Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wed-Fri, 1-7pm Sat & Sun; Yau Ma Tei station, exit C)
The collection here is by no means overwhelming but there are action figures, anime, sci-fi
characters, dolls and quite a number of Gundam robots.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
BADASS MAH JONG
Shanghai St in Yau Ma Tei is home to a few mah-jong parlours .
In the 1950s, the four-player game of mah-jong was so popular that the British, des-
pite their antigambling policy, began issuing licences to mah-jong parlours. In their
heyday, there were over 150; now only a few dozen are left.
Brightly lit and filled with cigarette smoke, mah-jong parlours were often featured in
gangster films as they were associated with the Triads - the Hong Kong Mafia. Now
with the police keeping a close eye, they're little more than the noisy playgrounds of
hardcore players.
Most of these places have signage saying '' ('mah-jong entertainment'). You can
enter for a peek, but remember that picture-taking is forbidden.
Mong Kok
PARK, MARKET
YUEN PO STREET BIRD GARDEN & FLOWER MARKET
In this enchanting corner of Mong Kok, you will find a handful of old men out 'walking'
their caged songbirds. Stick around long enough and you should see birds being fed squirm-
ing caterpillars with chopsticks. There are also feathered creatures for sale, along with elab-
busy after 10am.
HISTORIC BUILDING
LUI SENG CHUN
Kok & Tong Mi Rds; guided tour 2.30pm & 4pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am & 11am Sat; consultation 9am-1pm &
2-8pm Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm Sun.; Prince Edward, exit C2)
