The Avenue of Stars is a 440-meter promenade stretching along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront in Kowloon. Inspired by Hollywood's Walk of Fame, it pays tribute to figures in Hong Kong cinema through star plaques, handprints, and bronze statues, facing the Hong Kong Island skyline.

Why Visit the Avenue of Stars

Three reasons make this promenade worth visiting during a stay in Hong Kong:

• A clear vantage point over Victoria Harbour and the skyscrapers of Central, particularly photogenic at sunset.
• A thematic journey tracing the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, from the 1950s through the new wave of the 1980s-1990s.
• A central location to watch the Symphony of Lights, projected nightly at 8 p.m. from towers across Hong Kong Island.

Access is free and available day and night.

History of the Avenue of Stars

The grand Tsim Sha Tsui promenade was developed in 1982 by the New World Group, a Hong Kong real estate company. Twenty years later, in 2003, the same group financed the creation of a thematic avenue devoted to local cinema, with a budget of approximately 40 million Hong Kong dollars. Construction was completed in 2004, and the avenue opened to the public that same year.

Between 2015 and 2019, the Avenue of Stars was closed for a complete renovation. Street furniture, plantings, and signage were redesigned, and several statues were restored or repositioned. The 2019 reopening gave new fluidity to the promenade, which now integrates seamlessly with the rest of the Kowloon waterfront.

What to See

The Star Plaques

Along the route, more than 70 plaques bear the names of actors, actresses, directors, and technicians from Hong Kong cinema. Some are accompanied by handprints, modeled after Hollywood's tradition. You'll find names like Jackie Chan, Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung, and Wong Kar-wai.

The Bruce Lee Statue

The centerpiece of the avenue is a bronze statue of Bruce Lee, standing approximately 2.5 meters tall, depicting the actor in a fighting stance. Bruce Lee remains the most iconic figure of cinematic kung fu and one of the primary international ambassadors of Hong Kong cinema. The statue has become an unmissable meeting point for fans.

Other Statues and Installations

Several other sculptures dot the promenade, including a statue of Anita Mui, an emblematic singer and actress who passed away in 2003, as well as installations honoring the film trades: cameras, clapperboards, and projectors.

The Symphony of Lights

Every evening at 8 p.m., a musical light show lasting about ten minutes is projected from the facades of towers across Hong Kong Island. The Avenue of Stars offers one of the best viewing angles for this spectacle, recognized by Guinness World Records as one of the world's largest permanent light shows.

Practical Information

• Admission: Free entry, open at all times.
• Time needed: Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk the avenue, longer if you stay for the Symphony of Lights.
• Equipment: Little shade on the promenade; bring a hat and water on hot days.
• Dining: Kiosks, cafés, and restaurants are available along the route.

When to Go

Autumn (October-November) remains the best time to visit Hong Kong: mild temperatures, low humidity, and often clear skies. Summer is hot and very humid, though waterside evenings remain pleasant. In winter, the climate is cooler but sunny.

To make the most of the avenue, plan for late afternoon: you'll see the skyline in daylight, then the sunset, and finally the evening spectacle at 8 p.m.

How to Get There

The Avenue of Stars is easily accessible by MTR (metro):

• East Tsim Sha Tsui station, exit J. Follow signage for "Avenue of Stars."
• Alternative: Tsim Sha Tsui station (Tsuen Wan line), followed by a short walk toward the waterfront.
• The Star Ferry from Central docks just a few minutes' walk from the avenue and makes for a memorable arrival.

Nearby Attractions

The Avenue of Stars is part of a dense cultural area in southern Kowloon:

• The Hong Kong Museum of Art, at the western end of the avenue, reopened in 2019 after renovation.
• The Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Clock Tower, remnants of the former Kowloon-Canton Railway station.
• The shopping streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, with Nathan Road and its neon signs.
• The Star Ferry terminal for crossing to Central and accessing Victoria Peak.

To place this visit within a broader itinerary, consult our Hong Kong guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Trip

The Avenue of Stars is a natural stop when discovering Hong Kong, to combine with Victoria Peak, the Star Ferry, and Kowloon's markets. To explore further, check our travel ideas in Chine, which can include a Hong Kong extension.