Mong Kok protest, Hong Kong
Pro-democracy protesters, left, stop an anti-Occupy Central protester from approaching their tent on a main street at Hong Kong's Mong Kok shopping district, Friday, Oct. 3, 2014. Reuters

As the Occupy Central protests in Hong Kong entered their 11th day, demonstrators clashed with Chinese government sympathizers Friday on the streets of Mong Kok, one of the most densely populated areas in the world but a place little-known to outsiders. Just what is Mong Kok? Here is what you need to know about the Hong Kong district:

Mong Kok means “Busy Corner” in Cantonese

Mong Kok is “one of Hong Kong’s liveliest districts, jammed full of shops, streetside stalls as well as Hong Kong’s famous Ladies Market,” according to Hong Kong travel expert Rory Boland.

It’s crowded

About 6 million people call Mong Kok home in an area that’s smaller than Manhattan. The neighborhood is part the Kowloon area of Hong Kong. Mong Kok is the most densely populated place in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

“You won't doubt that once you set foot on streets like Sai Yueng Choi Street South,” says the Hong Kong Unofficial Guide. “Even during the day, you will wonder why so many people are there. Don't they have to work??”

Yes, they do. And they’re growing frustrated with Occupy Central protesters

"They've been here for nearly a week. They need to clear out," Mong Kok resident Joe Lee told CNN. "It's ruining our economy. They just need to leave."

Mong Kok crowded
An aerial view of an intersection in the crowded Hong Kong shopping district of Mong Kok. Reuters

There have been reports of violence in Mong Kok

Occupy Central accused police of being incompetent amid claims that protesters were being attacked in Mong Kok by pro-government demonstrators. The violence got so bad, according to Occupy Central, that it urged supporters to leave Mong Kok.

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