Tourists and citizens can now use their phones to view historical scenes in six designated photo spots in Lei Yue Mun. These locations feature 360-degree augmented reality anime with text introductions and audio narration.

This experience can be accessed by downloading the mobile application or visiting the website of "City in Time" - a tourism project developed by the School of Creative Media at the City University and commissioned by the Tourism Commission.

The project began in 2021 and has already included 28 historical locations across Central, The Peak, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sham Shui Po, Yau Ma Tei and Jordan. It has now expanded to the fishing community of Lei Yue Mun - famous for its seafood.

Project manager Alan Leung Wai-lun said the team aimed to introduce non-traditional tourist spots, like Lei Yue Mun, as in-depth cultural tours have become a growing trend.

"More and more tourists prefer visiting locations with historical significance and the app will provide them with a fresh traveling experience," he said.

Leung added that the website also allows users to take a "remote tour" and plan their trips, even if they are not in Hong Kong.

The app offers features like taking selfies with historical buildings and scenes, as well as filters and video recordings.

The new augmented reality scenes in Lei Yue Mun cover themes on the fishing village's cultural development, the seafood and quarrying industries, as well as changes in sea transportation.

Also, film elements have been added to existing locations in Central, Yau Ma Tei, and Sham Shui Po, allowing people to visit filming sites and watch Hong Kong cinema classics like City On Fire, Infernal Affairs III, C'est la vie, mon cheri, as well as the recent award-winning film A Guilty Conscience.

Leung said the team is also working on expanding the project to Tai Hang and Kowloon City.

Stephen Law, the managing director of Gateway Cuisine - a seafood restaurant in Lei Yue Mun - welcomed the project and expects it to attract more visitors to the village.

He said that their business saw a 40 percent drop in April compared to prepandemic levels due to mainland shopping trips.

However, he is optimistic that the project will help bring more customers to their restaurant and the wider community.

Law also hopes that the government can enhance publicity and improve tourism-supporting facilities for the Lei Yue Mun waterfront promenade and public landing facility, which are currently under construction.

Fishing village history comes alive with new app