| Map
of Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong (S.A.R.), China |
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Hong
Kong Hotels: Yau Ma Tei
| Hotel
Name
(click for information) |
| Majestic |
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Introduction
The main distinction of Yau Ma Tei, along with the Jade Market and the
Temple Street Night Market, is the sparkling new Airport Express Line's
Kowloon Station built exclusively on reclaimed land and serving all the
major hotels of Tsim Sha Tsui. Looking at Ferry Street on the map above,
a large chunk of the harbor to the immediate west of this has been reclaimed
in the massive West
Kowloon Reclamation
(image also in map above) project to provide for both the road and rail
links streaming toward TST and Central from the airport. As such, the
entire Yau
Ma Tei typhoon shelter
(image also in map above) was pushed further out into the harbor. Back
on the the original terra firma, this area is a crowded residential area
with more of a local than a tourist focus. Two exceptions to this are
the two street markets described below.
Points
of Interest
Tin Hau Temple
With its five-temple terrace, this is a fine example of Chinese architecture.
The public square in front is a favorite gathering place for Chinese chess
players. The temple is the communal heart of Yau Ma Tei.
Shopping
Jade
Market
(image also in map above)
Located on the junction of Kansu and Battery streets, this casual, open-air
market boasts more than 400 stall owners. To Chinese, jade has great spiritual
value. When carved into certain shapes, it can represent wealth (deer),
good fortune (tiger) or power (dragon). Don't buy expensive jade
unless you know what you are doing. Starting at 10 a.m. it runs till about
3:30 p.m. daily. The best time to go is in the morning.
Temple
Street Night Market
(image also in map above)
The Temple Street Night Market comes alive after 6:00 p.m. and offers
an wide range of inexpensive items mostly for men, from jeans and t-shirts
to lighters and shoes. There are also dozens of fortune tellers, Chinese
opera performers, and scores of food sellers offering traditional Chinese
cooked snacks.
Transportation
Airport Expressway and Rail Link
The West Kowloon Expressway and the Airport Express Line zoom along the
reclaimed land on the western part of the area with the AEL's Kowloon
stop just below Jordan Road before the rail line dips under the harbor
on its way to Hong Kong Island.
Jordan Road and Yau Ma Tei MTR Stations 
Either one is handy for the Jade Market, with Jordan Road just a bit
further away.
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