Yau Tsim Mong District
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Hung Shing Temple
Hung Shing Temple, situated in Fuk Tsun Street, Tai Kok Tsui, originally was a temple in the Fuk Chuen Village which was located at the intersecting point of the Boundary Street and Tai Kok Tsui Road. In 1928, the Government re-developed the Fuk Chuen Village and the Temple was relocated to the present site. The street outside the Temple was named as Fuk Tsun Street for the memorisation of the village. The Bronze Bell of the year 1887 and the laid down stone in 1930 were placed in the Temple. Apart from the God of the Sea "Hung Shing", there are also Wong Tai Sin, Koon Yim, God of the Earth, King of North, etc., inside the Temple. The Temple has been graded by the Antiquities Advisory Board as Grade III historic buildings and sites.
Flower Market
The trading of flowers in Yau Tsim Mong District is concentrated in the vicinity of Flower Market Road, Yuen Po Street, Prince Edward Road West and Yuen Ngai Street. There are more than 100 wholesale or retail at the site. Flowers sold at the market are either grown locally or imported from all over the world. Other than selling fresh flowers, some shops specialise in luck-bringing houseplants, potted plants and artificial flowers. Shopping in the Flower Market on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays is an attraction to many tourists. The few days before the Chinese New Year is the busiest period since it is customary for most Chinese families to place fresh flowers at home during the occasion.
Goldfish Market
The Goldfish Market is situated at the section of Tung Choi Street between Mongkok Road and Nullah Road, where about 50 goldfish shops sell a wide variety of ornamental fish and aquarium related products. In recent years, some pet shops have been operating there, selling pets like chipmunks, rabbits and reptiles, etc. It is a good place for goldfish and pet fanciers to patronize during leisure time.
Ladies' Market
Ladies' Market, located at a section of Tung Choi Street between Argyle Street and Dundas Street, is a popular shopping place for both locals and tourists. The market operates from 12:00 noon to 11 pm, selling inexpensive items such as clothing for men and women of all ages, watches, handbags, cosmetics, accessories, small household items and toys. The market, renowned for good bargains, gets its name because it is particularly well-known in the early days for selling fashionable ladies' clothing.
Shui Yuet Kung (Koon Yum Temple)
The twenty-sixth day of the first month of the lunar calendar is the "Koon Yum Treasury Opening Day". Every year, over ten thousand devotees come to the temple on that day to "borrow money" from Koon Yum, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. A large bell dating back to 1884 and a tablet restored in 1927 are kept inside the temple. The main hall is Shui Yuet Kung in which deities including Koon Yum, Bao Kung, Lung Mo and Tai Shui are enshrined and worshipped. There are also two side chambers which are used as a study hall and a village office respectively. The Temple has been graded by the Antiquities Advisory Board as Grade III historic buildings and sites.
Tin Hau Temple
The Tin Hau Temple is located in the junction of Temple Street and Public Square Street at Yau Ma Tei, which is commonly known as "Yung Shu Tau". The temple is divided into five sections, the largest of which is dedicated to Tin Hau, the Taoist Goddess of the Sea. The remaining sections include the Koon Yum Temple, the Shing Wong Temple, the Koon Yum Sacred Temple and the area on the rightmost side for the exclusive use of fortune-tellers.
A large number of precious cultural relics are kept in the Tin Hau Temple. They are valuable assets to the studies of the history and social development of Yau Ma Tei. The Tin Hau Temple was once re-built in the first year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu during the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the sea was only a few yards away. The locals believed that Tin Hau would protect ships from storms. Nowadays, the locals seldom put to sea, but many of them still worship at the temple for blessings.
Jade Market & Jade Street
The Jade Market, at the junction of Kansu Street and Battery Street in Yau Ma Tei was set up in 1984. It is a great place to buy jade ware at attractive prices as souvenirs. The market comprises the eastern and western sites, two adjoining sites with about 340 and 100 stalls respectively. All sorts of jade ware are on sale, with prices ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars. The market attracts both locals and tourists.
At the western site of the market, there are letter-writers offering a wide range of services, including Chinese calligraphy, letter-writing in English or Chinese, and completion of application forms and tax returns. These stall operators are among the few remaining from this ancient trade.
The section of Canton Road between Kansu Street and Jordan Road adjacent to the Jade Market is the Jade Street. There are more than a hundred jade shops where high quality jade products and ornaments can be found. Moreover, jade and gemstone testing is available at Jade Plaza.
Temple Street
Temple Street is named after the Tin Hau Temple in "Yung Shu Tau". It is also known as "Men's Street" as most stalls offer products for men. Some of the stalls begin trading from 2:00 pm, but the street market comes alive after 7:00 pm. There are many good bargains, including fashionable clothing, jeans, handbags, compact discs, watches and lighters, etc.
Temple Street is also famous for its food stalls, which sell all sorts of seafood and other local delicacies. The variety, the incredible prices and the unique atmosphere attract an abundance of visitors all year round.
Under the flyover down Temple Street, fortune-tellers and professional chess players huddle beside their kerosene lamps. Around Yung Shu Tau, there are also booths where singers perform Cantonese operas or even sing Cantonese and Western pop songs.
Nathan Road
Nathan Road, one of the major roads on the Kowloon Peninsula, extends from the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui to Boundary Street in the north of the peninsula. Being the oldest road on the Kowloon Peninsula, it was first built in 1860 and named "Robinson Road". Later, Governor Nathan, who was appointed in 1904, ordered to have the road rebuilt, and was then renamed "Nathan Road" in 1909. After nearly one hundred years, high-rise commercial and residential buildings stretch along the road and the section between Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui has become a prosperous shopping area, adorned with lights from a myriad of shops and hotels and crowded with throngs of tourists at night.
Kowloon Park
Kowloon Park was opened on 24 June 1970 and redeveloped in 1989. The park has a total area of 13.47 hectares and provides a wide range of recreational facilities, including four indoor heated swimming pools, four outdoor swimming pools, an air-conditioned indoor games hall, a mini soccer pitch cum handball court, a fitness trail, playgrounds and gardens. The 3,300-square-metre Kowloon Park Piazza is a favourite venue for staging activities such as carnivals, concerts and outdoor exhibitions. There are also gardens of various themes, such as the Sculpture Walk, the Roof Gardens, the Chinese Garden, the Colour Garden and the Maze. Other attractions include the Bird Lake, the Aviary, the Viewing Cone, the Banyan Court, the Loggia, the Conservation Corner and the Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre, where people can learn more about nature apart from participating in sports and leisure activities.
Former Kowloon British School
Opposite to Kowloon Park in Tsim Sha Tsui and flanked to the right by St. Andrew's Church with the Hong Kong Observatory at the back, the Former Kowloon British School is the oldest surviving school building constructed for foreigners living in Hong Kong.
In 1900, Sir Ho Tung donated $15,000 to the Government to erect a school on the Kowloon Peninsula, and the reigning Sir Henry Arthur Blake laid the foundation of the Kowloon British School in the same year. The school was renamed Central British School in 1902 and its pupils were mainly British children living in Hong Kong. It was then moved to Kowloon City and renamed "King George V School" in 1948.
The building is a typical Victorian structure, but adapted to local climate conditions with wide verandahs, high ceilings and pitched roofs. The school hall occupies the central portion with classrooms and common rooms for teachers are on either side. The building was classified as a declared monument on 19 July 1991 and has been protected under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance since then. After restoration, it has now been used as the Antiquities and Monuments Office cum Heritage Resource Centre. Access is free.
St. Andrew's Church
Situated at Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, St. Andrew's Church is one of the Anglican churches in Hong Kong serving an international congregation. The Church was founded in 1906 with a donation from Sir Paul Chater and a land grant of 67 500 square feet by the Government. The masonry building, a typical red brick Gothic architecture, is of a cruciform plan with a single bell tower on the right side and decorated by stained glass. An old Gothic vicarage, a two-storey brick structure, was built in 1909, also with a donation from Sir Paul Chater. The vicarage is now used as a multi-purpose meeting room and a youth centre. Located at the back of the old vicarage were the old quarters for amahs and the caretakers constructed around 1910. During the Japanese occupation, the priests were interned and the church was converted into a Shinto shrine. The vicarage was used as the residence of a Shinto priest and a local chief of the Japanese Gestapo. The church was finally restored in 1959. A Christian centre was built in 1979 to provide more services and activities. The Church has been graded by the Antiquities Advisory Board as Grade II historic buildings and sites.
Hong Kong Observatory
Built in 1883, the Hong Kong Observatory stands on a small hill facing Kowloon Park. In the early days, the observatory was tasked with making meteorological and magnetic observations and provided chronometric services based on astronomical observations. The observatory has established its regular meteorological observations since 1884. Over a hundred years, the Hong Kong Observatory continues to monitor and forecast the weather.
The two-storey main building of the observatory is a rectangular, plastered brick structure in the colonial style and decorated with arched windows, verandas and loggias. The building was declared a monument in 1984. Group visits are welcome.
Hong Kong Museum of History
The Hong Kong Museum of History was originally built in Kowloon Park but in 1998 moved into Tsim Sha Tsui East, beside the Hong Kong Science Museum. The new museum complex occupies an area of 17,500 square metres, with 8,000 square metres used for exhibitions, including a Special Exhibition Gallery for staging roving exhibitions and a 7,000-square-metre Permanent Exhibition Gallery. The permanent exhibition "The Hong Kong Story", which is the museum's main attraction, outlines the history of Hong Kong over the past 6,000 years by means of ecological contexts, panoramic screens, dioramas and interactive programmes. The permanent exhibition comprises the Landform and Climate Gallery, the Natural Environment Gallery, the Prehistoric Hong Kong Gallery, the Dynasties Gallery, the Folk Culture in Hong Kong Gallery, the Opium War Gallery, Early Growth in Hong Kong Gallery, the Japanese Occupation and the Modern Metropolis Gallery, etc..
Hong Kong Science Museum
Opened in April 1991, the four-storey Hong Kong Science Museum houses about 500 exhibits, covering a wide range of science subjects such as computers, robots, transport, communication, life science, food science, meteorology, geography and home technology. About 70% of the exhibits are interactive items, offering a fascinating experience to explore the mysteries of science. The most prominent exhibit is the Energy Machine, a kinetic sculpture and the largest device of its kind in the world. Visitors can watch balls rolling between the two towers of the 22-metre-high energy machine, experience simulated flight or car driving, challenge the wits of computers, and test their reflexes and powers of perception. The museum is a place where humans and science interact. The other facilities of the museum include the Orientation Hall, a laboratory, the Energy Efficiency Centre, a computer room and the Children's Zone open to visitors.
Hong Kong Coliseum
Opened on 27 April 1983, the Hong Kong Coliseum with its specialized inverted pyramid design, is one of the attractive landmarks in Kowloon. With 12,500 seats, the Coliseum provides the city with a well designed and equipped multi-purpose indoor stadium where various activities can be staged, ranging from spectacular entertainment and cultural performances to international sports and celebratory events as well as conventions and assemblies.
In order to prepare for the 2009 East Asian Games, the Government has adopted various renovation and maintenance work at the Hong Kong Coliseum, including:
The Mosque
Adjacent to Kowloon Park, the mosque used to be a worshipping place for the British Garrison's Indian Muslim troops. It was originally built near the former Whitfield Barracks, which was constructed in 1892.
Since the Whitfield Barracks were later converted to Kowloon Park, and the number of Muslims has increased, a new mosque was built in 1984. The four-storey mosque occupies an area of 1 500 square metres, completed with traditional Islamic design with marble finishing, peach-shaped dome and minarets at four corners. Being the largest mosque in Hong Kong, it has a community hall, three prayer halls, a clinic and a library and can accommodate a congregation of about 3 000 at one time.
Fook Tak Temple
Built in 1900, the Fook Tak Temple is the only Chinese temple in Tsim Sha Tsui and dedicated to Gnome Fook Tak.
Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
One of the favourite attractions in Tsim Sha Tsui is the Promenade. Stretching from the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom, the promenade provides an unobstructed view of the magnificent Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. The stunning view attracts tourists and photographers from all over the world. The promenade is also a favourite spot for family strolls, and for couples and teenagers to meet. Every Chinese New Year, tens of thousands of people gather at the promenade to watch the firework displays over the Victoria Harbour.
The Avenue of Stars
The section of Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade near New World Centre is the pronounced Avenue of Stars. The establishment of the Avenue of Star is to pay tribute to outstanding professionals of Hong Kong's film industry, as well to promote tourism industry, and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as Asia's World City.
Having stepped on the Avenue of Stars, tourists can enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the "Pearl of the Orient" - the Victoria Harbour, and to visit the commemorative plaques, handprints of movie celebrities or descriptive milestones. Moreover, they can take pictures with the Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, or with the 2-metre tall bronze statue of the legendary kung-fu action star, Bruce Lee. There are also kiosks with movie memorabilia for sales.
More than a hundred film professionals are honoured at the Avenue of Stars. They were elected by vote by the representatives of the nine member societies of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association Limited and the City Entertainment Magazine. The Hong Kong Film Awards Association Limited will nominate film professionals as additions to the existing list on a regular basis in future.
Star Ferry Pier
The development of the Cross Harbour Tunnel and the Mass Transit Railway provide rapid and modern means to cross Victoria Harbour, but the Star Ferry is still the mode of transport preferred by many. The ferry crossing was named as one of 50 places of a lifetime, and a ride is also well known as one of the world's best value-for-money sightseeing trips.
Established on 1 May 1898, the Star Ferry Company Limited adopted this company name because the name of every ship in the fleet contains the word "Star". In those days, the ferries ran every 40 minutes to 1 hour from Central Pedders Wharf and Tsim Sha Tsui, and the service was halted for the boat's coaling twice a week (on Mondays and Fridays). Now, the ferries run every 6 to 20 minutes every day from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central or Wan Chai. It takes only 8 minutes to cross the harbour, and passengers can enjoy the scenic view of the Victoria Harbour and the waterfront of both Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula.
Clock Tower
Erected in 1915 and situated at the side of the Star Ferry Concourse, the 44-metre-high old clock tower is a graceful reminder of those Colonial times. The clock tower is the only building left from the original Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus Building, which was completed in 1916. The terminus was relocated to Hung Hom in 1975. The old terminus building was dismantled, but the clock tower was preserved and it has become a landmark of Kowloon. It was classified as a declared monument in 1990 and is a good starting point for a walk along the promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui East.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is located on the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui, easily recognisable with its distinctive sloped form. The Cultural Centre, together with the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum, have become a focal point of culture and arts.
The Cultural Centre has a concert hall, a grand theatre and a studio theatre. The splendid oval-shaped Concert Hall houses about 2,000 audience and is designed to accommodate a wide variety of music performances. World-class musicals such as "Phantom of the Opera" and "Les Miserable" were staged in the 1,730-seat Grand Theatre, an optimal place for holding Western and Chinese operas, musicals or dance shows. The Studio Theatre, which accommodates 300 to 500 audience, is designed for promoting experimental theatre and dance shows. The Cultural Centre also includes the Exhibition Gallery and rehearsal and function rooms, etc. open for rental use. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza is also a popular location for staging exhibitions, festivals, competitions and performances. Guided tours to the Cultural Centre are available.
Hong Kong Space Museum
On the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui, the egg-shaped dome of the Hong Kong Space Museum has long been an eye-catching landmark for the Kowloon Peninsula. The museum, opened in October 1980, enlightens visitors on astronomy and space technology. Its east wing houses one of the world's largest planetariums, the Space Theatre, which features thrilling omnimax films and sky shows on science and nature themes. The museum is also the first planetarium in the world to possess a fully automatic control system in its theatre. There are several exhibition and lecture halls for introducing the knowledge of space science and astronomy to visitors. There is also a gift shop tailored for astronomy devotees.
Hong Kong Museum of Art
Established in 1962, the Hong Kong Museum of Art was first set up in City Hall High Block. It was housed in its present purpose-built premises next to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui in 1991. The museum has several galleries with a collection of over 15,000 art objects, including Chinese paintings and calligraphy works, antique Chinese treasures, paintings of historical significance and creations by local artists. The museum also provides a wide range of supporting facilities for educational and extension activities which include a lecture hall, studios, an art reference library, a room for the Museum's Friends Society and a museum shop.
Harbour City
Next to the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, the Harbour City is the largest shopping mall in Hong Kong. It is home to 700 shops and boutiques, and flagship stores of different international famous brands are concentrated in its vicinity at Canton Road. In addition, there are more than 50 restaurants, two cinemas and three hotels providing customers with a one-stop shopping experience. The Harbour City is composed of four featured shopping zones, including the Ocean Terminal, the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel Arcade, the Ocean Centre and the Gateway Arcade.
Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
In 1997, the previous "Bird Market" was removed due to urban development at Hong Lok Street in Mong Kok. In order to preserve this world famous tourist attraction, the Government relocated the bird market to a newly built theme park named "Yuen Po Street Bird Garden". The Garden was one of the ten tourist spots recommended by the former Hong Kong Tourist Association (now Hong Kong Tourism Board) in 1998.
The Garden occupies an area of around 3,000 square meters, with an attractive Chinese garden design. There are about 70 stores selling various kinds of birds, birdcages and birdseeds. It is frequented by vistors and bird lovers from all over Hong Kong.
Langham Place
Langham Place located in the heart of Mongkok, it is jointly developed by Urban Renewal Authority and the Great Eagle Group, Langham Place is a 1,800,000 sq. ft. 3-in-1 mega development. The Place comprises 3 key components, including:-
Knutsford Terrace
Situated at the slope next to the Hong Kong Observatory, the Knutsford Terrace is well-known for its featured bars, pubs and restaurants. It is also known as the "Kowloon Lan Kwai Fong" with many restaurants offering international cuisine, including Turkish, Russian, Spanish and Japanese favourites. It would be the most bustling time from late afternoon until midnight. The Knutsford Terrace would be the best choice no matter for romantic dating or gathering with friends.
Sneaker Street
At the heart of Mong Kok, the "Sneaker Street" is a section of Fa Yuen Street between Dundas Street and Argyle Street. It is so named and has become famous in Hong Kong because of the concentration of sportswear shops in the area. The street, which covers a distance less than 200 metres in length, attracts a continuous stream of visitors who frequent some 50 shops there for trendy sneakers and sports items.
The West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is being developed at the southern reclaimed waterfront in Kowloon West. It is an important strategic investment in culture and arts for the future of Hong Kong. The WKCD would be an integrated arts and cultural district with world-class facilities, distinguished talents, iconic architecture and quality programmes.
The future WKCD would provide 15 performing arts venues, including a mega performance venue with a maximum capacity of 15,000 seats. Besides, it would be equipped with theatres, concert halls and a Xiqu centre, etc. There would be ample and well-equipped performing stages for local and international arts groups. In addition, a museum cluster, arts education venues, a cultural information centre and other facilities would be opened for the public and arts groups to use. To bring in more visitors and strengthen the supporting facilities in the WKCD, the district will integrate commercial and residential developments like offices and hotels into the arts and cultural facilities. The Government would also reserve 23 hectares of open space for public use. The development of the WKCD would enhance Hong Kong's position as a diversified city and an international cosmopolitan.