Wan Chai Guide: The HK Red Light District

Known as the Pearl of the Orient, Hong Kong has a long history of prostitution with the most well-known district being Wan Chai.

Made famous by many movies, Wan Chai gained notoriety as a popular red light district during the 1960s when US soldiers, serving in the Vietnam War and based in the area, found their pleasures catered for by locals and migrant sex workers.

With popular movies like ‘The World of Suzie Wong’ depicting a vibrant and hedonistic world, Wan Chai is number one on the list of many sex tourists. With this quick guide, we’ll take you on a tour of some of the must visit destinations inside Hong Kong’s most famous red light district.

Wan Chai red light district by day.
Wan Chai red light district by day.

One Woman Brothels in Wan Chai

Whilst prostitution is legal in Hong Kong, the laws are strict about the industry.

Brothels are illegal and women cannot solicit sex and others may not earn money from the earnings of a sex worker. To get around this, the prostitutes in Wan Chai ply their trade in what is what is known as ‘One Woman Brothels’.

Generally high rise buildings, the apartments in these venues are all leased to individuals who work as prostitutes. As long as they are the only person operating from the premises then they fall well within the law.

You can find a number of these brothels in Wan Chai and when you visit, each apartment has photographs outside of the women advertising within.

They are a walk up venue and no appointment is needed and you can expect to pay anything from $200 up to $1000 depending on what you are looking for (hand relief to full sex).

The Fuji Building on Lockhart Road is perhaps the largest of these but you could also head to the Queens Road (105-107 & 247-249). There are smaller venues dotted around Wan Chai so you can either look the addresses up on sex141.com where you can filter by the Wan Chai district or just have a wander around and look for signs.

Discos and KTVs in Wan Chai

KTVs and Discos are a great way to get some evening entertainment as well as picking up a prostitute.

Regular discos in Wan Chai are all frequented by freelance prostitutes who will make it readily obvious they are on the pick-up so you won’t waste time.

Bar owners are all too keen to get you acquainted with their own freelance ‘hostesses’ as it means you will be spending more money on drinks. Likewise, KTVs offer private entertainment rooms (usually with karaoke) where you can select from an attending hostess to join you for an evening of debauched drinking and adult ‘fun’.

Both scenarios involve you agreeing and negotiating with the lady in question about what you want but you can expect to pay similar prices to the brothels except you have to pay extra for the room, drinks and entertainment. KTV’s are a great way to experience Wan Chai’s reputation for having a good time whilst getting some action at the same time.

Wan Chai Massage Parlours

Indiscreetly offering a massage, these parlours and lounges will certainly give you a massage but it usually with the expectation that you accept the offer of something ‘special’.

Hand relief can come at as little as $30-50 with full sex taking place from $200-$500.

Be aware that these practices are not legal and can be subjected to anti-vice raids as they fall outside of the rules of what is and what is not a brothel.

Dancers

Many of the dancers in the clubs and bars are also freelancing sex workers so will be open to suggestions about what she does when she isn’t dancing. She may well have a room you can use or she could visit you at your hotel room but the talk and rates are down to you.

Wan Chai Street Girls

Wan Chai’s reputation as a red light district attracts a lot of migrant sex workers who are generally in Hong Kong on a 14 day visa.

Many of these girls come from Indonesia, Thailand and other neighbouring counties as well as European students. They are not regulated and they risk prosecution and deportation by soliciting from the street; however, they are generally cheaper than other women.

Wan Chai Escorts

Many girls advertise in the adult entertainment section of the yellow pages directory and will offer escort services. Whilst most hotels will turn a blind eye to this kind of thing, you should practice discretion at the more upmarket venues.


Have you experienced the red light thrills of Wan Chai?

What did you make of Hong Kong’s most famous red light district?