Once a literal shoreline, Reclamation Street / Soy Street Sitting-out Area holds stories beneath its surface. Reclamation Street itself tells a tale of Hong Kong’s ever-changing landscape. It stretches from Jordan to Mong Kok in Kowloon. The street’s name reveals its origins. It was built on the reclaimed western shore of the Kowloon Peninsula.
Let’s take a closer look at how this area came to be. In the 1880s, the coast was near Shanghai Street. Reclamation pushed the coast to where Reclamation Street is now. Another phase pushed it even further to Ferry Street between Jordan Road and Mong Kok Road.
Reclamation Street / Soy Street Sitting-out Area sits in an area transformed by these efforts. Most of Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei west of Nathan Road is reclaimed land. This transformation turned Yau Ma Tei into a commercial hub. Shanghai Street became the most bustling street.
Soy Street also has an interesting past. Its name comes from a soya bean factory once located here. Imagine the street filled with the aroma of fermenting soy. Archaeological discoveries reveal even older stories. Pottery from the Eastern Han Dynasty and Jin Dynasty was found. These dynasties ruled China from 25 to 420 AD.
Reclamation Street is no stranger to the limelight. The herbalist store Sang Sang, at number 66, played a role in The Amazing Race 2.
Today, Reclamation Street is mostly closed to public traffic. It is home to one of the largest fresh produce markets in Hong Kong. Old residential buildings line the street. These buildings are usually no more than five stories high. Many are walk-ups. Street-level businesses include workshops, ship chandlers and catering services. The wholesale Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market is nearby. The former Yaumati Theatre is also at the street’s junction with Waterloo Road.
Reclamation Street / Soy Street Sitting-out Area offers a place to reflect on these changes. Think about the land beneath your feet. It was once part of the sea. Consider the people who shaped this area. Their efforts created the vibrant streets around you. This small sitting-out area connects you to a larger story of reclamation and transformation in Hong Kong.