Mong Kok in Hong Kong

Why is Mong Kok so Special?

Shopping is the main reason that most people, locals or tourists come to the district but there is much more than shopping here. With historic buildings, buzzing markets and lots of other things to see Mongkok is as much a sightseeing destination as well as a shopping one. Check out some of the more important things to see on this list.

Where is Mong Kok?

Mong Kok (also spelled Mongkok, often abbreviated as MK) is an area in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Prince Edward area occupies the northern part of Mong Kok.

Mong Kok is one of the major shopping areas in Hong Kong. The area is characterised by a mixture of old and new multi-story buildings, with shops and restaurants at street level, and commercial or residential units above. Major industries in Mong Kok are retail, restaurants (including fast food) and entertainment. It has been described and portrayed in films as an area in which triads run bars, nightclubs, and massage parlors.

History of Mong Kok

Displays at the Chinese University of Hong Kong include antique potteries indicating that there might have been settlements in the area as early as the Jin Dynasty (265–420). The area used to be a Hakka settlement, with about 200 villagers according to Bao'an records in 1819.

The heart of the present-day Mong Kok is along Argyle Street near Sai Yeung Choi Street whilst the proper Mong Kok used to be[when?] to the north, near the present-day Mong Kok East Station. Mong Kok was an area of cultivated lands, bounded to the south by Argyle Street, to the west by Coronation Road (a section of present-day Nathan Road), and to the east by hills. To the southeast of Mong Kok is Ho Man Tin and to the west Tai Kok Tsui.

On 10 August 2008 the Cornwall Court fire broke out. More than 200 firefighters were involved in the rescue operation. Four people died, including two firefighters. Mong Kok received a lot of negative media attention for many acid attacks on Sai Yeung Choi Street from December 2008 through January 2010. The area was the site of protracted demonstrations during the 2014 Hong Kong protests, including the gau wu campaign, and was also the site of the 2016 Mong Kok civil unrest.

Main Attractions in Mong Kok

The Best Things to Do in Mong Kok, Hong Kong

• Treat yourself to new kicks on Sneakers Street.
• Refresh your wardrobe at the Argyle Centre.
• Wander along Sai Yeung Choi Street.
• Sample street food.
• Score a bargain at Mong Kok's best markets.
• Discover emerging artists at the Hong Kong Wall of Fame.
• Enjoy a snack at a hidden café
• Catch a glimpse of the Goldfish Market.

Recommended Hong Kong Tour

1 Day Macau Tour Package From Hong Kong
2 Day Hong Kong Highlights Tour
4 Day Hong Kong Discovery Tour

How to Get to Mong Kok

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Mong Kok in Hong Kong in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Traveler

1. Walk to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station.
2. Take the Tsuen Wan train to Mong Kok Station.
3. Take the B2 or B3 exit.

Useful Travel Tips 

1. Sample street food
   Trying local street food is a must on any visit to Hong Kong. In Mong Kok, you can find plenty of street-food stalls scattered on Sai Yeung Choi Street, Dundas Street, Fa Yuen Street and Soy Street. They are not limited to selling traditional Hong Kong-style snacks such as stinky tofu, fish balls, and fish siu mai. Nowadays, you will also find pizza, Thai tea, and even poutine, all at very reasonable prices. If you’re feeling intrepid, be sure to try a food trend taking Hong Kong by storm – cheese cap tea. This intriguing sweet-savoury drink sees cold tea topped with a foamy layer of milk and cream cheese, finished off with a sprinkle of salt.
2. Just about everything from bargain household objects to luxury jewellery is bought, sold and haggled over in Mong Kok. Sai Yeung Choi Street sells electronics, cosmetics and clothes; Shantung Street and Dundas Street are where you can pick up the latest Japanese and Western fashion and accessories; while Langham Place is one of the many malls where you can do your Mong Kok shopping in air-conditioned comfort.

Recommended Attractions in Hong Kong

• Sai Kung Peninsula
• Tsim Sha Tsui
• Lantau Island
• Sha Tin (Shatin)
• Yau Ma Tei
• Lamma Island

Edited by Bella Ren/任新月