Kowloon

Here is the most Chinese of Chinese cities…Hong Kong…it seems a paradox, with its skyscrapers, its imposing road arteries, dazzling lights, fashionable shops…and yet that's exactly how it is. Hong Kong is perhaps the only city that was essentially untouched by Mao Zedong's Red Guards during the years of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.

From the airport you take the metro (MTR), the fastest means of transport for getting around, though quite expensive, and reach, in about twenty minutes, Kowloon, the peninsula north of Hong Kong Island.

Kowloon is an excellent blend of old and new, the boldest face of Hong Kong, made up of several districts, the best known to tourists being without doubt Tsim Sha Tsui, located at the tip of the peninsula. (Photo 3)

Tsim Sha Tsui is crossed by the famous Nathan Road, the noisy street blazing with the latest-fashion shops, grand hotels and restaurants, intersected by narrow alleys, the younger children of the famous street, where scenes of daily life alternate, which then make this place striking and fascinating. (Photo 2)

Near this chaotic and old district stands, in strident contrast, the younger Tsim Sha Tsui East, with its ultra-modern (and very busy) Japanese night clubs, and above all its seafront promenade, a pedestrian zone where you can enjoy the most beautiful views of Hong Kong Island. (Photo 4)

Further north are the less frequented districts, but always worth visiting for their authentic atmosphere: Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. Here you can visit the numerous and famous markets of Hong Kong, buying everything, from jewellery to bric-a-brac, from pirated CDs to goldfish.

Kowloon also offers many cultural attractions: the Art Museum, with its six galleries, offers a magnificent collection of contemporary and ancient artistic objects; the Cultural Centre, with its concave roof, guarantees a spectacular view of Hong Kong.

It is possible to reach every place easily thanks to the excellent transport network, taking the MTR or using the buses.

Not to be missed is the crossing of Victoria Harbour with the Star Ferry, a short journey that lets you move quickly from Kowloon to Central, enjoying stunning views. (Photo 1)

Simona Salini

USEFUL INFORMATION:

* Every area of Hong Kong is easily reachable from the airport; the Airport Express trains depart every 10 minutes and stop at Central, Kowloon and Tsing Yi, but the prices are rather high and a single journey from the airport costs as much as a same-day return. * With Hong Kong's Oasis Airlines you can now travel from London to Hong Kong for just 450 euros return (naturally the fares vary according to the season, but in recent days I have seen that the figure is more or less this)