Hong Kong’s best kept secrets: 1960s and ’70s style postcards and quirky gifts in historical Wan Chai

When you walk up the small hill on Stone Nullah Street, across from Pak Tai temple, you will see St. James’ Settlement – far below on your left is the former Wan Chai Post Office. Surrounded by these landmarks in one of the city’s oldest districts, the tiny Hong Kong House of Stories folk museum is becoming a landmark in its own right.

Run by the Community Development Services of St. James’ Settlement, it was established in 2007 to preserve the cultural heritage of Wan Chai and promote the concept of cultural preservation through different creative means.

It’s located inside the Blue House, an old tong lau (tenement building) built in 1922, which is ranked a Grade 1 historical building by the Antiquities Advisory Board.

Inside you can buy quirky gifts such as 1960s and ’70s celebrity postcards (from HK$10), customisable handmade stamps, vintage lamps, cassette players and paper doll sets (from HK$60 a set) and a shelf full of books for exchange.