Kowloon Guide: Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po, With an Evening Route
Kowloon along the MTR Tsuen Wan line: the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, night markets, Mong Kok shopping streets and the electronics stalls of Sham Shui Po.
תשובה מהירה
- Kowloon is easy on the Tsuen Wan line, which stops at Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Prince Edward and Sham Shui Po in that order.
- Tsim Sha Tsui suits the early evening on the waterfront, while Temple Street and the Ladies' Market are night markets best visited after dark.
- Market and harbourfront show schedules can change, so check official sources before you go.
Kowloon in brief and how to move around
Kowloon is the side of Victoria Harbour opposite Hong Kong Island: packed streets, tall residential blocks and more local markets than the island side. Most visitors use the MTR Tsuen Wan line as the spine, since it passes nearly every highlight here.
| Station | Go here for | הערה |
|---|---|---|
| Tsim Sha Tsui | Waterfront, Avenue of Stars, museums | Many exits; an underground passage links to East Tsim Sha Tsui station |
| ירדן | Temple Street Night Market to the north | Look for the Temple Street exit sign |
| Yau Ma Tei | The other end of Temple Street, with the old jade and fruit markets | Near the jade and fruit markets |
| Mong Kok | Ladies' Market, Sneakers Street, Flower Market | Many exits; pick by the street name on the sign |
| Sham Shui Po | Electronics, fabric and street food | A very local area with fewer tourists |
Tsim Sha Tsui: the waterfront and museums
The Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade has the clearest view of the Hong Kong Island skyline. The Avenue of Stars is a harbourside walk honouring Hong Kong cinema, and the Symphony of Lights is a light show on buildings along both shores, usually watched from this side. The art museum, space museum and history museum are in the same area.
Jordan and Yau Ma Tei: Temple Street
Temple Street Night Market runs along the street between Jordan and Yau Ma Tei stations, with stalls of clothes, souvenirs and street food the whole way. Claypot rice and seafood restaurants fill the nearby streets. Go after sunset.
Mong Kok: markets and themed streets
- Ladies' Market on Tung Choi Street: clothes, bags and souvenirs, with bargaining as the norm.
- Sneakers Street on Fa Yuen Street: rows of sports and sneaker shops.
- Flower Market: a street of florists and plant shops, best by day.
- Bird Garden: a market of birdcages and bird-keeping gear, close to Prince Edward.
Tips for the markets
- Ask the price first and bargain politely, especially at the Ladies' Market and Temple Street.
- Carry some cash and an Octopus card, since many small stalls do not take credit cards.
- Pick quieter times, such as early-week evenings, for easier walking than on weekends.
- See the Flower Market and the Bird Garden by day, then the night markets after dark.
Sham Shui Po: electronics and street food
Sham Shui Po is known for electronics, fabric, beads and second-hand goods, with local eateries and snacks in the side streets. It feels rawer than Tsim Sha Tsui and suits visitors who want to see how locals live. Prices and stock vary stall by stall, so look at a few before buying, and keep valuables close in the narrow, crowded lanes. The area is best explored on foot, without a fixed list.
Getting to Kowloon
- Airport Express: from the airport to Kowloon station, directly on the Kowloon side, then a shuttle or the MTR to your hotel.
- Star Ferry: from the Central or Wan Chai piers across to Tsim Sha Tsui, the most scenic way over.
- MTR Tsuen Wan line: passes almost every spot in this guide and connects to the Island line at Central.
- East Tsim Sha Tsui: the station closest to the museums and the eastern waterfront, linked underground to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Similar station names such as Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui are easy to confuse. Match the exit sign to your destination before you walk, because exits can be several blocks apart.
Data and apps for Kowloon
Many restaurants and small shops in Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po answer on WhatsApp, and reviews are easy to find on OpenRice or Google Maps. Mobile signal is strong, MTR included, so an eSIM installed before the flight gives you maps and translation straight after you leave the airport.
For more on SIM and eSIM preparation, see “Hong Kong Trip Prep: Checklist, SIM, eSIM and Staying Online”.
An evening route
- 1Early evening at Tsim Sha TsuiReach the waterfront before sunset, walk the promenade and the Avenue of Stars, and wait for the lights.
- 2MTR to JordanTake the Tsuen Wan line to Jordan and walk to Temple Street Night Market for dinner.
- 3Continue to Mong KokRide on to Mong Kok and walk the Ladies' Market and Sneakers Street.
- 4FinishIf you still have energy, go on to Sham Shui Po for snacks, or head back to your hotel by MTR.
The island side is covered in “Hong Kong Island Guide: Central, Sheung Wan and Wan Chai”, and the whole-city overview is in “Hong Kong Travel Guide for First-Timers: Areas, Sights, Transport”.
שאלות נפוצות
When should I go to the night markets?+
After sunset is liveliest, but individual stall times vary, so check current information.
Does Octopus work at the markets?+
Convenience stores take it, but many stalls accept cash only, so carry some cash. Contactless bank cards also work at MTR gates, but not at most market stalls.
How do I get across to Central?+
Take the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui or the MTR beneath the harbour.
About the author
Porsch Kunnipat Siramanakul
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- Digital marketer
- Performance marketing and marketing planning
ל-Instagram ול-TikTok אין כפתור שיתוף באתר, ולכן אנחנו פותחים את חלונית השיתוף של הטלפון שלכם או מעתיקים את הקישור במקום.