Kowloon Travel Guide Hong Kong: 32 tips for the Tsim Shatsui, Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok districts

During one of my last trips to Hong Kong, I wanted to stay on the other side of the city to create a Kowloon Travel Guide. So I booked a hotel in the Tsim Shatsui district, and I was very pleased! This district is located in Kowloon, the part of Hong Kong that faces Hong Kong Island. You can take the Star Ferry, and from places like the Ozone Skybar, you have a fantastic view of Hong Kong Island on a clear day.

Kowloon Travel Guide Hong Kong: 34 tips for the Tsim Shatsui, Yau Ma Tei & Mong Kok districts 

Kowloon consists of the neighborhoods of Tsim Shatsui, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok, which extend from the waterfront into the mainland in that precise order. These neighborhoods in Hong Kong were long home to the working class, but nowadays you also see many (expat) families moving across the water and settling in Tsim Shatsui. Rent there is significantly more affordable than on Hong Kong Island.

If you're planning to go shopping in Hong Kong, you absolutely have to go there. In this Kowloon Travel Guide, I've compiled all my tips for exploring this Hong Kong district!

| STOPOVER TIP: Are you going on a tour of Asia and want to visit multiple cities? Then you can plan your ideal itinerary, including a stopover in Hong Kong, yourself with Cathay Pacific's Multi City Tool! Go directly to the tool >>

Hong Kong © Yourlbb

4 Best Places to Stay in Kowloon, Hong Kong

If, like me, you'd like to stay on the other side of the water, here are some hotel tips. Keep in mind that hotels in Hong Kong aren't exactly cheap, and the city is full of luxurious accommodations!

Hotel Hart

I stayed in Hotel Hart And I'd best describe this hotel as a "budget" design hotel. I put "budget" in quotation marks because it has to be measured by Hong Kong standards. The small rooms are incredibly cleverly laid out and equipped with everything you need. The design is urban-industrial, and if you're looking for a budget-friendly stay in Hong Kong, I highly recommend it. Keep in mind that Hart Street, where the hotel is located, turns into a bustling nightlife street in the evenings, so bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
4 Hart Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong 

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Hotel Hart

W Hotel Hong Kong

The famous W Hotel Chain Hong Kong has a beautiful design hotel in Kowloon. It features a rooftop terrace for the summer months and modernly furnished rooms.
1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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W Hotel

Hotel Stage

Hotel Stage is a budget design hotel (by Hong Kong standards) located near Temple Street, which bustles in the evening with its many markets.
1 Chi Wo Street, Yau Tsim Mong District, Hong Kong

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Hotel Stage

Hotel The Peninsula

Your budget probably won't allow you to book a room at this impressive hotel. If you'd still like to take a look inside, book the famous afternoon tea at "The Pen," as locals often call it. Afternoon tea is always a fun activity in Hong Kong. It's one of the traditions that evokes British influence! The Peninsula You'll also find Felix Restaurant, one of the city's more upscale restaurants. Dress to impress, and be sure to bring your designer handbag if you have one. Prefer dim sum in the evening? You can also enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at Felix's bar!
Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong 

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The Peninsula

8 X Shopping in Kowloon Hong Kong

Mum's Not Home

A really cool concept store with a café all under one roof in Yau Ma Tei. They sell all sorts of home goods and clothing, and serve authentic Chinese dishes like dim sum and barbecue pork buns!
302 Shanghai St, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong – mumsnothome.com

Black Sugar Coffee & Lifestyle

For the very best coffee on the edge of Mong Kong and Ho Man Ting, head to Black Sugar Coffee. It's essentially a coffee shop meets concept store, offering some quirky Hong Kong-style items.
Peace Mansion, 8 Peace Ave, Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong – Instagram Page

Harbour City Shopping Mall

If you're looking for a specific store in this mall, make sure you have Wi-Fi, as it's so big it's easy to get lost. It happened to me when I was looking for a new pair of sunglasses at the Chloé store! While you can also find Zara and H&M in this mall, the stores are predominantly upscale.
3-27 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong – harbourcity.com.hk

Me and George

A super affordable vintage shop tucked away behind the Ladies Market and a Hong Kong institution. You'll find a wide selection of Japanese and Korean vintage clothing, including kimonos! Be prepared to dig around a bit to find a gem, but once you do, you'll be thrilled!
9 Li Yuen St W, Central, Hong Kong 

Guangzhou Road

If you plan to shop here, a well-filled wallet or a big credit card are essential. Don't be surprised to see hordes of Chinese people waiting to enter luxury stores, from Chanel to Gucci. This is the street in Hong Kong where you'll find all the luxury brands in one place.
Canton Rd, Hong Kong

Trendy Zone

A mall of a completely different order is Trendy Zone in Mong Kok. Here, you'll find everything under one roof, from boutiques featuring young designers to a plethora of stores selling fake watches. It's a bit of a search, and you need to be in the mood, but if you have an eye for detail (and fit Asian sizes), you can find some great fashion items here for a reasonable price.
580 Nathan Road, Mong Kong, Hong Kong

Ladies Market

Another place where you can find just about anything. From tacky souvenirs to kimonos, fake designer items, and jewelry. You name it, they sell it at this market. This market on Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok opens at noon and lasts until just after 10 pm. Bargaining for the best price is essential!
Tung Choi St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong – ladies-market.hk

Temple Street Night Market

This market is very similar to the Ladies Market, except that it doesn't start until late afternoon and goes on until 2:00 AM. Around this market, you'll also find many local eateries where you can get some really good food for a reasonable price. Don't be surprised if they do karaoke in the middle of the street. It's all part of the experience, and some of the "performers" are true social media idols! You'll find this market between Jordan and Yau Ma Tei. Temple St, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong – Facebook page

Hong Kong © Yourlbb

8 Things to Do in Kowloon // Kowloon Travel Guide

Space Invader street art

If you get off the Star Ferry, you immediately see huge Pac-Man street art from Space Invader on the promenade . It is also very Instagram-worthy, and you don't have to travel nearly as far to see it.

Shop till you drop

As you can read from the tips, Kowloon is the district for shopping in luxury shops, at markets and in local boutiques.

Take the Star ferry

Most ferries depart from Kowloon to other parts of Hong Kong and also, for example, to Macau. starferry.com.hk

Go dim sum

The Kowloon district is home to some of my favorite dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong. You can read more about them in the next section!

The Instagram 'rainbow' flat

Kowloon is also home to one of the city's most Instagrammed spots: the (now) world-famous "rainbow" apartment building with its palm trees and basketball court. It's quite far away, so I haven't been there myself, but I'll post a photo so you can see what I mean!
Choi Hung Estate, Hong Kong

Street food in Kowloon

In Kowloon, and especially in the Mong Kok district, you'll find lots of street food stalls around the markets where you can score tasty snacks for very cheap! Just look for the longest line of locals to choose the best food. Tip: book a tour with a local and head out with a private guide to find the best food spots. Read more about a private tour here >>

Kowloon Walled City Park

Right in the northernmost part of Kowloon, you'll find Kowloon Walled City Park. A place with a rich history! It's too long a story to tell here, so just Google "forbidden city Hong Kong" to see what this neighborhood once looked like. Perhaps best described as an apartment block where tens of thousands of people lived, it was known as the stronghold of the opium trade, the mafia, and prostitutes. This "city" was razed to the ground at the end of the last century, and now it's a city park!
Kowloon City, Hong Kong – Facebook page

Have a cocktail at Ozone

This sky bar is definitely touristy, but the view of Hong Kong Island from Kowloon is priceless! Definitely do it once when you're in Hong Kong so it can be ticked off your bucket list!
1 Austin Ave, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong – ritzcarlton.com

Timhowan HK © Yourlbb

12 Food Spots Not to Miss in Kowloon, Hong Kong

Kowloon isn't exactly the place for trendy restaurants, so I'll start this list with tips for my favorite food: dim sum!

Din Tai Fung

This dim sum chain is a household name in Asia. In Taiwan, Din Tai Fung has even been awarded a Michelin star. I love coming here for the soup dumplings, which are incredibly delicious!
30 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong – www.dintaifung.com.hk

Dim Dim Sum

Walking down this street at night, you can't see the forest for the trees—they're just neon signs. Times Square in New York is nothing compared to this ;-). You have to pay close attention, but when you see all the newspaper clippings about awards hanging in the windows, you know you're in the right place. At Dim Dim Sum, you can eat delicious dim sum for very little money, and you'll mainly be among the locals!
Diamond Building, 6 Tin Lok Ln, Wan Chai, Hong Kong – Facebook page

Tim Ho Wan

The first time I ate at Tim Wo Han was in Manila, Philippines. They have incredibly delicious sugar-glazed pork buns. That alone is why I always go there when I'm in a city with a Tim Wo Han restaurant. This chain has also been awarded a Michelin star, making it one of the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in the world.
9-11 Fuk Wing St, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong – www.timhowan.hk

Serenade

Can you, like me, be woken up for dim sum? Then you'll definitely want to have these steamed delicacies for breakfast in Hong Kong! Ask for a table by the window for a great view of Victoria Harbour. Except on public holidays, they open at 9:00 AM.
tsim sha tsui, Hong Kong 

| FOODIE TIP: Looking for a fun food tour ? On this private tour, you’ll head out with a local to sample food at 10 street food spots . Stalls you probably wouldn’t normally discover or trust regarding the food, but where you’ll taste the most delicious things right among the locals! Read more about the food tour in Kowloon here >>

Paradise Dynasty

Ever seen a picture of rainbow dim sum? Chances are it was taken at Crystal Palace. They have several locations in Hong Kong, but if you go to the one in Mong Kok, you're guaranteed to be among the locals! Order the dim sum basket with all the colors of rainbow dim sum to sample the different flavors, from black truffle to beetroot.
6/F, 99 Percival St, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong – paradisegroup.com

TIP: Are you, like me, a huge fan of Korean food? Then you need to be near Kimberley Street. You'll find loads of Korean barbecue restaurants there!

The Coffee Academics

In the Victoria Harbour City Mall my regular spot for a coffee break is The Coffee Academics. The iced latte is very tasty there!
Kiosk 1, 2/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbor City, 3-27 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong – he-coffeeacademics.com

Urban Coffee Roasters

Full = full, and I can't call the staff particularly friendly. It is, however, one of the best coffee shops in Kowloon! Definitely hipster-style. A great place for brunch on the weekend, but you're also in the right place for coffee to go, expertly brewed for you.
Hong Mei Building, 135 Lai Chi Kok Rd, Tai Kok Tsui, Hong Kong – ucr.hk 

Knockbox Coffee

Right next to TAP in Mong Kok, you'll find Knockbox Coffee. Go here for professionally brewed coffee and the most delicious pastries!
Ground Floor, 21 Hak Po Street Mong Kok, Hong Kong – knockboxcoffee.hk

Mammy Pancake

For the tastiest egg waffles in Tsim Sha Tsui, head to Mammy Pancake. It's a hole-in-the-wall waffle shop you'd easily pass by. It's a shame, because the egg puff waffles are delicious! Definitely try them.
Carnarvon Mansion, 8-12E Carnarvon Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong – mammypancake.com

TAP

If you're craving a craft beer, you have to go to TAP (The Ale Project) in Mong Kong! Looking for something to eat? Their menu mainly features things that pair well with beer, like burgers, fried chicken, and toasted sandwiches.
15 Hak Po St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong – thealeproject.com

High Tea at The Lounge & Bar

I love afternoon teas with a spectacular view. A few years ago, for example, I was at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, and I have to say, the view from The Lounge Bar on the 102nd floor of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong comes pretty close. It's a fun thing to do in Hong Kong if you have something special to celebrate!
102/f, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, Hing Kong, Hong Kong – ritzcarlton.com

Fly direct to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific

HOW TO GET THERE: From Amsterdam, you fly to Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific in about 11 hours. From Hong Kong, you can then fly on to many destinations in Asia, including Bali. Search for your tickets here now >>

During this trip, we flew Premium Economy Class to Hong Kong on a brand-new A350. Choosing this option gives you extra legroom, wider seats, and a more extensive menu with a variety of dishes and snacks. Incredibly luxurious and comfortable! Tip: Depending on the type of ticket you book, you can add a stopover in Hong Kong! For some flight classes, a stopover is even free.

PLAN YOUR STOPOVER: Are you going on a tour of Asia and want to visit multiple cities? Then you can use the Multi City Tool to plan your ideal itinerary yourself, including a stopover in Hong Kong. Go directly to the tool >>

Are you already flying carbon neutral? Read more here about offsetting your flights.

| TIP: Flying via Schiphol? Then you can download a €5 voucher here for a discount at See Buy Fly! Book a cheaper parking spot in advance if you are driving to Schiphol . That can save quite a bit of money. Our favorite hotels near Schiphol (which we have also tested ourselves) are CitizenM and Hilton . Handy if you have a very early flight!

Travel tips for your layover in Hong Kong

The fastest way to get from the airport to the city is with the Airport Express. Don't feel like the hassle at a ticket machine after a long flight? You can also buy tickets online in advance here >>

Yourlbb's favorite (boutique) hotels

☾ Hotel Stage: Hip and affordable hotel near the Temple Street Night Market.
☾ Madera Hollywood: The location of this hotel in the heart of Soho is perfect!
☾ The Landmark Mandarin Oriental: Luxury boutique hotel in Central with speakeasy cocktail bar, spa and Michelin-star restaurant. 
☾ Hotel Hart: Trendy and affordable lifestyle hotel in Kowloon with tiny rooms, but everything you need. 
☾ The Jervois: One of the best hotels in the trendy Sheung Wan district.
☾ The Park Lane Hotel: Nice hotel in Causeway Bay with an awesome rooftop bar.
☾ Cue Hotel: Very affordable lifestyle hotel in the Wan Chai district.
☾ One96: Staying in Hong Kong for a longer stay? Then choose a serviced apartment!
☾ Cordis Hotel: Lovely luxury hotel in Kowloon next to a mega shopping mall.
☾ Mandarin Oriental: Unprecedented luxury during your stopover in Hong Kong.
☾ East Hong Kong: Nice lifestyle hotel with a cool rooftop bar.
☾ 99 Bonham: Nice hip hotel in the nice Sheung Wan district.
☾ W Hong Kong: Highly recommended if you are in Hong Kong in the summer as they have a swimming pool!
☾ Ritz Carlton:  The hotel is also home to the famous Ozone Bar.
☾ The Peninsula: Beautiful view of the Hong Kong skyline.

More hotspots

Fun things to do in Hong Kong

➊ Tour of the city's Instagram hotspots ➋ Food tour in Kowloon with 10 tastings ➌ Ngong Ping cable car & visit to Tai O fishing village ➍ Street art tour with a local ➎ Evening boat trip in a traditional boat ➏ Hiking with a local at Dragon's Back ➐ Ride on the Peak Tram & view from the Sky Terrace ➑ Food tour in Mong Kok ➒ Ngong Ping cable car to Big Buddha in a glass-floored cabin ➓ Food tour in the Sai Ying Pun district

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