Which places are closed/open in Hong Kong/Macau on Chinese New Year (2013)?
Replies: 1 - Last Post: Feb 1, 2013 8:24 PM Last Post By: SingObserver
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Which places are closed/open in Hong Kong/Macau on Chinese New Year (2013)?
Hello,I am a solo traveler and will be making a trip to Hong Kong from Feb. 8th through the 12th this year, 2013. I plan to head straight to Macau via ferry from HKG Airport after arriving at 430PM and seeing the sites before making my way to Kowloon late at night to check into my hostel for the night. I understand that the museums will be closed from 5pm on the eve, 9th. I am having trouble finding opening information for the other tourist attractions most notably: big buddha, victoria peak tram, chi lin/nan lian, ten thousand buddhas.
I will leave the 9th, 10th and 11th exclusively for travel in Hong Kong. Can anyone suggest to me an itinerary of things to do BASED on conditions to be expected during this holiday period. I cannot freely pick and choose when and where to go as I have never been to Hong Kong and not during CNY for that matter, so I would like someone who has some prior/background knowledge of this period to help me plan my travel itinerary.
Much appreciated.
Thanks.
PS I enjoy impressive sights but would like to abstain from places purely intended for modern shopping and not traditional markets.
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Well, to start with, your plan to "swing by" Macau really doesn't make sense. With a 4:30 pm arrival at HKIA, it will be dark by the time you get through customs and onto the ferry, never mind once you get to Macau. You won't be able to see any of the "sites"......unless you are thinking of the interior of a casino as a site.It would make much more sense to stay in HK on the 8th and pick another day for a day-trip (or even better, overnight) to Macau. My impression is that Macau is going to be crowded no matter which day you go (whether the 8th or 9th or 10th or 11th), so it won't make much difference on that score. You can book ferry tickets online in advance, to avoid transport hassles (though you should expect fairly long lines at immigration, no matter which day you go).
As to the tourist sights in Hong Kong, my impression is that most or all of them will be open throughout the holiday period -- it is after all a peak period for tourism. But that's my impression -- maybe somebody else can confirm that for you.
BTW, the 8th after you arrive or the 9th will be a great time to see markets etc. in HK. It is a time when people will be running around buying things to get ready for their family New Year celebrations. Lots of orange trees, flowers, seasonal foods, etc. The pre-New Year atmosphere is one of the best "ambiances" that HK offers.
