Hong Kong and Macau - CNY: What's open and what's closed?

What is open and what is closed during Chinese New Year? Does the city come to a dead standstill? Are restaurants closed? For how many days? And what about transport? Does the Airport Express run? What about the trams? The train to Victoria Peak? Do I need money in little red envelopes for hotel staff?

I read in one online account that there is an extensive fireworks display on the 2nd day of the new year. Will I be able to see it from the Conrad?

As there's quite a bit question please find following answers

> What is open and what is closed during Chinese New Year?

Majority of shopping close for first 1-3 days, Fast food shop opens for lunch and dinner. Theme parks operate as usual but expect massive amount of mainlanders

> Does the city come to a dead standstill?

Business wise yes. Shopping wise 50% stop

> Are restaurants closed?

Western resturant tends to operate as usual (if not +1 day). Chinese resturant are hot and miss while chained ones tend to operate as usual (but may include a restricted, inflated menu and increased service fee)

> For how many days?

1-3 days, at 4th day of Chinese new year 75% of city return to normal (smaller business / china linked business tend to have longer CNY break)

> And what about transport?

Everything operates as usual, with Lunar New Year Eve train and selected buses work round the clock and star ferry shuts when firework is on

> Does the Airport Express run?

Yes, schedule as usual

> What about the trams?

operates as usual

> The train to Victoria Peak?

Jam packed

> Do I need money in little red envelopes for hotel staff?

Only if you are the super management of that hotel otherwise no, absolutely not necessary. Exception if you are frequent visitor to that PARTICULAR HOTEL you may give red packet for the ones you really knows (aka friends already)

> I read in one online account that there is an extensive fireworks display on the 2nd day of the new year. Will I be able to see it from the Conrad?

if you have a high floor harbor view room then yes. I just asked renaissance harbor view hong Kong and their "firework view" room cost me HKD 2888 per night for minimum 2 night stay. Call the hotel in advance to lock in your room for a guarantee harbor view.

Thank you, that's very helpful.

Another Chinese New Year activity is the parade the first day on TST. You can find a spot on the parade route or get reserved seats to watch. The flower markets are also interesting to see the traditional arrangements and childrens gifts.

Talking about markets the pre-CNY Chinese Markets at various locations (with the main one at Mong Kok / Victoria Park) is a must-visit, and the flower market near prince-edward station as well.

Thanks ChrisLi - we are spending an extra night on our way back to North America - so we arrive the night of the 22nd, and I leave the morning of the 24th. Ms. ORDOGG is leaving at 1 am on the 25th. We plan to see the parade in TST. May I trouble you for any other suggestions on the 23rd (we've done Stanley, Lantau cable car, Victoria Peak, Nathan Road etc.)?

Thank you for all the information you have shared about HKG in this forum - very helpful and in the true spirit of FT^

We will also be in hkg at the same time. We are going to chi lln nunnery on tstwhich is supposed to be a very serene garden. Also there is a nice art museum at the university of hong kong a bit out of the way but something different

Two other suggestions are man mo temple and Hollywood road area and there is also an interesting sunyatsen museum in that area

A little farther afield if you like history there is a museum of coastal defense which has an interesting displays of you guessed it the various battles and struggles for power over hong kong.

Enjoy.

What is open and what is closed during Chinese New Year? Does the city come to a dead standstill? Are restaurants closed? For how many days? And what about transport? Does the Airport Express run? What about the trams? The train to Victoria Peak? Do I need money in little red envelopes for hotel staff?

I read in one online account that there is an extensive fireworks display on the 2nd day of the new year. Will I be able to see it from the Conrad?

In addition to what ChrisLi said:

- Does the city come to a dead standstill?

I will rather say it runs slow (not as crowded). It is not totally dead like what in other countries.

- Are restaurants closed?

Hit or miss.

- Do I need money in little red envelopes for hotel staff?

It is up to you. The general practice is HKD$10 (or USD$1.28) per pocket for those people (unless you are rich).

So you can tell it is not a lot. (Of course, you are not giving everyone for sure).

- I read in one online account that there is an extensive fireworks display on the 2nd day of the new year. Will I be able to see it from the Conrad?

Personally, I will say if you don't have any children with you. And you have a way to contact people you are going with, try going on the street and see it.

It is way much better.

Also another thing to do:

Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade (http://www.discoverhongkong.com/chinesenewyear/en/night_parade.html)

baseline: you can get around HK during those days with 100% public transport (maybe not so many taxis) and 75%+ eateries open (some local eateries may be closed, and the TRADITIONAL chinese restaus: say Fook lam moon and yung kee). some tourist spots may be closed.

i would say, you dont have to give hotel staff any red packets - in fact they might not be allowed to receive them for hotels in the calibre of renaissance and conrad. and do avoid the streets for the fireworks... especially you dont know how to get around places to go see the fireworks/get back without PT.

Having said that, many like to watch fireworks at TST, and Renaissance is only across the street from the Wan Chai Star Ferry Pier (So if you can get a spot along the TST promanade (you'll need to be there before 4pm), you'll catch a good view of the fireworks). otherwise i'd say dont bother and stay in the hotel!