Hong Kong's trendy entertainment quarter.
Once a sleepy residential district of old-timers, the area now known as Soho experienced a boom in the early nineties and has transformed into a district of bars, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries, while still managing to retain something of its heritage. Partly responsible for this transformation was the construction of the world's longest outdoor elevator system which was built to allow those living in the affluent hillside suburbs to commute into the city centre more easily.The term Soho was coined to refer to the area to the South of Hollywood Road.Nowadays Soho is a popular place to go out for a drink or a meal, with a more relaxed atmosphere than Lan Kwai Fong, where people generally go to party. There are many bars and clubs to choose from in Soho (some have Happy Hours in the early evening), and a good deal of restaurants too. A walk around the streets between Hollywood Road and Queens Road Central will take you past a wide selection of mid-range and cheaper eateries. Look out for “Tea Sets”, which are essentially cheap meal deals that are on offer between roughly 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Soho's restaurants are popular among both locals and expats, and you’ll find almost every type of food imaginable in and around this popular district – great if you fancy a break from the more traditional fare.Apart from eating and drinking establishments, Soho is also home to some super-trendy art galleries, as well as boutique shops and antique stores. You can find all sorts of things here, and it’s a great place to have a wander around. If you have enough time, you should take a ride on the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator. At a length of 800 metres, it is the longest covered outdoor escalator system in the world and offers you fantastic views as it takes you up the hill into the Mid-Levels district. The escalator was originally built in 1993 for residents of Mid-Levels who were working in Central. It is still used by commuters but during the day tourists and sightseers take advantage of it too.Exit C at Central Station is your best bet for Soho if coming by MTR. The escalator begins at the junction where Cochrane Street and Queens Road Central meet.
