On the waterfront promenade of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, there is a distinctive landmark that carries the century-old glory of Hong Kong cinema—the Avenue of Stars. Modelled after Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in the United States, it stretches 440 meters along Victoria Harbour. It is not only an honorary hall commending outstanding figures in the Hong Kong film industry, but also a must-visit destination for foreign tourists to overlook the scenery of Victoria Harbour and feel the Hong Kong-style warmth. Unlike the grandeur or tranquility of other attractions, the Avenue of Stars perfectly integrates film Culture with urban beauty. Every handprint, every statue, and every inch of the Coastline tells the golden years of Hong Kong cinema and hides the unique charm of this city’s “East meets West”, allowing every foreign tourist to understand the romance and vitality of Hong Kong amidst the light and shadow and sea breeze.
Officially opened in 2004, the Avenue of Stars was built with a HK$40 million investment from New World Group, supported by official institutions such as the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Film Awards Association. Its original purpose was to commend outstanding figures in the Hong Kong film industry and create a distinctive attraction integrating film Culture and waterfront scenery for tourists. In 2015, the Avenue of Stars launched a closure and expansion project. After three years of optimization, it reopened to the public in 2019. The renovated Avenue of Stars was designed by the world-renowned landscape architect James Corner, adding green space, rest facilities and interactive experience projects. It also uses wave power generation technology to supply electricity to some electric lights, retaining the original charm while adding a modern touch and being endowed with new vitality. Now it attracts millions of Chinese and foreign tourists every year.
For foreign tourists, the core charm of the Avenue of Stars lies in the Hong Kong film Culture deposited here. On the wooden railings along the avenue, there are more than 100 commemorative plaques of outstanding figures in the Hong Kong film industry, among which more than 30 are equipped with their own handprints, arranged in chronological order, becoming a “pilgrimage site” for movie fans. These celebrities cover various fields such as actors, directors and screenwriters, including internationally renowned movie stars such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Andy Lau and Maggie Cheung, top directors such as John Woo, Tsui Hark and Wong Kar-wai, as well as industry tycoons such as Sir Run Run Shaw who have made great contributions to the Hong Kong film industry. It is worth mentioning that at present, there are still three living filmmakers—Chow Yun-fat, Wong Kar-wai and Stephen Chow—who have not left their handprints for various reasons, becoming a unique “blank mark” on the Avenue of Stars.
In addition to celebrity handprints, several bronze statues on the avenue are also unmissable check-in highlights. The most representative is the Bruce Lee bronze statue. This 2-meter-high bronze statue is modeled after the classic look in the movie “Enter the Dragon”, with a vigorous posture and imposing manner. The gurgling water under its feet echoes the golden words of this martial arts master: “Be formless, shapeless, like water.” It has become an iconic landscape of the Avenue of Stars. Foreign tourists stop to take photos here one after another to feel the charm of kung fu movies. In addition, the bronze statue of Anita Mui, “the daughter of Hong Kong”, is also very popular. The statue reproduces her classic stage look, elegant and graceful, showing her legendary status in the Hong Kong music and film industry; the lovely and cute McDull bronze statue has become a favorite of parent-child tourists, adding a bit of childlike fun to the Avenue of Stars.
Another major advantage of the Avenue of Stars is its unique viewing location. Backing onto Victoria Harbour and facing the skyscrapers of Central and Wanchai on Hong Kong Island, it is an excellent place to enjoy the scenery of Victoria Harbour and the “A Symphony of Lights” light show. During the day, ships shuttle on Victoria Harbour, the row upon row of high-rise buildings on both sides complement the blue sea, and the sun shines on the sea, shimmering. Every random shot is a beautiful urban picture; in the evening, the sun sets, and the warm golden afterglow dyes the entire Coastline into a gentle tone, which is the best time to take portraits and scenery; after nightfall, the “A Symphony of Lights” light show, which starts on time at 20:00 every night, turns the buildings on both sides into a flowing canvas of light and shadow. As one of the viewing spots, the Avenue of Stars allows foreign tourists to clearly feel the shock of this audio-visual feast and immerse themselves in the brilliant night view of the “Pearl of the Orient”.
To help foreign tourists better experience the charm of the Avenue of Stars, a number of interactive facilities have been added here. Tourists can use Augmented Reality (AR) technology to interact and take photos with the bronze statues of Bruce Lee and Anita Mui, making the classic idols “come alive”; on the electronic screens along the avenue, you can query celebrity information and watch classic movie clips to deeply understand the development history of Hong Kong cinema. In addition, there are film-themed cultural and creative stores on the avenue, selling characteristic souvenirs such as keychains and postcards, allowing tourists to take the starlight memories home. At the same time, rest seats, sunshades and vending machines are equipped along the avenue, making it convenient for tourists to rest and replenish energy at any time, improving the visiting experience.
In terms of transportation, foreign tourists can choose a variety of convenient ways to go to the Avenue of Stars. The most recommended is to take the MTR, exit from Exit E of Tsim Sha Tsui Station and walk about 8 minutes to reach it; or exit from Exit J of East Tsim Sha Tsui Station and walk 5 minutes to directly reach the waterfront promenade, and you can also enjoy the street scenery of Tsim Sha Tsui along the way. In addition, you can take multiple bus routes such as No. 1, 2, 5, 13X to “Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Terminal” and walk 3-5 minutes to reach it; you can also take the Star Ferry, depart from Central or Wanchai Ferry Terminal, get off at Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Terminal, and walk 2 minutes to reach it. You can also enjoy the scenery of Victoria Harbour during the ferry ride, killing two birds with one stone. If you choose to take a taxi, the fare within Tsim Sha Tsui is about 20-30 Hong Kong dollars, and about 40-60 Hong Kong dollars from Kowloon Tong or Mong Kok. Most drivers are familiar with the location of the attractions and can communicate in English.
Practical tips can make your tour smoother. First of all, the Avenue of Stars is open 24 hours a day for free, no tickets are required. It is recommended to reserve 2-3 hours for the tour. The best time to visit is from 17:00 to 20:00 in the evening, when you can enjoy the sunset, the night view of Victoria Harbour and the “A Symphony of Lights” light show at the same time. Secondly, it is recommended to bring a camera and a mobile phone with sufficient power when visiting, which is convenient for taking photos of celebrity handprints, bronze statues and the scenery of Victoria Harbour; you need to bring a thin coat when visiting in the evening to resist the sea breeze; you need to take sun protection measures when visiting in summer to avoid heatstroke. Furthermore, there are many tourists during peak tourist seasons (such as Spring Festival, summer vacation, weekends). It is recommended to visit during off-peak hours to avoid morning and evening peaks and get a more comfortable visiting experience.
In addition, foreign tourists need to abide by local etiquette. Do not speak loudly when visiting, do not occupy the best photo position for a long time, and take good care of public facilities. The surrounding facilities of the Avenue of Stars are complete. You can walk 5 minutes to Tsui Wah Restaurant to taste authentic Hong Kong delicacies such as pineapple buns and Hong Kong-style milk Tea; walk 8 minutes to Tao Heung Restaurant to enjoy authentic Hong Kong dim sum; the nearby shopping districts such as Harbour City and K11 MUSEA gather international cuisines and Internet-famous coffee shops to meet the taste needs of different tourists. After the tour, you can also walk to nearby attractions such as Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower, Hong Kong Museum of Art and Space Museum to further enrich your itinerary and feel the cultural charm of Hong Kong.
The Avenue of Stars is not only a waterfront promenade, but also a microcosm of Hong Kong film culture and a bridge connecting tourists with the history of Hong Kong cinema. For foreign tourists, here you can follow the footprints of idols, feel the charm of kung fu movies, overlook the magnificent scenery of Victoria Harbour, and immerse yourself in the urban style and warmth of Hong Kong. Whether you are a movie fan or an ordinary tourist, this journey of walking along the stars will become the most unforgettable memory of your trip to Hong Kong, making you deeply fall in love with this international city with both cultural heritage and modern vitality.
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