Tag Archives: Mongkok

Mongkok District – Join in the madness

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Something new, something old and something borrowed is what you will witness when you explore the culture of this overcrowded, old coastal region of Mongkok. Situated in the Yau Tsim Mong district in the Kowloon peninsula in Hong Kong, this small town is among the most densely populated cities in the world and rightly identified by the Guinness World Records as the busiest town in the world.

Over the years Mongkok has seen a significant change in its setting. Argyle Street is the heart of present day Mongkok. The city is well known for preserving its traditional characteristics. There is an array of small shops and food stalls that have stayed the same, although not far away from these, modern day shopping malls have been built in the recent past. There are some interesting nick names that these traditional streets have acquired over the years mainly owing to what each street sells. For an example the ‘Ladies Street ‘specialises in women’s clothing, although there are also a few traditional food stalls selling everything from fresh veggies to authentic seafood and noodles. There are several other streets such as Tempe Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street South that have preserved the old culture of street selling.

Interestingly there is a road called the Sneakers Street that sells sports goods and one called the Flower Market Road that sells houseplants. Tile Street, as the name suggests sells floor tiles and building material such as wall paper and Photocopy Street true to its name has a row of communication shops that do some serious photocopying for students of the schools nearby. Portland Street is a popular red light district.
While you are in Mongkok try the food booths that sell traditional snacks such as various dim sum and fish balls that most enjoy as finger food while they rush by attending to chores in this busy city. While you explore this colourful city, stay at a hotel in Kowloon that shields you from the overwhelming streets. Among Mongkok hotels a unique hotel that offers style, class and comfort while also putting you within easy reach of the chaos and many of the attractions is the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok.

Hungry Ghosts Festival – One Spooky Day in Honk Kong!

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In all the many Chinese Festivals that fill up the calendar perhaps nothing tops the spook chart than the Hungry Ghosts Festival. The name itself is a crowd puller and whoever makes the audience is fascinated by the range of events lined up from the beginning to the end.

The story behind the festival is just as interesting as the festival itself. The Chinese believe that every year at around the time of the festival, the gates of Hell are opened and the spirits from here are set free to roam the earth. As tribute to these souls of the dead, this festival is commemorated and several Chinese people gather on this day to remember and pray for the deceased members of their family.

In Honk Kong rituals of this Chinese festival usually falls somewhere in the month of August. Even if you are just passing by you can easily recognise the celebrations of the Hungry Ghosts Festival. Here believers congregate, perform prayers and burn traditional incense sticks. Oranges, bowls of rice, roasted suckling pig and a special Chinese Cake are served as an offering for the dead. As part of the event, several tents are set up in which traditional forms of activities are performed in view of entertaining the dead spirits. These live Getai and Wayang performances primarily depict mythical stories of the Gods and Goddesses but it also has a touch of comedy and music. The traditional acrobatic pole dance is also a major part of the Getai and Wayang performances. The burning of paper money is also another interesting custom that is believed to bring financial fortune in the afterlife. Anyone is welcome to watch this bizarre and certainly interesting event but be careful not to sit in the first row as it is reserved for the ‘special guests’…

Honk Kong is a truly exotic and beautiful little nation that is filled with plenty of different attractions. When exploring Honk Kong choose a good hotel in Kowloon to stay at and of all the Mongkok hotels, the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok always stands out as the best.

 

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street, a bargain hunter’s dream

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Hong Kong has long been regarded as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, with its Cantonese Chinese origins having blended with the heritage of an extended period of colonial rule. Additionally people of many different regions and nationalities have made their home in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is justifiably renowned for its shopping opportunities, and of these the Cheung Sha Wan Road Fashion Street holds a special place. It is a wonderful venue at which you may find attractive fashion clothing at bargain prices. The majority of the stores are located between Wong Chuk Street and Yen Chow Street, providing local and visiting shoppers with attractive apparel at wholesale rates.

Most of the numerous shops are operated by fashion-savvy proprietors who have a keen insight into the fashion arena. Many of the clothing items are relatively good quality extras from local clothes manufacturers. The majority of the stores are open during regular business hours, but some remain open for business for extended periods.


Another popular attraction in the vicinity is the Apliu Street flea market which is well known for its wide selection of new and used electrical equipment and electronic devices which are retailed at very attractive prices. Also on offer are a wide range of telecommunications products and affordably-priced A/V items. This expansive flea market also contains such items as old coins, antique watches and other interesting merchandise. However you must possess a good eye for genuine articles to avoid any confusion. The stalls at the Apliu Street market are normally open for business from midday until night time.

In earlier days in the period after World War II Cheung Sha Wan functioned as a manufacturing centre, containing numerous light industries such as clothing and textile production. In the 1980s following the open door policy implemented in China many manufacturing factories transferred their operations to the mainland, leaving behind industrial buildings. Many of these have since been renovated into warehouses and offices as well as clothing retailers.

When selecting a hotel in Kowloon the discerning traveller will find a suitable accommodation in Cosmo Hotel Mongkok, one of the superior Mongkok hotels offering excellent facilities and service.