The main road in Kowloon, Hong Kong, is Nathan Road and it is also called The Golden Mile. It runs from the Tsim Sha Tsui area to Mong Kok. This well-known road is lined with restaurants, shops and crowds of people. The road’s overall length is a little over 2 miles. The impressive Peninsula Hotel is located on this road.
History of Nathan Road
This road’s first section was completed in 1861. Nathan Road was initially called Robinson Road, in honor of Hong Kong’s fifth governor. However, there was another street with a similar sounding name on Hong Kong Island, so in 1909, it received its current name that honors Hong Kong’s thirteenth governor, Sir Matthew Nathan.
The road begins slightly below Boundary Street in the Mong Kok area and then continues to the waterfront section of Tsim Sha Tsui. When the road was first proposed, many residents believe it was a very foolish plan that would create severe traffic problems. They referred to as it “Nathan’s Folly.” These days, it is a very popular, busy commercial road in Hong Kong. For many locals and tourists it is a favorite place to socialize.
Places to See and Things to Do
Although some areas of Kowloon are a bit run-down, other areas of the road feature upscale establishments which are mainly on the southern end of the road. There are many lighted signs that are interesting to see, especially at night. Many say they remind them of the vibrant signs in Times Square in New York City.
Most tourists head to Nathan Road for its many shopping opportunities. There are several boutiques that offer the latest styles, and there are also many popular electronics shops that sell the newest music players, digital cameras, as well as cellular phones. Most of the upscale electronics shops are located in the central area of the road.
Many stores are open until midnight because that is the custom in Hong Kong. There are plenty of take-out food places and restaurants along Nathan Road. Several have wonderful local cuisine, but there are some that offer international cuisine. Some of the best places to find bargains are on some of the side streets.
