Hong Kong is known for its skyscrapers, but its history as a “fragrant harbor” — the literal meaning of “Hong Kong” — still lives on in Aberdeen. This neighborhood, on the southwestern coast of Hong Kong Island, transports you back to Hong Kong’s fishing village roots, complete with the largest wholesale fish market in the city. If you’re curious about the city before it became today’s metropolis, Aberdeen is your living museum.
Your first glance of Aberdeen may reveal laundry and dried fish sharing clotheslines on weathered sampans (flat-bottomed wooden boats). “Floating villages” here trace back to the Qin, Han, and Song dynasties, emerging during frequent wars. The boat dwellers (a Sinicized ethnic group known as the “people above water”) spent so much time at sea that their boats became permanent homes. The mid-1900s photographs of Aberdeen Harbor’s floating villages — featuring thousands of families living on traditional Chinese junk houseboats — remain among Hong Kong’s most iconic images. Aberdeen even gained cinematic fame in the late 1900s, when its floating seafood restaurants starred in films such as The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974 or Godzilla vs Destoroyah in 1995, though these iconic eateries have since vanished.
RELATED: Top 5 Trends Shaping Hong Kong & Macau’s Gastronomic Scene, According to MICHELIN Inspectors
While their heyday has passed, Aberdeen still thrives today with its fresh seafood, wooden sampans, and nostalgic fishing village vibe — all just a stone’s throw from modern city life. For an extra thrill, visit during the Dragon Boat Festival when the harbor erupts with thunderous drums and racing boats.
Ready to explore? Here’s how to experience Aberdeen in the most authentic way.
Where to Eat
If you are taking the MTR to Aberdeen, stop at Wong Chuk Hang before taking the bus or a taxi to Aberdeen Promenade, where you can start your trip right with a Bib Gourmand lunch. With custom-made crockery and retro marquetry adorning its walls and tables, Lulu Baobao features a glass-encased kitchen where chefs hand-make noodles and buns to order (expect waits during peak hours). Their signature “gentle” scallion oil noodles showcase perfectly bouncy texture with just the right amount of infused oil, while the xiao long baos impress with delicate pleats and soupy pork fillings. Try the signature mashed peppers with fresh avocado for an adventurous option. For big groups, the private room comfortably fits 12 guests.
Once in Aberdeen, follow in the footsteps of chef and former fisherman Danny Yip, of One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant The Chairman, by selecting live seafood at the Aberdeen Wholesale Fish Market, which he compares to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market. Established in 1950 as the territory’s first and largest wholesale fish market, it once attracted fishermen from Cheung Chau, the southern islands, and Macau, supplying over 70% of Hong Kong’s seafood. While the wholesale market doesn’t sell retail, you can get in on the experience by purchasing the day’s freshest catch at Aberdeen Market (a 5-minute walk away) and having it cooked at a local restaurant upstairs. Complete your visit at the souvenir shop, stocking up on fish-themed gifts.
RELATED: Video: Hong Kong Chefs’ Playbook: Aberdeen with Danny Yip
For another taste of Aberdeen’s maritime heritage, step aboard Lau Kee, one of Hong Kong’s last authentic noodle boats. This licensed floating kitchen has served legendary fish broth noodles for more than 40 years, crafted by fishermen with roasted meats, poached chicken, and vermicelli — best enjoyed while watching sampans glide through the typhoon shelter. And don’t forget: Aberdeen is the birthplace of Hong Kong’s famous fish balls.
RELATED: Neighborhood Hong Kong: 5 Dishes Showcasing Local Seafood
Where to Explore
Cheer at a dragon boat race
Make your way to the Aberdeen Promenade on race day (usually 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for a spectacle that’s been thrilling crowds for over a century. While dragon boat races happen across Hong Kong (usually from late May to early June), Aberdeen’s are the real deal — where else can you see 90-foot-long boats slicing through the water with 50 paddlers in perfect sync? These double-sized beasts turn the harbor into a thunderous arena of splashing oars and drumbeats, keeping one of Hong Kong’s most iconic traditions alive.
Buy a foodie souvenir at Aberdeen Promenade
That picturesque tree-lined walkway along Aberdeen Harbor isn’t just for selfies with fishing boats. Come dawn, the promenade transforms into Hong Kong’s most authentic waterfront market as elderly locals haggle over the night’s catch with sampan vendors. Want the ultimate foodie souvenir? Purchase a jar of freshly ground plaice powder — a secret weapon for next-level seafood soups to impress your friends back home.
Visit a traditional houseboat on a guided tour
Forget museums — book an Aberdeen Fishing Village Tour and you’ll be climbing aboard an actual traditional houseboat, where creaky floorboards tell stories of generations who lived on the waves. Highlights include a Chinese teak boat ride with multilingual audio guides, cultural relics displays, and plenty of photo opportunities. Remember to reserve your spot online beforehand.Discover Aberdeen’s industrial-chic art scene
Art galleries are no longer exclusive to Central’s white cubes — the industrial buildings of Aberdeen now shelter some of Hong Kong’s most exciting galleries. You can find creative inspiration from emerging local artists at Alisan Fine Arts (Aberdeen), Empty Gallery, Gallery EXIT, and SC Gallery, just to name a few. Make sure to check their updated opening hours before going.Chase Thrills at Ocean Park
For a family-friendly itinerary, consider taking a detour to Hong Kong’s largest theme park, just a 10- to 15-minute drive from the promenade. Ocean Park delivers cable car rides with sea views, hilltop rollercoasters, and aquarium tunnels surrounded by marine life. The park recently welcomed two new giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke, to its famous animal collection.
Hike to Wan Chai along the picturesque Aberdeen Reservoir
For more adventurous souls, the Aberdeen Reservoir trail offers a perfect 2-hour urban hike blending nature and history. Start at Tin Hau Temple, built by Aberdeen’s fishermen to honor Tin Hau, the goddess believed to protect those at sea. Hike up along the path to find the Aberdeen Nature Trail: this beginner-friendly route winds past WWII relics, tranquil reservoir views, and sweeping cityscapes. If the final downhill stretch proves challenging, hail a taxi at Mount Cameron Road to complete your journey.
Where to Stay
Looking for the perfect accommodation after a whole day of activities? Just a 5-minute drive from Aberdeen, Ovolo Southside redefines industrial chic in Wong Chuk Hang. This converted warehouse hotel — Hong Kong’s first — boasts a gritty-artistic vibe with hand-painted murals, a shipping-container bar, and a lobby buzzing with creative energy. The Komune Lounge offers free coffee, happy-hour cocktails, and workstations ideal for meeting fellow travelers and creative professionals. With the MTR linking Wong Chuk Hang to Central in minutes, it’s a prime base for urban explorers who also love the sea breeze of Aberdeen.RELATED: Bar-hopping at Eight MICHELIN-Recommended Hotels in Hong Kong
For those who prefer city luxury, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong is just a quick 5-minute MTR ride away in Admiralty. The hotel delivers palatial grandeur with harbor-view rooms, a 16-story glass-topped atrium, and MICHELIN-starred Petrus for French fine-dining. After a day exploring Aberdeen, guests can unwind in marble bathrooms with LCD-equipped tubs or sip cocktails at the Lobster Bar & Grill. If you’re coming during the Dragon Boat festivities, be sure to pick up some Fujian-style sticky rice dumplings, or zongzi, at the Ming Pavilion.
RELATED: Discover Hong Kong’s MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants by MTR: Island Line, Middle Section
Another sophisticated option in Admiralty, The Upper House showcases minimalist elegance with André Fu’s Japanese-inspired design. Rooms feature limestone baths, floor-to-ceiling skyline vistas, and iPod touch controls. The 49th-floor Salisterra reimagines Mediterranean flavors with Hong Kong’s glittering harbor as backdrop, while the rooftop lawn offers rare urban greenery. Seamlessly connected to Admiralty MTR, it balances tranquility with proximity to Hong Kong Park and the Peak Tram.
RELATED: Indulge in Afternoon Tea at MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants and Hotels in Hong Kong and Macau
For hikers completing the Aberdeen-to-Wan Chai trail, Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island awaits right at the trail’s end. This boutique gem neighbors the iconic Blue House and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Samsen (Wan Chai) — perfect for post-hike meals. The building’s entire facade dazzles like a shimmering bronze dragon crafted from solar fins. Upstairs, the 29th-floor Skybar pairs cocktails with a glass-bottomed pool, while Lee Tung Avenue’s shopping street sits just steps away for retail therapy.
Hero image: ©Shutterstock
RELATED: Read all Neighborhood Guide by MICHELIN
