We chat with Hungarian expat ESZTER CSILLAG about her Hong Kong home in Cyberport. Eszter is an ultra trail runner and a postdoctoral research associate at the Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology, HKBU.
About your Cyberport neighbourhood
What’s the name of your street?
Cyberport Road.
What’s something that people might not know about the Cyberport area in Hong Kong?
It’s on reclaimed land – a few decades ago, this was sea, which is a fascinating idea to think about.
Exact words you tell a taxi driver or share ride driver to get home?
I usually just tell them that I’ll show them the route!
Closest MTR station?
Wong Chuk Hang.
How long have you lived in Cyberport Road? Why here?
I’ve been here for 10 years now. It’s a great place for running as I am on the trails in 10 minutes, and it’s also convenient and a great environment for my daughters and our family.
Tell us a bit about your home.
The view is the main protagonist – we can see the sea and Lamma Island from the living room to the bedroom and bathroom and it’s so beautiful that you can get never enough! As for the flat itself, I only had two weeks to transform it into our home – definitely not enough time to make wise decisions…
The only thing I had always wanted when moving between different flats was to colour the walls. This is often difficult in Hong Kong as the landlords aren’t keen on you painting them. Somehow, I managed to get permission, so the dining/ living room now features warm orange and light yellow colours, the bedroom is purple, and so on. To be honest, I quite detest the strong orange colour in the dining room, but it is what it is. In the previous flat it was green with green chairs around the dining table and that was fabulous; here, I wanted to try another colour, and it didn’t work. Lesson learned!
Overall, the flat is full of all the things we have so it’s not as stylish or clean as I would imagine my dream home to be. We each have a lot of things that we need for our daily life – like scooters, bikes and toys for the girls, and gym equipment for me. But the view is so awesome that it doesn’t really matter – you just look out, take a deep breath and enjoy the sunset!
Some specifics of your Cyberport Road neighbourhood
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see?
The playground and the walking area of the residence; beyond that is the road with cars and a lot of people walking their dogs. Cyberport Park is nearby, and it’s among the few parks in Hong Kong where pets are allowed.
What’s the closest store to your front door?
Fusion at Cyberport.
If Cyberport was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be and why?
Any film that needs a sea view!
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of?
Sometimes I could do with less of the neighbouring lady walking around in high heels.
What’s the unofficial uniform of your street?
Kids going to school in their uniform.
Cool things to do around Cyberport Road
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood and why?
The Japanese restaurant in Cyberport – I love the vegetable udon there; it’s real comfort food after a big workout. I love NOC at Southside; usually I go there for an oat milk flat white or an avocado sourdough. The third might be Eric Kayser at WCH where I sometimes drop in for one of their great salads!
What are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood?
Recently, I’ve been doing grocery shopping at Southside, as there is a City Super there with so many options to choose from. I’m not sure if I’m the best one for recommending shops, though, as I buy most things online.
What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood?
Running! The Hong Kong Trail stretches across the whole of HK Island, and you can be on the trail from home in 10 minutes and run all the way to Shek O! It’s really cool. Then there is Pok Fu Lam Reservoir and Aberdeen Reservoir, which are both very good for running but also for kids.
What’s one thing you’d never change?
The view.
How about one thing you would change?
The orange colour in the dining room!
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up Cyberport Road, how would you use it?
I would add flowers and make it a nice seaside district. And maybe add an open-air gym at Cyberport.
Favourite things to do in Hong Kong
Tell us a bit more about your ultra-running. When did you start and what are your favourite routes in Hong Kong? Which ones would you recommend to newcomers?
I’ve always been a runner but it was a friend of mine in Hong Kong who took me on the trails a year after I arrived. Well, that was love at first sight. I’ve been a trail runner ever since. I became a pro athlete after my second daughter was born, which is quite a big deal, and it’s an example of how you can continue to have a full life after maternity – you just need to keep dreaming and working to make it a reality!
My easy runs are mostly on the Hong Kong Trail; for the longer runs I prefer to go to New Territories or Lantau. Running in Sai Kung is fantastic, with its beautiful outlook and beaches. Also, the Lion’s Rock section of the MacLehose Trail has amazing city views; it’s a glimpse of how nature and city merge so perfectly here. For a more touristic trail, running Dragon’s Back is always a good option – but I try to get away from crowded places whenever I can.
Favourite Hong Kong spots for taking out-of-town guests?
They’ve usually already done their homework, so I just add some extras to their existing lists – for example, an egg tart at Bakehouse, visiting Tai O in Lantau, a lunch at City Hall, and possibly a local place for acupuncture or a massage.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go?
I’m always in need of that as I’m an art historian by education, so I go to lots of exhibitions. My favourite museum is CHAT on the Kowloon side, then Tai Kwun Contemporary, M+, the Palace Museum and so many galleries in Central and Southside…There’s always something going on.
My daughters learn Italian and Chinese culture, history and language at the Guwei Museum, so that’s also one of my go-to places. The owners are a couple, and the husband is Italian, so their coffee is really strong and good!
Finally, if you’re missing home while you’re in HK, what do you do?
I’m not a nostalgic person, to be honest. I’m always so busy and my family is here, and they are everything for me. Sometimes I wish for less humid conditions when I run but I’m lucky enough to run elsewhere during racing times and that refreshes my mind. Hong Kong is a great place!
Share you neighbourhood with our readers!
Tell us about your neighbourhood – just email info@expatliving.hk with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
This article first appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe to the mag now so you never miss an issue!
