Mongkok

Above: Nathan Road If you want to go to the typical sights you see on postcards, you won't not be disappointed in Mongkok.

You should go in the evening after dark because then you can see the shop signs lit up in all kinds of neon lights in Chinese - just like what you see on postcards. It is in the heart of Kowloon and reachable by MTR. But beware: it is crowded! After all, it is said to be the most densely populated area in the world. You won't doubt that once you set foot on streets like Sai Yueng Choi Street South. Even during the day, you will wonder why so many people are there. Don't they have to work??

Shown to the left is Nathan Road in Mongkok. Nathan Road is a main road in Kowloon running from TST to Mongkok, through Jordan and Yau Ma Tei, with shops all along. Unfortunately it has also earned a bad reputation because of some electronic stores scamming on tourists. You should just go to a chain store, there're many of them on Sai Yeung Choi Street South.

Above: Ladies Market in Mongkok Famous spots in Mongkok include the Ladies' Market, the Mongkok Computer Center, and the goldfish market. Nearby are the bird park, the flower market, and Temple Street. Left: Ladies Market

Above: Typical traffic in Mongkok area Mongkok is known for its heavy traffic, both of pedestrians and vehicles. Other than the main thoroughfairs like Argyle Street and Nathan Road, the side streets are seldom unoccupied. The scene in the photo to the left is not considered a traffic jam - the cars are just waiting for the traffic light. Life in a big city!

Above: Mongkok Computer Center, a shopping center filled with shops selling computers and other consumer electronics If you have heard of Golden Computer Arcade or Golden Computer Shopping Center, the Mongkok Computer Center is a slightly smaller version of it.

Winter decorations at Langham Place shopping mall in MongkokAmong all the small shops and shopping arcades in Mongkok, Langham Place stands out like a crane among chickens, as a Chinese proverb goes. It's clearly visible from miles away.

Like in other malls, you can count on seasonal decorations. The winter wonderland scene inside at Christmas time drew a crowd posing for the shutters.

Above left: Nathan Road Above right: Sai Yueng Choi Street South

Other than the well-known tourist spots, Shanghai Street and Reclamation Street are also interesting places to visit. If you're looking for traditional Chinese things like bamboo steamers, old-style Chinese scales, or abacuses, or even traditional Chinese wedding gowns, you can find them there (toward Yau Ma Tei area). But no telling how long they'll still be around. Hong Kong changes fast!

Then if you live in Hong Kong and are remodeling, Portland Street is where you can find store after store for tiles, wallpaper, bathroom fixtures and fittings, etc.

Mongkok is very accessible, and the easiest would be by MTR. Just get off at the Mongkok station on the red line or the green line (it's the interchange station between the two).

If you are looking around in Tsim Sha Tsui, you can even just keep walking north on Nathan Road. You'll pass Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, and then you'll be at Mongkok. From Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station to Mongkok station, it's just less than 1.5 miles.