DK Travel : Hong Kong : Places of interest

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Jade Market

The small, covered Jade Market is worth a quick forage even if you’re not intending to buy any jade. Dozens of stalls sell jewellery, small animals (many representing characters from the Chinese zodiac) and beads in jade. There will be few bargains on sale, particularly to those without a knowledge of good jade, but there’s plenty of cheap jade here if you just want to own some trinkets.
Jai Alai Casino

Named after the world’s fastest ball game, played in Cuba and Mexico. They used to play it in Macau, too, tossing the hard ball around at lethal speeds with curved wicker baskets, but it died out in the 1980s.
Kadoorie Farm

Set up by local moguls Lord Lawrence and Sir Horace Kadoorie in 1951 to provide work for some 300,000 penniless refugees, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden is now a centre for conservation and environmental awareness. It includes a deer haven and butterfly house. Prior booking is essential.
Kam Pek Casino

Has a loyal clientele of local punters who can be downright rude to tourists and flashy Hong Kongers. Prolonged eye contact with habitués inadvisable.
Kingsway Hotel Casino

One of Macau’s newest casinos, it rates high on the glitz scale. Minimum bets are higher here than in other casinos, so it’s not for novices.
Kowloon Mosque

When the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer, the Jamia Masjid Islamic Centre is where you’ll find most of Hong Kong’s Muslims. You can stop by for a look, but take your shoes off and be respectful. Entry to the inner part is not permitted unless you are a Muslim come for prayer.
Kowloon Park

The green lungs of Tsim Sha Tsui have a huge indoor-outdoor swimming pool and lots of gardens to wander about. There’s also an aviary. (see Kowloon Park)
Kowloon Park

While in TST, if you feel one more whisper of “Copy watch? Tailor?” may provoke you to irrational violence, then venture through the park gates, find a well-shaded bench and watch the world go by. There’s a big swimming pool (reputed to be something of a gay cruising zone), an aviary and a pond featuring flamingos and other aquatic birdlife.
Kowloon Walled City Park

One of Hong Kong’s most picturesque parks began life in 1847 as a Chinese fort. A legal oversight by the British left the fort under Chinese control after the New Territories were leased to Britain. It was levelled during World War II, and a labyrinthine ghetto called the Walled City sprang up in its place. This bizarre place quickly became a magnet for triads, drug dealers, heroin addicts, pornographers and rats the size of small dogs (see New Kowloon). It was pulled down in 1992 and replaced by the park. A display of photographs in the almshouse near the entrance tells the story.

Maze, Kowloon Walled City Park
Ladies Market

The term “ladies” is somewhat out of date, as there’s plenty more than women’s clothing here. The shopping area consists of three parallel streets: Fa Yuen Street, crammed mostly with sports goods and trainer shops; Tung Choi Street (the former ladies market); and Sa Yeung Choi Street, specializing in consumer electronics. Market stall prices are cheap, and shop prices are better than those on Hong Kong Island. The crowds can be tiring, though, especially on hot days.