I'm looking at doing a spontaneous holiday and Hong Kong, has anyone been ?
are the protests happening everywhere? or centrally located?
are the tourist destinations still open?
Flight from SYD - HKG return is only $512 (at time of posting) on Virgin Australia, direct flight
Hotels I'm seeing Hyatt hotels @ around $200 per night. Most of the hotels I'm seeing are cheap.
Or I can hop on a ferry and go over to MACAU?
@Munki: Your view that wealth is the driver of hate is wrong. It’s the attitude some mainlanders have, thinking, because they can afford to travel, that somehow they are important or above others is what I hate.
I’ve dealt with many when I was a teen at a small fruit store, demanding to taste everything just so they can spend $5 (like wtf), I now unfortunately mix in areas where they socialise now. I hazard a guess, that being one child amongst many careers has lead to them being spoilt beyond our usual norms.
Oh the amount of times I’m somewhere taking a photo only to have a mainlander step right in front of me with their iPad up.
It’s hard for me not to think I am above that crap, ipads don’t even nice photos.
@cloudy: And isn't it the mainlanders who think it's appropriate to push and shove and ignore queues, yell when they don't get their way and other things like defecate in public?
@Bargainbeth: Yep, I dunno about defecate in public, but certain obnoxious pushes/shoved/and raised voices certainly
@Munki: When they start buying all your baby powder, all your housing, all your whatever they can buy, then you tell me whether or not you would be pissed. Clearly you’ve never had to try and hunt down some baby milk powder because even in Sydney it is freaking difficult imagine Hong Kong. I’ve seen so many instants of people stocking up milk powder in Sydney it’s like a syndicate they all wait outside the shop with a trolley. I’ve even heard people getting jeered at by randoms just because they look like a ‘Chinese’ and having to buy for their own baby. So no, Hong Kong people don’t think they are better than mainland rather they are just angry that it’s becoming increasingly hard to live because of them coming and buy out their resources
@pluelp: You realise that Hong Kong wouldn't be Hong Kong if they didn't sell to the highest global bidder right?
@Munki: You are wrong.
Let's post the underlying reason, people of HK do not want to be extradited to mainland China.
[done] 1. Full withdrawal of the extradition bill 徹底撤回送中修例
2. A commission of inquiry into alleged police brutality 成立獨立調查委員會 追究警隊濫暴
3. Retracting the classification of protesters as “rioters” 取消暴動定性
4. Amnesty for arrested protesters 撤銷對今為所有反送中抗爭者控罪
5. Dual universal suffrage, meaning for both the Legislative Council and the Chief Executive 以行政命令解散立法會 立即實行雙真普選
@greywise: Well greywise, I'm glad you mentioned this.
Obviously you don't know what you are talking about.
Hong Kong ALREADY have extradition law exactly as you described where either the legislative council can vote or high court to approve for extradition.
Hong Kong ALREADY have a list of countries allowing for extradition.
The problem:
- Taiwan is not on the list of countries for extradition, but Hong Kong cannot put Taiwan onto the list because Mainland China does not recognise Taiwan as a country… stupid dilemma due to Mainland politics.
- The Chief Executive of Hong Kong wanted to put in a new extradition bill where only ONE person gets to decide on extradition. The ONE person being the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Wanting to bypass the courts!!!
- THREE revised bills were drafted to allow for extradition and ticks all the boxes, but Chief Executive of Hong Kong refused to consider alternatives.
So greywise, let's do some research before posting eh?
Obviously you do not know what you are talking about.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Hong_Kong_extradition_bil…
@Munki: Of course both Taiwanese and Hongkies are better than most Mainlanders. Unfortunately many Mainlanders nowadays are thuggish ultra nationalists. Just look at the behaviour of China students in Australia ,US, Canada, EU etc towards Lennon Walls,peaceful HK protestors etc.
@desafinado74: Protests works both ways. Pro HK protesters puts up posters and pro PRC take them down.
There are still plenty of mainland tourists.
Do you ever hear stories of tourists being hurt?
None exists because no one is targeting tourists.
Harassment of mainland tourists has been going on for several years now.
@Ragnarok1983: Really? Show some evidence?
You must have seen how crazy mainland react on the internet, do you really think if there were any forms of harassment it wouldn't be posted repeatedly by the mainland Chinese people?
@redslert: https://youtu.be/pTc2wxQHiIQ
Evidence: All he said was "We are all Chinese" then gets smashed into a building by a masked rioter
@xinyi: Right. So Hong Kong is full of people wearing black with masks looking for 'mainland' chinese to attack?
LOL Hong Kong is full of Ninja's just sneaking around to attack people - sarcastic for those who don't understand… let's be realistic here.
How about posting the entire context of events leading up to this?
If someone walks into a crowd and start verbally abusing other people this is the result.
Why does this person have a dozen cameras pointing at him?
Post the entire context of events please and don't cut to show only your agenda.
@redslert: The man in question is a plain office worker who just wants to get on with his job and was ambushed by cameras when he told the rioters to stop shouting because we are all Chinese.
Look clearly the Western media is using the HK protests as a tool to divide China and weaken China. This isn't about human rights, there are plenty of human rights abuses here in Australia with the way Aborigines are treated. I hope you can entertain the whole picture.
@Ragnarok1983: If they don't spit on floor 5cm from my shoe or push in front of me in what clearly is a line, I would not harass them. But unfortunately its their actions which cause the reaction.
@cloudy: https://youtu.be/pTc2wxQHiIQ
Evidence: All he said was "We are all Chinese" then gets smashed into a building by a masked rioter
@cloudy: I'm not from Hong Kong. Everytime I go there they treat me different because I don't speak canto.
@xinyi: No kidding, you're from a different country - mainland China. Looking through your other posts, and the misinformation you write, it's clear you're a shill for Winnie the Pooh.
you're from a different country - mainland China
Since when is Mainland China a different country to Hong Kong?
Yet you are accusing others of spreading misinformation…………..
My sister in law just came back yesterday from HK after spending the last 1.5 months to there for work. She said she saw some protest gathering but nothing was concerning her at all.
I was there last Friday through to Tuesday.
Stayed very close to Prince Edward MTR Station.
Yes I flew out on National day.
No problems. Nearly everything is business as usual.
As someone already said, go to Shenzhen and Macau instead of Hong Kong. We went to HK in July, and took day trips to Shenzhen and Macau - we wish we'd spent more that just one day at each.
avoid the police and you should be fine
yes this is true
the protesters won't give you trouble
its the police that will most likely assault you for having your camera out
Avoid attacking the police with molotovs and steel rods and OP won't be shot.
As long as you don't speak Mandarin, the rioters won't hurt you.
actually the frontline protesters won't do anything to you at all even if you speak mandarin
as long as you don't engage into an exchange with them
You'll be fine
i just got back with my mum, she is 71 years old and we didn't experience any trouble
Protests are generally scheduled for the weekends
Tax free shopping and great food
when you leave hong kong, make sure you fill up your belly before going through customs, the food choice in there is currently really bad as they are going through renovations.
theres a mcdonalds above the check in counters but no mcdonalds inside.
oh and avoid gordan ramsay's 'plane food to go' it is so gross
there is a mcdonalds inside as I remember .
not anymore the food court is under renovations
popeyes is no longer there either
It's dangerous to go alone! Take this.
I have traveled to Hong Kong many many times. Business and Pleasure. It has always been such a wonderfull place to visit and enjoy some fun times. It is such a shame that all this is happening in Hong Kong. As with most of these types of protests, when you see the footage, there is a common theme. Young Males. Pack Mentality. Throwing objects and running. These are not protesters. These are just plain idiots, who have nothing better to do, and just gather the typical pack mentality and see this as a form of amusement. Why in heavens name do you want to cause chaos and destruction for any good purpose in the place you live?. Why destroy your own backyard, Your home land. Home many other people in turn suffer as they can not conduct their business, open their shops, force tourists and visitors to stay away. True protesters with a purpose would not hide their faces, they would not run, they would stand a debate their cause with purpose and determination. I feel for any true Hong Kong nationals who because of this suffer loss in their life, business, ect, because of a couple hundred stupid male youths. Shame on them. I would almost guarantee that 99.99% of those protesting do not even understand what the root problem is, what has caused it, and the true nature of what they are protesting over is. Personally I can not that I understand the real and true purpose of this unrest. So many media reports of which many will be sensationalised, that uncovering the real reasons, if there are any, is difficult. I was hoping to take my family to Hong Kong at the end of this year as my eldest daughter graduates, and she has been asking to go to Hong Kong for many years. Although I have made no plans yet, I would not consider visiting under the current circumstances at all. I would not want to put my wife and children in any potential dangerous situation. I hope the unrest settles, for the benefit of all the people of Hong Kong.
True protesters with a purpose would not hide their faces, they would not run, they would stand a debate their cause with purpose and determination.
Ah so points to debate you with, but with 5 mins I’ll take this one.
2014, those who showed their fate were all simply locked up for their efforts. No debate opportunity provided. Not hard to imagine why you might want to hide your identity when the only response to such a dignified manner is simply capture and punish.
Also, I might add, plenty of images of old people protesting, office workers, pilots have which lead to CEO of Cathay and chairman to lose their jobs. But let’s generalise the truth ey?
Cloudy, You may miss interpret my post - which I dont blame you for. Unfortunately it is very hard to convey tonality in a forum. My post is one of empathy for the regular and hard working people of HK. But certainly I can not see what possible good will come from willful destruction. History is full of those persecuted when they fought for the "right" causes. There is no denying the profile of the bulk of the protestors. And I stand by my opinion that in so many similar situation, most protesters are these purely for the entertainment aspect.
There are so many other ways that protests can be done, without harm or destruction, that can bring governments and leaders to the discussion table. But no one wins in the end from the violence.
Yea sure you can talk your way out with a tyrant.
most protesters are these purely for the entertainment aspect.
so getting beat up, breathing in capsicum spray/tear gas, and most recently, getting shot at by live ammo is your idea of entertainment?
There are so many other ways that protests can be done, without harm or destruction, that can bring governments and leaders to the discussion table.
because peaceful protest has worked so well for HK over the last 30 years? if you have any peaceful methods of getting the HK government/CCP to the table, I am sure the people of HK are all ears
@xinyi: Hi xinyih,
Not quite sure how your reply is related to my comments, but anyway, HK definitely have their fair share of a-holes who thinks they are superior to everyone else(not just Chinese mainlanders), even though they ain't that special themselves.
@FW190: Don't attack the police with a steel rod and molotovs and you won't get shot. How hard is that to understand? Did the police do anything wrong to defend himself?
Every major protest back in colonial days resulted in British police killing some protesters, but of course you're just happy to ignore this fact. Face it, CCP may be rubbish but it is much more lenient than colonialists.
Thanks for your understanding that I may not interpret your post as you intend. Ss you say, forums can be difficult. It’s good to see healthy debate.
But you are mistaken when you say the profile of the protesters are young males, seeking entertainment via viloance. It’s actually the minority whom are violent. Many support the cause and have attended big and small rallys who are not young, who are not male, who are not young. Many many more in fact than the stereotype you have conveyed.
Additionally, the profile you have focused on, young male and less peaceful, let’s call them blsckshirts. They stormed into LegCo against the bill, broke much of what’s inside, graffitied the walls etc (as reported in the media). Classed as mindless violence by rioters by the government and police.
What’s not reported was this, inside, signs were placed on vending machines written in Chinese, we are protesting against the bill, we are not thief’s pay for your drinks please. Signs saying, The library (within legco) is a source of public knowledge, do not touch.
This is not mindless chaos, this is targeted aggressive protesting.
On the wall was also written, we have peacefully protested, but the government has not listened, this is why we are no longer peaceful.
Many may not agree using force is right, but no one can say they are doing this for “entertainment”.
IMHO, if the government had withdrawn the bill after the peaceful protests, none of the voiolence we see would have occurred. The government and the chief executive is solely to blame for, pretty much, everything that’s happened, and continues to happen.
The way she responds to media questions she can’t clarify her powers, when asked if she needs permission (by ccp) before she can withdraw the bill.
The leaked tape of her saying she wishes she could quit, but can’t due to ccp control, but denying her words in post media conference.
The backing of increasing violence from police.
The list is endless.
There are so many other ways that protests can be done, without harm or destruction, that can bring governments and leaders to the discussion table.
I think the problem now is, the people do not want discussion. No one leads this movement, they using a polling system to decide every action. They, the people of Hk, has decided on 5 demands, not one less. I don’t agree with such firm demands, it leaves little room for compromise. But it’s what the people want. And to be fair on the people, the government has offered no compromise of their own ( well the bill FINALLY got withdrawn, if call that a compromise).
There are plenty of old people being beat up too for having opposing views. The irony isn't lost considering it's very undemocratic to beat up people for having differing views.
I am all for reform in China to be more transparent or at least have safe guards like they did in the past pre Xi Jinping but I don't think Hong Kong will ever enjoy unfettered democracy or sovereignty.
That's nearly as silly as suggesting Spain will ever let Catalonia go without war which is the closest Western comparison. We all know that the West loves to provide lip service but the EU said it would destroy them, USA said they support Spain and Australia didn't even care to comment.
It's all fine and dandy to support Hong Kongers in destroying themselves but lets not kid ourselves, the West would do the exact same thing and squash the independence movement.
Well said.
Supporters of HK police do not for moment deny human rights and freedom of speech issues China has. However, supporter of HK "protest" seems to be favouring one sided arguments a lot.
@Bad Company: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=czqixWBmR5M
It’s hard to understand why the police do what they do.
Here is a typical example, police are not welcome to this shopping mall, mall owners, security and patrons all do not want them to enter and cause trouble.
The ram in, and catch a couple wearing black tee shirts. There was no trouble in the shopping before the police arrive.
They are often causing or instigating the violence, not stopping it , it would seem.
@cloudy: Similar to what a lot of pro-protester guys here requested for, what lead to this happening?
And why does the police only arrest those guys? It's reasonable to assume that they have done something (most likely broken some laws) for the police to do what they did.
No doubt it’s undemocractic (if there’s such a word), to bash those who share a different view.
But it seems much of the bashing isn’t due to the view, it’s the actions of those opposing views.
Ie, global times reporter that was bashed. It wasn’t his views that lead him being bashed, I doubt he even express his views.
Tldr
I've been studying in HK for the last two months. Yes, it is evident throughout the city that there has been unrest, but it has in no way jeopardised my experience here.
When taking the train on weekends, make sure to have the MTR App handy to be informed about transport disruptions. It helps to have Uber or another backup just as a last resort.
There is also a live feed on Reddit which is constantly updated which basically gives updates on what's going on in different areas of HK. I use it on the weekends to make sure I know which areas to avoid. Link: https://www.reddit.com/live/133sixros7tu5/
As long as you are cautious and apply common sense on the weekends, you can basically go about your normal activities as if there's nothing happening. The weekdays are an especially nice time to explore with less crowds. If you take a ferry trip to Lamma Island, Cheung Chau island or Peng Chau island you can basically have the island to yourself.
Dont go to HK. There is a high chance there will be attack to civilian. Wait until the government is stable before going
By the time it became stable, either every single protester had been slaughtered, or China had imploded.
You mean China should just do what British colonialists did back in the day and simply kill some protesters?
I was in the airport during the protest and stood out (am white). Was completely safe, had a lot of people trying to hand flyers.
You can catch the bus at the airport to Macau now. Pretty cheap compare to ferry.
Go there at your own risk.
Australia issued alert .
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3021813/a…
I was seriously considering going too lol I think as long as you avoid heavy protest areas and go on weekdays (mon to Thursday) you will be alright
They banned facial masks today. The HK Government is finally take concrete steps to ride the streets of the sourge of the riots. HK will be safe to travel again soon.
Great news, this should've been implemented long ago.
I hope These UK flag carrying rioters do not have problems following the same laws their "saviours" follow.
There has never been danger to be on the streets of HK.
Do some reading from the people who have posted here already who have been in HK.
I am well aware of the arguments on both sides.
https://www.quora.com/Why-are-Hong-Kong-protestors-silent-on…
You should do some reading on Quora about both sides of the riots.
Hong Kong’s problems today are the result of a failure of HKers to adapt to a new China that is economically and politically powerful, and where Hong Kong no longer has a monopoly on China’s relations with the rest of the world. Their troubles weren't caused by the CCP.
Instead, most HKers continue to turn their back on China, thinking that they were the only ethnic Chinese who could understand the “western mentality” and explain it to other Chinese.
Having visited Hong Kong, I can say that many HKers think they are superior to the rest of the mainland and that is why noone from the mainland supports them.
Here's your 50 cents…
@jimbo jones: Sure, people beating police with steel rods and shining their eyes with laser beams are "pro-democratic" and should receive the utmost glory while anyone who voices any comment that is not 100% in support of the violence on HK streets is automatically disseminating propaganda for China…
Doesn't really seem fair if you ask me.
I don't know, people beating police with steel rods in exchange for bullets in their legs on the street would probably indicate that there is danger to be on the said street…
I wouldn't go now based on the latest developments
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/emergency-powers-announced…
Are you referring to the banning of masks…?
Opposition politicians fear the mask ban could be the first of further emergency powers designed to curb violent protests that have continued for 17 weeks and seen Molotov cocktails thrown by protesters at train stations and police.
The government should use what every means necessary to stop the ongoing violence.
@whooah1979: Funny, violence has only escalated with every measure to try to stop violence. Maybe if the police and the government listened more and acted less it'll be more peaceful, just an idea.
@cloudy: Are you suggesting with your circular reasoning that the protesters take no responsibility? There are countless videos online of them gang bashing unarmed people. Maybe if the rioters stop bashing random people and burning stuff, there'd be less violence?
Are you suggesting with your circular reasoning that the protesters take no responsibility?
Nope. But one must remember, it's the government who is calling for the ending of violence. Not the violent protesters. So if one is serious about trying to stop it, one should stop inflaming the situation and see if that helps. That's if you believe the government is indeed trying to stop the violence and not cause it.
When I say government I also mean police, they go out of their way to cause trouble it seems.
Security guards even try to stop them from entering malls to cause trouble, where the mall was previously peaceful.
@cloudy: Public meetings of more than 50 people requests a permit. The police are allowed to move people along if they didn’t have a permit.
@whooah1979: In many people's minds, cloudy included no doubt, police are the bad guys since day one, ultimately because of hatred and distrust towards the Beijing government.
That, combined with lack of critical thinking, and some other political reasons (cough CIA), unfortunately means a lot of misinformation and rumours are on the internet. Readers should beware.
police are the bad guys since day one, ultimately because of hatred and distrust towards the Beijing government.
police are neither good or bad guys, you continue to call or critical thinking, yet you like to place simplistic labels of good and bad. I am tired to debate much more, but everyone has just been calling for the police to act like police.
It's no good calling out teenagers are violent thugs when the police perform actions no different from them, when in fact they should be held to a higher social standard.
Beijing and their lack of global respect is their own problem. Not mine.
you continue to call or critical thinking, yet you like to place simplistic labels of good and bad.
I thought I was clear that is only the case "in many people's minds"? Myself not included, obviously.
By the way good job selectively responding to me post, again.
By the way good job selectively responding to me post, again.
I just can't be bother going over and over the same thing, like you said. One should critically think, nothing you ask of me requires any critical response.
Half the posts you have here are:
Don't swing at police and you wont get shot. (such deep and critical thoughts)
Everyone here hates Beijing (getting into the high IQs)
The protesters are not innocent little lambs (yep, they are not, but nor is police, but one has government backing)
Police are nice, compared to similar occasions in history (great way of justifying unacceptable actions)
Yep, everything you write is highly thought out. Peace out man, with massive brains like yours don't waste it on ozbargain with me. Go do something special dude.
One should critically think, nothing you ask of me requires any critical response.
Let's just end this argument and agree that neither the protesters nor the police are innocent little angels, and that there should be actions taken against wrong conduct regardless of who's working for which government. Can we at least reach this agreement?
Public meetings of more than 50 people requests a permit. The police are allowed to move people along if they didn’t have a permit.
I can show videos of police rushing into malls only to tackle 2 people. Where the whole scene contained no more than a classroom of people.
quick 30 second search and found it.
https://youtu.be/hTCkyba4dZU
no point debating anyway really, everyone has their mind made up
I'm here now. Got here a few days ago. AMA
I'm staying in Shatin which is a hotspot of trouble due to the central nature of the public transport hub here.
Last night I was there with the protestors who began rioting before they damaged the train station. Previously I've had a bus delayed due to protestors blocking the path.
I sense the locals are not so supportive anymore as they become less peaceful. Protests usually start about 8pm onwards and you'll notice when groups of black shirt wearing people start to gather. I have not been targeted or anything like that.
One downside is that the shops close earlier and certain services have been affected at random. So a shop or public transport option that was available one day, may not be available the next.
Did you ask them how acts of vandalism and rioting is helping their cause?
https://mobile.twitter.com/charlottejourno/status/1180119124…
On LIHKG they mention that it is to put financial pressure on the government and the pro-beijing side.
As for what the actual people on the streets think. I think they would mostly be indifferent, but I recall on live streams they mention a lot of locals are reluctant to state where they stand. There are multiple camps within the protest movement.
My guess is if they asked random locals, they probably would be on the lines of "No Comment".
That's because the protests were never about helping Hong Kong people's cause.
What's your favourite flavour of boot?
Rainbow.
So, is it just as easy to get around as mentioned on Whirlpool?
Do you speak the local language? If not, have you encountered any issues getting help from locals about what other transport to use once the closures take place, or are you familiar to the area?
Do you think the state of emergency will affect your travel insurance plan?
Do you believe how your ethnicity will affect your probability of being searched? Have you seen any true blue aussies or british fellas get searched?
All in all, this is probably relevant since a majority of Australians which is what this site is geared towards, are of European or British descendancy. Travellers will want to know whether their risk profiles are different from others on the streets of HK. I'm half blood, so I think I would still stick out.
Today the trains and buses have been stopped. Walking the streets is fine, nothing is happening. At night is where it can be unpredictable.
I speak and understand some Cantonese. The locals know a bit of English so it's usually possible to converse but not as easy as Singapore. My ethnicity is mixed.
Travel insurance in essence said we could not cancel our bookings unless the department of immigration in Australia changed the status to do not travel. They advised they would cover if bookings had to be changed or cancelled due to issues. We did however book about 7 months ago before these issues were reported.
I have been on tours and spoken to a number of Australians here. They all report no real issues, and the locals have zero beef with Australians. Their issue is with China so if you're from the mainland… That's an issue. Don't wear white shirts, that's supposedly triads beating up protestors and don't wear black, that's protestors.
I've walked in the middle of a group of about 500 protestors crossing a bridge last night with no one even looking at me. Camera and tourist clothes on, so they don't seem to mind tourists.
Go but don't forget your ski mask, then side with the people of HK, take a stand for democracy!
Terrible idea, Hong Kongers dont want foreigners protesting with them
Yeah agreed, furthermore it's hard to argue about why you are wearing a ski mask.
For PM2.5 style black masks one can argue polluted air, for medical mask you can argue you are sick. Both of which should pretty much get you off the hook unless one is dumb enough to state they were participating in the demonstrations. The more bizzare the outfit, the more likely you are to be arrested despite what others think. There was some guy dressed up as a banana, but I think the more you dress it up; the harder it will be to get off the hook because you need to justify why you are dressed like that and if there is protest writing on your character's outfit, that's the nail in the coffin, 25,000HK fine coming up, possible 1 year in prison…
Have you got evidence that these people representative of the people of HK?
Read news more often. It is obvious that is unsafe. Check traveller guide and recommendations on internet at Australian government website. It is updated daily.
I would love to be a native hong konger. Sounds like a real bludge.
This is becoming a political platform not about Hong Kong trip advisory :)
@macdaddyjordan: https://youtu.be/RubSzEsyFi0
I beg you for pardon?
A lady from China went to HK to support the protesters in 2014. Protesters recognised her accent, started to shout go back to China to her. She pleaded in tears but the protesters refused to listen. Would this have happened if she wasn't from China?