Challenge Central!
A scavenger hunt for MICE groups in Old Town Central
Get acquainted with all the magical hidden pockets and cultural gems in the neighbourhood while bonding with your colleagues in this one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt challenge around Old Town Central. Each of the 12 checkpoints is a unique local attraction, be it for its history, culinary delicacies or shopping opportunities.
I. Central Market
Locate the landmark challenge
Discover one of the city’s most historic buildings that blends the past with the present. Here at Central Market, eat and shop to your heart’s content. Find the preserved rice stall which is a replica from the 1950s on the ground floor. Make sure to take a group photo once you’ve found it!
II. Central–Mid-Levels Escalator
Cinematic Challeng
More than an iconic commute, the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator is a movie star in its own right: it’s featured in films like Chungking Express and The Dark Knight. Well, it’s your time to shine! Recreate a scene from one of these movies with dramatic flair – costumes optional. Think like a director, pose like a star, and snap a shot as emblematic as this Hong Kong landmark.
III. Pottinger Street and Peel Stree
Shopping Challenge
Ready to turn heads and try on new costumes? Start at Pottinger Street and create the wildest costume combo you can piece together—think ninja turtle mask with a feather boa. Then head to Peel Street, with its gritty murals and street-style vibes, to film a 30-second team intro. Give yourselves a bold name,and strike a pose. The most creative crew wins bragging rights and style points.
IV. Tai Kwun
Signage challenge
Tai Kwun, Hong Kong’s former Central Police Station Compound, now converted to the Centre for Heritage and Art, has been painstakingly restored so that it still retains its original appearance. Using pictures found in the Tai Kwun app, race each other to find the different historical signs scattered around the venue – such as the living quarters and the Victoria Immigration Centre – in the self-guided walkthrough.
V. Graham Street Market
Bargain challenge
Shop and bargain like a local! With more than a century’s history, Graham Street Market is one of the oldest wet markets in Hong Kong. Each team is tasked with buying a vegetable not found in their hometown with only HK$20. This will quickly sort out who has the negotiating skills to bargain for the best deals.
VI. Tai Cheong Bakery
Trivia challenge
The famous egg tarts with shortcrust pastry from this bakery are a favourite among many locals. Make a guess at how many egg tarts are sold every day at the bakery, before checking with the staff for the answer. The team with the best estimate gets to enjoy twice the number of creamy tarts fresh from the oven.
VII. Hollywood Road G.O.D Store street art
Photo challenge
This mural of old town houses is literally one of the most popular Instagram spots in town and you’ll have to fight through the crowd to get to it. Come up with the most creative – or silly – pose with the entire team using the artwork as the backdrop and take a selfie!
VIII. Kung Lee Herbal Tea Shop
Taste challenge
Think you have the taste buds of a master chef or tea sommelier? Each team is tasked with trying a traditional herbal tea and guessing the health benefits of the beverage. If you get it right, you will be rewarded with Kung Lee’s renowned sugar cane juice.
IX. Intersection of Hollywood Road and Shin Hing Road
AR Challenge
At the intersection of Hollywood Road and Shin Hing Street, scan the City in Time AR sign and watch the past come to life. Match your team’s pose to the historical figures, then create a fun side-by-side collage. It’s a playful blend of history and creativity, just steps from Asia’s best bars, Coa and Bar Leone.
X. PMQ
Heritage site challenge
Once operating as the old Hollywood Road Police Married Quarters, this historic building dates back to 1862. Walk around the venue and discover preserved heritage sites, like the former junior police clubhouse or the granite stairs and rubble wall retained from the Central School. Make sure to take a photo at each spot to prove you’ve found them!
XI. Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
Dance challenge
Young man – or men and women – there’s no need to feel down, especially when you’re exploring this cultural part of town! So, it’s time for a dance break. Express your joy and do the Village People dance in front of this historic institution. Bonus points if you put on the outfit you bought from Pottinger Street. Let’s get started, then – Y-M-C-A…
XII. Man Mo Temple
Activity challenge
Visit one of the city’s oldest temples and declared monuments. Stand on the street opposite the temple to admire the intricate traditional carvings on the temple’s roof and spot the dragon fishes. Head inside the temple to be mesmerised by the lanterns and the incense coils hanging from the ceiling.
XIII. Square Street Street Art
Artistic Mural Photo Challenge
Tucked in Sheung Wan, Square Street bursts with vibrant murals by artists like George Rose, Xeva, and Chan13. Split into teams and hunt for the boldest, brightest murals. Once you’ve found your favourite, strike a pose and snap a group shot that rivals the art itself. It’s a photo challenge that’s all about creativity, coordination, and colour.
XIV. Tai Ping Shan Street
Investigative challenge
This street is home to an array of chic contemporary art galleries, cool coffee shops and brilliant boutique stores, creating a culturally rich neighbourhood. But there are a handful of traditional temples here too. How many can you count along this road? Remember, even the smallest temple is still a temple!
XV. Hollywood Road Park
History Hunt Challenge
In the heart of one of the world’s trendiest streets, Hollywood Road Park is a pocket of old Hong Kong. Wander past koi ponds and pagodas, then head to the heritage photo display. Cover the location names and challenge your team to identify each landmark. A time-travel game in the city’s most stylish neighbourhood.
XVI. Upper Lascar Row
Video challenge
The street market, also known as Cat Street, is renowned for its impressive collection of antiques including porcelain, Buddhist sculptures and Maoist memorabilia. Rummage around for the most unique and quirky merchandise, before taking a 30-second video to describe your new discoveries.
