Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui is a very beautiful area and is a tourist haven. It is right at the edge of the harbour looking over at Hong Kong Island. Many people take beautiful pictures of the many skyscrapers right across the harbour. Right at the edge, where there
is lots of scenery, is the famous 80 year old clock tower of Hong Kong. It is located right next to the cultural center and star ferries. There is a bridge like walkway above and below the edge of the harbour for people to sit down or take a wal
k while they admire the scenery. Click here for map of Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Cultural Center offers a lot of information regarding upcoming performances from various countries. Everything from orchestras, symphonies, plays, ballets, musicals, etc... are constantly going on every month. Ticket prices are reasonable and I definitely recommend going to one of these events. Famous performers from all over come to Hong Kong every year, maybe you will happen to find out someone you admire is coming to Hong Kong to perform that week. Students (even from overseas) can purch ase tickets from the cultural center at a discount, just remember to bring your student identification with you. If you would like to save money, the cultural center also has available free walk in performances from less renowned but nevertheless very go od performers. There is more information available there, and be sure to get a copy of the latest events for that month.
Right next to the cultural center is the Space Museum, it is a cool place to visit also. It is the largest indoor planetarium in Southeast Asia. There always seems to be something new going on there. Just last summer, I went to the Space Museum
twice. The first time it was showing something about our future in space and the second time it was showing something about Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist from Cambridge University who is developing theories regarding black holes in the universe
. Students also receive a discount when going there, and I being a student, interested in the sciences, enjoyed going to the cultural center and space museums very much.
There are many grand hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui, including the most expensive and elegant hotel in Asia, known as the Peninsula Hotel. It is exactly across from the Space Museum and Cultural Center and can recognized by the large word "Peninsula" on
it. I recognize it from the many Rolls Royce, Bentleys, and other extremely expensive cars right in front of the entrance to the Hotel. Many of these Hotels have bars and drinks areas inside with beautiful views across the harbour. For example, within
the Peninsula Hotel is Felix. It is very uniquely designed and offers a variety of drinks. The restroom are especially interesting; and be careful not to enter the wrong one (if you don't know what I mean, I suggest you go there to try it). Ano
ther hotel I enjoy going to include the Sheraton, close to the Peninsula, and the Grand Hyatt (it is on Hong Kong Island). Going to nice hotels for drinks to relax and conversate are a major part of the Hong Kong way of life; walking around on the crowde
d streets can be tiring.
Besides going to Tsim Sha Tsui for scenery, drinks, and the cultural center, there is also lots and lots of shopping and restaurants there. Also next the harbour is the Harbour City Shopping Center, this is a large shopping mall with lots to see, eat, and buy. Next to Harbour City is the all famous Planet Hollywood, you see not only American stars memorabilia there but also many Asian actors such as Jackie Chan. Not far away is the Kowloon Hard Rock Cafe, where you can see w ho is performing there this week (there is also the Hong Kong Hard Rock Cafe, located in Central on Hong Kong Island). Next to the Harbour City Shopping Center are also many other excellent restaurants and shops. There are so many other shops and restau rants there that I can't describe them all. But just remember to check that area out.
Walking around Tsim Sha Tsui can be fun, be sure to walk to the inner side of Tsim Sha Tsui also. I suggest that you take Nathan Road, there is lots to see on that street. Kowloon Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Hong Kong; a nice place to relax and look around. The HMV in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of my favorite places to visit because it is one of the largest ones in HK and has lots to see and music to listen to. As you walk down Nathan Road you will see a large Warner Bros. store. It is always crowded, but as a tourist, you might have seen enough Warner Bros. stores already. A few more blocks down Nathan Road you will hit "Ka Lim Wai Low" Street. There are lots of discount clothing there, much of the clothes are fashioned for teenagers, so if you are interested, be sure to check that place out also. Nathan Road is a large road that leads deep into the Kowloon area. If you follow that road, it will lead you to Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, places I will describe next .
Hung Hum / Yau Ma Tei / Mong Kok
You can get to Hung Hum by following the harbour side when you are in Tsim Sha Tsui. There isn't that much to see there except for the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Hung Hum Coliseum where many Hong Kong popstars hold concer
ts, and the factory outlets there.
As you walk down Nathan Road, you will soon be in Yau Ma Tei. Yau Ma Tei, is a good area to check out to observe how a typical person in Hong Kong lives. There are many specialty shops and street markets. The most famous night street market ther
e is on Temple Street. This street is famous in Hong Kong not only for it's market but also for it's history. Be sure to ask a friend or someone you meet in Hong Kong why Temple Street is famous; I won't discuss it here :)...
Click here for map of Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok
Soon you are in Mong Kok, the busiest and most crowded area within the entire Hong Kong. If you think everywhere is already crowded, yes, it gets even worse there. There is lots of shopping, dinning, and entertainment places in this area. Anothe r famous street market there is known as "Ladies Market" on "Tong Choi" street; lots of cheap, illegally made goods there; super copyright infringements for all sorts of brands. I have seen some places selling "DHNY" clothing instead of "DKNY"...f unny or what??? :) Of course if you like you can also check out the Bird, Goldfish, or Flower Markets there. I am not particularly interested.
For people that love music, I suggest going to "Shin Woi" Center in Mong Kok. Lots of CDs from all over are there at great discounts. If you like computers, check out the Mong Kok computer center (unspeakable stuff there for you to see and buy). There are many large department stores as well as specialty shops; and depending on what you want to buy you go to different places. I will mention more about where to buy what in the shopping section.
At night, Mong Kok is still very much alive, and may even be more crowded than during the day, because there is so much to see and do there. There are dozens of Hawkers on the streets at night selling all sorts of delicious small snacks like fishballs, b
eefballs, hot dogs, etc... But these sellers don't have licenses and it is illegal for them to sell food. Sometimes, the food you buy there can be dirty and isn't sanitary. Well, if your immune system isn't tough, don't try the food unless you want to
get sick. Not to say that you will definitely get sick, but there is a chance. I haven't got sick yet, but I have known people that have.
| [Introduction] | [When to Visit] | [Hong Kong Island] |
| [Kowloon] | [Shopping] | [Transportation] | [Things to Do in HK] |
Get your own Free Home Page
