Published : 23/03/2026
In the Mid-Levels area of Central and Sheung Wan, known for its array of attractions, there is an unexpected old market tucked behind the creative landmark PMQ on Bridges Street.
The pure white market building retains the layout of the chicken-slaughtering room and stall partitions from half a century ago. Interestingly, this once lively and bustling marketplace has now been transformed into the Hong Kong News-Expo.
Visitors can trace the turbulent history of Hong Kong’s news industry over the past century, experience the thrill of being a news anchor, and even create their own exclusive newspaper headlines through selfies, try what it feels like to be in the news spotlight.
Bridges Street was once a neighborhood for grassroots communities
Today, the area around Bridges Street in Sheung Wan is a vibrant district filled with artistic and cultural charm, boasting an array of stylish art galleries, antique shops, boutique coffee houses, and eclectic international restaurants.
It is hard to imagine that half a century ago, this area was a settlement for the grassroots and low-income families, where nearby residents mostly worked as manual labourers and hawkers.
The Bridges Street Market, which was completed in 1953, primarily served the needs of the grassroots community.
"Those (rich people) mostly won't come to this market to buy groceries; (they) would go to Central, because some people care about face. This place (Bridges Street Market) is a bit lower class, with things laid out on stalls and sold per portion. Going to the Central market is different; (people) would say something like, 'Madam, you are buying groceries in Central? Congratulations to you.' It's that kind of tone," a market stall vendor told a reporter in an old newsreel.
Market revitalised into Asia's first news exhibition and education centre
The Bridges Street Market, which had served the neighbourhood for 60 years, was included in Batch III of the government's Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme in 2013.
It was revitalised by Journalism Education Foundation into Asia's first exhibition and education centre with news as its theme, and officially opened on 5 December 2018.
The News-Expo has preserved the former chicken slaughterhouse, including the stoves and the tubs used for plucking chickens, as well as the old stencilled characters painted on the walls.
However, the bustling sounds of the market have long faded, replaced by the echoes of a century of journalistic memories.
Stepping into the Hong Kong News-Expo, the permanent exhibition halls on the ground and first floors are divided into more than 10 zones.
Through precious old newspapers, news footage, and displays of related equipment such as movable type for printing newspapers, photography and recording devices, and microphones, visitors are taken on a journey from Hong Kong's early colonial days to the modern era.
The exhibits showcase the development of local newspapers, radio, television, and new media industries. The venue also features various topical news exhibitions, encouraging the public to analyze world events from multiple perspectives.
News-Expo Interactive Game Zone: Be an Anchor
Want to challenge a reporter's eloquence and quick wit? In the interactive game 'Go LIVE', you can experience the thrill of live news broadcasting by reporting on events such as the opening of the Tuen Ma Line or a black rainstorm.
Besides, you can transform into a weather presenter, reading weather scripts with the help of a teleprompter to create your own personalized news segment.
At the "Make Your Front Page" game zone, you can even take a photo and create a one-of-a-kind newspaper front page to take home—a fun and memorable experience!
In addition, the Hong Kong News-Expo also hides a historical Easter egg: it turns out that No. 2 Bridges Street, where the Expo is located, was formerly a temporary preaching house. It was the place where Dr. Sun Yat-sen once lived and was baptized.
The Expo has specifically compiled this piece of history into a short film, allowing visitors to not only learn about media history but also trace the revolutionary footsteps of the founding father of modern China.
The next time you are walking on the stone slab streets of Central and Sheung Wan, why not turn into Bridges Street, enter this museum revitalised from a market, and through segments of news clips, relive this city's truest collective memories.
Hong Kong News-Expo (Old Bridges Street Market)
Address: 2 Bridges Street, Sheung Wan
Opening hours: 10:00-1900 (Closed on Mondays; closed on the first, second and third day of the Lunar New Year)
Fee: Free admission; each interactive game costs HK$100, children under 12 or seniors aged 65 and above can enjoy a concessionary price of $50.
Notes: No booking is required for admission for 1 to 4 people, group visits (5 people or more) must be booked in advance.
Telephone: 2205 2233
Whatsapp: 5443 0338
Website:https://hkne.org.hk
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