REACH for the top
Ascending from the entrance on Queen's Road Central, passing by a slew of restaurants and a few fashion boutiques, then reaching Caine Road, a vibrant residential area, before finding a mosque on the way up to Robinson Road and Conduit Road - this is a snapshot of the 20-minute journey along the world's longest outdoor escalator.
The convenience brought by the 800-metre escalator, most sections of which are covered, has made Mid-Levels a popular choice of residence among aspiring professionals working in Central. The presence of esteemed schools, such as Glenealy School on Hornsey Road, operated by the English Schools Foundation, and St Paul's Coeducational College on McDonnell Road, is an important consideration for families with children.
Several serviced apartments cater to those who want to live away from the hustle of Central, but remain close to the heart of activity.
Roughly spanning the area between Kennedy Road and Conduit Road, Mid-Levels is an upmarket neighbourhood with properties that come in a range of styles and prices, the latter determined by the age and size of the property, its location and the facilities. Despite the comfortable living environment, the occasional construction of new blocks, rather frequent roadworks and traffic jams in rush hours can be vexing.
For a break from daily life, consider taking a stroll through the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, that are bounded by Garden Road, Robinson Road, Glenealy and Upper Albert Road. Avid hikers can trek along the Bowen Road Path that trails up to The Peak while enjoying the panoramic scenery.
A TASTE OF FRANCE
Eating Out
Mid-Levels isn't known as a dining spot, but there are options other than grab-and-go food and coffee chains. Cafe Levande, on Prince's Terrace, is a refreshing reminder of pavement cafes in France and offers dishes such as open-faced sandwiches and handmade cakes. Monogamous Chinese, on Caine Road, serves authentic Sichuan and Beijing cuisine and has retro decor that gives the Chinese dining experience a twist.
Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum
Having received secondary and university education in Hong Kong, world-renowned revolutionary Dr Sun Yat-sen had a personal connection with the city where he also developed his reformist ideas and uprising plans. The Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, on Castle Road, was set up with the aim to give an overview of the life and career of Sun and depicts Hong Kong's role in the revolutionary activities at the turn of the 20th century. The museum hosts two permanent exhibitions and offers various audio-visual programmes.
