Hong Kong Kowloon

Kowloon was earlier known as Kau Lung , literally meaning Nine Dragons. Located in Northern Hong Kong, north of the Hong Kong Island and the southern peninsular region of the New Territories , Kowloon is Hong Kong 's busiest urban center . The boundaries encompass the Kowloon Peninsula , the area of New Kowloon and Victoria Harbor . Kowloon is one of the most populated areas of Hong Kong and China .

The Kowloon Peninsula juts out of the Chinese main land mass. The cape is known as Tsim Sha Tsui . The peninsula is accessed from Hong Kong Island through the Star Ferry or the MTR metro trains.

This area of Hong Kong has five of the 18 districts -

• Kowloon City
• Yau Tsim Mong
• Sham Shui Po
• Wong Tai Sin
• Kwun Tong

Of these, Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong are the best known.



Kowloon City is mostly residential with a few commercial centers. It is built on the site of the ancient Kowloon Walled City of the Song Dynasty period. In fact it remained an important area through the following centuries till the 20 th Century. During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong , the walls of the ancient fort were bulldozed to make way for the Kai Tak Airport . In 1987, the old structure was completely demolished by the Chinese and British . In 1995, a commemorative park was built on the site of the old city in the style of a traditional Chinese garden. There are also beautiful temples dedicated to two boy emperors of the Song Dynasty. After the relocation of the International airport from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok , the old airstrip is now the site of a popular ethnic flea market. The city was infamous once because of fierce Chinese triads .

The name Yau Tsim Mong is an acronym, derived from the three major areas of Yaumatei (or Yau Ma Tei), Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok . It is one of Hong Kong 's smaller districts in terms of land area but is one the most bustling business area.

• Before 1860, Yaumatei was originally a fertile river valley and popular fishing village, it was popularly known as Kwun Chung in the older days. The Tanka fishermen anchored their boats and junks in the nearby bay. A famous typhoon shelter in the area is popular for it's floating restaurants offering delicious fresh sea food. There is also a well known Jade Market in the area.
• Tsim Sha Tsui is known as the "Elephant's Trunk". It is a cape located on the Kowloon Peninsula . It was earlier known as Heung Po Tau, meaning 'fragrant port' since it used to be a major stop in the trade of fragrant incense and wood. It is now a major commercial area with many interesting places to shop and eat. The Ocean Terminal has many exclusive boutiques and traditional Chinese apothecaries. There are a number of Indians, Pakistanis, Koreans and Africans living in this area. The area is also famous for it's dazzling display of Christmas lights.
• Mong Kok is literally translated to Busy or Bustling Corner. Earlier, people of this area used to grow vegetables and flowers. There is still a Watercress Street and a Water Spinach Street as evidence of the quaint past. The area is also famous for it's Flower Market and Goldfish Market . There are numerous shopping plazas in the area of which Nathan Road or ' Golden mile of Kowloon ' is most famous. Mong Kok is also known because of the variety of sreet food available. Even though some pottery from the Jin period has been found in the area, it is more famous for it's cosmopolitan buzz.