The World's Most Expensive Property Market

This is one of my favorite black-and-white photos I shot recently on my Nikon FM2/T. It was a weekend afternoon and I wandered around Wan Chai, a traditional district on Hong Kong Island. I just bumped into this matchbox-like small shop, which is a very typical real estate broker office in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has been known as the world’s most expensive property market for decades. You think property prices are expensive in New York, London, Tokyo, or Singapore? Hmm… Come to Hong Kong and check out.

Property is not just a business. Property also means politics in Hong Kong. Some analysts say HK property prices were already contributing factor to the social unrests in recent years.

Even if you get 1 million US dollar, what you can get in Hong Kong is most likely a matchbox-like flat. There are tens of thousands property brokers in Hong Kong. Some can become very rich almost overnight if they can sell ultra-expensive houses on the Peak quickly. Those buyers usually pay all in cash.

Nothing can really stop the rise of property prices in Hong Kong, from the 1997 handover, Asian financial crisis, 2003 SARS, 2008 global financial crisis, 2014 Umbrella Movement, 2019 Anti-extradition law protests, and now the ongoing Covid pandemic…

People say sky is the limit for HK properties.

If you want to understand Hong Kong, understand HK property business first.

Shanghai-style Pork Mooncake

The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner and that means it’s time to eat some mooncake. My favourite? What about Shanghai-style pork mooncake (上海鮮肉月餅)?

Hand-filled and formed, the Shanghai-style mooncakes offer a departure from traditional versions around town; made from flour, lard and maltose, they’re characterised by a flaky and buttery short-crust pastry and filled by ground pork.

Where to buy perhaps the most authentic Shanghai-style pork mooncake in Hong Kong? You can order at Michelin-famous restaurant Liu Yuan Pavilion (留園雅敘) in Wan Chai, which is well known for its Shanghainese cuisine. Liu Yuan’s super fans include Shanghai-born Hong Kong influencer and food critic Benny Li.

Usually you need to grab those annual limited edition pork mooncake quickly before they are all sold out. Fortunately my colleague got me a box already, and now I just need to brew a pot of green tea to go with the uniquely delicious pork mooncake.

Life is not too bad in Hong Kong!

Are you happy?

42 years and still counting...

“Are you happy?” This local bakery is well known in the Wan Chai neighbourhood for its traditional Hong Kong-style bread and cakes. When asked by the media about the shop name, the boss said he just wanted whoever came to his shop to buy and eat his bread and cakes can feel happier.

Life is both simple and complicated, always pending on your greed and vision.