Sai Wan Swimming Shed: A Living Piece of Hong Kong’s Coastal Heritage.

Tucked between Kennedy Town and Pok Fu Lam, the Sai Wan Swimming Shed is more than a simple pier by the sea — it is a living monument to Hong Kong’s past. Built over a century ago, it is the city’s last remaining swimming shed, a once-common structure that offered city dwellers a convenient escape to the water.

Back in the early 20th century, bamboo and wooden swimming sheds dotted Hong Kong’s shoreline. Affordable and accessible, they gave thousands of residents a chance to swim, rent swimsuits, and spend summer afternoons by the sea. As public swimming pools and beaches grew in number, most of these sheds faded into memory — except for Sai Wan, which still stands proudly against time.

Today, the Sai Wan Swimming Shed is more than a place to swim. It has become a scenic retreat where visitors gather to watch the golden sunset melt into Victoria Harbour. Couples come to take wedding photos, photographers flock to capture its charm, and adventurers climb down the iconic ladder for a daring dip into open waters.

Getting there may take a short hike or taxi ride from Kennedy Town, but the reward is worth the effort. Standing at the pier, with waves crashing below and the city behind you, it’s easy to feel both connected to Hong Kong’s vibrant history and suspended in a rare moment of calm.