Revamped Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Draws Crowds Away From Malls

Tsim Sha Tsui recorded a 28 percent increase in local visitors on Friday and Saturday nights between May and June compared with the same period last year, according to footfall counters installed by the Tourism Commission at the Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade.

The change follows the completion of the first phase of the Harbourfront Enhancement Scheme, which added 1.2 kilometres of new seating, shaded pergolas and LED installations between the Clock Tower and the former Marine Police Headquarters site. Locals who once treated the area mainly as a transit point now stay for hours.

Lighting and seating replace empty plazas

Before the upgrades, many residents crossed the promenade only to reach the Star Ferry or Harbour City. The new layout includes low-level pathway lights that reduce glare on the water and modular benches that can be rearranged for small events. The Salisbury Garden, directly behind the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, received matching solar-powered lamps and a new lawn strip that now hosts free tai chi sessions on weekday mornings run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

These physical changes matter because transport fares and mall air-conditioning costs have risen sharply since 2024. Families report spending an average of HK$180 on snacks and drinks during a two-hour visit, compared with HK$320 inside nearby shopping centres for the same time.

Practical plans for the coming weeks

Visitors can reach the upgraded section by exiting Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station at Exit L5 and walking north along the waterfront for eight minutes. Weekend markets selling local snacks operate from 4 pm to 10 pm on the promenade between Peking Road and the Avenue of Stars through the end of August. Weekday mornings remain quieter, with fewer than 40 people per 100 metres before 9 am, making it suitable for early walks or photography near the Clock Tower.

The second phase of the scheme, covering the stretch toward Hung Hom, is scheduled to open in November with additional bike racks and drinking fountains.