Nostalgic Yau Ma Tei Police Station draws crowds during National Day Holiday

As the National Day Golden Week neared its end on Tuesday, the historic Yau Ma Tei Police Station in Hong Kong became a magnet for tourists, fueled by its viral fame on mainland Chinese social media platforms like Xiaohongshu for evoking the gritty nostalgia of classic Hong Kong crime films. 

Despite afternoon temperatures reaching 32 degrees, visitors, including families, flocked to the site, snapping photos in front of the iconic “Yau Ma Tei Police Station” sign, some playfully posing with mock gun gestures to channel the cinematic vibe.

Among the visitors was a Shenzhen tourist who traveled to Hong Kong via high-speed rail for a whirlwind day trip. 

He chose the final day of the holiday to avoid peak crowds, finding the city’s “one-stop” immigration clearance at West Kowloon Station efficient despite a busy morning rush. 

A fan of Hong Kong’s classic films, he was thrilled to visit the police station, a frequent backdrop in beloved movies, describing the scene as a vivid recreation of his childhood memories. 

After soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere, he planned to explore Victoria Harbour and Central before returning to Shenzhen that evening, adopting a relaxed approach to shopping by purchasing items that caught his eye.

A Hangzhou visitor, staying in Hong Kong for three days, had booked a Kowloon hotel a month in advance for its affordability and proximity to Mong Kok and Victoria Harbour.

She enjoyed shopping without a strict budget, buying items she liked, and found Hong Kong’s prices reasonable. 

Meanwhile, a Beijing architecture student, also on her first trip to Hong Kong, spent the holiday exploring areas like Kennedy Town and Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Today she embarked on a “city walk” through Kowloon, captivated by the retro charm of Hong Kong’s older streets. 

Her studies in architecture heightened her appreciation for the city’s historic buildings and streets, which she found rich with fascinating stories, adding depth to her travel experience.