Chinese New Year in Hongkong

I am considering going to Hongkong on the 19th and 20th for a short holiday. Just wanted to know what HK is like during Chinese New Year? My main goal is to relax and shop during this trip, particularly around the Causeway Bay area. I was told though that many small boutiques will be closed and only the big malls will be open. Is this true?

Is this a good time to visit HK? Please share your insights. Thanks: )

Chinese New Year in Hongkong

Some of the shops will be closed for sure, including some in the bigger malls. On the other hand, a few (such as Sogo) will stay open even on CNY day with special hours. If you want to get the full shopping experience, then perhaps this is not the best time to come.

Chinese New Year in Hongkong

wow, thanks for the useful info, sammy...

RDA,

my friends %26amp; i are also planning on going to HK for a short trip scheduled in a few weeks. for some time now, we%26#39;ve been debating about going to HK either before or after chinese new year.

some of us wanted to go end of Feb so we could take part in the celebrations. but then, some of us were also concerned about the huge crowds in town around that time...

so eventually we decided on going for our other option--mar 7-11. and now that u guys have also confirmed that the shops might even be closed at that date, i%26#39;m pretty stoked that it seems we made the right choice.

hmm, hope the city crowds clear up a bit after the festivities...

but i sure do wish some HK peeps might still have a hangover a few days after the official end of the holiday season (mar 4)...so much so that they%26#39;ll still be in a party mood when we arrive! :)

.

thanks for the advice guys! will most likely postpone my trip then.

CNY in my opinion, is the most boring time and quiet time in HK. Seriously, especially this year. Almost everyone I know, are travelling out of town for vacation. Everyone has made money this year.... so out of town is how ALOT of people are spending this years%26#39; CNY.

If you are in town during CNY, the stores are closed this year... more than before, b/c business has been pretty good, staff has been good, salary has been increased, bonus has been increased.... so a lot of stores and restaurants allow more holidays.

Exactly who is opened this year, not sure... but most business I have been to, and restaurants, alot of them said they will close for the first three days of CNY. Open again on Feb 21.

Big chain stores, and big restaurants are exception.

Overall, streets will be more quiet on Feb 18-20 than usual. So, like Sammy said, if you are here for shopping ... then it%26#39;s probably not the best time..... if for sightseeing, might be a good time.

Thanks Katetam. Would Feb. 24 to 26 be a better time for me to go then? My main goal is really to shop as I%26#39;ve seen the sights before: )

For sure Feb 24-26 would be better for shopping, and most stores will be having their after CNY sales starting this time....

I would also like to find out if public attractions such as The Peak Tower, Ocean Park etc will still remain opened during the Chinese New Year Public Holidays?

The HK Tourism Board monthly e-zine for February has a lot of information on events and things to do in HK over the Chinese New Year.

You can view it by using the following link;

discoverhongkong.com/eng/鈥z_view_tmth.jhtml

On the other hand, you%26#39;ll get to see how the city celebrates this once-a-year holiday. Victoria Park will be packed at nights with huge crowds jostling to see the beautiful huge Chinese lanterns. Families will bring their blankets and set up on the grass, where they%26#39;ll light candles and eat mooncake late into the night...

Arriving on Feb. 20, will the Chinese lanterns still be up in Victoria Park?

Will the street markets like Ladies Market, Fa Yuen and Temple be open at this time?