The Hari Hong Kong has launched an audio walking guide that scratches well beneath the surface of one of Hong Kong’s oldest yet most diverse districts, Wan Chai, as part of its “Live Like a Local” experience.
User-friendly app “The Hari Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour” features an interactive map and narrations of seven of the district’s hidden gems, all located a short walk from the urban hotel that stands tall on Wan Chai’s Lockhart Road.
Highlights include a 1960s tenement block turned creative hub, an appointment-only gallery in a renovated space that used to be a private rooftop clubhouse in the 1970s, an unassuming family-run eatery on the Michelin food guide since 2016, and a lively market and food centre which packs a punch on all the senses.
“Villain Hitting”, a.k.a Da Siu Yan, a type of Chinese folk sorcery performed, a typhoon shelter built in 1883, an iconic cannon fired daily, a unique dining experience on a sampan, and dynamic harbourfront public space are also among the app’s recommendations.
Originally a small fishing village, Wan Chai transformed into a bustling urban area following British colonisation in 1841. Now a hub of cultural and commercial activity, Wan Chai is renowned for its historical landmarks, street markets, skyscrapers and blend of Eastern and Western influences.
With The Hari Hong Kong built on the Harilela family’s long legacy in Hong Kong, the guide includes a personal touch from the hotel’s founder Dr Aron Harilela, the chairman and CEO of Harilela Hotels. His narration discusses his memories of Wan Chai as he grew up, the district’s eccentricities and how his love affair with art leaves its mark at The Hari Hong Kong with rotating artwork adorning its spaces.
“By diving beneath Wan Chai’s surface, our audio walking guide provides a layered, cultured and singular viewpoint of our neighbourhood and its peculiarities,” Dr Harilela said. “We warmly welcome our guests to join our table and live like a local by engaging with Wan Chai’s diverse characters, and fascinating traditions and ways of life.”
In addition to access to The Hari Neighbourhood Guide Audio Tour, the hotel’s Live Like a Local stay package includes a one-night stay priced from HKD 1800++ per night, daily breakfast for two, The Hari branded tote bag and set of Wan Chai postcards, bespoke gallery tour with PHD Group, early check-in and late check-out subject to availability. The package is available until September 30, 2025.
The sister property of The Hari London, The Hari Hong Kong has a deep connection with art, culture, and its community, spearheading the likes of The Hari Art Prize in support of emerging artists and The Hari Chronicles to foster ongoing conversations about art, design and culture. EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism, last month awarded the hotel ‘EarthCheck Benchmarked Bronze status’ for its raft of sustainability measures.
