VIDEO: Immerse Yourself in Sham Shui Po like Locals Do by Alex Rodriguez
Beyond Hong Kong’s dazzling skyscrapers, thrilling nightlife, and fine dining, there is Sham Shui Po – an eclectic neighborhood where tradition and modernity unify, and where every street corner exudes the sheer essence of daily lives. It is a neighborhood where visitors will find all aspects of Hong Kong livelihood in the most authentic local flavors.
At the invitation of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), local resident and award-winning videographer Alex Rodriguez, shot a fascinating two-minute time-lapse video titled Immerse Yourself in Sham Shui Po like Locals Do. The film portrays a typical day in the distinctive market community and begins as umbrellas spring up on stalls along the streets soon after daybreak. The buzz gathers as residents venture out to do their daily shopping. Within the markets lies a bewildering array of goods apart from fresh produce and roasted meat. Famous for electronics, the open-air market on Apliu Street attracts treasure hunters from local and abroad.
Capturing the scene of hungry diners in line to eat at the dim sum mecca and Michelin-starred Tim Ho Wan, the film captures stacks of bamboo steamers. The culinary exploration continues through numerous Michelin-recommended favorite local eateries and street food stalls, including the hugely popular, silky-smooth tofu dessert at the Kung Wo Beancurd Factory, showing why Sham Shui Po is a magnet for food lovers.
The film then runs at a more leisurely pace at the entrance to the Arli Star Leather Factory, where craftsmen draw inspiration from the exuberant contrasts of the neighborhood surrounding them. The mellow ambience injected into the classic district by young dream-chasers radiates across Tai Nan Street to Café Sausalito, where a live jazz performance provides a fitting soundtrack to the vividly creative atmosphere.
The pace of life remains just as frenetic as dusk falls. Rodriguez’s video portrait ends in style at a dai pai dong, a traditional open-air restaurant where sizzling Cantonese stir-fry food is served up and enjoyed among friends under the glow of neon-lit streets.
Visitors can follow in Alex’s footsteps and enjoy for themselves the extraordinary and life-enhancing scenes captured in his remarkable film. HKTB offers insider insight on exploring the authentic community through a walking guide of Sham Shui Po, containing personal recommendations from local personalities, making every traveler’s trip to this distinctly Hong Kong neighborhood an unforgettable experience. – GM
Courtesy of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).
Article by Paul Garcia