Tsim Sha Tsui (TST)

I spent a large part of my time in the tip of Kowloon area - Tsim Tsa Tsui (also known as TST for short). This is like the area to visit, apart from HK island. So, while even I stayed in HK island, I took a ferry ride across.

Upon arriving to mainland HK, the one thing that greets is the breathtaking and rather familiar HK skyline (if only the big junk boat has its sail up, this would be the postcard of HK - East meets West!).

And just by the sea, is this long stretch by the shore, with lots of people having time off for leisure. And there's the landmark of HK Clock Tower (also known as Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower)

And just behing it, the Hong Kong Cultural Center - where they actually show performances and exhibitions.

And not far off - the one reason I came to visit this part is the Avenue Of Stars. These tourists were getting all excited as well!

This is actually a very long stretch, all by the sea, and with HK island as the backdrop. Interestingly, there are the open air performances as well, which were quite entertaining - the singers sung in English, Canto, and Mandarin (even the kwai lo singer - in another outdoor performance).

Then of course... the main attraction (apart from the Bruce Lee statue) is the signatures & hand prints of the HK stars themselves! So from Tony Leung to Andy Lau, Jet Li, even our very own Michelle Yeoh... they were all here.

But there was one star that I was looking for (it's a bit hard to find - especially to keep looking down, plus the many shoes in the way)... yes, the star of them all - Jackie Chan. And yes, I found it after a good search. The only ones I missed - Aaron Kwok & Ekin Cheng.

Even after 'catching all the stars', I hanged around for a while... waiting for one more thing - the Symphony Of Lights. This world's largest permanent light and sound show is quite a unique performance. The key buildings on the island are all lit up, and music played at the back in sync with the movements... (somehow, it reminded me of the Shanghai skyline, minus the show!).

The other things around this tip point are - the semi sphere shaped Hong Kong Space Museum, plus the grand The Peninsula hotel.

I actually didn't thought much of The Peninsula hotel, but with so many recommendations, I thought I'll check it out. So I did another day.

The interior was grand with its high ceilings, and English like setting... and the best thing to do - enjoy an afternoon tea (of coruse, if one can afford the hotel room, that will be cool as well... otherwise tea will be fine). But I just didn't feel up to it on that day and gave that a skip - maybe another time.

Anyway, by then, I was already staying back on this part of HK - yes, right in the heart of the busy, popular & long Nathan Road - which is known for shopping.

One can go street shopping, or also visit the Harbour City mall - HK's largest mall with over 700 shops! Though that wasn't what I was into - not this trip.

Looking back, this part of HK is quite unique. Like HK, what I enjoy is that this place has its own 'character' and 'soul'.

But on more unique things, wait for the next post - HK hotels! :)


*The Symphony Of Lights start at 8pm, and has 5 themes (Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership & Celebration).