Central & Western District

Being Neighbourly captures the icons and lesser-known sights of one of Hong Kong's most affluent districts

Author/ Being Neighbourly
6 January 2026

As far as the 18 Hong Kong districts go, there are few people, including the most transient of visitors to the territory who haven’t stepped foot in Central & Western. Neighbourhoods include: Admiralty, The Peak, Central, Midlevels, Sheung Wan, Sai Ying Pun and Kennedy Town. It’s the destination of the Peak Tram and the location of the Airport express, IFC, the waterfront, the Central Ferry piers and the Central Business district with its iconic, world class-architecture juxtaposed with historic remnants of yesteryear. You’ll also find some of the best schools in the territory, local, ESF and international institutions; incense-filled temples; bijou restaurants, bars and shops; wet markets, street markets, and tram lines running through the mish mash. Central & Western has the most educated residents of all Hong Kong’s districts with the second highest income and the third lowest population due to its relatively small size, so give yourself a pat on the back if it’s home to you.

Land Area
12.55 km²

Population*
235,953
*2021 figures

Biggest Neighbourhood
Kennedy Town

The Peak

The Peak or Victoria Peak, is a 552m hill on Hong Kong Island known for its spectacular panoramic views of the city, skyscrapers, and Victoria Harbour. Confusingly, it is also sometimes, bit less commonly, referred to as Mount Austin. It is the tallest hill on Hong Kong Island, and the 29th tallest in Hong Kong as a whole. It is a popular tourist destination with many choosing to take the Peak Tram to reach it and to walk the Morning Trail, a flat, circular and scenic trail. The Peak is home to many of the richest residents in Hong Kong, with Barker Road residences particularly highly sought after and among the most valuable in Hong Kong.

Midlevels

Mid-Levels is an affluent residential area on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is located between The Peak and Central. Residents are mostly more affluent Hong Kong locals and expatriate professionals given the area’s proximity to the business areas of Central and Admiralty. These suits and their families are willing to pay higher prices for its close proximity to Bowen Path, a popular jogging track and the trails on the Peak. Many streets are named after former governors of Hong Kong and the neighbourhood houses many prestigious schools – both local and international.

Admiralty

Admiralty is located in the eastern part of Central & Western. It is situated between Central and Wan Chai, and is an extension of the central business district. Its name refers to the former Admiralty Dock there which housed a naval dockyard, while the Cantonese name, literally ‘Golden Bell’, refers to a gold-coloured bell that was used for timekeeping at Wellington Barracks. Buildings in Admiralty are primarily office buildings, government buildings, shopping malls and hotels. There are also several parks in the area: Hong Kong Park, Tamar Park (part of the main development of recent years of the Central Government complex) and Harcourt Garden.

Central

Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula. It is the site of many banks, consulates and was the location of government headquarters until 2011, when they relocated to Admiralty. The area, with its proximity to Victoria Harbour, has served as the centre of trade and financial activities from the earliest days of the British colonial era in 1841. Shopping malls, the Landmark, the IFC, hotels such as the Mandarin, Four Seasons and entertainment area Lan Kwai Fong are all located there. Architecture enthusiasts will find much to keep them occupied there.

Sheung Wan

Sheung Wan is one of the most lively areas of Central & Western with its galleries, eateries and boutiques. It also gives plenty of local activities to ogle with its Dried Seafood street and markets. Its name may be interpreted as ‘Upper District‘ (it is comparatively higher up compared to Central and Wan Chai, or ‘Gateway District’, which may be because of it being where the British first entered and occupied Hong Kong. The ‘Sheung Wan Route’ is one part of Central and Western Heritage Trail designed by the Antiquities and Monuments Office and Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The route covers 35 historic buildings and sites in Sheung Wan.

Sai Ying Pun

In Cantonese, Sai Ying Pun means ‘West camp’ and it was where the early British military stayed due to its location by the sea. Among the residents were hundreds of Indian soldiers. Sai Ying Pun is built on the steeply sloping lower slopes of Victoria Peak. Europeans were assigned areas above High Street where Chinese were excluded from living and First, Second and Third Street used to be the location of brothels until they were closed closed in the late 19th century. Today, High Street is known for its upmarket gyms and shops and restaurants of all types.

Kennedy Town

Kennedy Town is a neighbourhood at the western end of Hong Kong Island. It was named after Arthur Edward Kennedy, the seventh governor of Hong Kong from 1872 to 1877. Urban development has been slower there than in other parts of urban Hong Kong, given its distance and prior inaccessibility, but since the MTR opened a station there in 2014, it began rapidly gentrifying. This has been met with mixed feelings among residents.

Stay posted for our Central & Western insider guides coming soon.

All photos are the copyright of photographer Peter Sung, a talented photographer who was born in Hong Kong. When he’s not in the territory, Sung is travelling for work in the Mainland and beyond. His stunning colour and black and white photographs have been recognized by National Geographic and in November 2024, he was awarded the recipient of the inaugural ‘Being Neighbourly Creativity Award 2024’.