Joanna James
One look at the closely packed streets of Mongkok is enough to show you that it is one of the busiest and most crowded districts in Hong Kong. But Mongkok is not just a busy amalgamation of streets, there is so much to see and so many bargains to grab.
Your first stop should be to Fa Yuen Street which is also known as Sneakers Street and should tell you all you need to know. This is the best street to find some brand-new shoes for yourself, your friends, your significant other or your whole family. The latest shoe styles to hit the market are available in branded shops including limited edition and rare collections from household names such as Adidas, New Balance and Nike. You will also be able to purchase a myriad of sportswear and merchandise.
There are plenty of hotels in Mongkok Hong Kong that are state-of-the-art and luxurious, and you can buy yourself a wardrobe to match at the Argyle Centre. The best bit? It's relatively affordable. The centre has four storeys full to the brim with clothes, shoes and all the accessories you could ever imagine. The fashion trends keep up with the seasons, so you won't be tacky or old fashioned. The only disadvantage is that shops will not allow you to try before you buy as per usual and have very limited sizes.
If you are staying at a local hotel the likes of Dorsett Mongkok, you should wake up early and get lost in Sai Yeung Choi Street which is a very busy roadway packed with cafés, malls and restaurants. There's plenty to find here including the famous Korean cosmetics brands, international skincare, high tech electronic devices from chain stores the likes of Broadway or Fortress. You can also check out the local hole-in-the-wall type restaurants that serve Taiwanese fried chicken and stir-fried, Hong Kong styled noodles.
Which brings us to our fourth point which is Hong Kong's famous street food joints. You will find plenty of small, dingy shops that are packed to the brim with locals whether it is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They will serve either a single dish or many depending on the stalls from fish balls, to siu mai, pizza, tea, stinky tofu and even poutine if you know where to look. The best spots for a hearty and delicious meal, are Dundas Street, Sai Yeung Choi Street, Soy Street and Fa Yeun Street.
Markets are yet another great location to explore and make the extraordinary bargain at. They also offer classic glimpses of Hong Kong street life if that's what you want to capture. You should check out several markets while in Mongkok.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
