Shopping in Tsim Sha Shui
There’s no better shopping in Hong Kong than in Kowloon. Tsim Sha Tsui to the south has the type of wide and never-ending avenues that you’d expect to find in Manhattan. All the luxury designer brands can be found here, as well as many high street retailers including a new H&M flagship store. The main shopping street is Nathan Road. If you prefer to shop with everything under one air-conditioned roof, then there are also some large shopping malls such as Habour City.
Visiting Wong Tai Sin Temple
Dedicated to Wong Tai Sin (Great Immortal Wong), Wong Tai Sin Temple is home to three leading Chinese religions: Buddhism; Taoism, and Confucianism. Icons of gods from the three faiths are worshipped here, including Guanyin (Bodhisattva of Compassion) from Buddhism, Yu Di, the most superior God in Taoism, and Confucius himself. Known to make every wish come true, Wong Tai Sin Temple receives crowds of visitors every day and worshippers who pray here can learn their fortune via a process called Kau Kim, in which they shake a bamboo cylinder, receive written wisdom and consult a soothsayer.
Trying street food in Mong Kok
Nestled in the most densely populated district of Hong Kong, Mong Kok offers a wide range of street food at wallet-friendly prices. The top choice is deep-fried, sticky tofu, famed for its pungent odor that spreads for miles (still, the crunchy skin and tender fillings are easy to get addicted to). Other popular options include curry fish balls, deep-fried pig intestines and sweet egg tart. If you get thirsty after having street food, give bubble tea (also named pearl milk tea) a try. It is the most popular drink among locals and goes down fantastically well with chewy tapioca balls.
Having fine dining in Central
With three out of the five three-star Michelin restaurants in Hong Kong located in Kowloon’s Central district, surely no food lover can resist paying a visit? Head to L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, oozing with Francophone sophistication; Lung King Heen, well known for traditional Chinese dishes; or 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, with its refined Italian food. And if that’s not your cup of tea, don’t worry: there are oodles of other hotels and fine dining restaurants in Central to choose from.
Traveling across Victoria Harbor by Star Ferry
After exploring Tsim Sha Tsui for the whole day, why not take the Star Ferry to continue your journey in Central Hong Kong and get some seriously jaw-dropping views of the Kowloon city skyline? It costs less than 1 USD for the crossing, which takes around just 10 minutes. You can walk freely on the ferry and get some fantastic photographs of Hong Kong along the way.
Buying souvenirs in Ladies Market
Many may know nothing about Tung Choi Street, but its nickname, Ladies Market, is known by most all travelers to Hong Kong. Situated in Mong Kok, Ladies Market can be easily accessed via underground railway. It’s hugely popular for its cheap prices and the wide variety of goods, ranging from Chinese ornaments, to iPhone cases, fake handbags and even sex toys. This makes it a great place for a good old haggle and perfect for picking up the souvenirs.
Having your future told in Temple Street
While fortune-telling in the Western world is done by a crystal ball and tarot, the Chinese way is palm reading and face reading. The Chinese believe that a person’s character and future are determined from birth, and fates can be told by reading lines on hands and features. Head down to Temple Street to get your destiny read by the soothsayers there, who often have parrots handy as side-kicks, or maybe a turtle.