Mongkok is modern Hong Kong in a nut shell- it’s chic, stylish and has lots of shopping on offer. If your image of Hong Kong is one of crowded streets, bright neon lights, bargain shopping and backpack totting tourists then Mongkok will surely not disappoint you. Historically speaking the area of Mongkok was quite different, it was a vast expanse of agricultural land cultivated by peasants and not a glitzy shopping district.
Mongkok is Chinese literally translates into “flourishing street corner”; a truer description of this eclectic district could not spoken. The area is a mixture of old and new, one can find brand new mega malls side by side with old shop houses. A number of restaurants and bars can also be found on the ground floors of many buildings while the upper stories are reserved for corporate and residential purposes. Being the area with the highest population density in the world – 130,000 people per square kilometer, Mongkok promises to be exciting and exhausting at the same time.
Mongkok is famous for its market areas, these street markets have virtually disappeared from Hong Kong in recent years following rapid economic growth and modernization. However open air markets are alive and kicking in Mongkok. Among some interesting places to visit is the Ladies Street, as the name implies it specializes in women’s clothing, accessories and cosmetics. Like all markets Ladies Street also brings with it, its own character from wayside food stalls to street performers the market is a hive of activity.
More modern shopping plazas can also be found in Mongkok such as the Sino Arcade Centre which specializes in CD’s. Japanese audio CD’s, Movie CD’s and electronics equipment are extremely well priced here and draws in large numbers of tech savvy, music/movie loving shoppers. Another interesting place to visit would be the Ho King Shopping Centre; it deals with almost everything that has to do with electronics and computer equipment.
Make your shopping spree at Mongkok more exciting and enjoyable by staying at a luxury Hong Kong hotel such as Langham Place, Mongkok which is an excellent spa hotel in Hong Kong.