commuters. Numerous shipping companies, such as the [[Anglo-Eastern Group]], also have their headquarters in Wan Chai.

===Main roads and tunnels===
[[Image:Gloucester Road.JPG|thumb|[[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]] in Wan Chai]]
Wan Chai's [[Gloucester Road, Hong Kong|Gloucester Road]], an east–west trunk route along the northern coast, is connected to [[Cross-Harbour Tunnel]], the first undersea tunnel in Hong Kong. This tunnel is connected to the south by a direct viaduct from its landing point on Hong Kong Island to the [[Aberdeen Tunnel]] towards the southern coast.<ref>Bray, Denis. [2001] (2001). Hong Kong Metamorphosis. Hong Kong University Press. {{ISBN|962-209-550-X}}.</ref> Connecting [[Hong Kong Island]] at [[Kellett Island]] (the site of the Royal Navy Club) to a reclaimed site at [[Hung Hom Bay]] in [[Kowloon]], this tunnel provides a direct link by road. Prior to the tunnel's opening in 1972, local drivers and pedestrians depended solely upon the Star Ferry services to cross the [[Victoria Harbour]].<ref>Harper, Damian. [2005] (2005). China. Lonely Planet. {{ISBN|1-74059-687-0}}</ref> Linking the main financial districts on both sides of Victoria Harbour, the tunnel carries 123,000 vehicles daily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/transport.pdf|title=Hong Kong, the Facts transport|publisher=Hong Kong government|date=1 April 2007|access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref> On the other hand, the thoroughfare [[Queen's Road East]], an extension from Queen's Road West at Kennedy Town, through Queen's Road Central at Central, Queensway at Admiralty, takes a southerly route to provide an alternative east–west road link. Due to Wan Chai's early involvement in the British colonial administration, road names were often taken from previous [[Governor of Hong Kong|Governors]], such as [[Hennessy Road]], and notable people (Gloucester Road, Jaffe Road, Lockhart Road, Johnston Road, Fleming Road, Luard Road, O'Brien Road, Marsh Road, Stewart Road, McGregor Street, etc.).

Thoroughfares, Roads and Streets:
{{Div col}}
*[[Amoy Street (Hong Kong)|Amoy Street]]
*[[Anton Street]]
*Arsenal Street
*[[Convention Avenue]]
*[[Cross Lane]]
*[[Cross Street]]
*[[Electric Street]]
*[[Expo Drive]]
*[[Expo Drive Central]]
*[[Expo Drive East]]
*[[Fenwick Pier Street]]
*[[Fenwick Street]]
*[[Fleming Road]]
*[[Gresson Street]]
*[[Harbour Road]]
*[[Hennessy Road]]
*[[Hill Side Terrace]]
*[[Jaffe Road]]
*[[Johnston Road]]
*[[Landale Street]]
*[[Lockhart Road]]
*[[Lee Tung Avenue]]
*[[Luard Road]]
*[[Lun Fat Street]]
*[[Marsh Road, Hong Kong|Marsh Road]]
*[[Monmouth Path]]
*[[Moon Street]], [[Starstreet Precinct]]
*[[O'Brien Road]]
*[[Performing Arts Avenue]]
*[[Queen's Road East]]
*[[Salvation Army Street]]
*[[Schooner Street]]
*[[Ship Street, Hong Kong|Ship Street]]
*[[Spring Garden Lane]]
*[[St. Francis Street]]
*[[St. Francis Yard]]
*[[Star Street]], [[Starstreet Precinct]]
*[[Stewart Road]]
*[[Stone Nullah Lane]]
*[[Sun Street]], [[Starstreet Precinct]]
*[[Swatow Street]]
*[[Tai Wo Street]]
*[[Tai Wong Street East]]
*[[Tai Wong Street West]]
*[[Tai Yuen Street]]
*[[Thomson Road, Hong Kong|Thomson Road]]
*[[Tonnochy Road]]
*[[Triangle Street]]
*[[Wan Chai Road]]
*[[Wood Road]]
{{Div col end}}

===Mass Transit Railway===
[[Image:MTR Wan Chai station (1).jpg|thumb|[[Wan Chai station|Wan Chai MTR station]]]]
[[Image:Johnston Road 201504.jpg|thumb|Trams in [[Johnston Road]]]]

*[[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] – [[Wan Chai station|Wan Chai]]

The [[MTR]] [[Island line (MTR)|Island line]] runs beneath [[Hennessy Road]], a thoroughfare, in the locality. Due to the large size of Wan Chai, more than 50 entry/exit gates and 8 entrances/exits are set up. An extension project was carried out in the early 2000s; it created two additional entrances/exits, one of which connects to the footbridge network from the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre to the station. Then this footbridge is also interconnected with covered corridor of buildings along the Victoria Harbour, and ends up at Wan Chai Pier.

*[[East Rail line]] - [[Exhibition Centre station (MTR)|Exhibition Centre]]

The [[East Rail line]] was extended from [[Hung Hom station|Hung Hom]] to [[Admiralty station (MTR)|Admiralty]] in 2022 as part of the [[Shatin to Central Link]] project, with a newly built station near the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre. Its exits connect to the footbridge network in Wan Chai North which also leads back to Wan Chai station.

===Trams===
Tram services run between [[Shau Kei Wan]] on the northeastern part of the island and [[Kennedy Town]] on the west, with a circular branch serving [[Happy Valley, Hong Kong|Happy Valley]] and the Happy Valley Racecourse. The tram route runs across [[Johnston Road]] and [[Hennessy Road]].

===Buses===
[[File:Busy streets in Wan Chai.JPG|thumb|[[Fleming Road]] in Wan Chai, filled with [[Buses in Hong Kong|buses]] and [[Taxicabs of Hong Kong|taxis]].]]
[[File:HK Hong Kong Union of Chinese Workers in Western Style Employment.JPG|thumb|Pedestrian crossing busy streets in Wan Chai ([[Fleming Road]] and [[Hennessy Road]] junction).]]
Most buses travel in Wan Chai from [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] to [[Causeway Bay]] via [[Hennessy Road]] or, in the opposite direction, [[Johnston Road]] and Gloucester Road.

===Taxis===
[[Taxicabs of Hong Kong|Red taxi]] (urban) services are available to hire in Wan Chai. These can be pre-booked by telephone; however, hailing on the street is a more common way of getting a taxicab. Vehicles that carry a green plate at the front of their cars are able to carry passengers across the [[Victoria Harbour]] to Kowloon. There are, however, areas with restricted [[Curb (road)|kerb]]s and designated pick-up and drop-off points in the area.

===Minibus===
There are two types of [[Public light bus|minibus]]es in Wan Chai, the green minibus and the red minibus. In general, green minibuses operate on scheduled service with fixed routes and published fares. Red minibuses run with government licence but on non-scheduled services, casually connecting regular travellers and commuters to specific urban areas across [[Hong Kong Island]]. Drivers of red minibuses will display fares in the front of their minibus windshields.

*'''Routes''':
**'''Green''': 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14M, 21A, 21M, 24A, 24M, 25, 28, 30, 31, 35M, 36X, 39M, 40, 56, 69
**'''Red''':
***[[Sai Wan|West Point]] – [[Causeway Bay]] ([[Sogo]]) / [[Shau Kei Wan]]
*** [[Tsuen Wan]] – Wan Chai – Causeway Bay. The return to Tsuen Wan stop is in front of Wan Chai Computer Centre.
*** [[Sheung Shui]] – Wan Chai
***[[Yuen Long]] – Wan Chai

==Education==
[[File:HK Wan Chai Thomson Road Hennessy Road Primary School 1a.jpg|thumb|Hennessy Road Government Primary School (軒尼詩道官立小學) in Wan Chai]]
Wan Chai is in Primary One Admission (POA) School Net 12. Within the school net are multiple aided schools (operated independently but funded with government money) and the following government schools: Hennessy Road Government Primary School ({{lang-zh|first=t|t=軒尼詩道官立小學}}<!--Chinese name from https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/student-parents/sch-info/sch-search/schlist-by-district/school-list-wch.html -->) and Sir Ellis Kadoorie ([[Sookunpo]]) Primary School ({{lang-zh|first=t|t=官立嘉道理爵士小學}}<!--Chinese name from https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/student-parents/sch-info/sch-search/schlist-by-district/school-list-wch.html -->).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.edb.gov.hk/attachment/en/edu-system/primary-secondary/spa-systems/primary-1-admission/school-lists/2023dpnet-12b.pdf|title=POA School Net 12|publisher=[[Education Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-09-12}}</ref>

[[Hong Kong Public Libraries]] operates the Lockhart Road Public Library in the Lockhart Road Municipal Services Building in Wan Chai.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/locations/wan-chai/library/lockhart-road.html|title=Lockhart Road Public Library|publisher=[[Hong Kong Public Libraries]]|access-date=2025-10-12}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Hong Kong}}
* [[Wan Chai District]]
* [[Wan Chai Pier]]
* [[Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre]]
* [[Golden Bauhinia Square]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|last=Paris|first=Nicolas|url=https://journals.openedition.org/gss/1878?lang=en|title=" Comme à l'époque de Suzie Wong ". Les mutations du red-light district de Wan Chai|journal={{ill|Genre, sexualité et société|fr}}|date=Spring 2011|issue=5|language=fr|doi=10.4000/gss.1878|doi-access=free}} - Abstract available in English

==External links==
{{Commons category|Wan Chai}}
{{Wiktionary|Wan Chai|Wanchai}}
*[http://www.districtcouncils.gov.hk/wc/english/welcome.htm Wan Chai District Council]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091027092258/http://geocities.com/hkcentre/wanchai.htm A memoir of a Wan Chai District resident] (Traditional Chinese only)
* [http://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/wanchai/index_tc.htm Display Wan Chai 1841–1997 Government Records Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132019/http://www.grs.gov.hk/ws/online/wanchai/index_tc.htm |date=14 July 2014 }}

{{Geographic location
| Centre    = [[Wan Chai District]]
| North     = ([[Victoria Harbour]])
| Northeast =
| East      = [[Eastern District, Hong Kong|Eastern District]]
| Southeast =
| South     = [[Southern District, Hong Kong|Southern District]]
| Southwest =
| West      = [[Central and Western District]]
| Northwest =
}}
{{Wan Chai District}}
{{Hong Kong Urban Areas}}
{{Reclaimed land in Hong Kong}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|22|16|47|N|114|10|18|E|display=title}}

[[Category:Wan Chai| ]]
[[Category:Wan Chai District]]
[[Category:Bays of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Places in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Victoria, Hong Kong]]
[[Category:999-year leases in Hong Kong and Kowloon]]