Hong Kong's unique "street culture" on Sundays

The first time I saw this scene, I was truly shocked.

On Sundays, foreign domestic worker sisters prepare and pack food, put it into suitcases, and bring tents, cardboard, and mats to set up their "private space" in street-side parks, footbridges, stairways, and roadside green areas. Their presence fills Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Central, and even Repulse Bay beach.

Picnics, street camping, karaoke, beach barbecues, speaking their hometown language with sisters, video chatting with family and friends far away in a foreign land, sharing stories from the week—this is their spiritual support, the only day of the week that belongs to themselves. At this moment, they may be mothers of children far away, wives, or the financial backbone of their families.

Passing by their gathering spots again at night, there is no trash on the ground, as if nothing happened during the day.

Hong Kong's high cost of living and their very limited local wages make their Sunday gathering places extremely limited, so they can only occupy public spaces. The local government is tolerant of this and provides support to this group that makes a huge contribution to the local families' logistical support. On Sundays, some busy roads are closed, temporary shelters are set up, and mobile toilets are provided.

📍Main areas where foreign domestic workers gather
· Hong Kong Island (mostly Filipina workers): Central (Chater Garden, Statue Square), footbridges around Central Post Office, Edinburgh Place, Pacific Place in Admiralty, Victoria Park in Causeway Bay

· Repulse Bay Beach, around Stanley Murray House Square

· Kowloon (main base for Indian workers): Mong Kok footbridge, Guilin Street and Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po

Post by RespldentEthere | May 5, 2025