Kowloon is a big city, although not quite. It is packed, but with the MTR connecting tourists to key Kowloon points of interests, it’s not impossible to cover a lot of mileage. What’s even better is that Kowloon is a city that never sleeps, so you can tour Kowloon at nighttime as well. This is especially convenient if you’re at work the entire day and can’t explore during the day. Here are some activities that you may want to consider:
Catch the Symphony of Lights at the Victoria Harbour.
It’s almost a given that you’re bound to go to Victoria Harbour in the evening. The view is even better there at night, with all the buildings lit and gleaming in the distance. Enjoy the Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong’s famous nightly spectacle, while you’re at it. Hopefully, you won’t miss it like we did on the rare occasion that they did not hold it.
According to Discovery Hong Kong, the light show started using a new soundtrack by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017. The show featured more buildings in 2018.
Visit Avenue of Stars.
Start your journey right before sunset at the Avenue of Stars. As its name suggests, Avenue of Stars, then temporarily located at Garden of Stars, is Hong Kong’s equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Garden of Stars was specifically located at the Tsim Sha Tsui East Waterfront Podium Garden.
The Kowloon tourism destination was relocated as part of a massive renovation project, with its original Harbourfront location closed until early this year. The Discovery Hong Kong website stated that some of the sculptures, such as those of Bruce Lee, Anita Mui, McDull and the Hong Kong Film Awards statuette, were temporarily removed from the Garden itself. We did not see McDull at the time of our 2016 trip, but we were able to view the other statues, as pictured below.
You can see handprint plaques of Hong Kong’s auteurs and most important actors on display on one side of the garden. Against its backdrop is a mural of cult classic movie scenes.
Practice Your Haggling Skills at Temple Street Night Market.
Temple Street covers several blocks starting from Man Mong Lane to Nanking Street, divided by the Tin Hau Temple complex. Its status as a hive of activity began in the 1920s when merchants assembled at the foot of the temple to sell their goods to temple-goers. Of course, it is a completely different place now, and tourists may not even be aware that a temple even exists in the vicinity.
Nowadays, the place is known for its dizzying collection of makeshift shops that sell cheap clothes, counterfeit bags and watches, electronics and souvenirs. I always take home paintings and art prints from my travels, and there are a number of stalls at Temple Street where you can buy them from, as well.
Prices are set by sellers high, but that doesn’t mean it’s final. Haggle to your heart’s content, but bear in mind that these locals are trying to earn a living, too.
When you’re done shopping, you can cap off the night at one of the eateries at the night market. This place is teeming with tourists, as well as professionals working in the area.
Go souvenir-hunting along Nathan Road.
Nathan Road is home to small, independent and family-owned shops that sell Hong Kong souvenirs, shirts and novelty items. There’s a string of this kind of shop in just about any corner of Nathan Road. Often times, they are open up to around 9:00 or 10:00 at night.
Visit the museums at Tsim Sha Tsui.
The luxury district, though known for its posh restaurants, shopping malls and hotels, is equally known for its tourist landmarks. The railway clock tower, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History, and the Hong Kong Cultural Center, are all located in Tsim Sha Tsui.
