Hong Kong’s Urban Renewal Authority has launched free tours after recruiting retired volunteers to tell residents first-hand stories about Central and Sheung Wan districts, paving the way for more in-depth offerings for visitors.
The “Touring Central with Locals” walks also feature digital art integration at five locations where the authority applied augmented reality (AR) technology to enhance interaction and also create popular photo spots.
More than 40 guided tours will be offered to about 500 residents until the middle of January. Around 60 guides have been recruited for the free tours, which run three days a week and started on Saturday.
Ernest Cheng Hin-kong, the authority’s general manager of property and land, said the tours were currently only open to locals but the authority would work with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, which could consider making plans to offer tours to tourists.
“This is a successful formula which is suitable for bringing out the vitality of a district together with the locals,” he said.
