The former site of a British military base, today this green oasis overlooking the harbour is one of Hong Kong’s prettiest areas.
Take time out from the busy streets of Tsim Sha Tsui to enjoy the tranquility of Kowloon Park. This now peaceful place was handed over by the military for public use in 1970. After extensive redevelopment funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the park is a popular place for residents and visitors to unwind.Kowloon Park is surprisingly expansive for a city where space is so scarce most developments can expand only vertically. The park’s green space stretches across 33 acres (13.5 hectares) and its location near the busy yet beautiful Victoria Harbour, makes it one of the city’s most popular recreational areas. The park has beautiful gardens, paved walkways and a large piazza for outdoor concerts and events.
The park’s central location makes it the perfect place to rest from sightseeing and shopping, but there are plenty of photo opportunities here, too. Stroll through the classical Chinese garden with its two-tier lotus pond and rock cascade inhabited by terrapins, and head over to a fragrant rose garden to admire the different rose varieties.
Admire displays of works by local and international sculptors at the Sculpture Walk, a large landscaped area containing permanent and temporary exhibitions. Visit the park on a Sunday to catch performances of kung fuand lion dance. Updated schedules are available on the park’s website.Children will enjoy the playground suitable for ages 2 through 12, as well as the maze garden and mini soccer field. Kowloon Park also features a sports centre and indoor swimming pool complex, which contains four heated pools, including an Olympic-sized main pool. It’s often the site of major international swimming events and can accommodate over 1,500 swimmers at a time. Outdoor pools are also open in the summer months. Opening times and admission prices are on the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website.The park is within easy reach of Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station via Exit A1.
