North Point History & Architecture

Experiences for educators

Gallery

Sail along the waves of multicultural nostalgia

Discover North Point, a neighbourhood shaped by migrants, industry, and political struggle. From its role as a mid-century refuge to its days as an entertainment hub, this tour uncovers hidden alleys, local enclaves, and vibrant community life often overlooked today.

Tour overview

Wander through alleys and backstreets in search of North Point’s forgotten past
Relive the history of Hong Kong’s leftist groups and search for a real Chairman Mao in the area
Get a real taste of community life in the local Fujianese enclave and among the Southeast Asian diaspora
Visit some of the area’s oldest stores and sample the local delicacies they’re most famous for!

North Point is a world of its own. Walking down King’s Road, it won’t take one long to notice the conspicuous absence of any British historical trappings (except the road name) and register the distinct social outlook of the area. North Point has long been a shelter for those fleeing war and turmoil, with many of the “temporary” halfway houses that it hosted during the mid-20th century turning into the permanent homes of immigrants from Shanghai and Fujian, as well as overseas Chinese from the Philippines and Indonesia. Over time, these groups molded the curious cultural hotchpotch that is found today in this northernmost tip of Hong Kong Island.

It’s often forgotten that North Point was once an entertainment paradise and a key industrial engine of the city, but the march of modernization meant that these cornerstones of local life started to fall apart in the 1980s. Some of the rundown buildings in the area also figured prominently in the bloody struggle between the British government and leftists during the 1967 riots. Despite its unprepossessing layout, North Point is bursting with stories and distinctive city scenes that vividly illustrate the dynamics and often contradictory logics behind this city.

Selected highlights

Some of the points of interest include:

Chun Yeung Street Market

Stroll through this bustling street market and experience the vibrant coexistence of hawkers and traditional shops.

King's Slippers

Step into a time-honoured embroidered shoe shop and appreciate the craftsmanship of handmade traditional footwear.

Kiu Kwan Mansion

Hear stories from the 1967 Riots and witness a chapter of Hong Kong’s British-era social unrest and grassroots resistance.

Oi!

Once the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, this revitalized site has transformed into a cultural landmark that blends art exhibitions, community engagement, and urban creativity.

Chun Yeung Street Market

Stroll through this bustling street market and experience the vibrant coexistence of hawkers and traditional shops.

King's Slippers

Step into a time-honoured embroidered shoe shop and appreciate the craftsmanship of handmade traditional footwear.

Kiu Kwan Mansion

Hear stories from the 1967 Riots and witness a chapter of Hong Kong’s British-era social unrest and grassroots resistance.

Oi!

Once the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, this revitalized site has transformed into a cultural landmark that blends art exhibitions, community engagement, and urban creativity.

History

Junior Secondary (Secondary 3)
- Examine the diverse immigrant influences and social changes in Hong Kong’s postwar communities and understand the shifts in economy and lifestyle they brought about, using the example of Shanghainese and Hokkien immigrants in North Point.
- Discuss the tensions between urban development and heritage conservation with reference to the case of the State Theatre.
Senior Secondary (Theme A)
- Trace the history of immigration and how urban space in Hong Kong is shaped by immigrants.
- Identify the impact and contributions of Shanghainese and Hokkien immigrants on the development of the North Point community, exploring the relationship and connection between these immigrants and their original homes.
- Analyse the historical and cultural value of significant local buildings.
- Discuss the significance of urban renewal and the preservation of historic buildings.

Chinese History

Common Learning Objectives
- Understand the impact of modern Chinese history on Hong Kong’s population and community structure
- Understand the role of overseas Chinese in the local economy, culture, and clan organizations; and appreciate ethnic diversity.

Tour Information

We reserve the right to make changes to the information, prices and itineraries of the tours as set out in our website and all printed promotional materials. Provided that such changes have been made prior to the confirmation of a booking, such changes shall be binding on the participants.
Any information or advice provided by us on matters including but not limited to walking routes, climate, clothing, travel documents, baggage, special equipment, etc. is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of us.
All information provided on our website is correct to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot assure that such information would be free from errors or omission and we shall assume no responsibilities for any such errors of omission.
Our website may contain hyperlinks to other websites owned and operated by third parties. We have no control over, or associate with, such sites and we assume no responsibilities for the contents of such sites. The inclusion of such sites on our website does not imply our endorsement of such sites.
We do not warrant that our website would be free from computer viruses and we accept no liabilities or responsibilities for any loss or damage that may arise as a result.

Bad Weather Policy

If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, or a Red/Black Rainstorm Warning is issued three hours before the tour starts, the tour will be canceled.
If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or a Red/Black Rainstorm Warning is issued during the tour, the tour will be canceled immediately.
If the tour needs to be canceled due to other adverse weather conditions, we will contact you by phone at least 2.5 hours before the tour. (If there is no response, we will follow up with an SMS or email.)
If the tour is canceled due to adverse weather on the day, we will work with you to reschedule a new date within six months from the original tour date.

Tour Reminder

Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes for the walk. Bring an umbrella, a bottle of water and some snacks just in case.
Each participant may bring their own 3.5mm plug headphone if they have one for the wireless transmitter/receiver system which will be used on the tour. The guide will provide them a new one otherwise, but for hygienic and environmental reasons participants are strongly suggested to bring their own earphones if possible.
There is a possibility that our organization may take photographs or videos during the guided tour, and these captured images or footage may be used for future promotion and publicity. If participants do not agree with this arrangement, please inform the tour guide or organizer during registration and on the day of the event.

Book your experience now

You are...*

First name*
Last name*

Email*

Phone number*

Your institution (if applicable)

Experience name(s)

Your message

Customise my experience.

By checking this box, you accept our terms & conditions*

Other featured tours

History Foodie

Sham Shui Po — A Story of Grassroots Hong Kong

Let's explore the grassroots' daily life and understand diversified and various Sham Shui Po.

Sham Shui Po

2 hours

History Foodie

Old Town Central

Travel through Central and Sheung Wan to learn about Hong Kong's history and architecture

Central and Sheung Wan

2 hours

History Foodie Pop Culture

Stories from Kowloon Walled City: From Military Outpost to City of Darkness

Learn more about the prosperity and the story of the demolition of the once-existing Chaos.

Kowloon City

2 hours

History Pop Culture

Hong Kong Movie Tour: Tsim Sha Tsui

Discover Hong Kong’s cinematic heritage, from Tsim Sha Tsui’s bustling streets to hidden film landmarks, and experience the magic of light and shadow shaping the city’s identity.

Tsim Sha Tsui

2 hours

History

LGBT in the City

Understand Hong Kong's multi-gender culture and listen to LGBT stories

Central and Sheung Wan

2 hours

History Pop Culture

Hong Kong Movie Tour: Sheung Wan

Explore Hong Kong's pop culture through the lens of light and shadow

Sheung Wan

2 hours

Experiences explained

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Experiences explained

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Experiences explained

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

About our education initiatives

Projects showcase

About our corporate initiatives

Projects showcase

About our community initiatives

Projects showcase

Learn more

Experiences explained

Start exploring

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Customise your event

Learn more

Experiences explained

Start exploring

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Customise your event

Learn more

Experiences explained

Start exploring

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Customise your event

About our education initiatives

Projects showcase

Collaborate with us

About our corporate initiatives

Projects showcase

Collaborate with us

About our community initiatives

Projects showcase

Collaborate with us

Learn more

Experiences explained

Start exploring

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Customise your event

Learn more

Experiences explained

Start exploring

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Customise your event

Learn more

Experiences explained

Start exploring

Tours

Workshops

Trainings

Talks

Customise your event

About our education initiatives

Projects showcase