Hong Kong 2024 - Tsimshatsui

 On my way to the Silk Road tour, I stopped in Hong Kong and spent a week there revisiting old haunts and exploring new areas.  I have always lived on Hong Kong Island when I was there and had always preferred it to Kowloon mainly because of familiarity.  When I was growing up, there were no subways (MTR) and going to Kowloon from the island involves taking the ferry and if driving, the car ferry.  It just seemed so far away it was always a special trip.  Things have changed drastically with the many MTR lines which provided quick access to all parts of Kowloon from Hong Kong.  In my previous visits I have discovered this convenience and explored parts of the "New Territories" (as they were called in the old days) from the main island which still remained in my comfort zone.  

This time around, I have decided to stay on Kowloon side just for a change of perspective and also partly to be able to get the night view of the harbour which is easily accessible from the waterfront hotel where I stayed at.  I will cover Tsimshatsui, Mongkok, the new West Kowloon Cultural district, Wanchai and Causeway Bay and Central.  There happened to be a typhoon when I was there and the few days left really whetted my appetite for a longer stay at some point down the road.  There are still so many places to explore!

I started with Tsimshatsui as that was where I arrived first in my jetlagged state after a 15 hour flight.  Having heard that a typhoon would be arriving in the next 48 hours, I figured it's my one chance to get some decent night shots of the harbour before it hits.  As it turned out, the typhoon was shortlived but it was a relief to get the shots out of the way and see other highlights in the area.  

This is actually a shot of the island side but taken from the Tsimshatsui promenade.  It is a popular congregation point for photographers.

The Promenade is also the site of the iconic Star Ferry Clock Tower

Ocean Terminal - this is where cruise ships berth

Busy Victoria Habour with its many tour boats at night

The Promenade would take you through a series of museums, starting with the Hong Kong Space Museum

The Hong Kong Museum of Art

An exhibit inside the Museum of Art

Calligraphy Exhibit

Picture window inside the Museum

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, seen from above, is massive

The outside arcade of the Cultural Centre

The lobby inside the Cultural Centre set up for a concert

What a pleasant surprise to find a self-service Library Station in the middle of all this!

A lantern display celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China





The historic Peninsula Hotel, opened in 1928




1881 Heritage is a Cultural and shopping landmark.  It was the former Marine Police Headquarters which was absorbed into the Hong Kong Police and moved to Sai Wan Ho.




Kowloon Park in Tsimshatsui - requires a steep climb.  It's a far cry from the renovated Hong Kong Park on the other side of the harbour.  But it has lots of butterflies!

Asian swallowtail 

Indian palm bob butterfly

Local ladies doing their morning dancercise

Long line up for morning coffee!

Lots of street food in the area, including this one with delicious BBQ goose!

I like how you can buy specific portions of the goose depending on how much you pay.  

All the well-known noodle houses are represented in the area.  This one has the best beef brisket!

Mak's Noodles still the best for wonton

Nathan Road here with the infamous Chungking Mansion