At a glance

  • From Wan Chai Station, take the south exit toward Queen’s Road East and head to the Blue House on Stone Nullah Lane. Save 72A Stone Nullah Lane on your map. The exits toward the convention center and waterfront point in the opposite direction from the start of this walk.
  • The Blue House is more than a photo stop at a single blue building. See the neighboring Yellow House and Orange House, too, and compare the old residential buildings at the same height with the newer downtown around them. Even if a door is open, don’t enter residential stairwells or hallways without permission.
  • The public exhibition space, Hong Kong House of Stories, is on the ground floor at 72A. It’s open 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and closed Wednesdays and on designated public holidays. The small space has a limit of 10 visitors at a time. Turn off your flash, don’t record video or audio, and follow on-site instructions.

Day by day

Suggested itinerary

See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.

Half-day, daytime

South side of Wan Chai Station → Blue House public areas → Tai Yuen Street → lunch → eastbound or westbound tram on Johnston Road

Continue on to the market and trams

Browse the market on your way back

After the Blue House, cross Queen’s Road East and browse the toy and household goods shops on Tai Yuen Street. If you’re looking for a particular toy, decide on the size and type first. Opening hours vary by shop, so don’t expect them all to be open in the morning. If you’re with children, ask the shopkeeper before touching products and make room for others in the narrow aisles.

Choose your tram based on where you’re going next

After browsing the market and having lunch, head to Johnston Road, where the trams run, rather than staying on Queen’s Road East. Choose a westbound stop for Central or Sheung Wan, or an eastbound stop for Causeway Bay. Check the destination sign and official map to confirm your stop. Board at the rear and pay when you get off at the front. A standard adult tram ride costs HK$3.30.

You don’t need a guided tour to see the Blue House

If you want a resident-led tour, check its schedule, booking requirements, and language options first. Don’t count on being able to join an English-language tour on the spot. On days without a tour, take your time in the public exhibition and around the exterior, then continue to the market. On Wednesdays, keep the visit short and focus on the exterior walk and a meal, or move the exhibition visit to another day.

How to fit it in

Plan to arrive around 11 a.m., spend 30–45 minutes in the Blue House’s public areas, 30–45 minutes at the market, and 45–60 minutes over lunch, then finish with a tram ride. Adding a waterfront walk makes the trip longer, so leave it out of this half-day plan.

Reality check

Transport

South side of Wan Chai Station → 72A Stone Nullah Lane → Tai Yuen Street → trams on Johnston Road. Wan Chai Ferry Pier on the waterfront isn’t right next to these lanes.

Time

Set aside 2–3 hours for the lanes, public exhibition, lunch, and waiting for the tram. If you book a tour, add its duration.

Cost

You can view the exteriors and browse the market without an admission fee; purchases and meals are optional. A standard adult tram ride costs HK$3.30; guided programs have separate fees.

Safety

Avoid photographing residents’ living spaces or blocking passageways, and watch for traffic on the market’s roads.

If plans change

If you visit on a Wednesday or exhibition closure day

Take a quick look at the Blue House exterior, then shorten the visit to the market and lunch. If seeing the interior is your main goal, go another day.

If heat or rain makes walking the lanes difficult

Take a break inside a public facility or restaurant you’ve already entered, and keep walking to the tram stop to a minimum. During a severe weather warning, stop traveling and follow on-site instructions.

Small tip

The climb gets steeper if you continue uphill from Blue House along Wan Chai Gap Road. This short route skips the additional uphill walk; head back down to Johnston Road to catch a tram.

Final check before departure

  • Check whether House of Stories is closed on Wednesday or a designated public holiday.
  • Save the south exit of Wan Chai Station, 72A Stone Nullah Lane, and the Johnston Road tram stops.
  • Choose whether to get off the tram in Central or Causeway Bay.

House of Stories is open 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and closed Wednesdays and on designated public holidays. Events and tours follow separate schedules; on-site instructions take precedence for use of public spaces.

Information checked: 2026-10-03

Google Maps

Check the location on the map

Use Google Maps to review the location and nearby route. Recheck opening hours and prices with the official source before visiting.

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