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Since the end of March this year, 2 million of Hong Kong's 7 million people have taken to the streets to protest against a controversial extradition bill. While images of riot police and protesters being sprayed with tear gas are widespread in the media, these represent only a small fraction of the largely peaceful protests.
Where did the protests take place?
The protests are mainly taking place in Hong Kong's central districts, particularly on Harcourt Road and around the Legislative Council building. Tourists visiting at this time should stay in other areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Public transport services such as the subway, buses, and ferries are operating normally.
Is it safe to travel to Hong Kong during the protests?
Hong Kong remains one of the safest places in the world to travel, and the protests haven't changed that. The UK Government's Overseas Travel Advisory suggests visitors "remain vigilant and stay updated on the protest situation." Tourists should exercise caution near areas where protests are still ongoing. There are still many unaffected areas in Hong Kong to explore.
Many areas in Hong Kong were unaffected by the protests.
How have the protests impacted tourism in Hong Kong?
Tourists can still visit prominent attractions such as the Temple of Heaven on Big Buddha Mountain, the Ladies Market in Mong Kok, and admire the famous skyline from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade without being affected by the protests.
The skyline as seen from Tsim Sha Tsui.
However, if you are in a protest area or if the situation escalates, please note the following:
- The subway station was temporarily closed on June 12th and has since reopened and is operating normally. However, in case this happens again, choose the Tung Chung Line or Tseung Kwan O Line for public transport to get to the port, and be aware that subway trains may be delayed.
- Some shopping malls may also close to avoid disruption, such as Pacific Place and IFC. If you want to shop, consider other options like Elements in West Kowloon and Festival Walk in Kowloon Road.
- At the peak of the protests, many demonstrators wore black, leading to some innocent people becoming targets of the police. Therefore, it's best to avoid wearing black clothing at this time.
- Many protesters are taking personal protective measures to avoid any potential trouble and backlash in the future, so please respect their privacy by not taking close-up photos of them.
- If you accidentally wander into a protest area, both protesters and police will help you get out.
