[AlbertC]

My father grew up in and lived for decades in Kowloon City, south of the infamous Walled City. The former Kai Tak airport beside this area regulated that buildings be limited in height, which is why all of the older buildings are in the 4-8 storey range. Ever since the old airport shut down and its operations moved to Chek Lap Kok in Lantau Island in 1997, Kowloon City went into a period of slump but in recent years as received a revival. Kowloon City nowadays is the centre for Thai residents and workers in HK and many quality Thai eateries are located here. KC now has over 200 restaurants, from Chinese cuisine from all over the mainland, Japanese, Thai, Halal, Dessert places, Bars, and Cafes. It's other attractions now include bakeries, pet shops, boutiques, and fancy fruit shops.

Taken from the rooftop of my father's old residence.

Lion Rock Road, my father's old street

This little shop is always full when I pass by.

Old properties are quickly being bought out and redeveloped.

This corner fruit stand is open 24/7!!!

Nga Tsin Wai Road, Main Street KC

North of the urban area of Kowloon City is the Walled City Park. A classical Chinese Garden and museum in place of the former slum.

Kowloon City skyline used to be non-existant about 10 years ago. It is sparse but is growing quickly.

To the west of Kowloon is a lot more modern and high class.

View of Mongkok and lower Kowloon skyline.

View over Kowloon Tong

A lot of schools in this area.

The most famous is LaSalle. They have a high school a couple of blocks away.

The Prince Edward area is a mid to upper class residential area.

Further to the east is Ho Man Tin, also a higher class residential area.

In total contrast, just north of the Kowloon City area is Son Po Kong, Wong Tai Sin, and Lok Fu areas. Most comprising of older building, and government housing.

For housing projects, the parks are beautifully landscaped. You won't find this in North America.

View of Lion Rock Mountain

Lok Fu Plaza. A medium sized shopping centre above the subway station. The UNY super store here was really good. They had a really complete hot meal section, where I often bought lunch and dinner from.

The line-up to get into Wong Tai Sin Temple during the days after Chinese New Years were intense.

More to come: Diamond Hill, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, and Sham Shui Po!!!

 

[AlbertC]

Just outside the Diamond Hill subway station is the entrance to the Nan Lian Garden and Chi Lin Nunnery.

The Sung Wong Toi park really isn't a very famous place but there was a basketball court behind this where my father played at when he was young. It's a memorial to the last emperor of the Song Dynasty, it is said that he jumped off this rock and into the ocean to commit suicide.

To Kwa Wan is an older, mixed use area on the fringe of peninsula.

The fresh colours really improves the appearance of these older buildings.

Large scaled redevelopment is happening due to the redevelopment of Kai Tai into a cruise ship port.

This used to be a cow depot, where cattle are raised and slaughter. It is now an artist village.

Kowloon Bay is a industrial and mixed-use area along the eastern bay of Kowloon.

Telford Gardens housing complex above the subway station.

Built on top of this hill is Choi Fook Chuen.

This part of Kowloon Bay is a bit of a new financial district with all these new office towers. I wasn't very impressed by MegaBox though. Telford Gardens is a much better mall overall.

Right beside Kowloon Bay is Kwun Tong. Also an older district of factories and old residential buildings.

A lot of the old gritty buildings are due for redevelopment.

This pic reminds me of Tokyo.

This one of Belgrade.

Millennium City is a multi-phase new development.

APM Mall is one of my favourite malls in this city.

On the western side of the peninsula is the vast Sham Shui Po neighbourhood. A gritty, poorer area of mostly new immigrants.

Redevelopment is on the way though.

Ap Liu Street, a well-known shopping street for electronic goods and accessories of all kinds.

Nam Cheong area.

Goodbye for now, from Mei Foo.