Kowloon

Kowloon is a name which rings a bell for many people. Tourists flock to this city in Hong Kong, China, for a variety of reasons. Kowloon actually means ‘Nine Dragons’ meaning the hills in that destination.

Street markets, temples, and museums lend color to Kowloon. There’s something for individuals who yearn for traditional Hong Kong, and something for those hankering for 20th century attractions.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern attractions, Kowloon offers a soothing sanctuary for weary souls. Lotus ponds, aviary sheltering rare birds, and exotic plants & animals, plus the other alluring characteristics of a traditional Chinese garden make Kowloon Park a must-see place. Few parks offer a beautiful combination of waterfalls, sculptures, rare floral & fauna in one setting. Kowloon Park has interesting history, too. It served as base during the Opium War and also as barrack for the British Army. Check out the Kowloon Walled City Park situated in one of the historic sites in the territory.

Commanding attention, in the southeastern part of the Kowloon Park is the Kowloon Mosque, which caters to Hong Kong’s Muslim population. It’s a white marble dome which usually has Muslim women garbed in multicolored robes and scarves staying just outside the building while their male counterparts worship inside the mosque. The Kowloon mosque was constructed in 1984, but the original edifice was built way back in 1894 particularly for the Indian Muslim troops of the British Army.

For those whose whose vacation is not complete without shopping, popular shopping street markets dot Kowloon. There’s the Ladies’ Market which offers lots of women’s apparel, accessories, cosmetics, other wares and also toys and household items at bargain prices. The stalls line up along Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok, opening from noon until 11:30pm. Night markets likewise offer shopping opportunities for travelers in Kowloon, along with open-air restaurants serving an array of eats. Bird lovers will also be delighted to find the bird market on the other end of Nathan Road along Yuen Po Street.

Travelers who long to see ancient temples will find Tin Hau Temple located on Public Square Street captivating. Fisherfolks visit the temple, where 60 deities representing the 60 years of the lunar calendar are shown.

While in Hong Kong, try to see Tsim Sha Tsui at the tip of the Kowloon peninsula, which is replete with shopping outlets, museums, and hotels. There’s also a nice outdoor fountain show at the Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui East. Colored lights, laser beams and pyrotechnics add up to a spectacular show, A Symphony of Lights, at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.

Kowloon