# Hong Kong Central Walking Tour: Mid-Levels Escalator, Tai Kwun & Egg Tarts

By Prashant & Sunaina · 3 March 2026 · https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/hong-kong-central-walking-tour

> Our first day in Hong Kong on foot: the world's longest outdoor escalator (and its timings), Tai Kwun (the old Victoria Prison), Tai Cheong egg tarts, Hollywood Road and Man Mo Temple.

Country number six for us. Hong Kong is chaotic, beautiful and fast. Day one started in **Central**, all on foot.

Watch the vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7OSyTdBp-w

## The world's longest outdoor escalator

The **Central–Mid-Levels escalator** is a Guinness record holder, built so people living up the hill don't have to climb stairs to work.

- **6 am–10 am:** runs *downhill* for commuters.
- **10 am–midnight:** runs *uphill*.

We got there after 11, so up we went, through busy markets, offices and tourist streets. During Chinese New Year it was packed. The upper section has a European feel and lots of photo spots.

## Tai Kwun (the old Victoria Prison)

A **free** heritage site, open about **8 am–11 pm**. The prison exhibition shows how inmates lived: tiny cells for two or three people, leg locks, uniforms, and wooden tubs instead of toilets. Pirates, bandits, prisoners of war and political prisoners were all held here, and at one time even infants. The upper yard is where punishments happened.

There are drawings and writing left by inmates and recorded interviews. It's **genuinely moving**; we both had goosebumps. Much of the complex is now restaurants and galleries.

## Egg tarts at Tai Cheong Bakery

Near Tai Kwun. Tai Cheong's are famous, but honestly **Macau's egg tarts were better**: flakier, crispier pastry. Hong Kong's are more like a crisp biscuit base.

## Hollywood Road & Man Mo Temple

Walk down **Hollywood Road**, with old trees whose roots climb the walls. Parts of it reminded us of Mumbai's colonial streets. Then **Man Mo Temple**, beautiful and smoky with giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling, surprisingly like Indian temples. Below it is a small flea market, like the stalls outside temples back home.

Part two of the day: [Peak Tram & Causeway Bay](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/hong-kong-victoria-peak-tram-dji-store).

## FAQs

**What are the Mid-Levels escalator timings?**
It runs downhill from 6 am to 10 am for commuters, then uphill from 10 am until midnight.

**Is Tai Kwun free?**
Yes, entry is free. It's open roughly 8 am to 11 pm.