Can’t decide where to stay in Hong Kong? In this video, we'll be comparing Central, Sheung Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Yau Ma Tei, Tung Chung, and Hong Kong SkyCity, and figure out which area is the best for you! USEFUL LINKS: DISCOUNTED HOTELS HERE: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/hotels/city/2-hong-kong-hotels?aid=825 Use Klook promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for big discounts. DISCOUNTED AIRPORT EXPRESS TICKETS: https://bit.ly/tpthkairportexpress WHERE TO STAY IN HONG KONG with TOP HOTELS PER AREA (Written Version): https://www.thepoortraveler.net/where-to-stay-hong-kong/

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Can't decide where to stay for your next Hong Kong trip?

Let's break it down and by the end of this video, you'll probably have a good idea on the best area for you.

Hey there, poor traveler! We are Vince and Yosh, and we have been vlogging for the past 13 years.

We have visited Hong Kong several times, and we have tried staying in most major areas, so let's compare.

But wait, wait, wait! Before we begin, if you're new to this channel, you can help us create more helpful videos like this

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Okay, here's the thing. Hong Kong may be small, but it is a bit complicated, and the key points of interest are spread throughout the territory.

The airport is here, the business district.

Disneyland is here, and the shopping centers are right here.

So to better understand that, let's first take a look at Hong Kong's geography.

This is Hong Kong. Let's zoom in a bit.

As you can see, much of it is a peninsula protruding from the southern coast of China.

To its north is Shenzhen, and to its west, now connected by a bridge, is Macau.

And like Macau, Hong Kong is a...

Special Administrative Region of China.

Yes, it is a part of China, but it has its own economy, currency, and immigration laws.

That's why even Chinese mainlanders still need to go through immigration checks when entering Hong Kong.

It is composed of three main regions.

Hong Kong Island, which is this island.

Kowloon on the peninsula.

And the New Territories, which is all over the place, but includes 200 outlying islands including this.

Lantau Island.

And it's best to be familiar with it because you'll most likely pass through it

because you'll find the Hong Kong International Airport right here,

located on reclaimed land on Chek Lap Kok Island, just off Lantau.

Moving on, this part of Lantau closest to the airport is called Tung Chung.

We'll discuss this later on, but for now, let's head downtown.

Hong Kong City Center has two phases.

One of them is Kowloon, which covers most of the developed area on the peninsula,

or mainland.

This is the older and more traditional side of the city.

It's what many consider quintessential Hong Kong.

It's highly developed, yes, but you'll easily notice that many of the buildings are not very modern.

It is dense, busy, and incredibly textured.

But you've probably seen this side of Hong Kong a lot because it is often used as a setting in Hollywood movies.

Just across the Victoria Harbor lies Hong Kong Island,

whose central northern edge is considered the city's central...

If Kowloon is gritty and traditional, Hong Kong Island is polished and aesthetically more colonial,

blending Chinese culture with British influence as well.

But it is divided into smaller neighborhoods, including Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Xiong Wan, and Causeway Bay.

The truth is, Hong Kong has 18 smaller districts,

but for tourists, especially first-timers, only a few of these will matter to you.

So, which is the best area to stay?

Well, that depends on your specific itinerary.

But let's take a look at each main area to see if this is the one for you.

Starting with Tsim Sha Tsui.

Tsim Sha Tsui, or TST, is well-known among budget travelers because of three things.

First, accessibility.

There is no direct train line between TST and the airport,

but there are direct airport buses that stop at multiple points across the district.

Its main artery is Nathan Road, which runs parallel to the A21 bus route

and also to a section of the MTR or subway train's Chuen 1 line.

This subway line also connects TST to the Central District on the other side of the harbor.

There are multiple MTR stations, ferry terminals, and bus stops here.

See? Very accessible.

The second reason is its proximity to some key attractions including the Avenue of Stars,

the K11 Mall, and the shopping streets in Mongkong,

and Jordan areas.

And lastly, there's a lot of budget-friendly accommodations in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Most of them housed in two famous or infamous buildings,

the Chungking Mansions and Mirador Mansion.

You may have heard a lot about these two properties before.

Some may be good, some may be not so good.

So, what's the truth?

Well, these two are old residential buildings,

but many owners have turned their units into guest houses or mini hotels,

for tourists.

They look nice and polished from afar,

but up close, it can be a bit intimidating.

Its crowded ground floor is a maze of various shops.

And when you go inside,

let's just say that these buildings have seen better days.

But don't write it off yet.

Actually, in our early years, we always stayed here

and with the exception of long elevator lines occasionally,

we never really had a bad experience.

That's not to invalidate other accounts I've seen on this channel,

That's not to invalidate other accounts I've seen on this channel,

which mention bedbugs and all.

I'm just saying, we didn't have that kind of experience,

even in our most recent stay here just a few months ago.

But that's the thing,

while they look dated or dare I say dilapidated from the hallways,

some units are actually clean and well-kept inside.

Just a few months ago,

we booked a room at Victoria Inn at Mirador Mansion

and it was a very pleasant stay.

It's just a matter of booking a reputable establishment,

so always check reviews.

But beware, because space is such a scarce commodity

in these parts of Hong Kong,

most rooms in Kowloon are small and cramped,

to say the least.

There isn't much space to move around,

but you'll find properties that are cleverly designed.

By the way, Tsim Sha Tsui is mostly flat,

which makes a walk across the area a walk in the park.

The streets are busy and narrow though,

so don't be too complacent.

We have a list of suggested hotels not just in Tsim Sha Tsui,

but in other districts,

which we're tackling in this video.

Just follow the link in the description and pin comment.

If you decide to book with Klook,

use our code,

THEPORETRAVELER for extra discount.

That's ThePoretraveler, single L.

By booking using our links,

you'll also help us create more videos like this.

Another area worth checking out in Kowloon is Mong Kok.

Technically, it is part of Yau Chim Mong District.

The same administrative office,

the same administrative unit that Tsim Sha Tsui belongs to.

And it has a lot of similarities to TST.

It is also accessible from the airport by the same direct bus,

bus A21.

It's also along the Truen 1 line,

which is connected to Central and Nathan Road,

which is punctuated by multiple bus stops.

But the vibe in Mong Kok is significantly different.

Its streets are lit by colorful neon signs,

and the energy here is more buzzing, more frenetic.

It's a popular shopping area.

Its map is scribbled with night markets and shopping streets,

including the legendary Sneaker Street.

So if you love shopping for shoes,

this is the spot for you.

And if you're into street food,

well, you're gonna love Mong Kok.

When searching online,

you'll also come across several affordable accommodations in Mong Kok,

both old and new.

Yep, there are a lot of cheap hotels and guest houses in Mong Kok too,

just like in Tsim Sha Tsui,

sometimes cheaper than Tsim Sha Tsui.

This is Hong Kong's Political and Commercial Center.

As mentioned earlier,

it looks more polished and more modern than Kowloon.

Strictly speaking though,

Central refers to this area.

But for tourism purposes,

the term is sometimes used loosely to include the whole Central and Western District,

encompassing Admiralty and Xiong Wan.

Central is also bustling, especially at rush hours,

but it gets less busy as you move away from it.

On our most recent trip,

we also stayed in this part of Xiong Wan,

which is very quiet.

Central is your jump-off point to two popular attractions,

Victoria Peak and Ocean Park.

So if your itinerary has these two sites on two separate days,

this may be a good base.

Central is also easily accessible.

There is a direct bus from the airport,

which is the A11 bus.

But most importantly,

there is a direct train.

The Airport Express,

which is the fastest way to get to the city center.

You can reach Central in roughly 30 minutes from the airport,

which is significantly quicker than taking the bus

or multiple regular train rides,

especially at rush hours.

If you want to book a seat on the Airport Express train,

you can reserve in advance on Clock 2.

We'll add the link in the description and pinned comment.

Another big pro for Central is that

it's dotted with countless iconic foodie spots,

and many of them are affordable.

Some are even awarded with a Michelin Bib Gourmand or Michelin stars.

I've stayed at the Central area a number of times,

and I loved it each time because of these restaurants.

There's even a food tour around the district.

While many hotels in Central District are upscale,

it is not impossible to find relatively inexpensive places to stay,

especially in the Sheung Wan area.

So, is Central the perfect base in Hong Kong?

What's the catch?

As much as I adore Central,

it's not for everyone.

It is hilly.

The ground is very uneven,

and there are a lot of stairs.

Walking around can be exhausting if you're not used to it,

and it can be very challenging for those with mobility issues.

And although not as bad as Kowloon hotels,

space here is also costly,

so expect tiny cozy rooms.

Before I move on to the next spot,

I'd also like to mention neighboring Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.

They are located in administrative districts separate from Central,

but to be honest,

as tourists,

you won't feel the difference.

But these two are popular among expats,

so they do feel more cosmopolitan.

Causeway Bay is also a shopping and entertainment hub,

and is often recommended for families.

At this point, I'd like to show you the map again.

This is the Hong Kong International Airport,

as mentioned, located on reclaimed land on Chek Lap Kok Island,

just off Lantau Island.

This area close to the airport is called Sky City,

which harbors several reputable hotels.

And this part of Lantau Island closest to the airport is called Tung Chung.

Many of the lists of best places to stay that you'll find online

don't even mention these two areas.

So why am I telling you this?

Simple, because I disagree.

Don't dismiss them right away.

I actually believe that in many cases,

these two places may be ideal for some travelers.

Huh? You might be asking,

but Yosh, it's so far away and detached from the city center.

Why would you think it's a good idea to stay here at all?

Well, hear me out.

It's not for everyone,

but if it's your first time and staying in Hong Kong for four days or shorter,

and your itinerary involves a full day at Hong Kong Disneyland,

a visit to Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car which will take you to the Big Buddha,

or perhaps with a day tour at Tai Oven,

Tai O Village,

and you're also going to do a Macau side trip,

well, look at this map.

The airport is here, Disneyland here,

the Ngong Ping Cable Car is here,

the Big Buddha here,

and to get to Macau,

you'll need to make it through the Hong Kong-Juhai-Macau Bridge Port,

which is where?

Yep, right here.

If your hotel is here in Kowloon or Central Area,

you're gonna be spending a lot of time and money

just to get to this part over and over again.

So why not just book your hotel here

at either the Sky City or in Tungchong?

Most of the hotels here offer free bus transfer

to and from the airport and Tungchong MTR Station.

Yep, completely free of charge.

And there's usually a bus every 30 minutes or so.

Most hotels here are a bit high-end,

Marriott, Sheraton, and the like,

but its prices are competitive,

much much lower compared to its counterparts in the city center

and sometimes up to par with mid-range ones.

For example,

last year, we visited in peak season.

We booked two hotels,

a supposedly budget hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui

and this more upscale hotel in Tungchong.

For the TST Hotel,

we paid 930 HKD per night.

Yes, I know it's still steep,

but this was really one of the cheapest we found for that period.

But within the same time frame,

this room at 4 points by Sheraton in Tungchong

costs 990 HKD per night.

That's only a 60 HKD difference per night

and there's a big difference in the experience.

Our room in Tungchong was at a full-service hotel

and was much much much more spacious.

And cleaner too.

But this area has its cons.

First, very limited affordable dining options.

We had to make sure we had dinner elsewhere

before coming back to the hotel

with the expensive in-house restaurants.

That or the convenience store.

And yes, obviously, as mentioned,

it's far from the city center.

But you can work around it.

Just design your itinerary in a way that would allow you to visit

the Kowloon and Hong Kong Island attractions in one day or so,

so you'd still get to see the city center efficiently.

Again, this is not for everyone.

If your itinerary calls for more time in the city center,

then don't book a hotel here.

But if you have the Disneyland, Ngong Ting, and Macau trifecta

in your travel plans, consider this.

And oh, I forget.

The City Gate Outlet Mall is also here in Tungchong

near the Ngong Ting Cable Car Station.

So it has shopping perks too.

So, out of all the areas we described,

which is the absolute best?

And again, I'd have to answer with that depends on your itinerary.

If most of the places you're gonna visit are in Lantau Island like Disneyland,

Ngong Ting 360, and you're doing a day trip to Macau,

I really think Sky City and Tungchong are your best bets.

If your itinerary involves multiple days in the city center,

then stay in either Kowloon or Hong Kong Island.

If you're a foodie, I recommend you stay in Central or Xiong Wan District.

If you like shopping and night markets,

and you're working with a very tight budget,

stay in Mongkok or Tsim Sha Tsui.

As for me, if you ask me to choose without any set itinerary,

I'd pick Central and Xiong Wan.

It has all the things I want in a neighbor home,

especially easy access from the airport whether by bus or by airport express train,

and it's also close to key attractions like Victoria Peak,

and there are a lot of delicious food spots.

So, yep, it's the Central Xiong Wan area for me.

But that's just me.

How about you?

Have you tried staying at any of these districts?

Which one is your favorite?

Let us know in the comment section below.

If you want to search for hotels, check their rates, or book one,

just click on the link in the description or pinned comment.

If you're booking with Klook,

use the promo code ThePoorTraveler for big discounts.

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