Kowloon, Hong Kong Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & See

Planning a trip to Kowloon, Hong Kong? Here's a guide that covers popular tourist destinations, local food and vital tips.

Where is Kowloon and How to Reach Kowloon?

A vibrant neighborhood, Kowloon is a densely packed peninsula that sits directly across Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong Island.

It forms one of Hong Kong's three main regions, including Hong Kong Island and New Territories. Kowloon is popular for its bustling street markets, iconic shopping avenues, and rich historical legacy.

Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong's most famous promenades, is located at the southern tip of Kowloon.

How to Reach Kowloon?

Reaching Kowloon and moving around is pretty straightforward. Thanks to Hong Kong's renowned, world-class transportation infrastructure. Let's see how to reach Kowloon from different places in Hong Kong.

From Hong Kong International Airport

• The fastest way to reach Kowloon from Hong Kong Airport is the Airport Express train.
• Scheduled every 9-12 minutes, the journey takes 20-22 minutes and costs HKD 105 per traveler.
• Another way is the airport bus. Many airport buses deliver passengers to different locations such as Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Jordan.
• The journey takes 40-60 minutes and costs up to HKD 41 per passenger.
• You can even hire a taxi colored in red, green and blue as per their operating areas.
• Passengers traveling to Kowloon take red taxis.

Via the MTR (Mass Transit Railway)

• Kowloon's connectivity is largely dependent on the MTR.
• The Tsuen Wan Line (Red Line) directly links Central on Hong Kong Island to major Kowloon hubs like Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, and Mong Kok.
• The Tuen Ma Line and Kwun Tong Line further open up eastern and western districts.

Cross-Harbour Ferries

• The iconic Star Ferry offers scenic crossings between Central or Wan Chai and Tsim Sha Tsui, combining quick transportation with panoramic harbour views.
• Central to Tsim Sha Tsui: The ferry departs from Central Pier No. 7 on Hong Kong Island and reaches the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier in Kowloon.
• Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui: The ferry departs from Wan Chai Pier on Hong Kong Island and arrives at Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.
• This is the cheapest form of transportation costing HKD 3-6, depending on the deck (upper or lower) and day of the week.

High-Speed Rail

• High-speed trains from mainland China arrive at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, situated next to the West Kowloon Cultural District.

Top Neighborhoods and Attractions in Kowloon to Visit

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Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade

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• Avenue of Stars is a promenade along the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui.
• The place celebrates those who've made great contributions to the local film industry.
• The promenade has 100 plaques with the handprints and autographs of the celebrities they represent.
• The floor has special lights that make the avenue glitter at night.
• Avenue of Stars is a great place for solo travelers, families, and couples who visit the place to enjoy Hong Kong's breathtaking night views.

Symphony of Lights

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• This is one of the most popular attractions of Kowloon and Hong Kong overall.
• It features colorful layers that synchronize with music, while leveraging Hong Kong's stunning urban landscape.
• This is a 14-minute show that takes place at 8 PM every night and covers 44 buildings.
• So, it is a must-visit if you are visiting Kowloon or Hong Kong for the first time.

Hong Kong Cultural Center

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• As the name suggests, the center hosts several performances, music concerts, ballet, theater and European and Chinese opera.
• It is situated at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
• The center consists of the main concert hall, two theaters, and an exhibition gallery.
• Many world-famous artists love to perform here. So, if you are an art lover visiting Hong Kong soon, don't miss out on checking upcoming performances.

Temple Street Night Market

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• Situated in Temple St, Jordan, this is the largest market in Hong Kong.
• Temple Street Night Market features a broad array of items such as clothes, bags, watches, shoes, DVDs, souvenirs, and home furnishings.
• The market turns vibrant, particularly after sunset and continues until 11 PM.
• Bargaining takes place extensively in the market. So, negotiate respectfully and enjoy the shopping experience!

Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Center

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• Famous for history and photos, this is a cultural museum catering to history lovers.
• It is situated in Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
• The museum offers a detailed insight into Hong Kong's rich history through its exhibits about transportation, work and prehistoric artifacts.
• You can even watch documentaries and see models in the museum.
• Hong Kong Heritage Discover Center is open Friday-Wednesday 10 AM to 6 PM (open until 7 PM on weekends).

Wong Tai Sin Temple

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• This one is a wonderfully preserved complex in Kowloon, dedicated to three major religions in China, including Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
• Located in 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon, the temple complex is spread across a massive area of 18,000 square meters.
• A significant attraction of the temple is its grand hall. However, apart from that, the other main attractions include Three-Saint Hall, the Taoist Temple and Nine Dragons Wall. The temple also has several historical inscriptions.
• Wong Tai Sin Temple is open daily from 7 AM to 5:30 PM.

Jade Market

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• A paradise for shoppers, Jade Market features ornaments, fashion jewelry, pendants, rings and anything from semi-precious stone to jade.
• Jade Market is situated in Jade St, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon.
• It is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Hong Kong Space Museum

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• This is a high-tech museum that features advanced planetariums, and interactive models that explain the basics of space exploration.
• In addition, you can enjoy a broad array of rides, including a virtual paraglider and an actual multi-axis chair used to train astronauts.
• The museum also has a space theater that shows seven movies every day that highlight space travel, sports, etc.
• Hong Kong Space Museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
• It is open Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 1 PM to 9 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Kowloon Park

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• Perfect for couples, families, and photography, Kowloon Park is a nice, peaceful, green spot amid Hong Kong's urban hustle.
• The park offers several free activities for children, including a swimming pool, an outdoor sculpture park and a games area.
• Even adults and seniors can have a great time, enjoying walking on the paths or relaxing on the park's grassy spots.
• The park is situated at 22 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon and is open every day from 5 AM to midnight.

Best Street Markets & Shopping Malls in Kowloon

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Harbour City

• Harbour City is a major shopping avenue that hosts over 700 shops.
• The mall is divided into five different areas, including Star Annex, Ocean Center, Ocean Terminal, Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel Arcade and Gateway Arcade.
• Open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, Harbour City is located at 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Fa Yuen Street Market

• Famous among locals, Fa Yuen Street Market showcases several items, including cheap jewelry, electronics, and fashion and apparel.
• The market is located at 75 Fa Yuen St, Mong Kok, between the Mong Kok and Prince Edward MTR stations.

1881 Heritage

• 1881 Heritage is popular for the latest collections from globally renowned fashion and jewelry houses.
• It is a Declared Monument, protected for its cultural significance as the former headquarters of Hong Kong's Marine Police Force.
• The location of 1881 Heritage is 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Elements

• This is a shopping mall with an extensive collection of top-tier and mid-range fashion stores.
• It has several entertainment options, including an ice rink, diners, and a multiplex movie theater.
• Elements is a great place for families.
• The mall is located at 1 Austin Rd W, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Timings: Daily from 10 AM to 9 PM.

Ladies' Market

• A bustling shopping street in Mong Kok, Kowloon's Ladies' Market is a treasure trove of fashion jewelry, clothes, shoes and tourist souvenirs.
• The market opens at midday but starts getting crowded by mid-afternoon and stays open until 11 PM.
• The location of the market is Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok.

Must-Eat Local Food & Street Snacks in Kowloon

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• Curry Fish Balls: Bouncy, springy fish balls served on skewers and drenched in a burning hot, aromatic curry sauce.
• Egg Waffles: Locally called Gai daan jai, this one is a classic comfort food with bubble-like shells, crispy outside and chewy inside.
• Dim Sum: Traditional Chinese dining style that features tiny, bite-sized portions of food served with hot tea.
• Steamed Rice Rolls: Called Cheung Fun, steamed rice rolls are silky, smooth rice noodle sheets sprinkled with sweet soy sauce, sesame peanut sauce and hoisin.
• Three Stuffed Treasures: Slices of green bell pepper, eggplant and tofu stuffed with a blend of marinated fish paste and Chinese sausage.
• Siu Mai Dumplings: Yet another traditional Chinese open-faced steamed dumpling served as part of a Dim Sum meal.

and many more...!

Essential Travel Tips for Kowloon Visitors

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• Octopus Card & Contactless Payments: Buy an Octopus Card at any MTR station or set up a digital Octopus on your phone's wallet app. Contactless credit cards are accepted at MTR turnstiles. But you will need an Octopus Card for minibuses, convenience stores, and street vendors.
• MTR Station Navigation: Stations have labeled lettered exits (e.g., Exit A1, Exit D2). So, always check station map boards to choose the right exit before surfacing.
• Best Time for Harbor Views: Arrive at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade around 6:30 PM to get a comfortable viewing spot for sunset.
• Tipping & Cash Etiquette: Casual eateries do not usually expect tipping. However, a 10% service charge is often added at sit-down restaurants. Always have small denominations such as HKD 20, HKD 50, etc., while shopping in street markets.

Best Hotels in Kowloon with Victoria Harbour Views