Chinese New Year HK 2015
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 360
Chinese New Year HK 2015
I'm currently planning an itinraery for a trip to Asia next year, and by coincidence it looks like I will land in Hong Kong at 9pm on the 19th Feb which is of course Chinese New Year.
Firstly, can I expect issues from the airport to a city centre hotel? Is the 19th February itself going to be a big celebration or will the main events be either side of this date? I've checked accommodation prices and they are currently affordable, so I'm not worried about that.
Also a completely different question for those in the know - I may fly from HKG-TPE using some Avios and I have the choice of Business or First on CX. Is the First Class section of The Wing considerably better? Considering the short flight time I can't imagine I will notice too much difference on the flight itself, although the airport experience would be a big consideration for me.
Firstly, can I expect issues from the airport to a city centre hotel? Is the 19th February itself going to be a big celebration or will the main events be either side of this date? I've checked accommodation prices and they are currently affordable, so I'm not worried about that.
Also a completely different question for those in the know - I may fly from HKG-TPE using some Avios and I have the choice of Business or First on CX. Is the First Class section of The Wing considerably better? Considering the short flight time I can't imagine I will notice too much difference on the flight itself, although the airport experience would be a big consideration for me.
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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Since it is a multiple day holiday many business might be closes; especially the local neighbourhood eateries.
CNY is a time for family so the city will be quite except for the "shopping" areas. The firework shows are a must do/see.
Most Hong Kongers will be on vacation and there will be the usual large influx of visitors/shoppers/smugglers from China.
Just a note from your other post in the Asia forum, CNY is a busy flying season in SE Asia, plan accordingly.
CNY is a time for family so the city will be quite except for the "shopping" areas. The firework shows are a must do/see.
Most Hong Kongers will be on vacation and there will be the usual large influx of visitors/shoppers/smugglers from China.
Just a note from your other post in the Asia forum, CNY is a busy flying season in SE Asia, plan accordingly.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 360
Since it is a multiple day holiday many business might be closes; especially the local neighbourhood eateries.
CNY is a time for family so the city will be quite except for the "shopping" areas. The firework shows are a must do/see.
Most Hong Kongers will be on vacation and there will be the usual large influx of visitors/shoppers/smugglers from China.
Just a note from your other post in the Asia forum, CNY is a busy flying season in SE Asia, plan accordingly.
CNY is a time for family so the city will be quite except for the "shopping" areas. The firework shows are a must do/see.
Most Hong Kongers will be on vacation and there will be the usual large influx of visitors/shoppers/smugglers from China.
Just a note from your other post in the Asia forum, CNY is a busy flying season in SE Asia, plan accordingly.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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3-4 days holidays is the tradition, down from 7 from way back.
However due to the dependency on tourism dollars many are opening day after, 20th, especially in China tourist gathering spots.
Firework is traditionally on the second day of the new year, best if you have a wide view of the harbour.
However due to the dependency on tourism dollars many are opening day after, 20th, especially in China tourist gathering spots.
Firework is traditionally on the second day of the new year, best if you have a wide view of the harbour.
#5
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Parade on the evening of Feb 19 in Tsim Sha Tsui. But if you land at 9, it'll be all over by the time you get to the city. However, if you're staying at a Tsim Sha Tsui hotel, vehicle access may be an issue if your flight is early and you get out of airport early.
#9
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I'm arriving on 17th Feb and staying a week so beyond the fireworks can anyone else offer some CNY suggestions not to miss? Should I be buying tickets to some events now? If so which events?
#10
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Most other things are free - like the flower markets or visiting Che Kung Temple. Just have to line up with the crowds.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 360
Ok, it now seems official that the fireworks will be on the 20th Feb which is great considering we land on the 19th!
Any advice on where we should go for the fireworks? Do we need to get there super early to queue? We're staying very close to Victoria park on Hong Kong island.
Any advice on where we should go for the fireworks? Do we need to get there super early to queue? We're staying very close to Victoria park on Hong Kong island.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 88
Best place to see them is on the TST side facing the harbour, but the crowds will be huge. If you do want to go for it there, get there very early, perhaps eating lunch nearby and then staying close.
There are other places in Wan Chai and Central that might be a little less packed (but only compared to TST, in general terms, everywhere that has a good view will be jammed).
There are other places in Wan Chai and Central that might be a little less packed (but only compared to TST, in general terms, everywhere that has a good view will be jammed).
#14
Posting Legend, Moderator, Manufactured Spending
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I plan on arriving TST early and staking out a decent spot for the fireworks and then staying around for the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show hoping the crowd thins out and I can head back to Courtyard HK before MTR shuts down.
Last edited by tcook052; Jan 18, 2015 at 10:48 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 360
Will it not be possible to get a good view from the Hong Kong island side? For example this photo I found taken from the island appears to give quite a good view of the harbour and skyline http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsim_Sh...n_Panorama.JPG.
We only have 2 full days in HK and so we can't really afford to spend half a day staking out a spot to view the evening fireworks.
We only have 2 full days in HK and so we can't really afford to spend half a day staking out a spot to view the evening fireworks.