[citation needed] As early as in the Qin dynasty (221–206 BCE), Kowloon City was famous for its pearl production.

During the late Song Dynasty, two young emperors, Zhao Bing and Duanzong, sought refuge at current day Kowloon City, roughly at present day Sung Wong Toi Garden, to escape from the growing Mongol Army.

However, zoning plans have described some of these recent high-rise developments as undesirable and proposed a height limit of 80 m (260 ft) for new buildings in Kowloon City.

Due to the prevalence of Thai restaurants and stores as well as the population of Thai-speaking ethnic Chinese, Kowloon City is also known as "Hong Kong's Little Thailand".

[18] It is not only a food paradise for authentic main dishes of many cultures, but also a popular place for both traditional Hong Kong-style and western desserts.

[19] With a sizeable population from the Chiushan area of Guangdong Province, Kowloon City is also famous for Chiuchow-style braised dishes (滷水).