Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong
Tsim Sha Tsui Facts
Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the busiest and most touristy districts in Hong Kong. In this district, you can visit famous attractions, shop in duty-free shops and skyscraper malls, eat local snacks and dishes, or visit interesting museums with your kids. Here, we have listed the top experiences for you to enjoy when you visit Tsim Sha Tsui.
Chinese Name: 尖沙咀
Type: Shopping Paradise
Address: Southern Kowloon, Hong Kong
Best Seasons: All year round
Recommended Visiting Hours: about 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: All day
Ticket: Free
Why is Tsim Sha Tsui so Special?
Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the busiest and most touristy districts in Hong Kong. In this district, you can visit famous attractions, shop in duty-free shops and skyscraper malls, eat local snacks and dishes, or visit interesting museums with your kids. Here, we have listed the top experiences for you to enjoy when you visit Tsim Sha Tsui.
Where is Tsim Sha Tsui ?
Tsim Sha Tsui is located in the south of Kowloon Peninsula and faces Central across the sea. It is known as the one-stop shoppers’ paradise brimming with both high-end malls and bustling shopping streets. There are also various themed museums that inject a little cultural atmosphere to the area. After sunset, enjoying the brilliant night scenes along the Victoria Harbour can be a great way to end the evening.
History of Tsim Sha Tsui
Historical maps in Ming or Qing Dynasty named the channel between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central as Chung Mun as it is located in the middle of the two other channels, Kap Shui Mun in the west and Lei Yue Mun in the east, in the harbour.
Before Kowloon was ceded to Britain in 1860, many villages were present in the area. Incense trees (Aquilaria sinensis) from New Territories were gathered at some quays in Tsim Sha Tsui and transferred to Shek Pai Wan in southern Hong Kong Island to be exported to rest of the world. It was thus known as Heung Po Tau, the fragrant quay. Shortly after the land was ceded to Britain, construction began on the first section of Tsim Sha Tsui’s major thoroughfare, Nathan Road.
Famous buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui
- The Clock Tower is a landmark, which was built about 100 years ago and is still functioning today. When you get off from the Star Ferry, you will see the tower standing at the side of the pier.
- The former Marine Police Headquarters is located at the junction of Canton Road and Salisbury Road. This Victorian building was the headquarters of the Marine Police from 1884 to 1997 and has now been reformed as a cultural hotel.
Top Things to Do in Tsim Sha Tsui
Ride the Star Ferry
The Star Ferry boat ride is a popular and widely praised experience in Hong Kong. The ferry can take you on a trip between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui (12 minutes), or you can travel around Victoria Harbour (1 hour).
Visit the Avenue of Stars
Renewed and reopened in January 2019, the Avenue of Stars has been upgraded to a garden themed around Hong Kong’s history and Hong Kong movies. There are over 100 plaques of hand prints by famous Hong Kong movie stars and directors on the handrails. You can try to find the hand prints belonging to Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, and John Woo, or take a photo with the bronze statue of Bruce Lee.
Go Shopping Along Nathan Road
Nathan Road is the main artery across the north and south of Tsim Sha Tsui and is the most bustling street, with crowds of shoppers there all day long. The 3.6 kilometer street is filled with world-famous brand stores, shopping malls, and restaurants. You may also have the chance to enjoy some live music played by bands at the side of the road.
Walk Along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade
The most iconic buildings and sceneries of Hong Kong are concentrated in Victoria Harbour, and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade is the best place to enjoy the views. Don’t miss this when you visit Hong Kong! You can start from the Star Ferry Pier and see famous landmarks and attractions in turn: the Clock Tower, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, and the Avenue of Stars.
Recommended Hong Kong Tour
1 Day Macau Tour Package From Hong Kong
2 Day Hong Kong Highlights Tour
4 Day Hong Kong Discovery Tour
How to Get to Tsim Sha Tsui
Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)
If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.
Independent Traveler
- Take metro Tsuen Wan line and get off at Tsim Sha Tsui Station, or take West Rail Line to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station.
- Take the Star Ferry from the pier at the Central or Wan Chai to reach the destination.
Useful Travel Tips
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Taste Local Dishes in Ashley Road
If you are feeling tired while shopping, Ashley Road is located between Nathan Road and Canton Road, and this is a good place to have a rest and enjoy some food. You can find some of the best Hong Kong dim sum there as well as traditional Chinese food, European delicacies, and Japanese and Korean dishes. You are also welcomed at night in Ashley Road as some restaurants and bars operate late at night. -
Enjoy Festivals in Victoria Harbour
Tsim Sha Tsui is a popular place for Hong Kong people to celebrate festivals. Every Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the shopping malls near Victoria Harbour are decorated with festive decorations. Ocean Terminal will have stereo decorations and music shows — this is also a good place to go for the New Year countdown event. -
Distinctive Restaurants
The following are some recommended restaurants for you:
Lee Keung Kee North Point Egg Waffles, No. 178, Nathan Road
Din Tai Fung Restaurant, 3F of the Silvercord
Special Dishes: Steam buns, wined chicken
The Sweet Dynasty, No.100, Canton Road
Special Dishes: sweet soups, porridge, desserts
Macau Restaurant, No. 25 – 27, Lock Road
Special Dishes: Stir-fried rice with seafood and curry, pork chop bun, custard tart, milk tea
