What’s Good About Stanley?
Stanley, a coastal town located at the southern part of Hong Kong Island. It is one of the oldest town in Hong Kong Island and has been promoted as a tourist attraction decades ago.
Because of its location, Stanley is not as popular as other tourist spots in urban areas like The Peak or Tsim Sha Tsui. Therefore people always wonder if it is worth the travel to go there. Here is our guide:
Stanley Main Street
There are bars and restaurants on Stanley Main Street which are facing Stanley Bay, great and relaxing ocean view to enjoy.
Stanley Market
Stanley Market is one of the most famous attractions here. Many of them are souvenir shops and the people running the shops are relatively more friendly than those from other markets.
Murray House
Murray House is a Victoria-era building and was located in Central as a Barracks for British Army since 1850s. It was relocated to Stanley in 2000s and is now the icon of Stanley. However what you can find inside now is the Swedish fashion label H&M and a Spanish restaurant where people can enjoy nice food and nice ocean view. If neither of them interest you, the building can be a famous Instagram spot for you.
Stanley Ma Hang Park
Behind Murray House there is a small entrance of Ma Hang Park. The highlights are the ancient Pak Tai Temple and ancient well.
Above: A sign says (from left to right) Thousand-year Ancient Well, Pak Tai Ancient Temple.
Above: ancient temple, ancient tree and ancient well, full of history
Above: if the ancient well does not impress you, the rock next to it should. It is a good photo spot.
Above: There is a Sea Breeze Patio which is a small beach. It is quite private that you can stay there enjoy sea breeze alone.
Note: The Hill Top Plaza does not provide good ocean view because the trees block the view.
Above: the trees in front of the Hill Top Plaza are a bit too tall... they block the view.
Stanley Main Beach
Stanley Main beach is famously popular. The beaches in the southern part of Hong Kong Island such as Repulse Bay are all good anyway.
Stanley Plaza
Stanley Plaza is more like a local plaza serving residents in Stanley. They have McDonald's, Starbucks a few shops and a supermarket where you can grab a quick bite if necessary.
Above: another ancient temple - Tin Hau Temple next to Stanley Plaza. Click here for more details.
Something You May Hate - Transportation
Actually transportation has been the problem of the southern part of Hong Kong for years. There is no MTR connected, and the road is narrow so the traffic is slow during rush hours. Since there are so many nice beaches around, the whole area is always full of people during the weekends. The worst hours would be 5-7pm during weekends when everyone is trying to head back to the city at the same time.
Tips:
Some people may say Stanley is not worth to go because the transportation to Stanley is poor, but some people love Stanley because it is isolated from the city, and actually that is the beauty of it. Therefore HONGKONGUIDE suggests visitors to visit Stanley on a weekday. Perhaps visit Repulse Bay and have lunch there, then visit Stanley, walk around, watch the sunset, have a drink, relax, and then decide whether to have dinner there or head back to the city.
Transportation
From Hong Kong Island
Central
Bus terminal below Exchange Square next to Hong Kong Station
Bus 6, 6A(operate in peak hours only), 6X, 606
Causeway Bay
Minibus No. 40
Get out from Exit F1 of MTR Causeway Bay Station. Walk to Jardine‘s Bazaar and then take minibus No. 40
From Kowloon
Tsim Sha Tsui (Canton Road)
Bus 973 is the only bus which goes to Stanley from the Kowloon side. It has two stops in Canton Road.