Other Places of Interest in Hong Kong

If it is the first time you are visiting Hong Kong, then there are a few places of interest that you should not miss seeing. One of them is The Peninsula Hotel on Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Opened in 1928, it is one of the most internationally recognizable hotels and has been voted world's best hotel on several occasions. And while you are there, look out for the fleet of famous green Rolls-Royce limousines.

Another historical landmark is the Star Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. The Star Ferry is a relatively inexpensive way of crossing between Kowloon and Hong Kong island and has been in operation since 1888. The current twin-pier terminal was completed in 1957. From here you can take the ferry across the Victoria Harbour to either Wanchai or Central for less than HK$3.00.

Tsim Sha Tsui itself, is a good place for shopping. Lots of modern fashion boutiques, shopping malls and department stores. It is also a good place to be on Christmas Eve, when the streets are closed to vehicular traffic and you can wander and squeeze with the massive crowds to watch fireworks and countdowns.

A short walk from Tsim Sha Tsui is where you can find Tsim Sha Tsui East, an extension of the shopping belt. It is less crowded here and more open spaces for photo opportunities and rest. 

If you walk along the harbour between Tsim Sha Tsui East and Tsim Sha Tsui, you can find the Avenue of Stars. A boardwalk modeled after the sidewalk of Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Avenue of Stars feature hand-prints of famous actors and directors who have greatly contributed to the Hong Kong film and acting industry. They include 60's opera stars Yam Kim Fai (任劍輝) and Pak Shuet Sin (白雪仙) and other more recent stars such as Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fatt and Sammo Hung.

If you like parks and gardens, then you can visit Chater Garden (遮打花園) in the Central District. A quiet park in the proximity of the seat of Government, but full of filipino maids on the weekends.

Or you can visit Victoria Park (維多利亞公園), between Causeway Bay and North Point, also packed with filipino maids on the weekends. 

Another good shopping area is Causeway Bay (銅鑼灣) on Hong Kong island, just beside Victoria Park. This area has been developing over the years and has many big department stores such as Sogo, Times Square and large fashion boutiques.

If you love shopping, then you must not miss the street markets in Mongkok (旺角女人街) which operate from the late afternoon till late into the night. Here you can find almost anything and bargaining is an art.

And I would like a special mention for the Shanghai Gentlemen Shoe Co. shop along Yim Po Fong Street (near the junction with the McDonald's). You can get really good leather shoes and boots there. I bought a pair of waterproof leather boots for around S$30. Such bargains are hard to come by.