Kowloon
Surrounded by Victoria Harbor on three sides, Kowloon is an indispensable part of prosperous Hong Kong. The most attractive business area is the south, the Yau Tsim Mong district, comprised of Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, with abundant shopping centers, entertainment areas and restaurants. To the east and west are industrial areas and to the north is predominantly residential.
Location: To the north of Victoria Harbor and opposite Hong Kong Island
Areas: 49.63km2 (about 19.16sq mi)
Population: about 2,000,000
Post Code: 999077
As one of the three great natural and safe deepwater havens in the world, Victoria Harbor is a spot you cannot miss, especially its night view. At 8 o’clock every night, over 40 skyscrapers on both sides of Victoria Harbor will present you with the largest sound-and-light show in the world: A Symphony of Lights. Visitors can take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor, named as one of the “50 Places of A Lifetime” listed by the American National Geography Magazine for its low price and spectacular views. The Star Ferry commenced operations in 1888 and has become a Hong Kong icon. You can also enjoy the sparkling lights and lasers together with dynamic music in the sightseeing ships or in the Sky 100 Observation Deck at the top of the International Commerce Centre (ICC).Along the bank of the harbor is the Avenue of Stars, a waterfront footpath with handprints and signatures of famous Hong Kong movie stars including Bruce Lee. It’s currently under repair and will reopen in 2018.
Tsim Sha Tsui is to the north of Victoria Harbor and on the south end of Kowloon Peninsula. It’s the geographical center of Hong Kong, with convenient transportation to other areas. It’s known as the shopping paradise to tourists as the largest shopping center of Hong Kong, Harbor City, is located there. Harbor City has more than 400 shops of international brands including Lane Crawford and Joyce. Outside Harbor City are Canton Road and 1881 Heritage, where you can find the best luxurious goods. Several blocks away are Nathan Road, the famous “Golden Mile” and Granville Road with several grand retail halls including The ONE, iSquare and K11 and lots of small stores along the road. If you are interested in local music, visit Hong Kong Coliseum in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s the epicenter of pop culture and holds a concert almost every night.
Yau Ma Tei is the most distinctive block in Hong Kong. You’ll find open-air food stalls, old karaoke bars and fortuneteller stores everywhere, feeling like 20th century. The Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei is the largest in the Kowloon District and Temple Street Night Market was named after it. Many famous Hong Kong movies were shot in Temple Street, such as God of Cookery and C'est la Vie, Mon Cheri. Hundreds of stalls open at dusk selling small items like jeans, pens and toys. It’s also a local foodie neighborhood where you can taste local delicacy in the food stalls along the road.
Mong Kok has the highest population density and the most convenient transportation in Hong Kong. It’s said that people can always find their way home at night from Mong Kok. There are some special streets named Flower Street or Sneaker Street. People named them as such, for retailers would cluster on the street selling the same kind of goods. In the 1km (0.62mi)long Ladies Market you can bargain with the vendors to get the cheapest clothes or souvenirs. Don’t miss Mong Kok’s Snack Street which is filled with both southeastern Asian foods and local snacks. You may find upstairs in the roadside buildings are book stores selling all kinds of books, cafes, and bars here, which has formed the special upstairs culture due to the high rent.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong, enshrining Taoist god Huang Chuping, together with Confucius and a Buddha. It’s located in the north of Kowloon.
Kowloon is connected to Mainland China. From Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, there are direct trains running to Hung Hom in Tsim Sha Tsui. The bullet trains from Guangzhou passing by Shenzhen will also start running in 2018. From Shenzhen, you can currently pass the borders and then change to the local urban subway MTR to reach there quickly. There are also long-distance buses from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and other places. If arriving by air at the airport, the Airport Express, buses or red taxis can connect you to Kowloon. The Star Ferry is also available at Victoria Harbor running between Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island.
Inside Kowloon, the MTR is fast and efficient and can take you to all points of interest. You could also choose buses, minibuses or red taxis to travel around.
Basic Facts of Kowloon
Location: To the north of Victoria Harbor and opposite Hong Kong Island Areas: 49.63km2 (about 19.16sq mi) Population: about 2,000,000 Post Code: 999077Top Places to Go in Kowloon
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| Victoria Harbour |
Tsim Sha Tsui is to the north of Victoria Harbor and on the south end of Kowloon Peninsula. It’s the geographical center of Hong Kong, with convenient transportation to other areas. It’s known as the shopping paradise to tourists as the largest shopping center of Hong Kong, Harbor City, is located there. Harbor City has more than 400 shops of international brands including Lane Crawford and Joyce. Outside Harbor City are Canton Road and 1881 Heritage, where you can find the best luxurious goods. Several blocks away are Nathan Road, the famous “Golden Mile” and Granville Road with several grand retail halls including The ONE, iSquare and K11 and lots of small stores along the road. If you are interested in local music, visit Hong Kong Coliseum in Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s the epicenter of pop culture and holds a concert almost every night.
Yau Ma Tei is the most distinctive block in Hong Kong. You’ll find open-air food stalls, old karaoke bars and fortuneteller stores everywhere, feeling like 20th century. The Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei is the largest in the Kowloon District and Temple Street Night Market was named after it. Many famous Hong Kong movies were shot in Temple Street, such as God of Cookery and C'est la Vie, Mon Cheri. Hundreds of stalls open at dusk selling small items like jeans, pens and toys. It’s also a local foodie neighborhood where you can taste local delicacy in the food stalls along the road.
Mong Kok has the highest population density and the most convenient transportation in Hong Kong. It’s said that people can always find their way home at night from Mong Kok. There are some special streets named Flower Street or Sneaker Street. People named them as such, for retailers would cluster on the street selling the same kind of goods. In the 1km (0.62mi)long Ladies Market you can bargain with the vendors to get the cheapest clothes or souvenirs. Don’t miss Mong Kok’s Snack Street which is filled with both southeastern Asian foods and local snacks. You may find upstairs in the roadside buildings are book stores selling all kinds of books, cafes, and bars here, which has formed the special upstairs culture due to the high rent.
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How to get to and get around Kowloon
Inside Kowloon, the MTR is fast and efficient and can take you to all points of interest. You could also choose buses, minibuses or red taxis to travel around.
- Last updated on Nov. 05, 2023 -