Nestled beneath Mount Parker, Quarry Bay is a lively commercial area in Hong Kong’s Eastern District. It was settled by Hakka stonemasons during the British colonial period and became an important source of building materials. The eastern part of Quarry Bay is often referred to as “Taikoo”, which is the Chinese name for a London-based conglomerate that once owned much of the area.
Things to do in Quarry Bay
Dominating the waterfront is Quarry Bay Park, which is home to a children’s playground, exercise facilities and benches for watching the world go by. You can visit “Alexander Grantham”, a historic fireboat named after a former governor. After retiring from service, the boat now forms the centrepiece of a gallery dedicated to the history of firefighting in Hong Kong.
If you’re interested in Hong Kong’s biodiversity and natural history, head to the Woodside Biodiversity Education Centre, which occupies a Grade II-listed building that once belonged to the Taikoo Sugar Refinery. It features three themed galleries detailing the local fauna and flora, with live animal exhibits and multimedia displays.
In the heart of Quarry Bay is City Plaza, a six-storey shopping mall with a cinema complex and an ice-skating rink. You can shop for the latest fashions at Marks & Spencer, browse the jewellery at MaBelle or pick up sporting goods at Adidas. When it’s time to eat, there is a wide choice of both Asian and Western cuisine on offer at the Greyhound Cafe, Sushi Taka and Bloom by Wang Jia Sha.
Getting around Quarry Bay
Quarry Point is around 15 minutes’ drive from Central and 45 minutes from Hong Kong International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular subway services connect to the Quarry Point and Tai Koo stations while buses also travel throughout the area.