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Mong Kok 旺角, Kowloon

Mongkok, Hong KongMongkok, Hong Kong
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HK_Mongkok_night_Fife_Street_TID_Tower_footbridge_MTR_Station_B1_exit.JPG
Author: Hulapewue
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Mong Kok 旺角 is a neighbourhood in Yau Tsim Mong District on Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. The neighbourhood is some times spelled Mongkok, and occasionally known by its colonial name Argyle. Until it was made part of Yau Tsim Mong District in 1994, it was part of Mong Kok District.

Mong Kok is a busy commercial part of Kowloon, with the streets lined with shops and multi-storey shopping complexes. There are many shops selling everything from clothes to cameras, restaurants and entertainment outlets. Mong Kok is also a major working-class residential area. With 130,000 people to one kilometer, it has the highest population density in the world.

Nathan Road, Mong KokNathan Road, Mong Kok
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HK_MK_Mong_Kok_Nathan_Road_mall.JPG
Author: MK PETER
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The name Mong Kok means "prosperous corner". The name came about because the area was once lush with ferns before it was developed. The British called it Argyle, but the name never caught on with the locals. It does crop up from time to time - the MTR station serving the area was originally called Argyle Station, after Argyle Street, but was eventually renamed Mong Kok MTR Station.

Fa Yuen Street, Mong KokFa Yuen Street, Mong Kok
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HK_FaYuenStreet_SportsShops.jpg
Author: Chong Fat
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Although Mong Kok was experienced modern development in the early 20th century, archaeological excavation has reveal evidence of human settlement in the area going back to the Jin Dynasty (AD 265-420). This is based on the discovery of pottery shards from that period.

Mong Kok is the place to go to experience the street markets. Some of these have developed to cater to specific niche products or clientele, and are listed on this page. The shopping in Mong Kok are geared towards inexpensive and non-luxury products.

How to go to Mong Kok

Take the Hong Kong MTR to the Mong Kok MTR Station and the Prince Edward MTR Station. Both of these are served by the East Rail Line, Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line.

What to see in Mong Kok

  1. Fa Yuen Street Market
    The vendors on Fa Yuen Street sells a mixed bag of items ranging from clothing to sports shoes.

  2. Flower Market Road
    Vendors on this road, at the top end of Tung Choi Street, sells cut flowers as wll as plants and gardening accessories.

  3. Goldfish Market
    The place to get your supply of goldfish for your aquarium is on Tung Choi Street, north of Ladies' Street Market.

  4. Ho King Shopping Centre
    Shopping centre with shops specializing in video games and video game consoles.

  5. Ladies' Street Market
    An area in Mong Kok where you find stalls selling women's clothing, cosmetics, shoes, accessories, etc.

  6. Langham Place
    Shopping mall with office tower. At 59 storeys, this is the tallest building in Mong Kok.

  7. Mong Kok Computer Centre
    Specialty mall with over 50 retail outlets specializing in computer and computer accessories.

  8. Portland Street
    The most famous red-light district of Kowloon.

  9. Sai Yeung Choi Street South
    Area in Mong Kok with shops selling electronic goods, cosmetics and discount books.

  10. Sino Centre Arcade
    Shopping complex on Nathan Road with stalls selling DVDs, Video CDs and music CDs.

  11. Tile Street
    Section of Portland Street near intersections with Argyle Street and Bute Street, with a concentration of shops selling building material.

  12. Yuen Po Street Bird Garden
    Area in Mong Kok selling caged birds and bird-keeping accessories.

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.
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