• Home
  • Blog
    • Love
    • Dance
    • Events
    • Runway
    • Portraits
    • Headshots
    • 35mm
    • Structure
    • UW Life 2016-2018
    • UW Life 2018-2020
    • Hong Kong: Pearl of the Orient
    • Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
  • Investment
  • About
  • Gear I Use
  • Contact
  • Instagram
Menu

SILAS CHU

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
    • Love
    • Dance
    • Events
    • Runway
    • Portraits
    • Headshots
  • Projects
    • 35mm
    • Structure
    • UW Life 2016-2018
    • UW Life 2018-2020
    • Hong Kong: Pearl of the Orient
    • Japan: Land of the Rising Sun
  • Investment
  • About
  • Gear I Use
  • Contact
  • Instagram
×

An Adventure to Sai Wan Swimming Shed

An Adventure to Sai Wan Swimming Shed

Silas Chu February 25, 2025

I’m no stranger to Hong Kong— I’ve visited over 6 times in the past decade, but it seems that I never quite get to all of the “Instagrammable” spots, since the focus of my travels are usually to spend time with local family members. This past November, I got to spend a few weeks as a local in Hong Kong, exploring all of the good eats and finally some of the lesser known Instagrammable locations on Hong Kong island.

#1 on the list, Sai Wan Swimming Shed in Sai Wan, Hong Kong.

For weeks, I was watching the weather to see when would be a safe time to go, but day after day, I was plagued with Typhoon warnings ranging from T3 to T8 due to a delayed typhoon season. Just towards the last few days of my month-long trip, I saw a break in the severe typhoons and was blessed with a T1 day.

Michelle made the trek over from her home on one of the distant islands and we journeyed by MTR, then by taxi, then by a steep, staircase hike down to the swimming shed. Many locals that I talked to had no idea of the Swimming Shed’s existence, but I’d always seen that iconic shot of tourists posing on the dock leading to an abyss of choppy waters on social media.

The famed swimming shed used to be a small, government property that was a refuge for swimmers to change and get ready for a dip in the water, but when we arrived, we found out the hard way that a squatter had occupied the shed and was using it as their home. Oops.

A selfie in the squatter’s outdoor bathroom mirror…

The waves were heavy from the typhoon, and the dock waved side to side from the force of the water. We watched as the squatter barreled down the dock and jumped headfirst into the waves, with nothing but faith and a pair of swim trunks. An older man was fishing on one of the cliffs. For these locals, this spot was a refuge away from the hustle and bustle of the hectic urban areas of Hong Kong.

A fisherman at the edge of the world.

I brought along with me a Nikon FG, a Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron, a new and unfamiliar film stock, VIBE MAX 100, which I then converted to black and white due to extreme color shift and haze, and a Leica Q-P.

A short clip illustrating how windy it was at the edge of the water.

View fullsize 000047120017.jpg
View fullsize 000047120021.jpg
View fullsize MAS007.jpg
View fullsize MAS012.jpg
View fullsize MAS014.jpg
View fullsize MAS017.jpg
View fullsize MAS036.jpg
View fullsize MAS018.jpg
View fullsize MAS025.jpg
View fullsize MAS028.jpg
View fullsize 000047120010.jpg
View fullsize MAS031.jpg
View fullsize MAS033.jpg
View fullsize MAS034.jpg

Even snuck in a little touristy shot for myself, thanks to Michelle:

After we got a few shots in the area, we hiked about a third of a mile to get to the The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong and got some environmental portraits in a more urban setting, with the gorgeous architecture of the campus.

View fullsize 000047120023.jpg
View fullsize MAS038.jpg
View fullsize MAS044.jpg
View fullsize MAS047.jpg
View fullsize MAS048.jpg
View fullsize MAS040.jpg
View fullsize MAS049.jpg
View fullsize MAS050.jpg

If you’re visiting Hong Kong and are looking for a unique spot for photos or just a chance to get some fresh air away from the crowds, I highly recommend checking out Sai Wan Swimming Shed. Be warned, there are no bathrooms.

If you’ve found my blog helpful or has added value to your day, please use the following link for your purchases on Amazon: Link to Amazon here

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Back to School →

FEATURED POSTS

Featured
An Adventure to Sai Wan Swimming Shed
Feb 25, 2025
An Adventure to Sai Wan Swimming Shed
Feb 25, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
Back to School
Oct 1, 2023
Back to School
Oct 1, 2023
Oct 1, 2023
In Review: The Leica SL (Typ 601) - A Long-Term Review in 2020
Dec 30, 2020
In Review: The Leica SL (Typ 601) - A Long-Term Review in 2020
Dec 30, 2020
Dec 30, 2020
A Modern Classic
Oct 24, 2020
A Modern Classic
Oct 24, 2020
Oct 24, 2020
Desert Lights
Oct 21, 2020
Desert Lights
Oct 21, 2020
Oct 21, 2020
Film Sets: BC - Before COVID
Aug 15, 2020
Film Sets: BC - Before COVID
Aug 15, 2020
Aug 15, 2020
Quick Look: The Fujifilm X-Pro3
Jul 7, 2020
Quick Look: The Fujifilm X-Pro3
Jul 7, 2020
Jul 7, 2020
Quick Look: The Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron ASPH V2
Apr 23, 2020
Quick Look: The Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron ASPH V2
Apr 23, 2020
Apr 23, 2020
In Review: The Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZM
Mar 25, 2020
In Review: The Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 Distagon ZM
Mar 25, 2020
Mar 25, 2020
In Review: The Ricoh GR (2013)
Mar 18, 2020
In Review: The Ricoh GR (2013)
Mar 18, 2020
Mar 18, 2020