Island's east gets a facelift
Originally named after a bay that serviced a busy quarry, the eastern side of Hong Kong is undergoing a gradual and exciting facelift, largely due to demand for office space on the island.
Quarry Bay and nearby Tai Koo (the Chinese name for the Swire Group, the company which owns property in the area) are now business hubs by day. Yet, they also come to life at night.
In the past 10 to 15 years, a vibrant mix of Western and Asian dining establishments, and glittering stores have been introduced to what was a relatively quiet, suburban centre where warehouses blended with street stalls and small traders.
The icing on the cake was the recent opening of a new upmarket business hotel, East, topped by a chic roof bar with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon East. Towers such as Taikoo Place and the newly finished One Island East provide offices for global companies such as the Time Warner Group, Reuters and Swire, while Cityplaza Mall in Tai Koo offers designer brands, restaurants and cafes, an ice skating rink, an international supermarket and cinema complex.
Many young families flock to Quarry Bay for its well-planned residential streets, kindergartens and international schools. Apartments range from the affordable to the mid-range and are well serviced by recreational facilities, such as playgrounds, outdoor seating areas surrounded by greenery, the MTR underground railway, trams and buses.
Western restaurants in Quarry Bay and Tai Koo include the classic Hong Kong Italian eatery Grappas and Belgian favourite Belgos East. Fresh Japanese fare is offered at Miso Cool, and Taikoo Place houses dim sum Chinese restaurants where constant lunchtime crowds attest to their quality.
Office workers in need of exercise are also catered too when the clock stops ticking. High-end fitness groups, Pure Yoga and Fitness First, are also located in Taikoo Place.
Just a short MTR ride, heading towards Central, is North Point, a busier, small business-area which was known in the 1950s as 'Little Shanghai' due to the flood of Shanghainese immigrants setting up businesses in the district after the Chinese Communist Party came to power on the mainland.
Mostly, however, the area is an increasingly contemporary blend of busy fashion stores, shimmering office towers, the Harbour Plaza Hotel and Resort and mid-rise apartments.
Well serviced by the North Point MTR station, the roughly 20-minute train trip to Central and Admiralty is a simple journey for commuters.
This contemporary explosion still sits comfortably alongside antiquated charm.
Tin Hau, slightly further north on Causeway Bay's doorstep, has retained a unique village-like atmosphere thanks to its quieter, hilly cul-de-sacs and a focus on the peaceful Tung Lo Wan Tin Hau temple, dedicated to the goddess of the sea.
Now a popular location for smaller businesses seeking reasonably priced rents that they may not get in Central - and low-rise, old-style apartments - its proximity to the hectic pedestrian pace of Causeway Bay, Wan Chai and Admiralty are attractive for those seeking a less bustling lifestyle.
Tastes of Quarry Bay
Saffron Bakery on Hoi Kwong Street serves a selection of pastries, salads, soups and cakes, and coffee and juices for office workers waiting for something healthy with a home-made taste. Cosy and quaint, it's a popular spot for breakfast, snacks or lunch.
Sugar, on the rooftop of the East hotel near Cityplaza, is a chic haven for those seeking to unwind after a hard day's work. Its view over Kowloon East, comfortable deck seating and tapas delicacies are special to the area when it comes to wining and dining.
Tribute to sea goddess
Tin Hau Temple has been declared a monument for its longevity in the area. It is more than 200 years old and one of the busiest in Hong Kong. During the annual Tin Hau Festival, queues snake down the street, with the temple itself guarded by a pair of fiery dragons to ward of evil spirits. It is located at 10 Tin Hau Temple Road.
