Kowloon Free Tour: Uncover Hidden Stories and Socioeconomic Realities of Hong Kong

Uncover the concealed stories and socioeconomic realities of Hong Kong on our Kowloon Free Tour. Visit wet markets, explore wealth disparities, and see how low-income families survive in this vibrant metropolis.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • MTR Prince Edward Station - Discover why Hong Kong’s housing is among the world’s least affordable and consider the solvability of this issue amidst high prices and limited space.
  • Portland Street - Observe the architectural transformation from traditional four-story buildings to modern 30-story skyscrapers that encapsulate Hong Kong’s housing evolution.
  • Cedar Street - Experience the stark reality of a subdivided unit, offering a personal perspective on the city’s pressing housing crisis.
  • Lui Seng Chun - Sample herbal tea while hearing our guide’s firsthand account of tackling daily housing challenges in Hong Kong.
  • Lai Chi Kok Road & Boundary Street - Uncover hidden subdivided flats while learning about the range of subdivided housing in Hong Kong.
  • Hai Tan Street - Examine how Hong Kong maintains a low tax rate through land sales in the midst of gentrification and its effects on public finance.
  • Sham Shui Po - Tour finishes at Sham Shui Po MTR Station
What's Included
  • Local guide
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Uncover the naked truth behind the glittering facade of Hong Kong on Dark Side of Hong Kong Tour. Unlike any other tours in the market, this unique experience brings you face to face with the concealed stories of this vibrant metropolis.

Join us on a journey to see Hong Kong in a more realistic light and gain a deeper understanding of the true stories of its people. Sign up now for a thought-provoking and eye-opening tour.

  • Learn more about the wealth disparities of Hong Kong
  • Visit a REAL subdivided unit and see how low-income families survive in this city
Location
Prince Edward Station
Nathan Road
Prince Edward MTR Station Exit D - Concourse Level (INSIDE the station)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(200 Ratings)
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Excursion44359927880
Jul 5, 2024
A great way to understand life in HK - I absolutely loved this tour as it was something different. The guide Kiyo did a fantastic job explaining how Hong Kong has changed over time and gave some insight to why there is some unrest in how HK is growing. The tour gave me insights into the housing issues, the wealth gap, homelessness, drug addiction, the sex industry and politics. I think that if you want to see beyond the glitz of the everyday HK then this is the tour for you. Thank you for showing visitors another side to HK!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kimberly_q
Jul 4, 2024
Great tour for those interested in social issues - This is a great tour for those who are looking to learn more about the social issues in Hong Kong. I thought the length was perfect (~2.5 hours) and covered topics that I never would've learned through other tours. The tour guide was also excellent.
Review provided by Viator
Simonaway
Jul 1, 2024
Quite the insight. - Isaac was our tour guide and he did an amazing job. Super informative and happy to answer all questions with honesty. No sugar-coating what it's like living in Hong Kong these days. Whilst I was under no illusion that the shiny buildings and bright lights of Hong Kong harbour was not the REAL Hong Kong, I didn't appreciate just how stark the differences would be. I still can't quite get over the cost of rent on the tiny subdivided unit we saw. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Hong Kong. I think it's important when travelling to see beyond the shiny façade of the tourism posters.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peter_perfect_peter
Jul 1, 2024
Step into the dark side. A tour with a twist. - Very interesting look at the not so glamorous side of Hong Kong. This is a part of Hong Kong you would never think of visiting. How people live in such situations is mind boggling. Isaac, was knowlegeable and kept the tour moving along at a an easy speed. well worth the effort.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wolffienz
Jun 30, 2024
Well worth the time. - A very enjoyable afternoon travelling in a part of the city which seems more local and less touristy. Of particular interest was the real estate information, how much things cost, how people get into public housing, how developers do their thing and of course how the housing looks and feels. Thank you. Hint - pack insect repellant in summer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
767liml
Jun 2, 2024
Glimpse of Reality in Hong Kong - Behind the face of Happy, Vibrant and with delicious food Hong Kong, we know that the country is also deeply rooted with existing social issues which we as tourists, just can't see and appreciate fully. That was where this tour was so delightfully informative. Our tour guide, Kiyo took us around Prince Edward and Sham Shui Po area and what i loved is the way of his storytelling via a chronology, and he'd point out real life indications happening around us. Neighbouring touristy areas like Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Yau Ma Tei, you'd wouldn't believe that the poorest area in HK is in Sham Shui Po and what/how/why the HK government has been/is doing to resolve existing social issues like homelessness, drug addiction etc. This tour definitely made me richer with knowledge of HK, and I definitely can appreciate better whatever the country is doing for its people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leighton_b
May 11, 2024
Very interesting and factual - Very interesting and educational trip I really enjoyed seeing the other side to Hong Kong and the tour guide was very fantastic and definitely knew his subject
Review provided by Viator
Diane
May 9, 2024
Eye opening. - The dark side is right. I had no idea this was happening in Hong Kong. Definitely worth doing this tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and honest about the "other side". So sad that people are forced to Iive this way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brenda_n
Jul 11, 2024
Behind the scenes in Hong Kong - Seeing poorer areas and the reality of accommodation that the poorest live in was important to me and memorable.
Review provided by Viator
Rmedway
May 23, 2024
Dark side of Kowloon - The tour of Kowloon was very informative and definitely showed us a single of Hong Kong we would never had experienced as tourists. I totally recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 4 guests
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September 2024
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