Kowloon Walled City Park is one of Hong Kong's most fascinating historical locations, where there was once an anarchic and densely-populated city-within-a-city, there is now a peaceful and beautiful park. History of Kowloon Walled City Formerly and famously known as Kowloon Walled City, the site was so named because of the fortifications such as cannons and watchtowers. The site was used by imperial Chinese rulers in the 15th century, and it also became an important site for China’s maritime defences in 1841 during the British occupation of Hong Kong Island. Over time, the area evolved into one of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in the world, and was infamous for the lack of proper development, unsanitary conditions and crime. After years of attempts to address the undesirable conditions in the site, the Hong Kong Government decided to demolish and redevelop the area in 1987. And by 1994, the Kowloon Walled City was demolished. The area was reopened on 22 December 1995, and officially renamed Kowloon Walled City Park. How to get to Kowloon Walled City Park The easiest way to reach Kowloon Walled City Park is to take the MTR to Sung Wong Toi Station. Look for exit B3, the park is about an 8-minute walk away. Address: Tsung Tsing Road, Kowloon City Opening hours: daily from 6:30am to 11pm What to expect The Kowloon Walled City Park is divided into eight scenic zones and features beautiful Chinese gardens, walks and pavilions. While there are several entrances to the park, if you enter the park via the South Gate, you will see the Garden Tablet, which details (in Chinese) geographic and historical details about the former Kowloon Walled City. Walk to the back of the tablet and you will be able to see a model replica of the walled city. The Yamen, an officially declared monument in Hong Kong and located in the centre of the park, is also directly behind the Garden Tablet and is the only remaining old Qing building. Another historical feature of the park worth checking out is the area containing remnants of the South Gate. The gardens are also beautiful. The Garden of Chinese Zodiac, for example, is a serene area where you can admire stone statues of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Next to this garden is the Chess Garden, which contains four giant Chinese chessboards built on the ground. There are also a few chess tables – if you bring your own chess pieces, you can enjoy a game with your friends. Depending on when you visit the park, you might even spot some locals playing a game of chess! You can easily spend hours at Kowloon Walled City Park just admiring the serene ponds and pavilions. If you want a nice overview of parts of the park, consider heading up to Six Arts Terrace and walk along the corridors to enjoy a nice view of Lung Nam Pavilion. Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey – Movie Set Exhibition The current exhibition will last for three years and consists of eight exhibition rooms presenting movie sets and costumes from Soi Cheang’s action crime movie Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (2024), a local movie that became the second-highest-grossing domestic film in Hong Kong of all time and won Best Film in the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards. Some of the highlights of the exhibition include the large flower board at the entrance in Exhibition Room 1 and the narrow alleys and hidden streets in Exhibition Room 6. Other exhibition rooms feature displays that portray what life was like back in the days before the walled city was demolished. Exhibition details Cost: free admission Opening hours: 9am-7pm (May to August 2025); 9am-6pm (September 2025 onwards) Cheapo tip: Go to the exhibition during daytime on weekdays to avoid having to wait for a long time due to crowds. If there are too many people in line for the exhibition, you will be given a ticket by the exhibition staff and can come back at the suggested time
The Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong
The Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong
The Ultimate Guide to Hong Kong
