Long before Hong Kong was a bustling business centre in South East Asia, it was dotted with fishing villages along its coast. Most of this is lost under the glitz and glamour of the metropolis, but old traditions and ancient ways survive in the nooks of Lei Yue Mun.

Flowing between Junk Bay and Victoria Harbour, the Lei Yue Mun sea channel directly translates as ‘Carp Channel’. The surrounding land earns the same name by being one of the most famous spots in Kowloon, the northern peninsular of the island of Hong Kong, for seafood.

Around 50 years ago the fishing spots in town began to accumulate a reputation for fresh seafood and judging by the rather unusual method of ordering and service, it does not get any fresher than this. Along the streets the prospective diners will find tanks of all sorts of edible sea creatures, swimming away quite oblivious to their fate!

Take your pick from these market stalls, and hand it over to a nearby restaurant for cooking. You can enjoy your meal with the additional knowledge of knowing exactly where it came from. With restaurants offering their own ‘live catch’ nowadays, it is not always necessary to follow this traditional method of dining. But it is all part of the experience of visiting this wonderful slice of old Hong Kong. Get there a bit earlier than dinner, to allow plenty of time for exploring the market, gaze at the exotic varieties of soon-to-be seafood and finally enjoy your dinner in the market stall atmosphere overlooking the bay and the twinkling lights of the city beyond.

Lei Yeu Mun is easily reachable by the MTR Island line, a bus and a short walk to the pier and restaurants. However, if traditions are to be adhered to, one can always take the small ferries shuttling over from Sam Ka Tsuen pier.

The efficient transport service of the city makes this an easy stop for anyone staying at a 5 Star Hotel Hong Kong. To visit the delights of the rest of the city or to reap the benefits of its position as a centre for commerce in Asia, spend your stay at The Langham Hong Kong. It offers the very best in comfort and convenience in an elegant atmosphere and is among the premier luxury hotel in Hong Kong.