Popular Travel Courses Under 300 Yuan on SNS
Shopping and Tourism Lose Competitiveness, "Day Trips Are Enough"
Hong Kong, once known among Chinese people as a 'luxury travel destination,' is now emerging as an 'ultra-budget' day-trip tourist spot. The popular itinerary on social networking services (SNS) involves arriving early in the morning, exploring various parts of the city without spending on accommodation, and returning the same day.
On the 13th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that hashtags such as 'One-day Hong Kong' and 'Tourism Special Forces' are trending on the local SNS Xiaohongshu. Posts containing related content have garnered over 54 million views, attracting significant attention.
The posts include detailed maps and travel schedules, suggesting ways to visit major attractions within a day while spending only 300 yuan (about 55,500 KRW). Visitors take trams and seek out free exhibitions, then dine at restaurants serving light meals like Hong Kong-style milk tea and French toast. Instead of paying for Hong Kong’s notoriously expensive accommodation, travelers prefer to return to mainland Shenzhen to stay at more affordable and spacious hotels.
According to SCMP, the price of a deluxe king room at the 5-star Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is 4,050 Hong Kong dollars (about 693,100 KRW) per night, whereas a similar room at the Ritz-Carlton Shenzhen, just across the border, costs 1,210 Hong Kong dollars.
Hong Kong has also lost its reputation as a 'shopping paradise.' The southern island of Hainan, known as the 'Hawaii of China,' has attracted famous luxury brands and offers an annual duty-free limit of 100,000 yuan, which is 20 times higher than Hong Kong’s 5,000 yuan. One traveler told SCMP, "Hong Kong’s exchange rate is not favorable, so it’s not suitable for shopping," adding, "If you want to shop, you can go to Hainan and buy things cheaper."
Simon Li Siu-po, Honorary Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Institute of Business at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained, "Since the Chinese economy is still facing difficulties, tourists want to spend their money wisely," and added, "They prefer day trips to Hong Kong rather than staying for two or three days." Li further noted, "Neighboring Macau offers unique attractions such as Portuguese cuisine, various heritage sites, and casinos," and said, "Hong Kong’s entertainment options can be easily accessed from the mainland at lower prices."
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