10 Instagrammable spots in the West Kowloon neighbourhood

Other than the ‘1940’ sign at the top of this building, which is the year that it was constructed, this four-storey tong lau (or local tenement building) still bears the marking of an old shophouse that Chinese merchants occupied. The ground floor, which was often used for commercial purposes, remains covered with columns at the front and currently houses a traditional pawnshop, so you can look up and snap a pic of the emblematic neon sign of an upside-down bat holding a coin which symbolises the arrival of good fortune.

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Tung Nam Lou began as a Cantonese restaurant in the 1950s before it was renovated into a commercial centre in 1994. In 2018, the building was once again transformed into a boutique hotel that also houses a stylish co-working space and an art shop. Enter the big red doors and discover a hotel that goes beyond accommodation and uses its space to cultivate artistic and cultural interactions in the community. You can treat your eyes to a visual feast around every corner of the hotel. The rooms here all boast a blend of elegant East and West designs with artistic flair.

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There’s nothing like a little street art to ignite your imagination and your Instagram feed. Yau Ma Tei has a few spots dotted around, including Public Square Street’s bright and cheery floral staircase painted by local art group Omni-art. Take a photo from below and capture all six gardens with yellow sunflowers, pink tulips, green succulents, red roses, and more. Or pick a spot and get yourself a brand new flowery profile pic.

The Tin Hau Temple built in 1865 in Qing Dynasty architectural style was declared a monument in 2020. Here you’ll find many interesting nooks and corners, but it’s in the southern chambers, which was once a private school, where the photo action is. The space was renovated into The School, Yau Ma Tei, a self-service store with a mini banyan tree inside that provides books on Hong Kong and Chinese history as well as cultural products and creations. You’ll find plenty of photo ops here, including an old-school cart noodle kiosk to recreate a little culinary nostalgia.

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The nostalgic interior of this 1950 cha chaan teng-bing sutt has been the backdrop for a number of famed films and TV shows, including Moonlight Express and The World of Suzie Wong, among others. From its neon sign, retro-coloured windows, vintage mosaic tiles and ceiling fans, Mido Cafe seems like it’s frozen in time. Take your photos from outside the shop by the wall mural or head inside to enjoy the food and sip on a Hong Kong-style milk tea while you snap away.

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As Asia’s first global museum of visual culture, M+ is probably one of the most highly anticipated openings of the year. The 65,000sq m venue is a waterfront museum wrapped in a large LED system that displays collections and special commissions. Inside, the building features a whopping 17,000sq m of exhibition space across 33 galleries, and even houses a rooftop garden, research centre, multimedia library, restaurants, cinemas, and the Found Space, which caters to major installations. We think you’ll find more than a few Instagrammable spots while you’re here.

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A prime spot for viewing the Victoria Harbour during sunset, the Art Park and waterfront promenade in West Kowloon is the perfect space to enjoy a picnic on the lawn on a sunny day, and you can even rent bikes to ride around the area. There’s also the giant ‘Smiling Pineapple Bun’ in the neighbourhood which shows an adorable and happy Hong Kong Space Museum to put you in a good mood. The display will run until October 31 and is definitely worth checking out too! 

Perched on the 100th floor of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) tower, Sky100 is an indoor observation deck that offers an unobscured 360-degree view of Hong Kong. Head there on a clear day to watch the world go by and get a snapshot of blue skies and the harbour, or drop by during the evening to capture the city’s famed cityscape in bright lights.

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This premier performing arts venue is dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage and art form of Chinese opera. The opera house is made up of a grand theatre, an intimate theatre, eight professional studios, a seminar hall and an atrium to host smaller events. While the performance art is definitely something to admire, the building itself is a marvel all on its own. Inspired by glowing Chinese lanterns, the dramatic entrance is shaped to resemble parted stage curtains to welcome visitors, while the large staircase makes for a good Cinderella at midnight moment.

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The station may be serving as an express rail link, but it’s the beauty of the building that we’re capturing here. The 400,000sq m station’s arching rooftop and the Sky Corridor with natural wood-lined Sightseeing Deck is an architectural sight for sore eyes, especially when you’re looking at it from afar. Failing the architectural shot, you can point your camera towards the reliable beauty and views of Hong Kong’s skyline instead.

To explore more, check out Hong Kong Tourism Board’s neighbourhood programme which highlights all the best things to do, see, shop, and eat in West Kowloon.