Known as the world’s most crowded district, Mong Kok in Hong Kong is a winding maze of passages, market stalls and thousands of people.
Even the name, which is abbreviated to MK by locals, means crowded corner in Cantonese. With a population density of 130,000 per square kilometre, Mong Kok is teeming with life.
In comparison, London is the most densely populated city in the UK but only has 5,960 people per square kilometre. Even Shanghai, a huge city with a massive population, has around 3,900 people per square kilometre. Hong Kong is, of course, an island with a large population, so space is limited anyway. And Mong Kok is its most crowded district.
Housing in Mong Kok can be cramped, with thousands of people living in what’s known as coffin apartments. These tiny flats are in the high rises of the area where poeple live in tiny rooms just large enough for a bed. These subdivided apartments cram people in side by side.
ABC News reports that the Chinese communist government has ordered Hong Kong authorities to “bid farewell” to subdivided flats, coffin homes and cage homes by 2049, characterising the city’s shortage of homes a “deep-rooted problem”.
While the locals may live in cramped conditions, this doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty to explore in Mong Kok.
This area is known for its famed Temple Street Night Market. This Market offers everything from fortune telling to tea shops as well as antiques, designer knock offs and souvenirs.
There are streets dedicated to certain items too, like Sneaker Street, Electronics Street and even Photocopy Street – this makes your walking tour of this region simple to navigate depending on what you’re looking for.
Hong Kong is famed for its world-class street food and Mong Kok is no exception. Sample local delicacies like siu mai (dumplings with shrimp or pork) or takoyaki (octopus) or curry fish balls.
If you’re really feeling brave you can try some stinky tofu, which is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and has been compared in taste to blue cheese.
There are also Western classics like pizza and poutine if tofu seems a little adventurous for you.
Also in Mong Kok are massive malls that stretch multiple stories into the sky which are perfect for a bad weather day. These malls sell designer products, cosmetics and of course, local souvenirs and everything in between.
The 15-storey Langham Place occupies over 56,000 square metres in the heart of Mong Kok.
The smaller boutique shops are found on the top floors of the mall, with international brands occupying the lower floors.
If you fancy a trip to this lively neighbourhood then flights leave every day from London to Hong Kong.
At the moment, Skyscanner has flights in February starting at £428 return. Between July and August, the city will be at its hottest and most humid, whereas in the later months temperatures will begin to drop and make it slightly cooler.
