My friend has a stop over in Hong Kong for 4 days and ask me to come with? I looked up flights, it would cost around $1200-$1500 direct 9ish hours. (Haven't figured out accommodation yet) Starting 25 October.
Thanks!
Is It Worth Going to Hong Kong for 4 Days?
Go Cat on 04/10/2024 - 16:09
Last edited 04/10/2024 - 16:10
Last edited 04/10/2024 - 16:10
Comments
- 1
- 2
How long is a piece of string?
30 cm
How is that relevant ???
Somebody once said it was 12 inches?
Yes. You may bump into him while in Honkers. He has a stall in Temple Street.
That's what she aske… oh wait…
If your flying with cathay there will probably be better deals elsewhere that you can line up a stop over for about the same price e.g. they had some tickets to seoul for about half the prices you are looking at that could do a stop over in hk.
Could be a fun mini holiday. You like this friend enough to spend the time and money for them?
Friend with benefit?
Make sure no monthly period, or else L
Yes
Exercise a high degree of caution.
Why?
That site is slowly becoming pointless. There are more "Exercise a high degree of caution" countries than there are "Exercise normal safety precautions."
They list Denmark, Germany, Sweden, UK, France, Belgium as Exercise a high degree of caution to name a few.
They list Denmark
Yes, as of March this year…due to Koran burnings in Denmark…
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/terrorism-threat-agains…
@jv: And the burnings were push back from impact of E.U. open border immigration policies that are terraforming the culture.
@Bonbi: yeah same could be said for many suburbs in Sydney/Melbourne
Alice springs really should be on a 'do not travel' list
Geez that’s expensive for HK.
Yes 4 days is just about right imo
Definitely 4 full days but if day 1 and 4 is arrival/departure then a waste of time IMHO.
Climate will be mild and dry so you'll enjoy your stay. Try to visit Macau either on arrival or on your way home from HKG.
I named a race horse Macau in the hope one day it would win the Melbourne cup…..
And Macau has won the Melbourne cup by ½ a length…
Would Macao be equally auspicious?
Make sure you take American Express Travellers Cheques.
They have an office there…
what kind are they?
'…and all the citizens of Hong Kong'
'Mr, Wong, Mr Wong, I've lost all my travelers cheques'
'oh, what kind were they?' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI8056YIS38
Would I drop what would be $2k+ (going on your flight numbers) for 4 days in HK? Nope.
HK has, unfortunately, turned into a place that you transit through only if you have to. There's nothing there that you cant see elsewhere and that hasnt been duly gutted by the CCP.
/2c
I agree with this. Four days? The real question is, is it worth going to HK at all. No. There are so many cheaper/more interesting/more fun/better places you could go to in Asia.
How about you do your own research.
Hong Kong is great but flights shouldn’t cost that much in October
'Hong Kong is great …'
Why/for what?
'things'
And … stuff.
Things AND stuff. I feel like it’s a very diverse city destination given the rich cultural history (both British and Chinese), the food, the presence of not 1 but 2 great theme parks and quite a significant amount of nature based stuff in Lantau and the New Territories that you wouldn’t get if you did a city break somewhere like Singapore or Bangkok. Also for most of the year the weather is much better than both of those places.
Things AND stuff. I feel like it’s a very diverse city destination given the rich cultural history (both British and Chinese), the food, the presence of not 1 but 2 great theme parks and quite a significant amount of nature based stuff in Lantau and the New Territories that you wouldn’t get if you did a city break somewhere like Singapore or Bangkok. Also for most of the year the weather is much better than both of those places.
Not a bad summary, except I had to laugh at the bit about "2 great theme parks" :D (the new-ish Waterworld isn't bad though)
@rumblytangara: I live in Adelaide, my standards are low. I’m going to Ocean Park next week when I’m there tbh
I live in Adelaide, my standards are low.
I bloody love Adelaide, and I wish I lived there. Relaxed people/atmosphere, no traffic, no toll-ways, you can still actually park your car without being charged a million dollars a minute (even at the airport!), not far to drive to get out into nature/the beach/etc. … and the list goes on. If I wasn't tied to Melbourne by various compulsory obligations I'd move somewhere up the top of Australia because I hate the cold weather (and by that I mean anything under about 30C); but my next choice would defo be Adelaide.
If money is no concern, then yes.
Personally, I wouldn’t for that price and short period of time.
Google flights suggest either Qantas or Cathay Pacific should not be more than $1250 return.
I personally paid for Cathay Pacific on 13-26 November to Seoul with stopover in Hong Kong for less than $800 return.
Hong Kong should be free and Taiwan is a country. Seems expensive, usually ~800 return on decent deal. For that long a trip I'd suggest at least 2 weeks. You could also explore Japan and / or South Korea
I would look for a better price. That is quite expensive for HK but I guess it is school holidays? Do you have any qantas points? But hell yeah go! Pretty short flight, basically no time difference. Gotta make the most of life and travel with friends.
I used to go to Hong Kong regularly, had friends there. But everyone left… I think it's pretty different now.
You used to be fine knowing English with some Canto, it's now flooded by mainlanders, by design.
I used to live and work there during the 2000s and recently visited last November so thought I'd share my two cents. Has the vibe changed? Yes. Is it still worth visiting? In my opinion, yes, but it depends what you're after on a holiday.
For those that don't know the city's backstory, it has been nothing short of a success story: from a sleepy fishing village 180 years ago, ceded from China to Britain, to become one of the richest, most lavish financial capitals in the world up until very recently. It is a city of 7 million with excellent infrastructure and transport, and the majority of Hong Kongers are industrious, well educated and worldly. There may be less expats and tourists visiting since the political protests five years ago, but the locals haven't forgotten how to be hospitable. All the attractions are still there: The Peak, Stanley Beach, Disneyland, Ocean Park, all the outlying islands, the many night markets, Victoria Harbour, Nathan Road, its incredible skyline. It's still very safe to travel around and there's all of what I've just listed to do, plus of course the food. Hong Kongers love to eat well and going back last year, the food and local restaurants are all still as good as I remember it to be, I'd say succulent even.
As long as you don't do anything stupid like stand at a busy intersection and denounce the CCP, I'm confident you'll be okay. And remember the majority of the local population aren't big fans of their own government either. It's said that 1 million people turned out for the 2019 protest march over the changing of the extradition laws.. that's 1 in 7 of all Hong Kongers taking to the streets.. incredible. After the heavy handed response of the government to the protests, most people are now just resigned to their future being in the hands of the CCP, putting their heads down and getting back on with things. So yes, the mood does feel a little more deflated than I remember it, but as a tourist you probably wouldn't even pick up on this.
When I lived there 18 something years ago, Hong Kong's future was uncertain but the general mood was that the champagne was still flowing and good times was still to be had by all. China at the time was playing nice on the world stage and everyone was hopeful the mainland would become more like Hong Kong (i.e. more democratised) and not the other way around. The expat community was vibrant and numerous, and together with the more affluent locals, people worked hard, partied hard, and the dining and shopping was grand. A city that never slept.. it was a lot of fun!
Going back last year, I had a three year old in tow and we were there to visit her mother's side of the family. We still did a lot of sightseeing though to show my daughter around and I really enjoyed the whole trip.
TL;DR: Even if its glory days are over, I think Hong Kong is still an incredible city that is very easy to explore and there's so many cool things to see and do, I personally don't reckon 4 days is enough.
Some Native Hong Kongers I know are dreadfully fearful of the CCP, regarding anything they say to anybody there.
AAhh Succulent Chinese Meals - Democracy Manifest.
'Has the vibe changed? Yes.'
'As long as you don't do anything stupid …'
'the majority of the local population aren't big fans of their own government'
'the mood does feel a little more deflated than I remember it'
'its glory days are over'
You're really selling it there, champ.
The height of the British empire is also well and truly over but that doesn't make the UK not worth visiting. Just sayin'. But hey, different strokes for different folks. You listed Thailand below as a better holiday destination.. i love Thailand too, i wouldn't argue that isn't a great place to visit, but OPs asking about HK.
yep HK is now just a more expensive version of mainland, comparable to a second tier mainland city post CCP take over - and you'd have a more authentic cultural experience with much cheaper accommodation/food. but I suppose more people speak english if you feel more comfortable with that.
I dunno, I think that's a mainland/CCP narrative that they're trying to push about HK, how it's 'just another Chinese city now', which many Western commentators like to parrot too. There's a lot to unpack with regards to the complicated relationship between mainland China and Hong Kong, but i think at the essence of it, the mainland Chinese feel (or are told to feel) Hong Kongers are uppity and look down on them (not entirely untrue). I remember seeing a senior Chinese official say on TV about HKers that they're the 'running dogs of the West'. In turn, some Hong Kongers have compared mainlanders swarming down on them as locusts. Also important is to remember the land Hong Kong stands on was stolen from China by the British at the conclusion of the Opium Wars, so there's a lot of national pride seeing Hong Kong being returned, a symbolic ending to their 'Century of Humiliation' by European (and Japanese) imperialism. Out of pride, they don't believe HK, a bastard child raised by the West, should be more special than any of their own cities. But it is…
Hong Kong's story is completely different from mainland China's since its inception. The Hong Kong Chinese struggled with colonial rule where they lived as second class citizens to the British. All positions of power were reserved for non-Chinese, the police force (a lot brought in from British India) kept the locals in line while also conducting their own shakedowns of small businesses. There was segregation in place where it wasn't until after WWII that any Chinese could even go up to the Peak. It was only the impending handover date of Hong Kong's return to China that prompted the British Hong Kong government to allow the local population a greater role in their own governance. A brief taste of freedom.
Culturally, the local language is Cantonese and they have kept traditional Chinese characters since the changing over to simplified Chinese only happened under Communist China in the 1950s. The population was forced to learn English, which helped make them an ideal port for the entire world to trade with, especially as the PRC opened up their markets under Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s. British rule influenced the local cuisine too, most notably bringing about western style bakeries, and diners serving fusion dishes like black pepper spaghetti, macaroni soup with ham, and corned beef & egg sandwiches - these are all staple dishes which you will still find everywhere.
Hong Kong grew steadily and quickly post WWII as a manufacturing hub to the world, which contrasted greatly with the mainland languishing under poor governance (see Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution). Over the decades, many Chinese snuck across the border for a better life. Many families are connected to those in neighbouring Guangdong province. It's not like most Hong Kongers were well off in the 50s-70s however; I have been told first-hand that the majority lived hand to mouth and it was common to owe each other money. But at least they weren't starving. Old clothes and even the burnt rice at the bottom of cookers would be sent back up to their mainland relatives to help during the famine years. Eventually, Hong Kong transitioned into a service based economy in the 1990s, becoming the financial capital and world city most of us know it as today.
Across the border, China's story is radically different but equally as fascinating. Their meteoric rise means that while many Chinese now are well off and their cities modernised, it was only 60 or so years ago the communist party under Mao killed off the country's intellectuals and forced the majority of the population to live and work in communes to undertake collectivized farming, which failed horribly and killed tens of millions. The point I want to make is, there's a crazy juxtaposition in China of new wealth and the poverty they experienced not that long ago. While the younger Chinese are becoming more worldly and refined (the university students that I taught in Shanghai loved Lady Gaga and were into Dota), many from the older generations lack sophistication, to put it bluntly. They will spit everywhere and let their toddlers piss on the streets (even in the middle of a shopping mall, I once witnessed). They would litter and not be able to form lines. During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the government had to hand out pamphlets to urge the locals not to go out into the streets in their pyjamas. An overnight train I once took from Beijing to Guangzhou (admittedly the cheapest) was overcrowded where people would be sleeping on the aisle floor, the cabin filled with cigarette smoke. Two European backpackers I saw had no seat and had to crouch by the pungent toilet stall where they looked absolutely mortified and disgusted. Foreigners will be openly stared at and photographed if you go anywhere remotely rural (out of curiosity more than hostility or anything, but it can still be shocking and annoying for those that aren't able to blend in). For me, personally, none of this grossed me out too much or bothered me at all. I knew I was in a foreign land and I went for an adventure with an open mind. But i think my tolerance for this kind of stuff is a little higher than the average tourist, especially one from the West. To say visiting Hong Kong is the same as going to a second-tier Chinese city, I strongly disagree with that take. Somebody tell me if things have improved much in the past decade since I was there.
To add to that, Chinese cities are so big and sprawling and not very friendly to explore by walking. I think back to being in a city like Guangzhou and just remember it so lacking in charm, just a lot of gray. Pickpocketing and scamming is more commonplace too. I do agree however the history and culture in China is so very worth going to see (Nanjing, Hangzhou, Lijiang and Yangshuo spring to mind). But you know, so is Hong Kong's history and culture, and that's so very different. To say going to Hong Kong is just a more expensive version of going to any other modern Chinese city sounds disingenuous to me. It's like saying why would you want to go to Sydney when it's cheaper to go to Auckland, it's pretty much the same.
Okay. Rant over :) Go to Hong Kong. Or don't. I don't care.
To me when the glory days were over. It's no longer worth visiting
Hong Kong has lost a lot of its unique values after the security law and protests. People just don't realise how much different it is compare to before 97 handover. It didn't really change much until 2010. It took a decade and a bit which was a good run. Since then it's been a downhill
Massive exodus of quality citizens out of the city since then
Its sad but now no longer upholds its position where it used to be nor its culture
Even language wise, younger generations don't speak as well with their mother tongue.
Its basically just another modern city of China. Nothing more nothing less
In some ways its worse because the cost of living there is high same with housing and dining. It's cheaper in China sand you get better service. That's no reason to go there any more. Pick any other major city in China you would like it more. That is the truth.
Even local hongkongers go up to mainland China to shop
HK has hardly just become another 'modern city in China'. Just its history alone and British colonial past makes it very different. Don't get me wrong, I'm not disparaging any of the mainland cities. Backpacked through China thoroughly in my 20s and lived in Shanghai for 2 years; it's a beautiful country. But from a westerner's perspective, HK is still a much more accessible gateway to Chinese culture, a great fusion of East and West. It might not be as cheap, but its infrastructure is still world class and you will still be able to get around comfortably with just English. Chinese cities, for better or worse, are a little more chaotic and hard to get around. Between, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, i'd still recommend HK initially for a first time traveller to the region.
Yes I understand what you are coming from it might be still like this because much of the Hong Kongers were educated with English. But this is slowly fading away. The reason why everyone thinks it's more accessible it's cause of its British roots… But to be honest it hasn't been like that for quite a while. It's slowly eroding. I guess it's Better visit it now within the decade. Because in another decade or so it will change again for sure with their education less focus on English and more focus on mandarin
You can still get around better in HK but the quality of life is not there
@neonlight: The city is definitely facing an existential crisis. But just want to reassure OP and others that it's still a fun, welcome place to visit and has not transformed into some kind of authoritarian police state, as some hyperbolic comments have implied.
Here's what I would do if I only had 4 days in the Big Lychee!
Day 1 (kind of a must)
- During the day, take the tram up to The Peak to see HK's iconic skyline from the best vantage point. Lots of food options up there for lunch.
- Return to Central then take the Star Ferry across the harbour to Tsim Tsa Tsui.
- Check out HKMOA or HK Space Museum at the TST waterfront if that's your thing. Then head to the Avenue of Stars and admire the harbour views looking towards HK island side. There's a nightly light show at 8am where all the skyscrapers light up which is worth hanging around for.
- After the free light show, walk down Nathan Road (famous shopping street) towards the night markets in Jordan and Mong Kok. There'll be plenty of food options along the way.
Day 2-4 options
- Take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car for some more breathtaking views and to check out the big buddha and Tai O fishing village.
- Hang out with your friend at Ocean Park, which is part theme park, part aquarium.
- If you love all things Disney, check out HK Disneyland instead. One of the smaller ones in the world but definitely enough things to do there for a day.
- If theme parks aren't your thing, take a red minibus ride down to Stanley Beach. It doesn't compare to the beaches we have in Australia, but there's a nice souvenir market there and many cafes and bars too. You'll pass by Repulse Bay along the way and see how stupidly wealthy some people there are with their opulent beachside mansions and flashy cars.
- Haven't been for over 15 years but I remember Lamma Island to be a delightful day trip; a carless village away from the hustle and bustle, with a slight hippy vibe and good for hiking.
- In the evening, check out Lan Kwai Fong in Central where expats congregate to drink and party.
- For retail therapy, there are malls everywhere, but I'd especially check out Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island side, and Mong Kok district on Kowloon side.
- Visit a temple or Chinese garden in search for some inner peace
- HK being so mountainous has many good hiking options: (https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g294217-Activitie…)
You can take the hydrofoil over to Macau for a day trip. Colonised by the Portuguese, Macau has a totally different vibe to HK. There are grandiose casinos, such as The Venetian, to wander around and part with your money at if you're that way inclined. Or you can just spend the day sampling Macanese cuisine as you head up the famous cobblestoned tourist street towards the ruins of St Paul's Cathedral.
If you like Jazz, Herbie Hancock will be playing at the Jazzfest on 27/10 (https://hongkongcheapo.com/events/freespace-jazz-fest/).
- There's a Halloween Party at Lan Kwai Fong on 31/10 which will undoubtedly bring all the young-at-heart expats out for a night of excessive drinking.
Must try food:
- Egg Tarts and Pineapple Buns from one of the many local bakeries
- Visit a HK diner for a breakfast staple: Macaroni soup with ham, paired with Hong Kong style milk tea
- Dim Sum, of course
- Wonton Noodle Soup, Fish Ball Noodle Soup
- Roast Goose, Duck, Pork
- Being a cosmopolitan city, you'll find every cuisine you desire here
- There's also a whole bunch of fine dining options
Here's a Qantas article with some photos to whet your appetite: https://www.qantas.com/travelinsider/en/explore/asia/china/h…
Apologies to anyone put off by my obsessively written post: just reminiscing on the best time of my life :')
Its basically just another modern city of China. Nothing more nothing less<<
Except it's not modern. HK is far beyond Shenzhen. Can't compare them, yet they are 20kms apart.
Fun tid bit. - The entire population of the world can fit into the size of the state of Texas at the same population density of Hong Kong.
Population density per sq km: Macau 21,224; Hong Kong SAR 6,782; Tokyo 6,424, ranks no.88 on this list
'Fun tid bit. - The entire population of the world can fit into the size of the state of Texas at the same population density of Hong Kong.'
Fun fact; that's absolute bullshit.
World population = 8.2 billion
Texas area = 695,662 km²
Hong Hong population density = 7,062 per km²
8.2 billion / 695,662 = 11,787
Hong Kong/Macau. There. You happy now?
No, because that makes no sense.
@GnarlyKnuckles: Hong Kong and Macau are a bunch old colony islands, closely located off Mainland China.
At their population density would entire population of the world would fit into Texas.
What part of that don't you understand?
@hueylewis: You made a totally false statement based on the population density of Hong Kong, which is ~7,062 per km². Then when that was exposed as rubbish, you 'threw in' Macao, which has a monumentally higher population density of ~24,000 per km². So is your statement now about Macao, and not Hong Kong at all? Or is it some weird average of the two? Just fall on your sword gracefully.
My friend has a stop over in Hong Kong for 4 days and ask me to come with?
Is it a friend with benefits?
why don't you spend longer there and see more, maybe scoot into China etc, whilst also being with your friend for 4 days?
I think it’s worth going. Catch a ferry to Lantau island, go to the Peak on HK island, visit wet markets, check out the city at night. It’s not what it use to be, but still worth going once in your lifetime.
no
Definitely. So much to see and do. Enough time to get shirts tailored too. 👍
For a flight 8 to 12 hours long I would stay a minimum 7 days. Ideally at least 10 days. 4 days doesnt seem worth the effort or expense.
if u go don't take any yellow umbrellas, wear a raincoat if it rains
no, would not recommend anymore.
too expensive & city lost its charm since covid and hasn't bounced backLOL, it 'lost its charm' the day the CCP steamrolled in and completely wrecked the joint. Never before in so-called 'peace time' (i.e., without a war) has one country destroyed a place so thoroughly in such a short time.
You have a point. There's hardly any expats in HK now compare to previous decade
lost its charm a long time before that I suspect
Those flights are too expensive, you can usually fly to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, Korea for less than half the cost.
Yes, and the accommodation costs in Thailand and Vietnam will be less than half what they are in Hong Kong as well. As an added bonus, those two places are actually interesting and fun to be in; unlike Hong Kong.
Imagine if the CCP descended upon Sydney 'en masse', took over all the free enterprise, and commenced siphoning off all the profits, like some sort of prohibition era 'protection racket'. That's modern-day Hong Kong.
Added bonus.
If you enjoy dealing with the rudest and most inhospitable people in the world you will enjoy it. Spent a 1 week there and 1 week in Macau and hated every second of it. Wouldn't go back every again. There are many better places to visit than Hong Kong. Didn't go by choice, went there for work purposes
Just because your friends having a stop over for 4 days doesnt mean you cant stay longer maybe 7 nights? That way if your keen on going to a particular place but your friend isnt you go on your own after they have left.
Just remember you are allowed to travel on your own and there are advantages to that.
If you are asking then I say it is not worth it.
Even if you're a semi-regular traveler, probably not worth making a dedicated trip from Australia, unless you are particularly passionate about going there.
Reasoning: Hong Kong's a pretty accessible transit. Like Singapore or Dubai. You will eventually have opportunities to go there in transit on the way/way back in future travel.
IMO you should share accommodation with your friend.
If that’s not possible you could ask him/her to pay for your accommodation.
If that’s not possible you could ask him/her to pay half of your accommodation.
You are doing him/her a favour.
I once caught the cable car to Lantau island then walked back. It was great. There’s one day out of 4 done.
No, 5 days minimum
Yes. I would rather go mainland China but the food in hk is still good. After the attempted colour revolution by CIA is finally over and the national security law established I feel much safer going there. Less Sinophobia nowadays.
It's likely because English level and people are more friendly than mainland China. It is also more hygiene which is true. Their metro technology is what we use today in Sydney despite 3 decades later with slow uptake
not sure about friendliness part.. been to shanghai and HK recently and shanghai felt cleaner and people more relaxed. was really impressed with the quiet and clean roads and metro system, accessible as well as we have young children. hospitality staff definitely friendlier in shanghai, rude waiters in HK is almost a cultural phenomenon which I didn't mind, as they say the ruder they are the better the food
Just came back from Hong Kong after being there for 2 weeks. Last visit was 2017.
The place sure has changed a lot, but the East-West charm is still there. Plenty of shopping, sights to see, food to eat as well as nature hikes (not recommended in summer, hot af). Things close much earlier at 8pm - not all, but alot. Things aren't much cheaper over there, but the variety is what counts. Not everything can be gotten in the Australian market. I snagged a brand new luxury watch (grey dealer) at 50% off retail lol.
If you enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures, sights and sounds - I would definitely stop over and visit. I would say 4 days isn't quite enough, but also enough to dip into the city to let you decide whether its worth a return visit. I saw enough foreigners in Hong Kong this visit and they seemed to enjoy their time - heard a lot of Aussie accents actually.
I would ignore the people who say don't go because of XYZ. A good majority of them are probably swayed by MSM and all the scare mongering,avoiding anything China anything at all costs. I dare say some have never even left the country. Unless you hold up big placards in the middle of Central yelling down with the CCP or Xijinping, noone is going to bat an eyelid. They certainly are not interested in arresting a foreigner especially if they have no use of you politically. I laugh at commenters saying the CCP will arrest you the moment you say something against them - delusional at the most high. Boomers especially repeat this rhetoric over and over. I'm sorry, the CCP won't give a damn for some old white fella - who's probably a retired cleaner in their late 60s who has plenty of money to spend, and at their end of the life cycle yelling down with the CCP in Central. At the worst, you'll get deported never to return. A retired cleaner is of no use politically.
Anyway, whatever you choose - enjoy your trip regardless.
Vietnam is also an option for a 4 day trip.
- 1
- 2
Yes. Safe travels.
https://www.neverendingfootsteps.com/four-day-itinerary-hong…