André Fu's Hong Kong: An Architect's Guide to the City's Soul

For celebrated architect André Fu, Hong Kong is a perpetual source of energy. 'The city is always changing, and that’s its real beauty,' he says. The designer behind acclaimed spaces like The Upper House and Capella Taipei draws constant inspiration from his birthplace, a place where the ultra-modern sits beside the deeply authentic. He shared his personal map of Hong Kong with Vacation Affairs.

For art, Fu points to the West Kowloon Cultural District. He praises M+ for its dynamic programming and the Hong Kong Palace Museum for its global partnerships, calling such institutions vital to the city's character. Architecturally, he’s drawn to Wan Chai’s Haw Par Mansion, a Chinese Renaissance-style villa. 'It’s a surprising hybrid, capturing a very specific moment in our history,' he notes.

His culinary routine includes Repulse Bay, whose seaside vibe reminds him of the Italian Riviera. There, he visits The Verandah for pastries. For a true local taste, he heads to Happy Valley’s Cheung Hing Coffee Shop for pineapple buns and egg tarts fresh from the oven.

When seeking quiet, Fu retreats to his country house in the New Territories. He recommends the gentle trails around Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. To bring a piece of nature back to the city, he frequents Mong Kok’s Flower Market Road and the exquisite Blackbird Conservatory in Repulse Bay. 'That’s where I go to clear my head,' he says.

In a city defined by motion, André Fu finds his anchors in art, flavor, and green space.