Hong Kong and Macau - Hong Kong Long Weekend Questions

HI, I have a few questions, please. I'm planning a long weekend visit...see the key sights, photo trek, etc...my first visit to HK. I'll be traveling alone...mid-50s...no crazy nightlife, no fancy hotels, etc. I've done similar trips to Europe and other parts of the US...it's my modified mid-life crisis cure, and feeds my travel and photography bug.

Anyway, I've read many of the threads here and have gotten a lot of helpful info...good stuff. I've been debating staying on Hong Kong Island vs TST since it seems to offer much of what I think I want, decent selection of restaurants and bars, seems to be a bit quieter (especially at night), some inexpensive hotel options, etc. Based on my reading, TST seems to be much busier...similar to Time Square in NYC perhaps...is that a fair comparison?

I'm also curious what HK Island is like during the weekend though...especially on Sunday? I suspect it's quieter than during the week, but are the restaurants, bars, shops still pretty much open (only the offices shut down like most major cities)? Are there any other major differences? Do I have a correct and fair perception of HK Island vs. TST?

thank you in advance for your help.

I just got back from Hong Kong today, I don't think it matters where your hotel is, connection between Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island is no more than a few minutes on the subway and you can see a lot of both areas in 1-2 days (it's quite small in actual landmass).

My hotel was on Hong Kong Island and the advantage I see (when looking at the less expensive options) is that there's no street vendors bothering you. The cheap accommodation in the mansions on Nathan road in Tsim Sha Tsui are right in the area where people constantly bother you trying to sell you suits or watches.

If you're looking to do more (or other) than the busy streets and bars etc, I'd advise the history museum and a visit to one of the quieter islands or the rural area's. There's really much more to Hong Kong than the busy city.

Don't compare HK island to TST, HK island has many areas, each with their own characteristics.

In response to your question about what the island is like over the weekend, that really depends where you are. In Central, offices will be closed, stores/restaurants, etc are open. Causeway Bay is super busy on the weekends, more so than during the week as locals are out shopping, eating, etc. Each area of HK island is different and your question about what the island is like over the weekend doesn't have a simple answer.

TST is the hub of tourist activity, touts, scams, pickpockets, etc can be found here, not that you'll be looking for them. That's the bad news, the good news is that TST has all that a tourist could want, a wide range of accomodation choices in different budgets, shops/restaurants in the immediate area and good transport connections to the tourist sights.

TST is different from other areas of Kowloon, so don't start a revised HK vs Kowloon debate ;) Public transport in HK is good, so choose a conveniently located hotel that suits your budget. Personally I prefer to stay on the island (obviously opinions will vary).

Thank you...this is very helpful. I'm hoping to avoid stirring up the Hong Kong Island vs. Kowloon debate...I read enough of them in earlier threads.

In particular, thank you for the clarification about the different parts of the Island. I'm specifically looking at Central, not Causeway Bay (I don't think...unless I get compelling insights from this post to think otherwise). I am personally drawn to the quieter area, as long as I can still do some browsing, eating and beer tasting. The area I'm looking at is also near Central Station for convenience and the escallators (intriguing). I just wanted to be sure it wasn't going to be an abandoned area on weekends...I'm thinking London's financial district, NYC's Wall Street area, etc...most large cities have the same thing. The brief description you provided of TST sounds like what I'm hoping to avoid staying in...but a visit here and there is fine.

Thank you, again...very helpful.

Don't compare HK island to TST, HK island has many areas, each with their own characteristics.

In response to your question about what the island is like over the weekend, that really depends where you are. In Central, offices will be closed, stores/restaurants, etc are open. Causeway Bay is super busy on the weekends, more so than during the week as locals are out shopping, eating, etc. Each area of HK island is different and your question about what the island is like over the weekend doesn't have a simple answer.

TST is the hub of tourist activity, touts, scams, pickpockets, etc can be found here, not that you'll be looking for them. That's the bad news, the good news is that TST has all that a tourist could want, a wide range of accomodation choices in different budgets, shops/restaurants in the immediate area and good transport connections to the tourist sights.

TST is different from other areas of Kowloon, so don't start a revised HK vs Kowloon debate ;) Public transport in HK is good, so choose a conveniently located hotel that suits your budget. Personally I prefer to stay on the island (obviously opinions will vary).

Central on Sunday is something else. Most the public squares and pedestrian zones are occupied by domestic helpers from the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia on their day off. Think of it as a huge outdoor picnic.

Personally (and the same for many local HKers), TST is getting less and less appealing. Besides the South Asian panderers of fake watches, most people on the streets are mainlanders shopping the high-end brands. If you walk around TST in the evening, I'll say less than 50% of people there are locals who speak Cantonese. Basically locals go there for specific restaurants or shops, and then leave.

Thank you. this is helpful.

given what I'm generally interested in, what's the feel of the Causeway Bay area generally and specifically on weekends (Sundays)? should I consider staying there? or am I better off with Central? thank you

Central on Sunday is something else. Most the public squares and pedestrian zones are occupied by domestic helpers from the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia on their day off. Think of it as a huge outdoor picnic.

Personally (and the same for many local HKers), TST is getting less and less appealing. Besides the South Asian panderers of fake watches, most people on the streets are mainlanders shopping the high-end brands. If you walk around TST in the evening, I'll say less than 50% of people there are locals who speak Cantonese. Basically locals go there for specific restaurants or shops, and then leave.

Both areas have their pros and cons.

Domestic helpers do gather in Central on Sundays in public areas, they also gather in CWB on Sundays in public areas especially around Victoria Park.

It is best if you post which hotels in Central and CWB you are considering. Some hotels have CWB in their name (or hotel description) but these hotels are in the surrounding area and NOT in CWB proper.

Hi, it's not so much specific hotels that I'm interested in but the general feel of the location. I've checked out the Butterfly chain, which looks of interest, but there are others as well in the general areas. I think I had a decent understanding of the differences between TST and HK Island...reinforced by input here...but I have much less feel for the difference between Central and CWB. Thank you.

Both areas have their pros and cons.

Domestic helpers do gather in Central on Sundays in public areas, they also gather in CWB on Sundays in public areas especially around Victoria Park.

It is best if you post which hotels in Central and CWB you are considering. Some hotels have CWB in their name (or hotel description) but these hotels are in the surrounding area and NOT in CWB proper.

If you stay somewhere like the Excelsior in CWB (check www.ba.com for occasional bargain rates, like GBP100/nt) I think you get the best of both worlds.

You're very close to the action, but insulated from it in a good quality hotel so when you want to turn in, you head back to your room and have a good night's sleep. Pay a bit more and get a view of the harbour, too. Transport links are very good in each direction (1 stop back-track to get across the harbour I think, but no big deal) and the old trams stop just out the back of the hotel.

The Excelsior is also on the free shuttle route that connects with the Airport Express Station, and a stone's throw from the MTR.

Spent three weeks in HK in late OCT and NOV and stayed in Central at the Shama Central...beautiful accommodations and convenient to everything. The "tetas" or foreign help hang out on Sunday in covered areas to socialize with their family and friends..atmosphere is more laid back than during the week. HK has 11,000 restaurants and all of them are open. We were there to shop for antiquities so Central was perfect for us as it is close to Hollywood Road. We didn't care for TST, as our friends who live there called it somewhat "seedy".

Be prepared for some serious uphill walking as you walk up from the harbour to the mid-levels...look for the travellator to help you with "burning calves"