Chungking Mansions

The Chungking Mansions (重慶大廈, zhòng qìng dà shà) in Tsim Sha Tsui is a well-known tourist magnet. It is very famous for its South Asian (Indian, Nepali, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan) community and restaurants. It is also renowned for its low-cost accommodation and best (+ worst) rate money exchangers.

The cuisine there is truely authentic and is rarely found in other parts of Hong Kong. The owners there are really of South Asian descent and offer the food at exceptional prices. A sample shop I went to had an excellent variety of food (and portions) especially pathiri, hummus and curry.

However, the building has come under serious controversy due to public safety inside the mansion. Its age is beginning to show as well as a slack management system (though they have recently installed CCTV cameras) and regular blockage of emergency exits. It is also known to be a centre of drugs, and a hangout for criminals and illegal immigrants. Nonetheless, police have conducted frequent checks and raids to prevent such activity from forming and the situation has improved considerably.

Hopefully, you won't be scared off by the above and relatively dim environment. Just think about all the good stuff you'll be able to try.

Address:
36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (next to Holiday Inn Golden Mile)

The Star Ferry

The Star Ferry (天星小輪, tiān xīng xiǎo lún) is one of Hong Kong's most iconic (in terms of heritage) and important ferry services taking passengers across the Victoria Harbour. It also has won quite a few awards in the past half-century including 1st place in the World’s Top 10 Most Exciting Ferry Rides.

It was founded by an Indian businessman, Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala, way back in 1888 and to this very day it carries 65,000 daily. A fleet of 8 diesel-electric ferries (as of December 2007, one retired) which date way back to 1956 currently serve 4 routes in the heart of the Hong Kong's tourist and business districts; Tsim Sha Tsui/Hung Hom, Central and Wan Chai. To this very day, it remains an quick, popular and economical mode of crossing the harbour.

Each journey takes around 10 minutes from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and a normal boat has a capacity of 576 passengers. Ferries run every 5-10 minutes varying on demand. From the ferry, the Hong's famous Kong skyline can be seen which is a truely memorable experience (especially during A Symphony of Lights).

Fares (Octopus Card also accepted, corr. as of March 2009):

Seniors (65+) ride free upon production of Hong Kong I.D. Card or Senior Citizen Card.

Ming General Japanese Sushi Restaurant

I went to Ming General Japanese Sushi Restaurant (明將迴轉壽司餐廳, míng jiāng huí zhuǎn shòu sī cān tīng) at Dragon Centre just a few days ago. This restaurant is a bit unique for Hong Kong, an all-you-can-eat 'buffet' for sushi. Unlike most sushi restaurants, you only have to pay HK$46.50 (approx. US$6) and a 10% service charge for everything you eat which is extremely cheap for Japanese food in Hong Kong. It offers exorbitant amounts that would leave you bloated for the next day and might even eliminate your appetite for sushi for months. Though it is very cheap, there is an large demand (mainly among teens) and could leave you waiting for up to 1 hour for a family of four, no reservations are allowed according to their rules.

The sushi restaurant is quite good in terms of hygiene and is of a self-serve basis. You help yourself with the 'assistance' of the sushi-go-round conveyor belt and a hot water tap is shared between every two people. Cups are overhead with tea bags and wasabi provided by the staff, ginger and soy sauce are in containers at every seat. However, the quality (especially the rice) is not so good but acceptable. Sushi in which they don't have on the belt can be placed on-demand at no extra charge.

Overall, I would rate this restaurant 3/5 for its excellent price, mediocre food quality, long lines, attentive staff and poor variety. They operate 2 stores in total on the same street but just opposite of each other. If you want high-class, high-price, look somewhere else (e.g. Genki Sushi, Itamae Sushi - there's one at Hong Kong International Airport)

Address: (1) (2)

Store 1 - 6/F Shop No. 612-613, Dragon Centre, 37 Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Store 2 - G/F & 1/F Milan Place, 58 Yen Chow Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon

Dragon Centre

Dragon Centre (西九龍中心, pinyin: xī jiǔ lóng zhōng xīn) is a middle-class shopping mall located in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon. Opened in 1994, Dragon Centre is the largest shopping mall in West Kowloon and is located next to the historic Sham Shui Po Police Station. It offers quite a wide variety of brands ranging from KFC to Giordano, a full list of shops can be found here.

The best of the mall can be found at the very top. On the 8th floor, there is a 17,000 sq. ft. nautral ice skating rink with simulated snow falling with a nice cool, icy feel to it. The most unique part is the on the top 2 floors where Asia's first indoor roller coaster can be found. Dubbed 'Sky Train', it offers a truely exhilarating experience to tourists.

Address:

Dragon Centre, 37K Yen Chow St, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon