Hong Kong and Macau - Hong Kong - The Peak during New Year's Eve

Did somebody spend New Year's Eve in Hong Kong? And even on the Peak? Is it worth while in Hong Kong? Is the peak overcrowded (if it rains, it may be better to stay in Kowloon)? How to go back in the late night (is the tram still operating)?

(I know that the Chinese New Year is more interesting. Last year, I stayed in Brussels and I want to be in Asia this year)

Tim

December 31st really isn't a big thing in Hong Kong. If you want partying then you need to be with the Gweilos in Lan Kwai Fong. I'm not sure whether the tram will run late (no evidence that it will on http://www.thepeak.com.hk ), but there's no particular reason to be up there at that time.

Did somebody spend New Year's Eve in Hong Kong? And even on the Peak? Is it worth while in Hong Kong? Is the peak overcrowded (if it rains, it may be better to stay in Kowloon)? How to go back in the late night (is the tram still operating)?

(I know that the Chinese New Year is more interesting. Last year, I stayed in Brussels and I want to be in Asia this year)

Tim

If you want sea view, and a little fun, you can try The Excelsior http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/517000001.asp . Cafe on the 1st http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/517000348.asp offers a buffet on Dec 31 and count down with everyone in the cafe. I was there last year, and it was quite fun. Hotel staff handed out party stuff and participated in the count down too!

Go for a venue with something organised. There are no fireworks over the harbour on Dec 31st btw. So a view is not always needed.

We were in Hong Kong for this New Year and apart from certain locations getting crowded towards midnight and a few streets getting closed off it wasn't any different to usual.

We booked a Harbour View room expecting some form of firework display or stuff going on in the harbour but nothing much happened. Must do more detailed research next time... :) .

For whatever reason, New Year's Eve is not a really big deal in Hong Kong. Local teens and young adults are more likely to go party on Christmas Eve than New Year's Eve. [Christmas Eve is also when lots of young girls lose their virginity.]

And while most hotels still have the best (and most expensive) dinner party on New Year's Eve, all of them also have pretty lavish ones on Christmas Eve...

I did new year's eve on the peak and it was rather boring. it was literally just like any other night at the peak except it was more packed! no fireworks, just crowded.

a better way of spending NYE is to head to a nice restaurant with good friends. i'd recommend "M at the Fringe" if you want something a bit of a flair and next to Lan Kwai Fong (but no view) or any of the dinner sets at the leading hotels. but make your reservations in the coming weeks.