The City Across from Hong Kong Island: Kowloon
Kowloon** is the peninsula city directly north of Hong Kong Island, separated by **Victoria Harbour**.
Key Facts
- Location: Mainland China (Kowloon Peninsula), north of HK Island.
- History: Ceded 1860 (Convention of Peking) — British colony until 1997 handover.
- Current Status: Part of **Hong Kong SAR** — comprises **Kowloon City, Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, Kwun Tong** districts.
- Population: ~2.2M (30% of HK) in 47 km² — one of world's densest urban areas.
- Hubs: Tsim Sha Tsui (tourism, museums), Mong Kok (markets, density), Kowloon Tong (education), Kwun Tong (industrial/commercial).
- Transport: MTR (Tsuen Wan, Kwun Tong, East Rail lines), Star Ferry, Cross-Harbour Tunnel, West Kowloon HSR (to Mainland).
Not to Confuse
- New Territories: North of Kowloon (leased 1898, 99 yrs).
- Hong Kong Island: South of harbor (original 1842 cession).
Kowloon = **the mainland urban heart** of Hong Kong.
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