Ma Tau Wai City
City in Kowloon City, Hong Kong with markets
A working-class slice of Kowloon, Ma Tau Wai draws those chasing old Hong Kong: wet markets, dai pai dongs and narrow tenement alleys; street-side noodle shops, incense-scented temples and trampling commuter crowds define the rhythm.
Ma Tau Wai at a Glance#
Costs: Around USD 100-180 per day - covers budget hotel or guesthouse, meals, MTR fares and local extras.
Safety: Very safe, low violent crime - safe streets day and night; watch belongings in busy areas.
Best Time: October-December (pleasant weather) - cooler, drier months; avoids summer heat and typhoons.
Why Visit Ma Tau Wai?#
Nestled within Kowloon City District, this compact neighborhood offers a close-up of Hong Kong life where busy wet markets, low-rise tenements and old-style cha chaan tengs mix with newer developments. Food draws many visitors - think Cantonese roast goose and wonton noodles served at family-run shops on Ma Tau Wai Road and nearby To Kwa Wan. Short walks lead to Kowloon Walled City Park and eclectic street scenes that show a less touristy side of the metropolis.
Best Things to Do in Ma Tau Wai#
Ma Tau Wai Bucket List#
Kowloon Walled City Park - Historic walled-city site transformed into landscaped gardens with preserved artifacts.
Ma Tau Wai Park - Neighborhood green space with playgrounds, sports courts, and shaded walking paths.
Ma Tau Wai Road eateries - Cluster of local restaurants serving Cantonese comfort food, dai pai dong-style stalls.
Kowloon City Plaza food stalls - Small food court area offering Thai, Vietnamese, and local Chinese street eats.
Holy Trinity Cathedral (nearby) - Historic church with colonial-era architecture and a quiet interior for reflection.
Local herbal shops along Ma Tau Wai Road - Traditional apothecaries selling herbal remedies, teas, and kinesiology ingredients.
Victoria Harbour and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade - Harbourfront promenades, skyline views, and ferry options across to Hong Kong Island.
Victoria Peak (short MTR and tram ride) - Panoramic skyline viewpoint reached by historic Peak Tram and short transit connections.
Best Time to Visit Ma Tau Wai#
Ma Tau Wai sits in Hong Kong’s humid subtropical climate, so late autumn to early winter is the nicest time to visit for pleasant, dry weather. Summers are hot, humid and storm-prone, while spring can be damp and hazy.
November - February
14°C - 20°C (57°F - 68°F)
Pleasant, dry and cool; ideal for walking neighborhoods, enjoying harbour views and hiking Victoria Peak without oppressive humidity, mosquitoes, or typhoon risk.
March - April
18°C - 24°C (64°F - 75°F)
Muggy drizzles and grey skies; expect sticky humidity, light rain and allergenic pollen - city feels sticky, sightseeing sometimes soggy but crowds start to ease.
May - September
26°C - 33°C (79°F - 91°F)
Hot, sweaty and rain-lashed; frequent thunderstorms and typhoon threats make afternoons unpredictable, but lively street food, late nightlife, and sales are in full swing.
Ma Tau Wai's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 12°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2297 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. The driest month with just 25 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (169 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (330 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (376 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (377 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 34°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (416 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (282 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Ma Tau Wai#
Ma Tau Wai is a residential neighbourhood in Kowloon City, Hong Kong. Arrive via Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) or by MTR to nearby interchange stations (To Kwa Wan, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon Tong) and use short local transfers to reach the neighbourhood.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG): The fastest public option to central Kowloon is the Airport Express to Kowloon Station (adult single ~HK$115, about 24 minutes). From Kowloon Station you can take an MTR/Taxis to Ma Tau Wai (another 10-20 minutes). Taxis from the airport to Kowloon City/Ma Tau Wai typically cost HK$300-HK$420 and take 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.
Train: Hong Kong’s MTR is the best way to reach Ma Tau Wai. Nearby stations serving the area are To Kwa Wan (Tuen Ma Line) and Ho Man Tin (Tuen Ma/Kwun Tong lines); Kowloon Tong and Hung Hom are the larger interchange stations for East Rail and cross-harbour connections. Typical single-trip fares within Kowloon are in the HK$4-HK$15 range and on-system ride times to Ma Tau Wai from central Kowloon are usually 5-20 minutes.
Bus: Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and Citybus operate multiple routes through Kowloon City and Ma Tau Wai; single fares within urban Kowloon are typically HK$4-HK$16 depending on distance. Buses are frequent but can be slower than the MTR at peak times; use the Citybus/KMB route maps or the MTR map to plan transfers.
How to Get Around Ma Tau Wai#
The MTR is the most reliable way to get around Ma Tau Wai and the rest of Kowloon - fast, frequent and easy with an Octopus card. For airport arrivals use the Airport Express to Kowloon Station then switch to the MTR or a short taxi; buses and taxis fill in routes the MTR doesn’t serve.
- MTR (Tuen Ma / Kwun Tong lines) (HK$4-HK$15) - The MTR is the quickest, most reliable way to move around Kowloon. To Kwa Wan and Ho Man Tin are the nearest stations; interchange at Kowloon Tong or Hung Hom for cross-city links. Expect clean, frequent service and pay with an Octopus card to save on single fares.
- Airport Express + MTR (HK$115 (Airport Express) + HK$4-HK$15 (MTR)) - For airport transfers, the Airport Express to Kowloon Station is fast and punctual (single fare to Kowloon Station ~HK$115). From Kowloon Station take a short taxi or MTR ride to Ma Tau Wai. This is pricier than buses but much faster and more comfortable.
- Kowloon Buses (KMB / Citybus) (HK$4-HK$16) - Buses cover streets that the MTR doesn’t and can be useful for direct links to specific streets or hotel stops. They are cheaper than taxis but subject to traffic; bring an Octopus card or exact change for cash fares. Real-time route apps make bus travel simpler.
- Taxis / Rideshare (HK$40-HK$420 (local short trips to airport transfer range)) - Taxis are plentiful in Kowloon and a convenient option late at night or with luggage. Short trips inside Kowloon are inexpensive compared with airport transfers; note peak-hour slowdowns and meter-based fares. Rideshare apps operate but Hong Kong taxis remain the most common point-to-point choice.
- Cycling / e-scooters (HK$0-HK$50 (depending on rental)) - Cycling is possible on quieter streets and some park paths but heavy traffic and limited dedicated lanes in parts of Kowloon mean it’s more of a short-trip option than a primary mode. Dockless bikes and e-scooters have limited legal operation-check local rules before using.
- Walking - Ma Tau Wai is compact and walkable for short trips to local shops, parks, and eateries. Walking is often the fastest way to cover distances under 1-2 km and to connect between MTR exits and bus stops.
Where to Stay in Ma Tau Wai#
Ma Tau Wai / Kowloon City District - HK$300-700/night
Ma Tau Wai is in Kowloon - many budget guesthouses and value hotels within easy walk of the MTR.
iclub Ma Tau Wai Hotel - Affordable, modern budget chain
Kowloon budget listings (search) - Many low-cost options nearby
Mong Kok / Kowloon City - HK$700-1500/night
Mid-range choices are plentiful across nearby Mong Kok and Kowloon City - convenient and comfortable.
Royal Plaza Hotel (Mong Kok) - Well-located mid-range with good facilities
Dorsett Mongkok - Comfortable rooms, family-friendly
Tsim Sha Tsui / Central - HK$2000+/night
Luxury hotels are concentrated in central Kowloon and Hong Kong Island; excellent transport links to Ma Tau Wai.
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong (Central) - Top luxury, short MTR away
The Peninsula Hong Kong - Iconic luxury in Tsim Sha Tsui
Where to Eat in Ma Tau Wai#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ma Tau Wai’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Ma Tau Wai#
Shopping in Ma Tau Wai is mainly everyday convenience stores, small local shops and wet-market stalls rather than tourist malls. For bigger choices and specialty stores you’ll head to neighbouring Kowloon City or other parts of Kowloon. Bring cash for small vendors, though most larger shops accept electronic payment via Octopus or cards.
Nightlife in Ma Tau Wai#
Nightlife within Ma Tau Wai itself is limited - it’s a residential area with casual eateries and late-night food stalls rather than bars or clubs. For a livelier evening scene you’ll need to go to nearby neighbourhoods in Kowloon. Evenings are good for sampling local Cantonese and street food; peak dining times can be busy.
