DES VOEUX ROAD WEST

Between Des Voeux Road West, Queen's Road West and the surrounding alleyways, the Sai Ying Pun district is a veritable sanctuary of Chinese traditions, known for its stores specializing in dried products. The atmosphere is unique: an intoxicating blend of marine smells from dried fish, oysters and scallops, combined with the rich scents of medicinal herbs. In Chinese medicine, virtues are associated with each product, which is often eaten in the form of a broth, depending on the desired effect (warding off a cold, getting beautiful hair, curing a fertility problem, etc.). An impressive variety of products can be found on the stalls, including swallows' nests used for energizing soups, shark fins (whose consumption is controversial), as well as ginseng roots, prized for their toning virtues, and dried fish stomachs and bladders. Dried seahorses are prized for their aphrodisiac properties, sea cucumbers are used for their joint-boosting properties, and dried turtle shells are consumed as a remedy for inflammation. Reishi mushrooms, nicknamed "mushrooms of immortality", are ubiquitous for boosting immunity and reducing stress.

The streets are bustling and the stores, veritable cabinets of curiosities, are brimming with intriguing products. A stroll through the district, on the historic streetcar or on foot, will immerse you in this age-old culture.