Tsim Sha Tsui

Tsim Sha Tsui suits people who want a Kowloon base with a lot happening at street level. The area runs from the museums, harbourfront and hotels around Salisbury Road up to the denser restaurant and retail streets around Nathan Road, Carnarvon Road and Knutsford Terrace.

It works especially well for people whose week is split between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Admiralty is one stop away on the Tsuen Wan Line, Central is two, and the East Tsim Sha Tsui connection puts Hung Hom one stop away on the Tuen Ma Line.

That also makes Tsim Sha Tsui one of the clearest Kowloon choices for PolyU students. Use East Tsim Sha Tsui station on the Tuen Ma Line and Hung Hom is one stop away for The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The trade-off is which version of Tsim Sha Tsui you prefer. Near the harbour and Canton Road, the setting is polished and visitor-heavy. Around the older side streets, it is more compact and local, with more late-night food and more street noise.