First trip to HK - with a twist.

[cxf.]

Hi all. I realise there are various threads here on what to do in HK, including one not far below this one. My question is a little different though. We are stopping in HK for two nights on the way back from Europe and I was wondering why all the hotels were so much more expensive for the exact two nights we are there. Eventually I figured it out... we completely accidentally chose to stop in HK for the first two nights of the three public holidays for Lunar New Year! So, now we are looking forward to it even more.

My question is what do we do to maximise this event? I have found info on a parades, some fireworks etc but are there any little tricks or secrets that someone like me may have missed? What do you recommend we concentrate on? We are staying at The Royal Garden, Mody rd, Tsimshatsui East.

Oh, and regardless of the New Year celebrations, dim sum and somewhere great to drink are a must.

Cheers.

 

[dimgai]

...first two nights of the three public holidays for Lunar New Year!...

I am not sure how it is now, but when I used to be there during Chinese New Years (CNY), the 1st 3 days most shops were CLOSED... I think these days are better, it has been more than 10 years since I was in HK during CNY, as I got bored visiting F&Fs...

 

[richie9x]

Chinese New Year is similar in some ways to Christmas in Australia. It is quite family oriented and people will go back home to visit their family and relatives. Especially on the days that are the actual public holidays. So as a tourist there are some aspects you won't really see.

Some of the more visible aspects will be lots of fireworks, red lanterns and dragon dances. The dragon dances can be good at first but there are often so many it can get a bit overwhelming.

I stayed at the Royal Garden hotel 10 years ago. It was the first hotel I stayed at in Hong Kong. I was quite amazed when I got to my room, I found the towels and soap had my initials on them. I had never had a hotel do that before nor since. Although I later realised I share the same initials with the hotel. But I still have good memories of it.

I would recommend trying something a bit different such as duck tongues.

 

[cxf.]

Great, thanks for the replies. We are looking forward to it.

 

[11sjw]

Staying in TST you'll be close so why not treat yourselves to high tea at The Peninsula Hotel. Downside is you may have to queue for an hour or so.