In Hong Kong's Wan Chai neighborhood, the Blue House is a 1920s tenement that lies at the heart of a cluster of historic buildings.
Exploring historic Hong Kong —
In Hong Kong's Wan Chai neighborhood, the Blue House is a 1920s tenement that lies at the heart of a cluster of historic buildings.
Casey Tolan/CNN
The building hosts the Hong Kong House of Stories, an eclectic museum and community center dedicated to the local community that offers tours of historic sites in the area.
Story time —
The building hosts the Hong Kong House of Stories, an eclectic museum and community center dedicated to the local community that offers tours of historic sites in the area.
Casey Tolan/CNN
Locals congregate in the living room-esque House of Stories.
Locals hangout —
Locals congregate in the living room-esque House of Stories.
Casey Tolan/CNN
Maria Kwok, a volunteer tour guide who has lived in the neighborhood for almost 30 years, points out old Chinese characters on a wall of the Blue House.
Maria Kwok —
Maria Kwok, a volunteer tour guide who has lived in the neighborhood for almost 30 years, points out old Chinese characters on a wall of the Blue House.
Casey Tolan/CNN
The Blue House, which has architecturally significant balconies, is just a few blocks from fancy new highrises that have sprung up in Hong Kong over the last two decades.
Highrises threaten individuality —
The Blue House, which has architecturally significant balconies, is just a few blocks from fancy new highrises that have sprung up in Hong Kong over the last two decades.
Casey Tolan/CNN
Pak Tai Temple, a Taoist temple built in 1863, provides an uplifting burst of incense-scented calm in the city.
Amid development, incense —
Pak Tai Temple, a Taoist temple built in 1863, provides an uplifting burst of incense-scented calm in the city.
Casey Tolan/CNN
Small statues line the walls at Pak Tai Temple.
Taoist retreat —
Small statues line the walls at Pak Tai Temple.
Casey Tolan/CNN
The first Wan Chai post office, built in 1915, is now a government office.
Old post —
The first Wan Chai post office, built in 1915, is now a government office.
Casey Tolan/CNN
Hung Shing Temple was built in 1847 on busy Queens Road East.
Temples in unexpected places —
Hung Shing Temple was built in 1847 on busy Queens Road East.
Casey Tolan/CNN
A collaborative exhibit at the Hong Kong House of Stories lets locals share what they want to do after they retire.
Retirement plans —
A collaborative exhibit at the Hong Kong House of Stories lets locals share what they want to do after they retire.
Casey Tolan/CNN
The House of Stories is full of old knickknacks -- like this camera -- donated by neighbors who have moved out.
Left behind —
The House of Stories is full of old knickknacks -- like this camera -- donated by neighbors who have moved out.
Casey Tolan/CNN
The Pawn, a restaurant and bar housed in an 1888 pawn shop building, is one of the district's most popular hangouts.
Central building, not in Central —
The Pawn, a restaurant and bar housed in an 1888 pawn shop building, is one of the district's most popular hangouts.
Casey Tolan/CNN
A bar that opened in a former car repair shop, Tai Lung Fung has a neon-lit vibe straight out of '70s Hong Kong TV dramas.
Oldies show —
A bar that opened in a former car repair shop, Tai Lung Fung has a neon-lit vibe straight out of '70s Hong Kong TV dramas.
Casey Tolan/CNN
"Old things are being destroyed," says Sam Leung, the bar's owner. "I wanted to protect and keep the memory" of similar watering holes.
Tai Lung Fung —
"Old things are being destroyed," says Sam Leung, the bar's owner. "I wanted to protect and keep the memory" of similar watering holes.
Shen Qiu
Locals congregate on the sidewalk outside the Blue House for dinner and beers.
Sidewalk chat —
Locals congregate on the sidewalk outside the Blue House for dinner and beers.
Shen Qiu