A stimulating and eye-opening journey on traditional Chinese cuisine and wellness practices

Chinese food culture and medicine give special status to certain ingredients that other parts of the world would consider bizarre or unrelated to medicine — desiccated versions of abalone and sea cucumber, horse and monkey gallstones, and whale’s vomit, to name a few. In Hong Kong, however, these interesting ingredients are the specialty of some 100 stores in the economic heart of old Sheung Wan. These businesses are continuing a proud and long history, but the context they operate in today is very different to when they started in the mid-19th century.

This tour will answer the following questions and more: Why do the Chinese value the said food and medicinal items so highly? Why are these expensive delicacies and health remedies found in so many stores in this part of Hong Kong? Where do they come from and where will they be shipped to? Owners of the area’s oldest dried seafood and Chinese medicine stores will share their memories of the special trading community that they belong to and by extension, of the oft-forgotten role that three little streets played in Hong Kong’s transformation into an international trade center.

Highlights of the Tour

• Visit a snake soup store and taste test their offerings.
• Learn how the Chinese traditionally take care of their health via local medicinal practices.
• Explore a spice store.