Yau Tsim Mong District
Spots
Clock Tower
Erected in 1915 and situated at the side of the Star Ferry Concourse in Tsim Sha Tsui, 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 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 Tsim Sha Tsui. It was classified as a declared monument in 1990 and is a good starting point for a walk along the promenade.
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.
Former Kowloon British School
The former Kowloon British School is the oldest surviving school building constructed for foreigners in Hong Kong. Built in 1902, the building is a typical Victorian architecture, but adapted to local climate with wide verandahs, high ceilings and pitched roofs. It was declared a monument in 1991 and is presently used as the Antiquities and Monuments Office cum Heritage Resources Centre. There is free public guided tour every Friday.
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.
Hong Kong Coliseum
Opened on 27 April 1983, the Hong Kong Coliseum with its specialized inverted pyramid design, is one of the most 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.
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 as well as rehearsal and function rooms open for rental. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza is a popular location for staging outdoor exhibitions, festivals, competitions and performances. Guided tours inside the Cultural Centre are available.
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 artifacts, 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.
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, next to 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 metres 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.
Hong Kong Observatory
Built in 1883, the Hong Kong Observatory stands on the Signal 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.
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 Space Museum
At 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 the nature. 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.
Hung Shing Temple
Hung Shing Temple, situated in Fuk Tsun Street in Tai Kok Tsui, was originally 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 and King of North worshiped inside the Temple. The Temple has been graded by the Antiquities Advisory Board as Grade III historic buildings and sites.
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 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.
Kowloon Park
The Kowloon Park is a green haven in the centre of Tsim Sha Tsui. Kowloon Park was opened in 1970 and redeveloped in 1989. The park has a total area of 13.47 hectares and features a number of themed gardens, such as the Bird Lake, the Aviary, a totem pole, the Tree Walk, and an indoor warm water swimming pool up to international standards. On Sundays, the Kung Fu Corner is crowded with martial arts demonstrations and cultural performances. Visitors can also look for delicate handicrafts at the arts and crafts fun fair held at the Loggia in the afternoon on Sundays and public holidays.
Knutsford Terrace
Situated at the slope next to the Hong Kong Observatory, the Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui is well-known for its featured bars, pubs and restaurants. It is also known as the "Kowloon Lan Kwai Fong" with a pool of international cuisine in Turkish, Russian, Spanish and Japanese styles. It will be the most bustling time from late afternoon until midnight at Knutsford Terrace. It is renowned for romantic dating or gathering with friends.
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:-
Mong Kok Flower Market
The area in the vicinity of Flower Market Road and Prince Edward Road West is a century-old street market which houses the largest number of florist wholesale and retail shops in Hong Kong. There are lots of flower shops selling flowers locally grown and imported from all over the world. It is also a great place to buy potted plants, artificial and dried flowers, floral ornaments as well as gardening materials. Definitely a “must-see” attraction for flower lovers.
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. The road was then renamed "Nathan Road" in 1909. In a century’s time, 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.
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.
Sneaker Street
The Sneaker Street in Mong Kok is a section of Fa Yuen Street less than 200 metres in length between Dundas Street and Argyle Street. Here dozens of sports shops offer a great variety of stylish sports shoes and items, including limited or special edition sneakers. The street attracts a continuous stream of visitors throughout the year.
St. Andrew's Church
Founded in 1906, St Andrew’s Church is situated at Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, and 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 sq. ft. 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. 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 has been graded by the Antiquities Advisory Board as Grade II historic buildings and sites.
Star Ferry Pier
Since 1898, the green and white boats of the Star Ferry have been shuttling between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon every day. Going onboard a ferry from the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, passengers can enjoy the magnificent view of the Victoria Harbour and the picturesque Hong Kong skyline. The ferry crossing was named as one of "50 laces of a lifetime".
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 Monday through Sunday 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 the Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula.
Temple Street Night Market
Temple Street is named after the Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei. It is also known as "Men's Street" as most stalls sell products for men. Some of the stalls begin trading from 2:00 p.m., but the street market comes alive after 7:00 p.m.. There are many good bargains, including fashionable clothing, jeans, handbags, compact discs, watches and lighters.
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 abundant 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 Cantonese and Western pop songs.
The Avenue of Stars
The section of Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade near New World Centre is the pronounced Avenue of Stars. The Avenue of Stars has floor plaques displaying handprints of honoured movie celebrities and workers. Here visitors can trace the development of Hong Kong’s film industry and take photos with the bronze statue of Kung-fu film star Bruce Lee.
The Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre
Adjacent to Kowloon Park, the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre 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 was completed with traditional Islamic design with marble finishing, peach-shaped dome and minarets at four corners. Being the largest mosque in Hong Kong, it can accommodate a congregation of about 3,000 at one time.
The West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) is being developed at the waterfront in Kowloon West. It is an initiative to meet the infrastructural needs of Hong Kong’s arts and cultural development and an important strategic investment towards the sustainable development of arts and culture for the future. The WKCD will be designed into an integrated arts and cultural hub with world-class arts and cultural facilities and iconic architectures for distinguished talents and quality programmes for local residents and visitors from around the world. It will become a cultural hub for attracting and nurturing talents, an impetus to improve quality of life, as well as a cultural gateway to the Pearl River Delta.
The future WKCD is expected to provide 15 performing arts venues, including a mega performance venue. Besides, it will be equipped with theatres, concert halls and a Xiqu centre. There will be ample of well-equipped performing arena for local and international arts groups. In addition, a museum cluster, a cultural information centre, arts education venues and other facilities will be open for the public and arts groups’ enjoyment. The Government will also reserve 30,000 square metres of open space for public use. The development of the WKCD will enhance Hong Kong's position as a diversified and international cosmopolitan.
Tin Hau Temple
The Tin Hau Temple is located in the junction of Temple Street and Public Square Street in 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.
The Tin Hau Temple was first completed in 1870 and rebuilt in 1890 after destruction by a typhoon. 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. It has been classified as a Grade II historic building.
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 up. At festive seasons, tens of thousands of people gather at the Promenade to watch the firework displays over the night sky of the Victoria Harbour.
Tung Choi Street (Goldfish Market)
The Goldfish Market is the section of Tung Choi Street between Mong Kok Road and Nullah Road in Mong Kok. It is lined with aquariums and pet shops selling a wide variety of ornamental fish and aquarium products, as well as pets such as cats, dogs, lizards, tortoises and frogs. It is a busy street crowded with people days and nights.
Tung Choi Street (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 in Mong Kok. The market operates from 12 noon to 11 p.m., selling budget items such as clothing, watches, handbags, cosmetics, accessories, small household items and toys. The market, renowned for good bargains, gets its name because it particularly featured in the early days fashionable ladies' clothing.
Yau Ma Tei Police Station
Yau Ma Tei Police Station was first built at the junction of Shanghai Street and Public Square Street in 1873. It was relocated to Canton Road in 1922. The station is a good example of Edwardian architecture and has been classified as a Grade III historic building.
Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
In 1997, the previous "Bird Market" was relocated due to urban development at Hong Lok Street in Mong Kok. In order to preserve this world famous tourist attraction, the Government re-establised the bird market to a newly built theme park named "Yuen Po Street Bird Garden".
The Garden occupies an area of around 3,000 square metres, with an attractive Chinese garden design. There are about 70 stores selling various kinds of birds, birdcages and birdseeds. It is frequented by visitors and bird lovers from all over Hong Kong.
1881 / Former Marine Police Headquarters
Situated in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, the former Marine Police Headquarters was built in 1884. This 120 year-old historical building comprises the former Main Building, the former Stable Block, the former Time Ball Tower, the former Old Kowloon Fire Station and the former Fire Station Accommodation Block. The former Marine Police Headquarters is one of the oldest historical building in Hong Kong and it was declared a monument in 1994. In 2003, Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd was awarded the tender and is the first private sector to participate in the Conserve & Revitalize Heritage Project.