Soho

Soho is a fashionable entertainment zone located in Hong Kong’s Central district, south of the harbor. It’s known for venues that are more casual than the ones you’d find in the nearby party zone of Lan Kwai Fong. Soho is the place to find bars, clubs and countless restaurants catering to all tastes, as well as boutique shopping and art galleries. Hong Kong’s Soho means “South of Hollywood Road.” Between Hollywood Road and Queen’s Road Central there are dozens of restaurants, with the vast majority of menus priced at mid-range or cheaper. Hong Kong Island is characterized by its steep, hilly terrain, and part of the fun of visiting Soho is the trip there. Ride on the 2,620-foot (800-meter) “Central–Mid-levels Escalators,” the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world. It was built in 1993 to provide an easier commute for residents of Mid-level’s upscale apartments. Each morning the escalator takes employees down the hill to offices in the Central district, but later in the day you’ll find it teeming with shoppers and sightseers. Visit Soho during the day to wander the narrow streets packed with ultra-fashionable galleries, boutiques and antique stores. The area offers anything from designer clothing and accessories, to eco-friendly furniture. Stop for a late lunch and a glass of wine at any number of eateries offering “tea sets,” which are essentially cut-price meal deals offered in the afternoon, around 2 to 5 p.m. The area is popular with both locals and expats, and if you’re looking for a break from traditional rice balls and dim sum, you’ll find it here. There are plenty of Western-style restaurants in Soho, but every cuisine imaginable can be tracked down in the surrounding streets.Stay for sundown, when Soho really comes to life. Take advantage of the popular “happy hours,” which see plenty of bars offering half-price drinks in the early evening, To get to Soho, leave the MTR Central station by Exit C. The Central–Mid-levels Escalators begin at the intersection of Cochrane Street and Queen's Road Central.