Avenue visitors hand it to the stars

'It's really cool you can see the lines on Andy Lau's palm'

After hovering over dozens of handprints on the Avenue of Stars for more than half an hour, housewives Kwok Yin-line and Tang Yu-wah reached a verdict.

Actor Andy Lau Tak-wah has the best handprint. 'It's really cool that you can see the lines on his palm,' Ms Kwok said. 'I really admire him for that. He has very nice hands. The lines are very clear and not messy at all.'

After launching the 440-metre Avenue of Stars this week, many gathered at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront to place their hands over the prints of their favourite stars. The $40 million project, which is Hong Kong's answer to Hollywood's Walk of Fame, features autographs and handprints from directors, producers and movie stars such as Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Deceased idols, including Bruce Lee, Anita Mui Yim-fong and Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing, are also represented with a plate.

While locals yesterday marvelled at their idols' signature plates, tourists from the mainland to Poland to the US wondered who the stars were.

'I don't know any of them,' said Liu Yang, a regular visitor from Shenzhen. 'But I like Hong Kong. Every time I come here I have to go to the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront and Lan Kwai Fong for a drink. I like the atmosphere there.'

Dora Kawycz, a model from Germany who was visiting Hong Kong for the first time, echoed Mr Liu's thoughts.