The HK HUB has teamed up Sophie Cullen whose in-the-know blog, Hongkers 101, is packed with hidden gems that she has unearthed in her wanderings around Hong Kong. Her guide to TST will show you that there’s so much more to discover if you look past the Gucci, Prada and Starbucks. So put on your walking shoes and explore, eat and shop your way around one of Hong Kong’s most engaging districts.
Tsim Sha Tsui, or TST as it is more commonly known, is a thriving hub of activity. A major tourist spot, it is home to many of Hong Kong’s museums and a mass of other well-known destinations. It is also a centre for many different cultural groups and because of this, it is jam-packed full of wares and foods from Asia and beyond. Its proximity to various art and design schools has meant that it has also flourished as an area for budding fashion designers to launch their brands.
Being crammed full of people at all hours of the day and night, a stroll beyond the regular tourist-traps can be a little daunting if you don’t know where you are headed, so here’s a map of great places to visit throughout the area. It starts from the Star Ferry Terminal and winds its way around, taking in various shops, sights and eateries throughout TST.
To make exploring really easy, we’ve created a map with all of our highlights listed HERE.
Getting There
If you are travelling to TST from Hong Kong Island, do it in style and take the Star Ferry. At around $3HKD a journey, it’s a fun way to see the sights of the harbour and to get from A to B!
The Star Ferry departs from both Wanchai and Central Piers around every 15 minutes.
Harbour City
A good first stop when coming from the Star Ferry Terminal is Harbour City. This is a huge space, made up of many malls, and has something for everyone. If you are looking for something a little different, head to LCX. Here you will find a selection of Asian and Hong Kong designers. One particularly fun shop is Amenpapa. These guys use quotes from the bible to emblazen their pieces with fun and positivity. The aesthetic is a mix of urban chic and candy-pop with a twist!
Other must-see shops include Äland, home to the kings and queens of Korean fashion design, Oh My Glasses, handmade Japanese spectacles and sunglasses and Lollia, a US beauty brand specialising in sweet smelling hand creams with fantastic vintage packaging.
LCX, Level Three, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 5 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Gallery by the Harbour
Amongst all of the beautiful clothing and shoe stores in Harbour City is a great little art gallery. Gallery by the Harbour sits atop the water and shows a variety of works, largely from Asian artists, in a mixture of mediums. The docents are always very friendly, and happy to answer any questions. Entry is free, and you will often encounter the artists themselves.
Gallery by the Harbour, Shop 207, Level 2, Ocean Centre, Harbour City
Foodrepublic
If you are with a group of people, it can often be difficult to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds. This can be remedied at Foodrepublic in Silvercord Mall, a fantastic food court on Canton Road.
Here, food from around the Asian region is on offer: Korean, Thai, Japanese, Cantonese – the list goes on. On top of that, they have a really nice juice bar in the centre and a Taiwanese dessert specialist. Be sure to try the takoyaki octopus balls from the little stall next to the exit escalator.
After lunch, pop up to level 3 and nab a bargain from the outlet shop for I.T.; home to cutting-edge fashion from all around the globe including Alexander McQueen, Cheap Monday and Ksubi.
Silvercord Mall, 20 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Kowloon Park
Now might be a good time for a bit of wander, and thankfully, Kowloon Park is just around the corner. Having once been an army barracks, it is a great place to go for a stroll and soak in the beautifully landscaped surroundings.
One particularly fun part is the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars. Here, giant statues of Hong Kong’s most famous comic characters sit against the city’s awesome skyline. It’s a fantastic place to get snap happy, and is a fun spot to take the kids. Another excellent feature of the park is the aviary, which includes a very large flamingo population – a sight to behold.
Kowloon Park, Entrance from Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard, Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Little Room
Granville Rd is known as the heart of TST’s shopping district. It is packed full of stores, but one super cute shop to have a look in is Little Room. Another Hong Kong brand, they specialize in making brightly coloured street wear, think frills, prints and embellishments galore. Strictly for the ladies, their clothes and accessories are all really well priced.
Little Room, 35 Granville Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Mee & Gee
If vintage shopping is more your thing, then head down the road a little further to Mee & Gee. This is a real haven for finding unique pre-loved pieces from Korea and Japan. They also stock samples, so it’s well worth having a dig through. Racks of denim jackets, beautiful dresses and walls covered in bags in all shapes and colours, this is the best place to find something unique. They stock clothes for both men and women; just be warned, you can waste hours here!
Mee and Gee, 71 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tamper Coffee
Time for a coffee? Cross the road to Granville Circuit and head to Tamper Coffee. Making the best brew in the neighbourhood, they use Squaremile coffee beans from the UK. The staff here are really helpful and will talk you through the different roasts on offer. To top it all off, they play the best music in town!
Tamper Coffee, 3 Granville Circuit, Tsim Sha Tsui
Rise Shopping Arcade
Granville Circuit has a host of cool boutique stores, and if you head in to Rise Shopping Arcade you will find even more of them. The floors are packed full of shops, all with their own unique flavour. Here you will find styles that are hot off the press from Korea and Japan, as well as local designers. Definitely head to The Minimal, who have a great selection of vintage and retro light fixtures and homeware. Also, Rider Four is an excellent place for the guys to pick up a one-off piece made by a Hong Kong company. Both of these stores are located on Level 1.
Rise Shopping Arcade, 5-11 Granville Circuit, Tsim Sha Tsui
The Delhi Club
By now it will probably be time to eat again. Take a walk up to Chungking Mansions and explore the interesting selection goods on offer from Africa and throughout Asia. Then walk right down the back and take lift number 6 to the 3rd floor. The Delhi Club makes wonderfully authentic Indian food for a reasonable price. Their menu is huge and there is something to satisfy both vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Don’t forget to throw in a garlic naan, they are to-die-for!
The Delhi Club, 3rd Floor/ Block C, Chungking Mansions, 38-44 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Lab Made
If you feel like something sweet, then all you need to do is take a walk up to Kimberley Rd and find Lab Made. They make their ice-cream with liquid nitrogen, which gives it a super creamy texture, and also makes for a fun display! They offer a selection of flavours that change regularly, and are known for their signature ‘Tastes of Hong Kong’. Pineapple Bun, Mooncake and Purple Sweet Potato have all graced their walls, and maybe soon your tastebuds!
Lab Made, Junction of Kimberley Rd and Carnarvon Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui
Charlie Brown Café
Another option would be to try out the Charlie Brown Café. This place is covered in head to toe with the characters from the series, and is a fun place to take the kids. They have a huge selection of beverages and yummy sweet treats, all covered in the image of Charlie and friends. Enjoy it all while watching the show on the big screen.
Charlie Brown Cafe, 58-60 Cameron Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Vibes
After all that shopping, you may be in need of a drink and Vibes at the Mira Hotel is the place to go. This bar is located in the upstairs atrium and is surrounded by water features and fairy lights. Relax in a cabana and enjoy a shisha, made by their in-house mixologist. The white sangria is delicious and the snacks are yummy too. Thursday nights are especially fun, as they have an Arabian theme with belly dancers throughout the evening.
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