Lee Tung Avenue is one of the most famous streets in Hong Kong and is now famed throughout the world as a centre for luxury shopping and housing. Its transformation, however, was quite controversial.
Background
The street was initially famous for housing a wide selection of printing presses. At one point the Hong Kong Times as well as Ta Kung Pao, the oldest active Chinese newspaper, were headquartered here.
Transformation
As part of a project by the Urban Renewal Authority of Hong Kong, there was radical construction to transform the street into what it is today. This resulted in a multitude of evictions and to this day many of the tenants have not been resettled, although they were compensated greatly.
I Like You
One of the most interesting incidents involving this road was its name change to ‘Avenue Walk’, with the Chinese name being ‘I Like You’. This caused a massive spectacle and uproar, with one shop owner naming their store ‘Avenue Lane Lou Mei’, which translates to ‘I Like Yo Momma’.
Lee Tung Avenue
Eventually, the original name of the street was reinstated. The street showcases a beautiful ambience that retains a very Chinese feel. If you find yourself at a nearby Wan Chai hotel the likes of Dorsett Wanchai Hong Kong, then a walk through this lane is essential!
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.