Tsim Sha Tsui: 8 things to do on the ‘other side’ of Hong Kong

By Kate Springer, CNN
Updated 8:53 PM EST, Mon February 12, 2018
<strong>Tsim Sha Tsui adventures:</strong> Hong Kong is often compared to cities such as London and New York, but the resemblance ends once you leave the central business district.
Tsim Sha Tsui adventures: Hong Kong is often compared to cities such as London and New York, but the resemblance ends once you leave the central business district.
TENGKU BAHAR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Seeing stars:</strong> A hop across Victoria Harbour -- which flows between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula -- showcases another side of the city.
Seeing stars: A hop across Victoria Harbour -- which flows between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon peninsula -- showcases another side of the city.
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Gorgeous junk: </strong>If you're yearning for a ride on a traditional junk boat -- known for their iconic, dragon-like sails and teak hulls -- we suggest you climb aboard the <a href="http://aqualuna.com.hk/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Aqua Luna II</a>. Debuted earlier this year, the ship was handcrafted by a veteran junk builder using traditional methods -- and not a single nail.
Gorgeous junk: If you're yearning for a ride on a traditional junk boat -- known for their iconic, dragon-like sails and teak hulls -- we suggest you climb aboard the Aqua Luna II. Debuted earlier this year, the ship was handcrafted by a veteran junk builder using traditional methods -- and not a single nail.
Aqua Group
<strong>Suit up:</strong> one of the best ways to experience Hong Kong's sartorial side is via custom tailoring. A few respected outlets include Sam's Tailor -- frequented by the likes of Bill Clinton and American rock band Imagine Dragons (pictured here).
Suit up: one of the best ways to experience Hong Kong's sartorial side is via custom tailoring. A few respected outlets include Sam's Tailor -- frequented by the likes of Bill Clinton and American rock band Imagine Dragons (pictured here).
Sam's Tailor
<strong>Tea time:</strong> Palm Court at The Langham hotel serves up traditional English afternoon tea in beautiful surroundings. There's easy access to the Artesian Bar should afternoon tea evolve into evening drinks.
Tea time: Palm Court at The Langham hotel serves up traditional English afternoon tea in beautiful surroundings. There's easy access to the Artesian Bar should afternoon tea evolve into evening drinks.
michael weber
<strong>Top-notch Chinese:</strong> Tsim Sha Tsui is a haven for Cantonese cuisine and three-Michelin-starred T'sang Court at the Langham hotel is the best of the best.
Top-notch Chinese: Tsim Sha Tsui is a haven for Cantonese cuisine and three-Michelin-starred T'sang Court at the Langham hotel is the best of the best.
michael weber
<strong>Scandi cuisine: </strong>Elsewhere in Tsim Sha Tsui, FINDS impresses with beautiful Scandinavian cuisine from Jaakko Sorsa. The menu skips from Finland to Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden (hence the name), featuring surprising dishes such as wild game pâté and Danish open-faced sandwiches.
Scandi cuisine: Elsewhere in Tsim Sha Tsui, FINDS impresses with beautiful Scandinavian cuisine from Jaakko Sorsa. The menu skips from Finland to Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden (hence the name), featuring surprising dishes such as wild game pâté and Danish open-faced sandwiches.
FINDS
<strong>Celebrity chefs:</strong> Big names like Nobu and Rech by Alain Ducasse headline the lineup at the InterContinental Hong Kong, where excellent service and panoramic views of the harbor round out the experience.
Celebrity chefs: Big names like Nobu and Rech by Alain Ducasse headline the lineup at the InterContinental Hong Kong, where excellent service and panoramic views of the harbor round out the experience.
InterContinental Hong Kong
<strong>Sweet dreams:</strong> The extra-large eclairs at Rech by Alain Ducasse are not-to-miss for those with a sweet tooth.
Sweet dreams: The extra-large eclairs at Rech by Alain Ducasse are not-to-miss for those with a sweet tooth.
InterContinental Hong Kong
<strong>Peaceful parks:</strong> In the northwestern corner of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Park provides one of the largest downtown green spaces. Formerly a British Army territory, travelers will find a swimming pool, aviary, soccer fields, bamboo-lined pathways and a manicured maze garden within the 33-acre space.
Peaceful parks: In the northwestern corner of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Park provides one of the largest downtown green spaces. Formerly a British Army territory, travelers will find a swimming pool, aviary, soccer fields, bamboo-lined pathways and a manicured maze garden within the 33-acre space.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Kowloon Mosque:</strong> Just outside the southeastern edge of park is the gorgeous Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre (a.k.a. the Kowloon Mosque). Dating to 1896, the mosque is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong.
Kowloon Mosque: Just outside the southeastern edge of park is the gorgeous Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre (a.k.a. the Kowloon Mosque). Dating to 1896, the mosque is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Drinks with a view:</strong> For views, the formidable Felix bar at The Peninsula Hong Kong is hard to beat. Designed by Philippe Starck, the 28th floor restaurant and bar has its own private elevator. Once upstairs, a spiraling stairwell leads tipplers to the bar where classic cocktails await.
Drinks with a view: For views, the formidable Felix bar at The Peninsula Hong Kong is hard to beat. Designed by Philippe Starck, the 28th floor restaurant and bar has its own private elevator. Once upstairs, a spiraling stairwell leads tipplers to the bar where classic cocktails await.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
<strong>Kowloon rising: </strong>Another crowd pleaser is Aqua Spirit in the One Peking Road tower, with penthouse views from the 30th floor. The fashionable design and panoramic windows go down easy -- as do the creative drinks, such as the piña colada-inspired Matcha Colada.
Kowloon rising: Another crowd pleaser is Aqua Spirit in the One Peking Road tower, with penthouse views from the 30th floor. The fashionable design and panoramic windows go down easy -- as do the creative drinks, such as the piña colada-inspired Matcha Colada.
Marcel Lam
<strong>Cheap eats: </strong>While expensive restaurants are easy to come by, there's no need to splurge unless you want to. Travelers will find a host of restaurants inside Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions. The 17-story building is divided into several tower blocks, most of which have Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and African restaurants, such as perennially popular Khyber Pass and The Delhi Club.
Cheap eats: While expensive restaurants are easy to come by, there's no need to splurge unless you want to. Travelers will find a host of restaurants inside Hong Kong's Chungking Mansions. The 17-story building is divided into several tower blocks, most of which have Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and African restaurants, such as perennially popular Khyber Pass and The Delhi Club.
ED JONES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Exploring Tsim Sha Tsui
CNN  — 

Hong Kong is often compared to cities such as London and New York, but the resemblance ends once you leave the central business district.

A hop across Victoria Harbour – which divides Hong Kong Island and Kowloon peninsula – showcases another side of Hong Kong.

While the Tsim Sha Tsui district has its fair share of glamorous restaurants and shiny megamalls, it’s also home to fascinating museums, sky-high bars, hole-in-the-wall restaurants, intimate neighborhoods and quiet parks worth a wander. Here are eight things to do:

1. Take a heritage cruise

The Star Ferry crosses Kong's famous Victoria Harbour.
The Star Ferry crosses Kong's famous Victoria Harbour.
AARON TAM/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Hong Kong’s pride and joy, the Star Ferry has been plying the harbor since the late 1800s.

Decked out in green and white livery, these stalwart ships shuttle passengers to and from Tsim Sha Tsui all day long. The ride takes just 10 minutes and costs only 25 cents.

And with the massive skyscrapers towering above, the view of the Hong Kong skyline from this angle is truly breathtaking.

If you’re yearning for a ride on a traditional junk boat – known for their iconic, dragon-like sails and teak hulls – we suggest you climb aboard the Aqua Luna II.

Debuted earlier this year, the ship was handcrafted by a veteran junk builder, using traditional methods – and not a single nail.

The 45-minute evening Symphony of Light cruise includes complimentary drinks and front row seats to the city’s nightly light show, where laser beams and spotlights dance across the skyscrapers.

2. Learn something new