Hong Kong Civil Unrest - Survival Guide Q&As (Flame Free)
 

After reviews, as the OP, I believe it is best to put this in the Wiki, so people can edit the content as necessary.

Please keep in mind - this is intended to help. So no flame.

Thanks.

As I mentioned before, the hkmap.live app is a good resource for identifying current trouble spots. The notes are in Chinese, but all you really have to know is steer clear of areas with lots of clustered symbols. (Scattered symbols don't usually mean trouble, just the current location of police vehicles.)

It's available for Android and, for the time being at least, Apple.

The Twitter MTR Update account shows MTR status, though it can be a bit hard to follow.

ATMs have sometimes run short of cash. Normally not much cash is needed at all in HK given the acceptance of cards of various sorts. But most taxis don't take cards, and if you want to move out quickly from an area you might have to grab a taxi and pay whatever the driver demands, so best to be prepared and carry at least HK$300-$500.

There's been tear gas in various areas, and some residents are concerned about residues on fruits and vegetables coming from wholesale markets and shops in affected areas. Best to be safe and thoroughly wash stuff you buy.

I think you should add the dimension of time of day to many of the points above and emphasize it, so that people do not get the wrong idea. The notes above might lead someone to believe that the city is under 24 hour siege and need to avoid it like a war zone. But these events have been mostly limited to night time and weekends. Of course, that may change, but is generally true now.

I have made further editing. But I am on defense putting this app up to the Wiki.

This app could cause troubles to people going elsewhere. It may not be the best idea to suggest the app.

The app is exceptionally useful in Hong Kong. We can't start censoring materials legal and useful in Hong Kong. This is especially so since avoiding troublesome areas comes down to a matter of personal safety.

But if you want to add a general caution about protest photos, news clippings, apps and such on devices taken across the border, that would be appropriate.

EDIT: The app is now not available for Apple, once again. But I'm afraid I was ignorant. You don't actually need the app: "hkmap.live" in your browser will bring up the map.

I'd strengthen the warning against protective gear. It's a very bad idea. Note that in evening police sometimes (but not too often) board buses at roadblocks and search passengers' possesions.

I'd also highlight more strongly the "No Photos!" warning. Taking photos of Lennon Walls say is fine, but not shots with people in the frame. Search youtube if you want videos.

I'd also suggest caution expressing yourself with strangers while in HK.

With protests... what to do for long weekend layovers?
 

For long CX layovers at HKIA over the weekends, what do people do nowadays amidst ground transportation uncertainty and MTR station closures caused by the current protests?

There’s so much lounge hopping that one can do, even if one scores a cabana can result in too much napping which can throw the circadian rhythm out of whack.

Head to Lantau Buddha?

Take the ferry to Macao?

The group that I’m travelling in are worried that we can’t get back to HKIA for our connecting flight. Is this a valid concern?

Yes, it is a valid concern if you are planning to go into the city, especially on a weekend.
We can give better suggestions if you share your arrival and departure days and times.

I think this would be better suited to the Hong Kong destination forum

Yes, I am moving this thread to the HK forum.

cxfan1960
CX CoMod

There have not been any significant protests / disruptions blocking the airport access road in recent weeks, although the AEX has been disrupted a few times as a precaution.

I would offer the opinion that if you are having a daytime layover, and are able to get out of the airport via AEX without trouble, it's highly likely you can take the AEX back as well during day time. And even if not, highly likely that bus / taxi will get you back just fine -- I would just suggest positioning yourself on the Kowloon side at the end of your journey in case that is a concern.

I beg to differ as the Kowloon station on the AEx has bee closed many times, especially in the evenings where Hong Kong station has remained open.

Indeed. I was thinking if we are to venture out of HKIA even Kowloon (Mongkok) or NT (Shatin) seem out of bounds? That leaves only Lantau?

Let us know your arrival and departure time and the day of the week so we can give intelligent ideas for you to consider.

If your arrival is that bank of early morning arrival then there are more safe options as opposed to a noon arrival and midnight departure.

Honestly I'd just not risk coming into the city. Even if AEXP doesn't shut down, you might be stuck without MTR / find shops & restaurants closed due to protests depending on which part of town you're in (read: the more fun parts of town). Macau ferry seems like a nice option, go hang out in a casino for a bit, catch a show, grab some good food, etc.

I think it is worth mentioning that citymapper is far better at reflecting MTR shutdowns than things like google maps if you are trying to get around.

I arrive mid day on a Sunday and depart around midnight. So almost 12 full hours in HK on a Sunday when most of the protests would proliferate?

I meant that if it comes to having to find a taxi or bus that can actually get to the airport if other transport is shut down (or simply first get to the highway from local streets), probably more likely to succeed if already on Kowloon side. If AEX is to be shut down, then given the increasing severity of the shutdown lately, neither HK side or Kowloon side would help.

The Airport Express seems to be the MTR's #1 priority for keeping open. It's the only line running as I type (at 22:45L), for example, and all is normal, including in-town check-in.

The last two Sundays trouble started around noon-time.

If the inside ferry to Macao schedule fits your plans that would be an option,
If not, then the other viable option would be the Big Buddha.

No, all wasn't normal on the AE at 22:45 Thursday as you typed: trains were not stopping at Kowloon, Tsing Yi and AsiaWorld-Expo stations Thursday evening.

OK, I may be wrong, but I see an announcement issued at 00:15L on 11/10 saying that it is now HK and the airport only. Maybe there was a previous announcement.

And this is just pure ........ by the MTR/police/AA.

They announced Thursday evening that service would be restricted from 9pm on the AE.

OK, I stand corrected.

But I fail to see any rational justification.

Learn how to use a bus.

I suggest downloading the following apps: Google Maps, KMB, New World Bus / First Bus

Similar situation next weekend - arriving Saturday 19:00, leaving Sunday either 16:00 or 22:00 (and trying to decide!).

Booked at the Marriott by the airport as a precaution, but would like to go into town on Sunday... heading back to the airport around 17:00 if taking the 22:00 flight, to have a lot of buffer.

Do you have any ideas? :)

Nobody will know until day of, but generally speaking, Sunday afternoons have been the worst for violent protests in recent weeks (but it is impossible to say where the mayhem will take place and how bad it will be). However, protesters seem to be late risers, and there's rarely any action before noon, so if you were to take the 16:00 flight (and head to the airport around 13:00) you'd in all likelihood be fine. Even with the later flight, you'd probably be fine, as the MTR seems to work hard to keep the Airport Express running from HK station. And there are taxis and bus options. I don't think another complete airport blockade is likely.

I would take the 1600 flight and just stay at the Marriott for the whole time.

This thread is really useful for me too and I will keep monitoring it. In 4 weeks time Ms G50 and I will arrive at 14:50 and depart at 23:45 on a Saturday. We would rather spend our time in town but have exactly the same concerns as the OP.

Thanks! Alternatively, do you have any advice re. Lantau Island?

Airport Express at 7:00 a.m. on a Sunday?
 

As subject line indicates, I will arrive at HKG early on a Sunday morning. Can I count on Airport Express functioning normally or should I book an expensive hotel car?

(I know the situation varies daily/weekly. Just trying to gauge somewhat what my options are.)

Yes, 90% likely that it will be running, and if not then you can always get a taxi for far less money than a hotel car.

Thanks! Will take a "wait and see" approach.

Assume no.

Sometimes, Airport Express may suspend all service once and for all even things are fine (for now). Because Sunday is a hot day, so Airport Express's service will be impacted. It is only a matter of how and when.

I need to drop by HK for a weekend sometime in November to sign some documents. Gonna arrive early on a Friday morning and leave on a Sunday afternoon. I understand that this is the worst time to go to HK, and that elections are also occurring at the end of November, but what are the chances that I can avoid any trouble? I would prefer to get advice from locals/people who are actually Asian, since these are the people who would have the highest chance of actually experiencing danger. If I hire a chauffeur and stay on the Kowloon side there's almost no chance of me getting involved with any disturbances right?

Maybe I don't qualify - white / british / 15 years HK / 12 China?

If you were to be in the thick of any demonstration / riot, wearing a mask and hat - and maybe black T - your creed or colour will not be studied before you could be attacked.......................................... ..................

But, visiting Island or Kowloon during the weekend under current situation could lead to being very close to a trouble spot, road block, or worse. However, as everyone will tell you, predicting the situation 2 hours in advance is very difficult, even more so for a month in advance.

Using a car to get around could potentially delay your movements due to gridlock that has been occurring during recent events (road blocks / marches etc) and under current circumstances and if they continue, then you will need to review just before you travel.

If you could sign your documents during a weekday, I would estimate your potential delay factor would be reduced by 80%.

TST but even more so Mong Kok, are potential flash points - Mong Kok police station almost nightly.

Hope this is helpful, but maybe a more local Asian could help you even more.

Good luck with your arrangements and keep safe.

Can you use a notary?

Maybe 90% if you mean running from HK Station but they seem to have Kowloon AE closed more often than open lately which for me is a pain.

You can follow SCMP for their live coverage when the incidents are going on. I note the incidents tend to start after lunch and end around 11 p.m. Not a rule but SCMP ends coverage around 11 p.m. when things seem to clear out.

I was planning to come to visit, and work around the protestors' schedule with an early arrival and an assumption that if I stayed in Kowloon, I'd have to taxi and from to HK Station to catch the AE at its one stop. Just before noon. Or stay at the Regal HKIA the night before a flight behind the sandbags and security detail.

And maybe not arrive on Saturday or Sunday despite the taxi being less busy.

There is a big Chinatown where I live. I wonder if I could get someone there to paint "tourist" in Chinese on the front and back of a T-shirt worn outdoors.

Choosing appropriate top clothing is better than the wording on the t-shirt.

I haven't been tracking it rigorously, but at 7am (which was the question I was responding to) I can only recall one or two days when Kowloon AE station wasn't open. From mid-afternoon onwards, yes closure is more likely.

Maybe this in large letters on a white shirt

游客
请不要在我身上喷催泪瓦斯
谢谢

It was closed along with Tsing Yi and Asia World 17 hours ago according to this unofficial MTR advisory twitter page, but it's all green now. I think almost every recent weekend when things were hairy these particular AE stations closed unless it was when the whole operation was shut down, when of course nothing was open.

https://twitter.com/mtrupdate . Worth having that link in your twitter saved list.

I know many of the protestors are students so not getting up until after noon is not unusual.

I usually fly out at 10:30 am so I'd likely go to the Regal just to hedge my bets. My usual hotel is being kind of stingy with the discounts vs. much bigger and better hotels.