TSIM SHA TSUI HOTELS

This is infamous Tsim Sha Tsui, home to the world's most stunning city views and some of the most concentrated, frenetic shopping anywhere. By the way, Tsim Sha Tsui was formerly written Tsimshatsui everywhere you looked but kindhearted people decided to split it into three words to make its pronunciation (slightly) more apparent. Anyway, it is pronounced, very roughly - 'jim 'sa 'joy - spoken rather quickly. Don't worry, no matter how well you say it you'll get a smile from the locals.

Highly recommended here is a stroll along the Waterfront Promenade which extends from the Star Ferry Pier down in front of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Space Theatre around the Intercontinental Hotel, and then all the way past Tsim Sha Tsui East into Hung Hom. For shopping, it's huge Harbour City, the "golden mile" of Nathan Road, or the hundred of small shops and boutiques everywhere.

In and around the Tsim Sha Tsui area

The Star Ferry

From 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., these two-story, cigar-shaped, green boats cross back and forth across the choppy harbor between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central. See the Star Ferry entry on the Central/Admiralty Map page for more information. Great views - a must.

Hong Kong Cultural Center

Enclosed in this grand, modern structure on the TST waterfront is the Concert Hall, the Grand Theatre, and the Studio Theatre. Adjacent is the Hong Kong Museum of Art.

Hong Kong Space Museum and Theater

Under the eye-catching dome is a high-tech, dazzling "star-show" at the Planetarium. Omnimax showings are here as well.

The Peninsula Hotel

The Grand Old Lady of Hong Kong. If you don't have the privilege of staying here, at least poke your head in the front door or have a tea in the lobby. At night, if you're looking for a cocktail, head up to the Felix bar crowning her towers for some of the finest panoramas in the world particularly from the, um, men's glass-walled bathroom.

The Promenade

Following the waterfront from Tsim Sha Tsui East/Hung Hom all the way down to the Star Ferry pier is the Promenade, a wide pedestrian walkway directly at the harbor's edge. Great for a stroll anytime of the day!

Kowloon Park

Kowloon Park offers a cool, quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Many beautifully landscaped walkways wind their way through the park. Indeed, the park is mostly these paths criss-crossing the park. Don't expect wide open spaces here or at most of the other Hong Kong parks, except for Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. There is a covered walkway between Kowloon Park and China Hong Kong City.

Shopping

Hong Kong has been properly described as a shopper's paradise. Everything here, except for alcohol and tobacco, is duty-free -- there is no tax! With a little care and some common sense, you can enjoy the wonderful products and prices the city has to offer. Here are some tips:

1. Hong Kong Tourist Association: If possible, try to buy from members of the Hong Kong Tourist Association or HKTA (tel. is 2929 6111) as their reputations are verifiable. Look for their logo - a red junk - wherever you shop. A free shopping guide loaded with good advice is available at the HKTA outlet at the Star Ferry Pier.
2. Shop Around: There are many, many stores selling the exact same items but at different prices. Shop and compare! Guarantees: When buying an item that comes with a guarantee, make sure the guarantee is international.
3. Bargaining: In most cases, bargaining is NOT really done at a department store or major retailer but IS done at a night market or smaller outlet. Trying to haggle over the price of an item in a major department store will get you nowhere.

Harbour City

Harbour City is Hong Kong's largest and most popular shopping center with 700 shops and boutiques, 50 restaurants, two cinemas, three top hotels (Marco Polo HongKong Hotel, Prince Hotel and Gateway Hotel), a 500-room serviced apartment, a private club, 2,000 car parking spaces, 4.4 million square foot office towers, etc., etc., etc. It's big, and takes up much of the western part of Tsim Sha Tsui's harbourfront. On the map above, it extends from the Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel on the south, to the diamond-shaped towers on the north. Across the street on Canton road, is a great place to shop for designer wear.

Nathan Road

Shopping abounds along Nathan Road and down her side-streets and alleyways. Very popular purchases are jewelry, shoes, bags, and, of course, clothes. You can find some very good deals with just a little checking to ensure the quality matches the price. Definitely look around a bit before buying more expensive items such as cameras or jewelry. A great place to shop here is the Chinese Arts and Crafts department store with silk being an especially good deal. The clothing factory-outlets along Granville Road (between Kimberley and Cameron roads) are a must for those seeking true bargains.

MTR (Mass Transit Railway): Tsim Sha Tsui Station

The subway/underground/metro is how people get around most of the time. It's cheap, efficient, clean, and modern. There are numerous entrances down to the TST station as you near its Nathan Road/Mody Road location. Close to and at each entrance is the MTR logo to help you find your way (shown above).

China Ferry Terminal  

For ferries into other parts of China, the terminal is at China Hong Kong City