Classified as a Grade II historic building, Mei Ho House was completed in 1954. It was revitalised from the former Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Estate, a public housing estate in Hong Kong’s past, and has been transformed into the modern youth hostel it is today. Mei Ho House harmoniously blends its architectural heritage with contemporary facilities, which include the ‘Mei Ho House Living Museum’ – a museum dedicated to public housing – as well as a café, multi-purpose spaces and exhibition venues. The hostel offers 109 twin rooms, nine dormitories, two family rooms and four rooms for people with disabilities, providing ample accommodation for a large number of guests. The youth hostel carries on the legacy of…
The unique spatial design of the Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Block recreates the daily lives and leisure habits of the residents of that era, as well as their close-knit neighbourhood ties. Now you too can stay in a room converted from a former public housing flat in Hong Kong and experience this authentic, grassroots way of life.
Address: Ground Floor, Mei Ho House, 70 Park Road, Sham Shui Po
Tel: 3728 3454
Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 07:00–22:00
Directions: Take Exit B2 at Sham Shui Po MTR Station, walk along North River Street for about 3 minutes, then turn left onto Park Road; walk for about 2 minutes and you will see Mei Ho House.
‘Mei Ho House Living Museum’: Without the past, how could there be a present? Recreating the living environment of old Hong Kong
It was the first privately run community museum established by the Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association. Following the Shek Kip Mei fire in the 1950s, the government built a number of H-type resettlement blocks, such as Mei Ho House, to provide long-term housing for the victims.
Now, following its regeneration, Mei Ho House has been transformed into a modern youth hostel, whilst the ground floor and first floor have been converted into the ‘Mei Ho House Living Museum’, which is open to the public free of charge, which, through the collection, preservation, research, education and exhibition of cultural artefacts, showcases Hong Kong’s community development, changes in living conditions and cultural landscape from the 1950s onwards. It also recreates the living environment of Hong Kong residents in public housing estates at that time, including bathrooms, toilets, grocery shops and residential units, as well as everyday items that were in use back then, recreating the atmosphere of Hong Kong’s past and deepening modern visitors’ understanding of the city’s history.
Address: Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
Tel: 3728 3500
Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 09:30–17:00; the museum closes at 15:00 on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Directions: Take Exit B2 at Sham Shui Po MTR Station, walk along North River Street for about 3 minutes, then turn left onto Park Road; walk for about 2 minutes and you will see Mei Ho House.
‘Mei Ho House Guided Tour’: Experience the history and culture of old Hong Kong with a dedicated guide
The youth hostel offers visitors to Mei Ho House a complimentary guided tour once a day. The tour introduces visitors to the cultural history and architectural features of Hong Kong’s public housing estates, such as Mei Ho House, as well as the way of life of the early residents of resettlement estates; the life experiences of former residents are also brought to life through the tour.
The 45-minute guided tour of the hostel includes a visit to the Living Museum on the ground floor, followed by a chat under the big tree about stories from the past concerning the lives of Hong Kong residents, and an introduction to the permanent exhibition in the Living Museum. Depending on occupancy, the tour may also take you to see the various-sized rooms in the hostel. Finally, the group will gather in the rear hall and head to the small shop to enjoy some nostalgic snacks at their own expense. Bookings for the guided tour can be made online from two months prior to the tour date up to two days before the tour. If you’re interested, it’s best to book well in advance.
Capacity: 20 people (one group per day)
Time
Cantonese-language tour: one tour per day, 10:30–11:15
English Group, selected Sundays, 11.30–12.15
Mandarin groups are organised according to individual requirements
(except when the museum is closed on Mondays)
Book online at https://goo.gl/Fm5uEo
Address: Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon
Tel: 3728 3500
Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 09:30–17:00; closes at 15:00 on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve
Directions: Take Exit B2 at Sham Shui Po MTR Station, walk along North River Street for about 3 minutes, then turn left onto Park Road; walk for about 2 minutes and you will see Mei Ho House.
Mei Ho House’s ‘Nostalgic Grocery Shop’ brings back fond childhood memories
There is a nostalgic general store in Mei Ho House; the previous owner has since stepped down, but a new owner has taken over, keeping the spirit of nostalgia alive. If you’re a fan of vintage items, you’ll find nostalgic sweets and snacks, classic toys and trinkets, as well as locally designed fabric bags and postcards – all thoughtfully curated treasures. In the old days, the shop was always lined with glass jars, brimming with White Rabbit sweets, Bee sweets and fizzy sweets – one for a dollar each, every one a childhood memory.
Do you all remember childhood toys such as bamboo dragonflies, tin toys, wind-up cars, tangrams, paper shuttlecocks and watermelon balls? Seeing each of these vintage items here is like meeting up with old friends from days gone by; I really do want to take every single one home to savour the flavour of days gone by and relive those wonderful childhood memories.
Address: Next to the open-air dining area on the ground floor of Mei Ho House
Tel: 3728 3500
Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 12:00–22:00
Directions: To the left of the open-air dining area on the ground floor of Mei Ho House
Golden Rules for Gaming
The nostalgic sweets and snacks you find in convenience shops are hard to come by elsewhere, so it’s a good idea to buy a few extra to take home as souvenirs.
No. 41 Ice Parlour. A nostalgic ice parlour in Pu that’s a favourite with hipsters
‘41 Ice Room’ at Mei Ho House only opened in May 2016; it is run as a social enterprise through a partnership between a youth hostel and a catering group with ten years’ experience in operating cafés. The décor incorporates elements of old Hong Kong, and features newly added murals by five emerging Hong Kong artists, all centred on the theme of sharing joy.
The food at ‘41 Ice Room’ is predominantly Western-style, but incorporates a number of new elements, such as the signature dish—a whole Spanish roast suckling pig served on a sizzling hotplate, larger even than the palm of your hand— British-style fish and chips, and a health-conscious vegetarian tofu burger. The menu also features peanut butter waffles with caramelised banana, fruit slushies and dried fruit and almond tea. If you’re visiting Mei Ho House, why not pop into the café for a short break and soak up the old-school Hong Kong atmosphere?
Address: Ground Floor, Mei Ho House, Block 41, Shek Kip Mei Estate, 70 Ba Yue Street, Shek Kip Mei
MTR Sham Shui Po Station, Exit D2; approximately a 7-minute walk
Tel: 3728 3454
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