Most travellers to Hong Kong gravitate towards the glamour of its main island, yet across Victoria Harbour lies the more heavily populated Kowloon. Nicknamed the dark side, despite being permanently lit up in a fiery neon glow, Kowloon is restlessly trapped between Western idealism and Da Li (the Chinese mainland).

What does Kowloon mean in English?

Nine Dragons Literal meaning. Nine Dragons showTranscriptions. Kowloon (/ˌkaʊˈluːn/) is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. With a population of 2,019,533 and a population density of 43,033/km2 in 2006, it is the most populous urban area in Hong Kong.

Is Kowloon still there?

While it was deserted, the empty city was used to film a scene in the 1993 movie Crime Story. After four months of planning, demolition of the walled city began on 23 March 1993 and concluded in April 1994.

Why is it called Kowloon?

First occupied by the British in 1860, Kowloon was home to farming and fishing communities for hundreds of years. Its name, which means Nine Dragons, supposedly comes from the Song Dynastys Emperor Bing, who named the area for its eight tallest mountains. The ninth dragon was, of course, the emperor himself.

Is Kowloon a slum?

There was almost no administrative control, and the city became a slum. Yet whenever the Hong Kong government tried to clear it to turn it into a park—evicting the residents in the process—the Chinese government always stepped in. After all, this tiny rectangle of land was still officially their territory.

Is Kowloon part of China?

Kowloon Peninsula, Kowloon also spelled Kaulun or Kaulung, Chinese (Pinyin) Jiulong or (Wade-Giles romanization) Chiu-lung, part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, southeastern China.

Does anyone live in Kowloon?

Slightly north of Hong Kong Island there once stood one of the most densely populated places on earth. From the 1950s until 1994, over 33,000 people lived and worked in Kowloon Walled City, a massive complex of 300 interconnected buildings that took up a city block.

Is Kowloon Walled safe?

At its peak, it was estimated to have 50,000 residents giving it a population density almost 120 times greater than New York City. It was known for its interconnected high-rises and as being a crime haven since it was left alone by authorities.

Why did weylus close?

Weylus was once an opulent destination for local diners. Its final location, built for $13 million from 1986 to 1989, was outfitted with flourishes like an indoor waterfall and hand-painted Chinese vases. But the restaurant closed in 1999 after business slowed and the Bank of China foreclosed on the property.

Is Kowloons for sale?

Everyone can take a deep breath: Kowloon has not been sold, and it is not for sale. However, Wong did say that the restaurant industry is tough — that is especially true at the moment — and that the next generation doesnt want to be involved in the operations of Kowloon.

What language is spoken in Kowloon?

Official languagesNative languages of Hong Kong (2016)Cantonese (official)88.9%English (official)4.3%Mandarin1.9%Other Chinese varieties3.1%2 more rows

What happened to the people of Kowloon Walled City?

Despite a reduced crime rate, neither the British nor the Chinese found the city tolerable. In 1987, the two governments agreed to tear down the city. After evicting the 33,000 residents over the next five years, demolition began in 1993.

How do you say boyfriend in Cantonese?

男朋友 (naam4 pang4 jau5) boyfriend (noun) 女人正在跟她的男朋友擁抱。