Field Trip
New Territories - Tai Po & Tsuen Wan
Updated on 14/1/2021 2:15 pm Sunny
Tai Po
Route: Kwong Fuk Bridge → Fu Shin Street → Tai Po Complex → Grandma's tofu pudding
Hotspot 1: Kwong Fuk Bridge
This bridge is an important channel for citizens to cross through the Kwong Fuk Road and Ting Kok Road. In Sha Tin and Tai Po, it is common to see these bridge above the river. Living in New Territories, most people ride bicycles, so the bridge is separated into pedestrians and bicycles. I consider the bridge is a significant sign of Tai Po. It is a historic landmark and the main road for citizens to leave for different destinations. Therefore, I hope audiences can stay here for a while and observe the surrounded environment.
When I observe surroundings, many people are riding bicycles, some of them working, such as delivering coal oil. A few people sit on the side for rest, and most are the elderly. It is often can see people take plastic bags and trolley with a trunk. A wet market is nearby; people buy foods every day and across the bridge to go home.
Hotspot 2: Fu Shin Street
Here is one of Hong Kong's traditional markets, stalls are providing necessities such as cloth and groceries. I bought water chestnut flour in one of the groceries, the staff is very nice, and she chats with me! She is curious why I took a camera in a crowded, wet market and asked how much is the camera. She is surprised after hearing the cost of the camera. She also shares her experience of losing an expensive mobile phone, and her son throws down the new phone-in toilet accidentally. I am very impressed that I can interact with the local people. I believe that Tai Po citizens are friendly and can reach compassion and decency here.
On the other hand, Man MoYee Tai Temple is located inside here. It is the first protected building in the New Territories. Most people come for praying outstanding study performance, and I did too a few years ago.
Hotspot 3: Tai Po Complex
Tai Po Complex is a multi-purpose municipal building. The ground floor is a market. The second floor is a cooked food center. When I was small, I often eat lunch here. In the past few years, here is crowded and lively at lunchtime, most people come for the delicious beef brisket noodle. However, affected by the pandemic, the seat is limited to two-person instead of four. A cordon tape blocks every two seats, and customers are less than before.
I am sure that the atmosphere will be better if I come at lunchtime. Here is the route.
Opening hours: 06:00 - 20:00
Address: 2/F, Hui Market, 8 Heung Sze Wui St, Tai Po, New Territories
Hotspot 4: Grandma's tofu pudding
Do you love to eat tofu pudding? Grandma's tofu pudding has a long history in Tai Po, and it is the collective memory for local people. The shop is located in Tai Po Market, lots of people and housewives search for treasures (cheap and good ingredients) inhere every day. A busy hour on weekdays is an afternoon to evening. At the weekend, staffs are busy all day! Due to the limited seats indoors, most people eat tofu pudding stand in front of the shop, which created an interesting scene.
The recommended dessert is tofu pudding, which costs $9HKD. I sit in the shop to enjoy the pudding and observe the setting and menu. There have many stickers on the wall, which is the sign of recommendation restaurant from a different platform. Apart from tofu pudding, the shop sells fermented bean curd and soy milk. I asked the staff can I take photos inside the shop, he said no problem! He mentions that I can come for shooting on weekday to avoid busy hours.
Opening hours: 09:30 - 20:00
Address: 2 Tai Kwong Lane, Tai Po, New Territories
Tsuen Wan
Route: Tsuen Fung Centre → Man Fung Noodle Shop → Lo Tak Court → Chu Kei
Hotspot 1: Tsuen Fung Centre
I choose this place as one of the hotspots because of the lively atmosphere. The shopping arcade assembles many electronic devices, phone cases, audio equipment, second-hand camera, etc. Every time I step in here, skewers' strong good smell is coming from the cooked shop on the left side. I also bought a micro SD card in one of the shops for doing this project!
Some shop is selling audio players, and the players play music all the time. I believe the recorded sound will be awesome, and there will be an obvious difference in audio when audiences move the images.
Opening hours: 13:00 - 23:00
Address: 168 Sai Lau Kok Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Hotspot 2: Man Fung Noodle Shop
Here is one of the old shops selling fresh Chinese raw noodles and dumplings. Man Fung has reached a good reputation, there always a long queue on weekdays and a long queue on weekends! The recommended goods are mochi, Tang Yuan, and Hakka Glutinous Rice Dumplings.
Originally, I planned to take action outside the shop, but there is not enough tension when I stand outside. Thus, I will try my best to take photos inside the shop, providing a more surreal mood and scenes for audiences. Avoid the inconvenience, and I will take shooting early in around 10 am. I will also ask the supervisors for permission to take photos and sound recordings.
Opening hours: 08:00 - 22:00
Address: 35, Tsuen Wan Market Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories
Hotspot 3: Lo Tak Court
Lo Tak Court is assembled many food stalls. The surrounding areas are designated as pedestrian streets. It is extended in all directions, and citizens are easy to walk to here, here is become a crowded area.
In the afternoon, a hawker is frying chestnuts. Another man is passing some leaflet. Here are a food street and a place for someone to earn a living. At night, there has many citizens takeaway. A long queue always happens in two tofu pudding shops. I would not introduce a recommended shop in this location but present the recent situation here. Even though there have not many people gather than before, citizens greatly demand these shops.
Hotspot 4: Chu Kei hardware store
Chu Kei is a shop that sells paint, screws, nails, plumbing accessories, and other appliances. This shop attracts me because the goods and groceries are hanging in front of the shop. The corridor is narrow, and more goods are hanging on top. Although these kinds of shops are common in Hong Kong, they preserve the atmosphere of old Hong Kong. Some goods such as "watermelon ball," utility bowls, and basins you can find here. When I enter, I found that the lighting is not enough and a bit of moldy smell. A TV is installed on the left upside, and an older man is sitting at the cashier.
He said, "What can I help you?" I said my request and the reason for coming. Then, he shouts to the end of the corridor. After that, a woman responds and comes out. He said, "Boss! She wants to introduce the shop and take pictures!" I am really impressed when he called "Boss" (事頭婆). This name is related to Queen Elizabeth II. The name is created in the British Hong Kong period. People whose in power will be called "事頭婆" in that generation.
Opening hours: 09:00 - 19:00
Address: Shop 15, G/F, Wing Tai House, Fuk Loi Estate
