Pay a visit to the Avenue of Stars and walk along the promenade where you’ll find tributes to the stars of Hong Kong’s film industry immortalised in the pavement. Over 100 plaques are on display along the pavement, set into the paving stones along the 440-metre promenade – starting out with Lai Man-Wai, the director of Hong Kong’s first feature film ‘Zhuangzi Tests His Wife’ back in 1913, in which he also played the part of the wife.
Among the more famous stars immediately recognised by international visitors are Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. The avenue was opened back in 2004 to promote the island’s rich filmmaking heritage and to attract more tourists to what has been labelled the ‘Hollywood of the Orient’.
Along the pavement, you’ll see nine red pillars, each of which recounts another part of the 100-year history of cinema in Hong Kong. Stop off for a while to sit on one of the benches, from which you can look out across Victoria Harbour and just enjoy the view. There are souvenir shops nearby where you can find all kinds of film merchandise and memorabilia.
You can’t miss the life-sized statue of the legendary Bruce Lee, to which visitors flock to have their photograph taken. Don’t be surprised to see visitors standing in front of the bronze statue imitating his kung fu pose.
When night falls, the avenue becomes the perfect vantage point from which to watch the Symphony of Lights, the 15-minute show of music and light which illuminates the entire sky above Hong Kong. Dozens of the city’s skyscrapers are lit up by searchlights and lasers, set to music and narration. The show is held every night from 8 p.m., weather permitting.
Situated at the waterfront of Tsim Sha Tsui, you can reach the Avenue of Stars by public transport. The closest MTR station is only three minutes away on foot.
