Editing Portland Street (section)

==Character==
[[Image:MKportlandstreetdaytime.jpg|thumb|Daytime on Portland Street c. 2006.]]
[[Image:HKratlangham.jpg|thumb|Hotel tower of [[Langham Place (Hong Kong)|Langham Place]] viewed from about 1.6&nbsp;km (one mile) away. The structure is one of Kowloon's tallest.]]
A section of Portland Street, particularly between [[Argyle Street, Hong Kong|Argyle Street]] and [[Dundas Street, Hong Kong|Dundas Street]], hosts arguably Hong Kong's most famous red light district (serving mostly local Chinese clientele) and a popular scene in [[Hong Kong films]].<ref name="signs">{{cite book |title= Signs of a Colonial Era|last1= Yanne|first1=Andrew|last2= Heller|first2= Gillis|year= 2009|publisher=[[Hong Kong University Press]]|page=27 |location= |isbn= 9789622099449}}</ref> There, underneath a dizzying and chaotic array of [[neon sign]]s, one can find prostitutes from around the world (although mostly from [[mainland China]]) serving in hundreds of massage parlours, night clubs, [[karaoke]]/hostess bars and [[brothels]]. Although [[prostitution in Hong Kong|prostitution is legal in Hong Kong]], law enforcement is often active in this area conducting raids for prostitutes who entered Hong Kong illegally or have overstayed their visas or to search for under-aged prostitutes, pimps, [[Human trafficking|human traffickers]] and [[Triad society|triad]] activities.

[[Langham Place (Hong Kong)|Langham Place]], a 167,000-square metre (1.8 million-square foot) shopping centre, theatre, hotel and office tower complex opened on Portland Street near the Nelson Street intersection in July 2004. The complex has its own MTR station access (Mong Kok station exit C3). Outside one of the complex's east entrances is a large 'jumbotron' broadcasting news and entertainment shows for pedestrians below. Since its opening, Langham Place and surrounding areas has become a popular night-time destination for both locals and tourists. Some had predicted the massive upscale development would [[gentrification|gentrify]] the area and drive away the Portland Street sex trade. However, after several years of operation, Langham Place's impact on the nearby sex industry remains minimal.

The Portland Street segment between [[Argyle Street, Hong Kong|Argyle Street]] and [[Bute Street, Hong Kong|Bute Street]] is home to over 50 retailers selling home renovation materials and supplies such as toilet utensils, tiles, and wallpapers.

Other establishments along Portland Street includes fast-food restaurants, [[congee]]/noodle shops, convenience stores and working class residential highrises. Near the [[Soy Street]] intersection during the evenings, there are often unlicensed food stands and professional [[Chinese Chess]] players plying their trades. Further south, there is a small public playground at the Changsha Street intersection.