An Urban Anthill in the Heart of Hong Kong Island
Causeway Bay (銅鑼灣, Tung Lo Wan) is located on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, between Wan Chai and North Point. Once a fishing and marsh area, the neighborhood was entirely reclaimed and transformed during the 20th century into a major commercial and cultural hub.
Today, Causeway Bay is one of the city’s busiest and most densely populated districts.
The Kingdom of Shopping
The area is known for its concentration of shopping centers and international brands, as well as small local shops. It is one of the most expensive places in the world for commercial rents per square meter.
Notable landmarks include:
- Times Square: a vertical shopping mall, a hotspot for events and gatherings.
- SOGO: the iconic Japanese department store.
- Hysan Place: a contemporary mall with diverse brands.
- Fashion Walk: boutiques of designers, independent fashion, and Asian trends.
Between Temples and Skyscrapers
Despite the verticality and noise, Causeway Bay also shelters quiet spaces:
- Victoria Park: a large public park where people practice tai chi, jog, or simply sit.
- Tin Hau Temple: shrine dedicated to the sea goddess, a reminder of the bay’s fishing past.
- Hong Kong Central Library: a major cultural institution, often overlooked by tourists.
The contrast between tradition and ultramodernity defines the district’s identity.
Local Life and Nightlife
From late afternoon, the streets fill with neon lights, queues outside restaurants, and a frenetic atmosphere:
- Small Cantonese restaurants, Japanese chains, bubble tea stands, Thai snacks…
- Street markets, vendors selling accessories, hair salons open late.
- Discreet bars and rooftop lounges on higher floors to escape the hustle.
Life in Causeway Bay is intense and continuous, even well past midnight.
A Laboratory of Hong Kong Daily Life
Causeway Bay is more than an open-air mall. It is a prime observation spot for Hong Kong society:
- Urban youth and their codes.
- The coexistence of consumption and spirituality.
- Social movements: Victoria Park has often been a gathering site, notably for June 4th vigils.
Conclusion
Causeway Bay embodies ultra-dynamic Hong Kong: vertical, noisy, brightly lit, and contrasted. Between shopping centers and ancient temples, silent parks and packed metro corridors, it reflects the tensions and balances of a city in constant motion.
