Across the water from Hong Kong Island, the city of Kowloon delivers excitement, culture, attractions and natural beauty with a unique Chinese flavour.
Kowloon and neighbouring New Territories are the mainland part of Hong Kong SAR, separated from Hong Kong Island by busy Victoria Harbour. Explore the sensory uniqueness of this Cantonese city. Smell fresh fish at open-air markets, taste delicious dim sum, listen to mah-jong tiles clacking in a shaded park, see splendid views from high-rises and feel totally amazed in this city of predominantly Chinese residents.
Things to do in Kowloon
Modern Hong Kong began to build very tall skyscrapers on the island in the 1970s as the city became a major global financial and trade centre. Meanwhile, Kowloon’s skyline kept a lower profile because of the flight path over the city for Kai Tak Airport landings. After the airport was relocated to a more distant spot in 1998, Kowloon also grew upward. Visit Kowloon today and ride the elevator to sky100 in the ICC tower, the region’s tallest building at 102 floors. Enjoy spectacular views from the enclosed observation deck.
For outdoor highlights when you visit Kowloon, explore the countryside. The name Kowloon derives from the words for nine dragons, symbolising the distinguishing features of the mountains of the peninsula. Hike along parts of the 100-kilometre (60-mile) MacLehose Trail, stretching between Pak Tam Cheung in the east through Sai Kung to Tuen Mun Town in the west. The Sai Kung shoreline offers beautiful sunrises you can also take a ferry to golf on the island of Kau Sai Chau. As you pass through Lion Rock Country Park, you’ll have views of the city and original airport runway below, and possibly wild macaques in the trees.
Kowloon culture
When you visit Kowloon, you’re in China, a special administrative region dominated by Chinese arts and culture. Step out of your comfort zone to enjoy local experiences. Visit West Kowloon Cultural District, a relatively new development concentrating these interests. Xiqu Centre features Cantonese opera, with some of the region’s best performers. Its smaller TeaHouse venue is perfect for new audiences. The Hong Kong Palace Museum displays treasures from the palace and puts on exhibitions of Chinese culture.
Nearby, Freespace features contemporary theatre, music and dance for all types of travellers. M+ is a global museum of contemporary visual culture, with a focus on 20th- and 21st-century art and design. Relax outside at Art Park, with food trucks, green spaces and tracks for walking and biking.
Head east to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade near Harbour City and the Star Ferry terminal. Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a large performing arts centre featuring orchestra, ballet, musical theatre and other major productions. Step outside for views across to Central Hong Kong and the unique architecture of the Hong Kong Convention Centre. Look around to find handprints or statues of your favourite Chinese actors, musicians and even cartoon performers on the Avenue of Stars along the promenade. Martial artist Bruce Lee has a bigger-than-life statue over the harbour waves. Nearby, visit Kowloon’s museums: Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Space Museum.
See a few temples during your Kowloon visit. Stop at Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple to wish for good fortune. Nan Lian Garden is a peaceful scenic spot adjacent to the Chi Lin Nunnery’s impressive Chinese architecture. Stop briefly at Kowloon Walled City Park to discover just how concentrated the living conditions were here until the early 1990s.
Kowloon shopping, dining and nightlife
Kowloon’s unique shopping experiences are plentiful. Travel to Mong Kok during the day to explore the Flower Market. Purchase several affordable bunches to freshen your hotel room. Continue to the nearby Yuen Po Bird Market, where local bird owners bring their pets to converse melodically with others for sale. Visit Kowloon City Wet Market, one of the region’s largest farmers markets, with fresh seafood, tofu, meats and produce, as well as spices and dried seafood, great for photos and aromatic memories.
Mong Kok is also where you’ll find the Ladies’ Market, a long narrow lane of open-air stalls selling clothing, jewellery, accessories and colourful Hong Kong souvenir items. Stop at stores behind the stalls for even more goods. Buy gems at the Jade Market in Yau Ma Tei. Nearby, Temple Street Night Market in Jordan opens in the evening, with silk clothing, watches, electronics and sundry souvenirs. Be prepared to bargain respectfully. Also be aware that some items may be imitation goods, but still fun to buy.
Visit Kowloon’s Nathan Road, a long stretch of small shops and high-end stores, with northerly continuation on Dundas Street. Arrange a bespoke tailored item. Visit early during your holiday to select your fabric and get measured. Return in a few days for the completed item or fitting, with the suit, dress or other garment mailed back home. Tsim Sha Tsui also has high-end shopping in air-conditioned comfort at Harbour City at the harbourfront or Elements near the ICC skyscraper.
Be adventurous and enjoy dining everywhere during your Kowloon visit. From round-tabled dim sum restaurants to open-air street food cafés known as dai pai dongs, you’ll find affordable and tasty treats, both savoury and sweet. Watch streetside chefs prepare delicious dishes of noodles, seafood, meats and seasonal vegetables in minutes in their woks. End the meal with egg tarts or egg waffles.
Kowloon also has tremendous fine-dining restaurants and bars, many on top floors of high-rise offices and hotels, with views of the harbour or simply an escape from the bustle of Kowloon’s streets. Enjoy Michelin meals of many different cuisines. Arrange a group to sing karaoke you might even learn some Cantonese.
Getting to and around Kowloon
Fly to Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok to visit Kowloon. Purchase an Octopus card to ride the Airport Express train and reach Kowloon Station in West Kowloon in 20 minutes. Investigate free shuttle service from here to hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui or Yau Ma Tei. You can also check in for your flight home at Kowloon Station.
TST Station and Central Station on Hong Kong Island are transport hubs for convenient MTR subway, bus and tram travel, also using Octopus for payment. Red-and-white taxis serve Kowloon and Hong Kong, while green-and-whites are for New Territories.
Given Kowloon’s location on Victoria Harbour, ferries provide important transport options. Ride the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island for a fast harbour crossing or simply a fun experience. The ferry system has been a valuable service for more than 135 years.
