Victoria Harbor splits the city of Hong Kong in half. The northern portion of the city, Kowloon, is attached geographically to mainland China while the bulk of the southern portion of the city is Hong Kong Island. A series of bridges and tunnels seamlessly connect Kowloon with Hong Kong Island.

For the most part, when people think about Hong Kong they are referring to the main portion of the city on Hong Kong Island called, simply, Central. Central is where you’ll find towering skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and the bulk of the modern skyline.

Kowloon is similarly modern and has its share of luxury, but if you’re looking for a slightly more authentic experience, Kowloon is the place to be. It feels a little more authentic and a little more gritty. We spent a day exploring Kowloon. I wanted to share a few highlights.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery Kowloon Hong Kong

10. Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

A hilltop monastery with (at least) ten thousand Buddha statues. Read my full post about the amazing place here.

9. Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery is home to the world's largest handmade wooden building. The impressive structure was built from cypress wood without the use of nails. The Nunnery is free to visit. The grounds are filled with perfectly manicured greenery and fish-filled pools and fountains.

The Pavilion of Absolute Perfection Nan Lian Garden Kowloon Hong Kong

8. Nan Lian Garden

Right next to the Nunnery is the Nan Lian Garden. It’s a medium-sized classic Chinese garden. Also free to enter, the gardens are simply beautiful. There are pools, fountains, waterfalls, and many handmade wooden structures.

7. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden

Tightly packed stalls fill both sides of Yuen Po Street. Here you will find pet birds of all kinds for sale. You will also see plenty of locals airing their birds while still in cages or simply sitting on an elderly man’s shoulder. Seeing all the caged birds made me sad, but seeing the joy the birds bring to the seniors in the park left me with mixed emotions. Either way, it’s a one of a kind experience.

6. Goldfish Market

Similar to bird street along Tung Choi Street you’ll find a collection of fish vendors selling goldfish and tropical fish to aquarium enthusiasts. The roadside shops spill onto the sidewalk. Racks with clear plastic bags filled with water and fish are on display to those passing by.

5. Temple Street Night Market

The Temple Street Night Market is a nightly staple in Hong Kong. Starting before dusk, local vendors bring their arduous ritual of building canopies, setting up tables, and spreading out their goods into tightly packed displays. As night falls the street closes to traffic comes alive with a combination of tourists and locals weaving through sweaty narrow passageways. Read more about it here.

4. Tin Hau Temple

Possibly the most famous temple in Hong Kong (you’ll probably recognize the interior from the cover of countless guidebooks). The Temple is a compact complex of five buildings. Inside through a thick cloud of incense smoke, you will see ornately decorated religious pieces and statues.

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Kowloon Hong Kong.jpg

3. Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

A larger and more stunning temple complex is the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple. Located on the northern outskirts of Kowloon. The buildings are in traditional Chinese style with bright colors, red pillars, and carved wood flourishes. There are traditional entrance gates and many Devout Taoists offering prayers or celebrating new marriages.

The temple is also famous for the rows of fortune-tellers.

10 Things to See in Kowloon - Kowloon Walled City Park

2. Kowloon Walled City Park

A respite from the bustling city surrounding the park, Kowloon Walled City Park is a former military installation that grew into a densely populated community that was once the most densely populated area on the planet. In the 1980s the area was destructed. After its residents were resettled the land was converted to a unique park.

duk Ling night victoria harbor symphony of lights Kowloon Hong Kong

1. Symphony of Lights

Every night at 8 pm you can stand along the shore of Victoria Harbor for the world’s largest light show. The fourteen-minute pyrotechnic and light show is synced to music. Lasers shoot light across the bay as the lights of the tall skyscrapers dance to the music. It’s an amazing spectacle and a perfect way to end a day in Kowloon.