Strategically placed against the backdrop of the highest point on the island of Hong Kong; “The Peak”, the Avenue of Stars is the cynosure of all eyes that set foot on the land. With the waves of the Victoria Harbour glittering under the heavens or shimmering under the sun’s kisses just next to the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade where the star studded avenue is located, it is no surprise that most tourists yearn to visit the site.
As clearly evinced through its name, this glitzy street is a tribute to the movie stars of Hong Kong who carried the East Asian nation’s name to the world and even to the Oscars. Often dubbed the “Hollywood of East Asia”. Hong Kong’s film industry is over a century old and boasts of names such as Jackie Chang and Bruce Lee who have even gone on to perform in foreign movies.
The boulevard was developed to showcase and honour the many outstanding artistes of the Hong Kong film industry and to provide a fitting platform to display the plethora of memorabilia, plaques, and various other items depicting the numerous milestones of the Hong Kong cinema. The Hong Kong Film Award Association selects artistes to be honoured at the Avenue of Stars on a regular basis. Since its inauguration in 2004, no one has visited the Victoria Harbour or even Hong Kong without stopping over at the sparkling promenade to see the stretch of land dedicated to the actors and actresses of the country. The promenade is also a performance arena, where traditional Hong Kong dances, music and skits are put on the boards for the frequenters to witness. The performances are insightful and truly local. The best shows are on Saturday evenings when the air is a little cooler and the hustle and bustle of the city is less.
Every evening the area is lit up with special effect lighting and the shadows that fall on the waves below are just as transfixing as the figurines themselves. With the Mongkok hotels around the corner, there is plenty of suitable accommodation and the Cosmo Hotel Mongkok is among the most preferred. The hotel in Kowloon are a convenient hideout from which one can enjoy the town as well.