chungking mansion

My recommendation: No, don't stay there. There are other hostel or low cost guest houses. Check out Mirador Mansion.

Yes, CKM has a dreadful reputation in Hong Kong: fire trap, centre of anti-social activity, site of frequent police/immigration raids, etc. You do not want to stay there.

Cast a curious look and walk by quickly I suggest.

Thanks Bittermelon, will look at Mirador mansions

Mirador Mansions is pretty similar to Chungking Mansions.

I dont think either is all that bad, and I like some of the amenities on offer(best Indian food in China). A lot of the hate is just pent up racism.

That said the hotels/hostels degrade quickly and then get renovated. Try to find one with RECENT good reviews and be prepared to leave and shop around after you arrive.

I've stayed at the Chungking Mansions multiple times, and have not only managed to survive, but also managed to survive with more money in my pocket for stuffing myself silly in Hong Kong. Mirador Mansions is a little less chaotic than Chungking Mansions, and has fewer touts, but also less choice.

I like the old, unrenovated places in Chungking Mansions, where prices are still low. I don't need to pay extra for a fresh coat of paint. The standards in the cheap rooms there are pretty standard: a tiny space, a bed, a TV, some combination of AC and fan, and usually a tiny, attached shower/bathroom. The only other thing to worry about is whether or not they actually have staff on the premises, in case something goes wrong.

When I first went to Hongkong in 2007 after some search on the internet I decided not to choose one of these mansions (Chunking or Mirador). If you search a little, you will find many other places, too. I for instance stayed in the Dragon Hostel in Mongkok. I only searched for Hostels, because I thought, that I couldn't afford a hotel. I don't think, that it was more expensive than the mansions (I think I paid around 25 Euros for a 8-10 m² room with its own shower and toilet; it was the most expensive room on this trip). The surrounding area was also nice.
If you are willing to pay a little more search the Trip-Website (former ctrip) for good offers. Last year I got a Double in the Cosco-Hotel (Central&Western District) for 50 Euro per night. Compared to the room of the Dragon Hostel, the room was at least 3 times bigger and was maybe a hundred times better equiped (3 star compared to no star in a hostel). This was 2017, 10 years later than 2007, when I first stayed in the Dragon Hostel! Concerning the value for money ratio usually any hotel is better than a single or double room in a hostel.

I've stayed there several times over the years but not recently. I walked through the ground floor area last summer and it looked little changed. Its excellent location, however, may balance some of its deficiencies. You'll always get mixed reviews of it here so check it out for yourself.

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