Visiting Hong Kong During its Time of Crisis

The city is safe, yet a shell of its former self

Victoria Harbor, beautiful and peaceful as ever, despite the violence

If you’ve been keeping up with global news you know that Hong Kong is currently experiencing its fifth consecutive month of anti-government protests, with recent events becoming increasingly violent. It all began when the Special Administrative Region’s Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, proposed an extradition bill — a move seen as a threatening power grab by the Beijing government. Although the bill was put on hold the protests continued, calling for complete autonomy from the Communist Party of China (CCP). You may be wondering whether the city is safe to visit, and as I sit in the common room of my Tsim Sha Tsui hostel writing this, even I lack a definitive answer. One thing is for certain — Hong Kong will never be the same.

November 17, 2019 — protestors destroy sidewalk to construct roadblocks

As far as safety goes, it depends on the type of traveler you are. So instead of making sweeping statements on the overall ‘safeness’ of Hong Kong, I will present my experience and allow you to form your own conclusions. I arrived in Hong Kong on November 17, and while my flight was still in the air a turning point in the conflict occurred — soldiers from the People’s…