Tsim Sha Tsui, often referred to simply as TST, lies at the southern tip of Kowloon, opposite Hong Kong Island.

People mainly visit the waterfront for the views across Victoria Harbour. Just behind the promenade, you’ll find museums, shopping centres and hotels.

Start at the Star Ferry pier and continue past the Clock Tower towards the Avenue of Stars. If you only have a short time in TST, this is the walk I’d recommend. You can return here in the evening to see the light show.

Choose the best hotel with a view of Hong Kong

The Rosewood Hong Kong is situated right on the waterfront. It took first place in the 50 Best rankings in both 2025 and 2026. If you’d like a view of Victoria Harbour from your room as well, be sure to check the specific room category when booking.

Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and Symphony of Lights

The best view of the Hong Kong Island skyline is from the Star Ferry pier and the adjoining promenade. Part of the walkway is raised above the waterfront, so you can see across the harbour and over the heads of the people standing right by the railings.

Walking along the promenade will take you to the Avenue of Stars, which features tributes to Hong Kong cinema. You can find details about the statues and the best spots for taking photos in a separate article.

Every evening at 8.00 pm, the ‘Symphony of Lights’ light show takes place over the harbour. From TST, you’ll have a good view of the buildings on the opposite bank, and you’ll also hear the musical accompaniment from the promenade near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

If you want to stand right by the railing, arrive about 60–75 minutes before the show starts, especially on busy days. We’ve written more about the show and other viewpoints in the ‘Things to Do in Hong Kong’ section.

Clock Tower

The Tsim Sha Tsui promenade is dominated by one of the few surviving monuments to the era of British colonialism.

The clock tower stands near the harbour and is the only remaining part of the former Kowloon railway station. The tower was built in 1913 and stands 44 metres tall.

Although the tower is not open to the public, the views from the nearby promenade more than make up for it.

Museums in Tsim Sha Tsui

Right on the promenade, you can take shelter from the heat or rain in two large museums.

• Hong Kong Museum of Art (hk.art.museum) – The HKMoA, as it is commonly known, houses more than 17,000 works of modern art.
• Hong Kong Space Museum (hk.space.museum) – the popular Space Museum, with many interactive exhibits.

K11 MUSEA and the Rosewood Hotel

As you continue along the promenade, you’ll come across K11 MUSEA.

Despite its name, it is not a traditional museum, but a shopping centre with a striking interior, art installations, shops and restaurants. It is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

The Rosewood Hotel, mentioned above, is also part of the same Victoria Dockside complex. I’d recommend popping into K11 MUSEA if you’re interested in design or fancy stopping for a bite to eat whilst strolling along the waterfront. You can find current exhibitions and shops on the official K11 MUSEA website.

Harbour City and the free Ocean Terminal Deck viewing platform

On the opposite side of the Star Ferry pier lies Harbour City, Hong Kong’s largest shopping centre with over 450 shops and numerous restaurants. Walk through it towards the ocean-going ferry terminal.

Also worth a visit is the Ocean Terminal Deck on the roof of the building at the end of the complex. The viewing platform is free and offers a different perspective of Victoria Harbour to the promenade. It is open from 7.00 am to midnight.

Is it worth staying in Tsim Sha Tsui?

Yes, if you want to be close to the waterfront, the Star Ferry and the MTR. You can set off straight from your hotel for an evening stroll to enjoy the views.

The TST area boasts the highest concentration of truly world-class luxury hotels.

However, you’ll also find plenty of standard, traditional hotels here.

• Rosewood Hong Kong – an exceptionally luxurious hotel next to K11 MUSEA. The choice for a stay where the hotel itself is a key part of the trip.
• K11 ARTUS – a luxury apartment hotel directly above K11 MUSEA. It also offers rooms with harbour views and is often slightly cheaper than the Rosewood.
• Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers – next to the Space Museum, just a few steps from the promenade and the underground.
• Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel – right in Harbour City, particularly convenient for shopping and ferry journeys.

If you don’t need a view from your room, do have a look at hotels on streets further away from the waterfront. You’ll find a comparison of neighbourhoods and other hotels in the chapter ‘Where to stay in Hong Kong’.

Getting to TST

Tsim Sha Tsui is Kowloon’s main transport hub.

Nearest MTR stations:

• East Tsim Sha Tsui, approx. 200 metres – Tuen Ma Line (towards West Kowloon, Kai Tak, Hung Hom, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Tsuen Wan)
• Tsim Sha Tsui, approx. 350 metres – Tsuen Wan Line (towards Central, Admiralty, Mongkok, Prince Edward, Tsuen Wan)

Ferry terminal:

• Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier– Star Ferry towards Hong Kong Central

Buses:

Right next to the pier, you’ll find a large bus station served by routes 1, 1A, 2, 5, 5A, 5C, 5P, 5X, 6, 7, 8, 8A, 8P, 28, 92R and 234X. Most of these routes are operated by KMB.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Hong Kong.