Hello, I visit my friends and family normally once a year in Hong Kong. This time, I chose to go during Chinese New Year (01-17 Feb 2013) with a few European friends. It's the first time for me to be there during CNY. So, I have no idea what special events will take place or which places I should especially visit during that time of the year. I know HK quite well, so I will first show all the common tourist places to my friends. Does anyone know of any special events/places during CNY in Hong Kong which would be interesting to go? Also, as I have never been there during February, will it be cold? I normally always went during Summer time, so it was always hot as hell during my visit, lol.
Chinese New Years is both great and horrible for the visiting tourist. It's great if you want to partake in all the CNY festivities; it's horrible because many side venues which may be of tourist interest is closed for about two weeks as everyone has gone home for the holidays. My suggestion would be to join a tour because those things usually don't cost all that much, and more importantly, they generally provide transportation, so that you and friends can see the most in as short a time as possible. As for special events, I would suggest you contact the HK tourism board. Good luck and enjoy your trip
Feb will be coldish, coming from Cali, in Feb HK weather, all i need is a hoodie. CNY will have fireworks on the second day of CNY wk... As far as sights go... there's not many that require ppl to actually be working to visit... I mean, realistically, I can only think of the Giant Buddha being unreachable if they're closed for CNY, which I also doubt since there's a temple up there... you can still take a taxi up to the Peak, 10 Thousand Buddha trail is just a trail, avenue of stars is a free walkway along TST pier... i guess ladies market and temple st. might be closed on CNY day, but should be open for the rest of the week...
cool, thanks all for the answers! i guess i don't need to bring that many warm clothes with me in that case. well, i was alreadw warned that it might get too crowded in HK...i hope it'll be okay, cuz i'll also be staying in causeway bay, one of the busiest places in HK,lol. i don't want to scare away my friends who'll be in HK for the first time!
You'll need to bring warm clothes, despite what many people thinks, it can be pretty cold in HK during february - I've lived there last year from Dec 2011 thru to May 2012, & have visited HK for CNY for the last 5 years or so & I always make the mistake of not bringing warm clothes with me (I from the UK and its really cold here in winter, so for me to say it can get cold in HK......).
Those that don't think it's cold there haven't actually felt it for themselves. I can tell you it can get pretty damn cold, and I'm from the UK so that puts it into perspective for you. Whilst it doesn't get to sub zero (centigrade) temps it can get to mid single digit temps and combine that with the general lack of insulation and heating you can feel it, I can assure you. But that's HK in general when it actually gets cold, if it doesn't get "cold" then you don't have to worry about warm clothing. The weather and temps are hugely variable though. When I was there last Dec I needed to wear a hat to sleep it was so damn cold, but then I would go out in the day and all I needed was a hoodie!
oic, so it can get colder than i thought then! anyway, as i'm coming from Luxembourg, and we currently need winter clothes, i'll be alreadw wearing my winter coat for the airport here. thanks for the information, i'll bring more warm clothes then
CNY as Ralph said can be both great and horrible, mainly because everywhere is so crowded. If it's the first time for your friends then is easier, I'll say some shopping in the ladies street, also Mong Kwok for them to check the electronics. If you want to see the fireworks maybe you can rent a room in a hotel to see it, if you are several people it won't be that expensive, some wine, snacks and enjoy the fireworks from a great view. And the most important is...food, for me that's like the most important thing in HK, because the food is great and the choices are a lot. Enjoy!
over crowded, over priced, a lot of places closed. saying that, there are heaps of things to do. lion dancing, parades, horse racing, fireworks, flower market, victoria market
Agreed. HK, IIRC, is one of those places that doesn't have widely used private central heating. While just about everyone (except for the very poor) has air conditioning, not many will have indoor heating because Hong Kong doesn't always get that cold. Thus, at night, the temperature of an apartment is like that of an abandoned building. You're entirely dependent on the ambient temperature. Most public venues, of course, are conveniently temperature controlled, so it may actually be warmer in a mall than your apartment. Most people don't realize how cold buildings without heating can get until they're actually in one; they're stunned to see their breath vapor; it's like standing in a walk in freezer. Source: http://www.ust.hk/vpaao/pg/guide/use_info/use_info.html
I can tell that it is pretty cold at night since I am in HK right now ^^ It's my first time being here during January, normally I am here in August ~ October when its pretty hot. I did the mistake by not bringing enough warm clothes (only one long jumper, rest t shirts) and ended up by buying couple of jumpers and a jacket. Daytimes it is alright, 16 - 19 degrees is okish (still cold in hk) but night times gets bit cold. Indoors it's sometimes more cold than outside (like my place now). I come from Germany and live in UK and know well what cold weather is like, but with central heating indoors it's not a problem. Here in HK most of them doesn't have a Heater and the house is tiled so there is not much warmth stored. So far for the weather... During CNY I would 1. see some attractions which will be promoted like everywhere and second (which is actually more interesting) go to your Home Village (Wai or Tsuen) and spend a day of celebration there. It's different than in the city and you can actually feel the family and village atmosphere there. I have been there for Ta Chiu which occurs every 6 years there and I must say it's the best time I spent in HK so far... seeing family, having a chat and couple of (loots of ) drinks. Take your friends to Shenzhen and Macau. Just came back from Macau and I am still amazed by the size and the bling bling of those big casinos.
