North Point – Hong Kong’s Artsy Neighbourhood Guide

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North Point is a less touristy area on Hong Kong Island, so those who look for quieter neighbourhood walks should definitely check this out!

Oil Street Art Space 油街實現

Fancy a tranquil walk in an urban oasis? Oil Street Art Space is the place for you! This Grade II historic building complex has seen many transformations over the years – from the headquarters for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, to the Government Supplies Department and storage facility for the Antiquities and Monuments Office – before becoming the community art space we see today. Like many other historic sites in Hong Kong, this red-bricked building with a tiled roof is a classic example of East-meets-West architectural heritage.

Echoing the grassland and plenty of greenery, the space not only holds exhibitions that showcase artwork from local and international artists, but also sets up regular programmes and workshops to reconnect people with nature.

Looking for Lights and Shadows

If you want to experience this art space from a creative perspective, try tracing the lights and shadows along your walk. It could be the play of light on foliage, the patterns cast by long shadows of trees and plants, or reflections of sunlight dancing on glass windows. Gradually, you’ll begin to realise that art is not confined to exhibitions or galleries; many are found outdoors, with multiple variations every day. With this mindset, you’ll start seeing the city as a vast, open-air museum filled with excitement and surprises.

Ming Yuen Western Street 明園西街

Compared to the famous Chung Yeung Street, Ming Yuen Western Street is a hidden gem known to few people. For sure, the steep slope on the street is not the thing someone who aims for an easy city stroll would like to see, but it is definitely worth it if you walk till the end.

At the end of Ming Yuen Western Street, you’ll see an interesting structure that only half of the aged tong lau building remains. The reason or purpose of this half-built site remains a mystery still, but its striking appearance is comparable to a masterpiece you might find in a museum.

If you look a bit more closely, you’ll find a basketball rim hanging on the worn-out wall. It is always this kind of unusual combination that offers us the inspirations we need when we have been stuck in our minds for too long.

East Coast Boardwalk 東岸板道

The East Coast Boardwalk is a newly opened harbourfront shared space with many brand new facilities on the site. Stretching 2.2 kilometres, the boardwalk comprises a path for various uses such as walking, jogging and cycling, as well as a wooden-laid lane for sightseeing and resting. In the covered section, there are tables and chairs with free charging spots, where many people are having a ‘mini-picnic’ as they eat and relax by the harbour.

There's even a spacious, wave-themed play zone for kids, along with a fishing area. So people from all ages can definitely find a spot they enjoy along the promenade.

It's a comfortable place to stay while you wait for the beautiful sunset. At night, you can even see some light illustrations projecting on the concrete walls, adding a playful touch to the area.

北角散步：社區裏的藝術角落

北角是香港島相對少遊客的地區，十分適合想要遊歷寧靜街區的你。

油街實現

若你想到鬧市中的寧靜角落走一趟，油街絕對是個不二之選。油街實現屬二級歷史建築群，歷經多翻修復，從一開始香港皇家遊艇會的會所，到後來政府物資供應處員工宿舍、古物古蹟辦事處的倉庫，最後才演變成現時北角社區的藝術空間。這座歷史建築跟不少香港古蹟一樣，融合了中西的元素，既有西式的紅磚外牆，亦有中式的瓦頂，非常典雅。

另外，油街實現內還有一大片的草地，帶出推廣環保和可持續發展的願景。因此，這裏除了設展覽展示本地和海外藝術家的作品外，還會定期舉辦課程和工作坊，連繫人與環境之間的關係。

尋找光影交織

若你想用更創新的方式遊歷這個藝術空間，你也可以在沿途尋找光影的縱跡，例如跟隨灑落到樹葉的陽光，尋找樹木和植物在地上的影子，或是觀看反射到玻璃上光線。慢慢地，你會發現，藝術其實並不止於刻意策畫的展覽，只要我們懂得觀察，藝術在日常生活中隨處可見，且不停變幻。一旦我們學會用這個方式看待周遭，城市就彷如一個大型的露天博物館，驚喜處處。