Historical Pottinger Street (a.k.a Stone Slab Street) In Hong Kong 香港著名的怀旧港味十足的老街, 石板街 (砵典乍街)

Hong Kong's Pottinger Street was originally located between Queen’s Road Central and Hollywood Road. Owing to its steepness, stone slabs were unevenly paved on it to facilitate walking and allow rainwater to flow down along either side. In early 1800s, the Hong Kong government named it as “Pottinger Street” to commemorate the first governor of Hong Kong. But as the whole street was paved with slabs of stone, the local Chinese called it “Stone Slab Street”. Though the slabs have been taken up and re-laid from time to time for replacement of underground services, the street still retains its authentic appearance.

香港砵典乍街 Pottinger Street, 设立于西元1858 年, 香港政府特别将此街命名为砵典乍街, 用以纪念香港的第一任总督, 由于整条街道全部采用了石块铺砌, 故又称之为石板街, 现在被古物古蹟办事处列为一级历史建筑, 是相当珍贵的香港景点之一. 若要选出最能代表香港中环古今交错特色的景点, 香港当地民众绝对推荐您走访一趟中环石板街.

石板街地面是由一塊塊大石板砌成, 一凹一凸, 设计成有高有低的不规则状, 最主要是有防滑的作用. 由于属于有坡度的道路, 也方便下雨时, 雨水得以沿着两旁流下. 当年建造时刻意使用大型石块高低轮替铺平整条街道, 除了有行走防滑功能, 也能让雨水随斜坡流洩而下不致积水难.

这条隐藏在香港中环闹市的街道默默记录了上百年的历史, 承载了一代港人的集体回忆. 它闹中取静的独特风貌吸引了不少游客驻足观光, 许多经典的电影也都曾在此拍摄取景. 地狭人稠的香港, 土地充分被利用, 高楼大厦林立的街头, 我很难想像在中环这个热闹的地区, 还能保有这条怀旧的小巷道, 就算此行以吃吃喝喝为主要目的, 但深具历史意义的古老街道, 还蛮适合来石板街散散步, 感受一下老香港的味道. 石板街凭借它独特的魅力, 逐渐成为了香港人承载怀旧情怀的圣地. 时间流转到现今, 这条承载着历史, 记忆着生活, 也传达着市井文化的石板街, 在繁华的中环默默地诉说着香港的古老岁月.

Pottinger Street is a narrow street – really uneven stone steps and vehicles are prohibited. Somehow it has managed to survive all the demolitions and renewal programs and has carved a place for itself as a market street, its green stalls running up and down each side frequented by both locals and tourists. 

初见石板街, 或许你会觉得它太与众不同, 在高级写字楼和购物大厦林立的中环, 竟然隐藏着如此宁静的街道, 小摊档卖的多是配饰, 面具等, 部分店铺还是铁皮屋, 仿佛让人瞬间穿越了历史, 找回了老香港的味道.

或许是因为百多年间在砵典乍街发生的故事, 正是香港市井生活的一个缩影, 石板街成了香港影视剧最着名的取景地之一, 也吸引了一些寻找过往香港记忆的人的注意.

To ascend or descend further along Pottinger Street, intriguing scenes of distinctive green tin hawker stalls, century-old tenement buildings, stylish and upscale boutique stores can be found.

短短的石板街蕴含了百余年的历史. 这里聚集了许多老旧的小店和摊子, 每个店都是小小的, 朴素又简陋, 部份店铺还保留了从前铁皮屋的特色, 十足老香港的风味, 令人滋生出怀旧的情绪.

I love this street. Whenever I go to Central and when I have the time, I love walking down the steps and just feasting my eyes on the wares that the different stores and stalls sell. There are a couple of clothing outlets, stalls that sell all kinds of ribbons, a few watch repair stalls, but this street is most well-known for accessories.

走访石板街犹如置身于早期的香港的街景. 在香港大楼林立, 繁华的都市, 很难想像这边还有这么怀旧的道路呢.

在繁华的中环中, 这条安静的街道默默的记录了上百年的历史, 也成了一代港人的集体回忆. 高高低低的石板虽不算多么现代化, 但仍然可以防滑, 道路两边也细心修建了疏通积水的凹槽. 即使在繁忙的日子, 也能看到有行人缓缓的在石板街走着, 这步行的速度绝对慢过中环其他街道的两倍, 还会看到有人随便坐在路边的椅子上, 看报纸或者聊天休息.

让人感到惊奇的是这样的街道竟然隐藏在香港的中心地段, 它独特的风格和旁边的高楼林立, 物质繁华显得 “格格不入”, 因为就在几步之遥的地方, 就是著名的皇后大道, 兰桂坊等, 在现代化的气息中, 石板街所留住的香港生活是几代人的缩影, 也难怪会吸引这么多影视剧前来取景, 也有不少人前来拍摄结婚照, 因为这是港人珍贵的集体回忆.

许多喜欢港剧的人, 一定或多或少可以看到电影在这而取景. 石板街拥有独特的市井风情, 是许多知名电影的场景, 包括得奖名作《十月围成》梁家辉受伤的场景, 李安大作《色．戒》中汤唯与王力宏吃路边摊的场景, 梁朝伟与张曼玉的《花样年华》, 以及成龙早期成名作之一《A计划》, 石板路也都在其中惊鸿一瞥.

The street is filled with the granite stone steps and there are little stalls along the left and right of the streets selling a variety of stuff which includes clothings, hats and more. It is pretty fun enjoying the life in Hong Kong walking round there. Here’s a tip: Remember to wear comfortable shoes. Heels make it very tricky to walk up and down those stone steps.

时光不停的流转, 已被评定为香港一级历史建筑的石板街, 在热闹的中环, 默默述说着往日的香港情怀, 我也盼望它能在此屹立不摇, 继续守护着香港的未来.