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On arrival at the Star Ferry Pier in Kowloon, visitors will be able to spot the adjacent Clock Tower, which was built in the early1900s. The tower is the final relic of the historic Kowloon-Canton Railway Station, which was once the Asian terminus of the Orient Express to London. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Behind the Clock Tower is a promenade of cultural venues. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is a minimalist structure with a sweeping concave roof. Its design caused a controversy in 1984, as there were no windows and ugly tiles conceal the rooftop. Nevertheless, the building has its many uses. Many arts festivals, be it local or international, are staged in this complex, especially during the months of January and February. The Cultural Centre is the mother-home of a few commendable museums. There is the Hong Kong Space Museum, which opens Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (1 to 9 p.m.) and on weekends (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.). Another museum, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, opens Mondays to Saturdays (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) as well as Sundays (1 to 6 p.m.), and is closed on Thursdays. Both museums charge a minimum admission fee. The Space Museum offers daily showings of Omnimax movies on space travel and exhibitions of Chinese astronomical inventions, while the Art Museum manifests a series of traditional and contemporary calligraphy and paintings, along with historic photographs, prints, and artifacts of Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangzhou. Other galleries exhibit Chinese antiquities and traveling exhibitions of fine art. Star House The Star House, situated north of the Star Ferry Pier, preserves a collection of cheongsam, porcelain, and every imaginable kind of Chinese handicraft that may be purchased at the huge Chinese Arts and Crafts store. Next to Star House is the colossal Harbour City complex, which is close to the Ocean Terminal and Ocean Centre. Hotels, antique stores, and designer boutiques occupy the complex. Hung Hom Bay This stretch of reclaimed land is congested with hotels, offices, and shops. The Kowloon-Canton Railway Station is also located here. Built in 1975, the trains depart for China and the New Territories from this station. West of the station is the Cross-Harbour Tunnel that links Kowloon to Hong Kong. A 10 minute walk from the station is Hung Hom Ferry Pier, which offers services to Central, Wan Chai, and North Point. Whampoa Gardens At the back of Hung Hom Ferry Pier is the Whampoa Gardens, which is a commercial and residential project built around the old Kowloon Dockyard. The dock was opened from 1870 to 1984, but has now become a 100-meter long concrete 'ship' filled with shops, restaurants, and gardens. Hong Kong Coliseum The Coliseum is an odd-looking upended pyramid on the harbor side of the railway station. With a seating capacity of 12,000 people in its indoor stadium, the Coliseum is a popular venue for concerts of Canto-pop artists. Millions of dollars are spent on these concerts, with each entertainer competing against another by staging spectacular performances every time. Rosary Church The Chatham Road Church was completed in 1888, and is known as one of Hong Kong's most historic Catholic churches. The church conducts morning and evening masses in Cantonese as well as in English. Visitors are welcomed to participate in any of the masses of the church. Chungking Mansions Among Tsim Tsa Tsui's many run-down mansion blocks, the Chungking Mansions are more prevalent. The mansions feature a labyrinth of guesthouses, curry messes, sweat-shops, and sari stores. Most of its residents are from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Africa. Budget travelers may prefer to stay at the mansions because of its affordable room rates.
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