Hong Kong smells: what are the distinctive scents in each of city’s 18 districts?
From fish balls to exhaust fumes, Hong Kong is a varied assault on the olfactory organs. We sniff out the story behind the fragrance in each of the city’s 18 districts
Hong Kong has a variety of scents wafting through its streets, from the fish balls and beef brisket of street stalls to the exhaust gases from vehicles. These smells often bind together to become unique odours that can trigger memories of a particular location. Our reporters have identified the signature signs of the city’s 18 districts, based on their characteristics and events that take place there.
HONG KONG ISLAND
Central and Western
Smell: Money
Characteristics/notable events: The district has a residential population of about 250,000 in which over 90 per cent live in privately owned buildings, from luxury homes on The Peak to old tenements in Sheung Wan and Sai Wan. Central is Hong Kong’s core business district where many multinational financial services corporations have their headquarters.
