Hong Kong tram: best way to explore the city

Few transports in the world have a better value for money, looks and charm like the Hong Kong tram haves, this itself is something noteworthy!. Hong Kong tram gives the city a very intimate feel. I recommend it to all the travelers that venture to explore this city, as its both an inexpensive and relaxed way of exploring this chaotic city. In fact, the tram can only be taken in the north of the island of Hong Kong, one of the most colorful and authentic areas of the city, so you will enjoy magnificent Hong Kong views from the second floor of this double decked vehicle.

hong kong tram

Hong Kong tram: cheapest fun

Streetcar service in Hong Kong is an institution, it was founded in 1904, and nowadays the fleet is completely renovated and furnished with advertisements from some of the first big global firms. Seems that no romanticism resists the strong Hong Kong dollar momentum. The tram service only has 14.4 kilometers of track. Because of this tram route attracts mainly tourists, and probably this is one of the main reasons is maintained these days. They cover the route that goes from Kennedy Town in Western District, to Shau Kei Wan in the east of the island. It is the best way to cross Hong Kong Island from end to end, and in just a few minutes. As if this not enough, the price is unbeatable. A ticket in the Hong Kong trams cost only 2.30 HKD (30 USD cents) that can be paid only by cash, or using a Octopus card. Yeah, this cheap in Hong Kong, one of the most expensive cities in the world.

If you want to enjoy the experience, you should know that the tram is taken from the rear. And when you are leaving is when you must introduce the 2,3 HKD$ in a box. I recommend you to carry the right amount because change is not given back. The tram tour covered this part of Central can be easily done on foot. However, it is very interesting that at least once, taking the tram and see the city from the front seats of the second floor. Get comfortable and enjoy the beautiful skyscrapers and luxury shops in Des Voeux Road. When you come get down, you can find the most authentic Hong Kong in Sheung Wan district.

So Hong Kong trams are cheap and charming, a fascinating ride that can be enjoyed for so little money anywhere. That has a lot of merit.

Hong Kong trams in Central District

Getting lost on purpose in the center of Hong Kong

Sai Ying Pun, which would mean West Camp, is an anomaly in the urban chaos of Hong Kong, and the explanation for this anomaly probably lies in his name. Here we have three parallel streets in a neighborhood, they are called Western Street, Centre Street and Eastern Street. From here connect to “Des Voeux West Road”, which is transited by trams, that cross Queen’s Road, parallel to it, and climb up the slope to Bonham Road, which marks the border with Mid-Levels (the residential neighborhood in which we can go up the escalator, so well photographed by Wong Kai-War in the second part of Chunking Express), don’t miss this.

At “Centre Street” a market can be found. Scattered all throughout the neighborhood, opposed to the Westernized appearance of the shops and restaurants of the Mid-Levels neighbors, here we have an assortment of noodle factories, artisans bamboo, Chinese pastry shops, bazaars… A fragrant conglomerate specialized in basically dried seafood, with a great display of boxes occupying the sidewalks and bustling activity all day long.

If we take the tram at the stop Eastern Street toward North Point, we can quickly leave this dimension of sea monsters; the strange climax is a Thai grocery store that offers crocodiles, protected by two specimens dissected in standing position. The last vision before leaving is the tram circulates parallel to the ominous Connaught Road that ends in to the Western Market, a Edwardian building, a relic miraculously saved from demolition which is the only centenary building of the area still standing, and one of the very few in town.

A few minutes later the tram arrives through a mix of skyscrapers, luxury shopping malls and walkways that connect in Central district and Admiralty. This is where we can enjoy the increased intensity of the music produced by the wooden tram bell. That attempts to run through, ringing insistently to push the crowd. The chant of the vendors screaming in Cantonese to sell their wares, is the best letter that can put to this unusual melody.

Hong Kong Tram at Central district