Tram Experience

The Tram has been running in Hong Kong Island for over a century, and has already become an important part of the locals' daily life. People call the tram "Ding Ding", as when the tram passes by, the bell on it rings, Ding, Ding. The tramway stretches from Kennedy Town in the west to Shau Kei Wan in the east, passing both the bustling residential area and dynamic city center. Ding Ding is not only a means of transport and a constant presence for locals, but also a popular attraction for visitors. It is said that if you got lost on the Hong Kong Island, just walk toward the sea from the mountain. You can recognize the direction as soon as you see the tram which runs from west to east.

Traveling by Ding Ding, you will have lively street views and a wonderful opportunity to experience real Hong Kong life. All the tramcars are double-deck and it is recommended to get a seat upstairs for better view. It costs only HK$2.30 per ride for an adult and HK$1.20 for a child (3-12 years old) and HK$1.10 for a senior citizen above 65 years old. The tramcar is self-service ticketing. You can pay the fares with Octopus cards or in cash when disembarking from the front exit of the tram. No change is available on board.

Hong Kong Tramways currently operates 6 main routes between Kennedy Town and Shau Kei Wan daily. A tram trip from west to east involves several stops along the way. Hereunder are the popular attractions along the tramway line.

The first stop we recommend is the Whitty Street Depot in Sai Wan region, which was built in 1989 when the depot was moved from Russell Street in Causeway Bay. Get off at the Water Street station. Walk north along Water Street and then turn left onto Connaught Road West, you will find the depot.

Continue to take the tram and get off at Western Market Terminus in Sheung Wan. You will reach the second stop, Western Market. Built in the British Edwardian architectural style 100 years ago, Western Market was once a fair for local residents. After renovation in 1991, this red-brick building now is a government protected monument and still functions as a market where you can find crafts, collectables, cloths, and traditional Grand Stage restaurant.

Get back to the tram and move on to Central area. Central has been known as the financial core of Hong Kong since 1841. Here, skyscrapers and marble shopping malls sit side by side. The bamboo-like Bank of China is in the middle background, one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in Hong Kong and an architectural master-piece. The HSBC headquarters Building, is another world-famous building for its modern style designed by Lord Norman Foster. The Two International Finance Center is the tallest building on Hong Kong Island with a height of 420m and 88 stories. Get off at Pedder Street station to see the skyscrapers.

Afterwards, continue with your tram trip to Admiralty MRT Station. Then take the Escalator from the Pacific Palace to reach Hong Kong Park, a rare place for people to relax in the busy commercial area. Tea houses, a Tea Ware Museum and restaurants are distributed in the park. Having a good rest in the park, proceed to Fenwick Street station by tram. A triangular traditional Chinese style building will catch your eye, which is the Methodist House. From there, you enter the Wanchai region.

As your tram rolls along Hennessy Road, you will be amazed at the constant ebb and flow of people. Get off at Percival Street or Foo Ming Street in Causeway Bay. Causeway Bay was a shoal more than a hundred years ago. After reclamation it was earth-based and gradually became a commercial area. Now, it serves as a very popular center for shopping, dining and nightlife in Hong Kong. Times Square here is one of the largest shopping malls in Hong Kong. All kinds of stores and restaurants attract thousands of visitors.

The next stop is Happy Valley. Nothing beats the thrill of horse-racing in Hong Kong. Happy Valley is one of the few in-city race tracks in the world. It was the first racecourse in Hong Kong, built by filling in a swamp, and the first horse race was held in 1846. From then on, races have been held every year (during World War II, racing was interrupted). Sitting in the stands, you're surrounded by high-rise residential buildings as you watch the horses come galloping down the home stretch bound for glory.

When the tram arrives at its last stop, Shau Kei Wan terminal, you can walk northward on Shau Kei Wan Main Road East for about 550 meters (7 minutes), and you will find Tam Kung Temple. As God of the sea, Tam Kung has always had a strong following among local fishermen, and the temple provided them with a venue for village meetings in days gone by. After the temple, walk along the Island Eastern Corridor eastwards to the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defense, once a restricted military base, which provides an amazing opportunity for visitors to tour an important construction from Hong Kong's military past.

Major stops along the tramway:

Kennedy Town -> Shek Tong Tsui -> Whitty Street -> SHeung Wan (Western Market) -> Central -> Admiralty -> Wan Chai -> Happy Valley -> Causeway Bay -> Tin Hau -> North Point -> Quarry Bay -> Sai Wan Ho -> Shau Kei Wan