Walk on the wild side, along paths less trodden

Hong Kong Cemetery. Photos by Rebecca Lo / For China Daily

Wong Nai Chung Road is known for being the path to happiness: It surrounds Hong Kong Jockey Club's Happy Valley racecourse where, every Wednesday, punters try their luck at a ticket to financial freedom.

Many people on their way to watch the races are oblivious to the four cemeteries along the western side of Wong Nai Chung. Here, in the Muslim Cemetery, St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Hong Kong Cemetery and Parsee Cemetery, the history of the city is written across crumbling gravestones and mausoleums, forever hushed next to all the racing action.

Walkin is hoping to change that by bringing locals and visitors seeking in-depth knowledge of unusual sites. Founded this summer by four friends who love and know their city well, the group offers 120- to 150-minute themed and district-based walking tours.

All the founders double as guides and have day jobs throughout the week. Walkin is currently operated only over the weekends, with a rotating schedule of different tours.

From Monday through Friday, Paul Chan works in finance; Chow Chung-wah writes for travel publications, including Lonely Planet; Dora Choi is a television producer; and Haider Kikabhoy is an editor and translator.

Once Saturday dawns, the team turns into walking and talking vessels for obscure facts and did-you-know commentaries, unveiling hidden corners of the city to budding history buffs. In just a few short months since their inception, Walkin has risen to become TripAdvisor's number 12 of 98 activities in Hong Kong.