Hollywood Road - Antique Shopping and Man Mo Temple
Like its namesake in the United States, Hong Kong’s Hollywood (Road) attracts famous residents and visitors. However, unlike the movie-mecca, this street was named after the holly bushes that previously lined the street. Today, Hollywood Road is flanked by a kilometer long stretch of galleries and Chinese antique stores. The antique stores sell everything from large Chinese armoires to small opium pipes (all used). While the shops at the east end of Hollywood Road are more expensive, they do provide a certificate guaranteeing authenticity. At the junction of Hollywood and Old Bailey Road lies the historic Police Headquarters. This grey and blue colonial building with Doric Columns was built in 1864 and now serves as a cornerstone in a preservation drive to retain Hong Kong’s colonial architecture.
If the antique prices are too exorbitant, continue west along Hollywood Road to peruse less expensive (and lower quality) antiques. If you tire of shopping, continue west until you reach the Man-Mo Temple. This Man-Mo Temple (there is more than one in Hong Kong), built early in Hong Kong’s colonial era, has an attractive façade centered by a thick red door. Inside, the key icons include Chinese imperial chairs and a bronze bell that date back to 1962 and 1847, respectively. The Temple pays tribute to two Taoists gods: Man (literature) and Mo (war); plaques at the entrance detail the history of the temple and gods. To ‘experience’ the temple requires pushing through the chunky incense filled air to the front alter. For a small donation, you can light a few incense sticks (three is customary) and place them in the sand.
