Nathan Road, Kowloon

Nathan Road, Kowloon's main traffic artery, runs in a dead straight line for 4km/2.5mi from Victoria Harbour to Boundary Street, which marks the northern limit of Kowloon. It traverses the busy Mong Kok district, one of the most densely populated areas in the world.This busy traffic route (followed also by the MTR), known as the "Golden Mile", is lined on both sides by elegant hotels, restaurants, department stores, cinemas, numerous smaller shops and night spots. The shops display a superabundance of wares calculated to meet almost every conceivable need. It is worth strolling along the street in the evening, when the huge neon advertising signs are switched on.About 500m/550yds north of Victoria Harbour, on the west side of Nathan Road, is Kowloon Park, in which are the Islamic Centre, with its widely visible mosque, and the interesting Museum of History.At the south end of Nathan Road are many of Hong Kong's best hotels (including the famous Peninsula Hote) and most of the shops with internationally known brand names.There are four MTR stations along Nathan Road - Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tai and Mong Kok. It does not matter where you alight - everywhere, especially in the evening, you will encounter the hurly-burly of life in Kowloon. However it is well worth while venturing from Nathan Road itself into the side streets, where - just a few hundred yards away from the glare of the neon signs - there are many shops where the goods are often considerably cheaper and where bargaining is normal.