Yo, welcome to the next part of my Hong Kong series. Have been pretty busy with life lately; I have a lot of Hong Kong pictures, but I'm wondering which of them are interesting enough to share.
Would you like Tsui Wah review? Or a Tim Ho Wan review? I have this nice place in Wanchai for porridge if you are interested as well (visited only by locals). And Neptune Porridge in Wanchai? Finally, Yee Shun Dairy? So many places, I'm not too sure what would interest you people.
Anyway, I decided to share this interesting article about how to take the tram in Hong Kong. It is an interesting experience, so don't be frightened away by taking it just because you are intimidated. It's as easy as Singapore's ez-link.
Have you ever taken the tram in HK?
It is quite a useful and quick way to travel across HK island; especially from Central to Causeway Bay - saves a lot of walking. Although the MTR is accessible, often the station is buried deep underground and you have do walk tons to get to your destination. For example, Times Square in Causeway Bay is connected to the MTR, but you will have to walk at least 10 -15 minutes from the MTR stop to get to Times Square. By then, you are pretty much tired, and I doubt the older folks can take so much walking. Instead, the tram is much better because it stops very near to Times Square and saves all that walking. Plus the tram is pretty frequent and you get to enjoy the view from the top.
Without further ado, let's take a look at some pictures:
Along Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, you will actually see trams along the main Hennessy Road. There are quite a number of stops in between and it's not difficult to find as along you locate the tram tracks. There are various tram routes but most plough between the arterial Hennessy Road.
For a comprehensive route map, refer to http://www.hktramways.com/en/tramservice/routemapeastbound.html
The tram stops at every stop, so no worry about missing the tram.
When the tram stops, you will see the driver.
As tempting as it is and as usual as your reaction is, do NOT board from the front! Strange as it seems, the HK tram is meant to be board from the BACK. The front is for alighting passengers. So instead, move to the back of the tram.
Sorry for the blur picture, but this is the back door. When it opens, just calmly board and enter the tram. At the stage, you do not need to worry about anything. Just enjoy the ride.
This is what you see after you have boarded. Even inside the tram, there are reminders that the back is for boarding passengers only.
This is the back of the tram. Historical remnants. I don't think the controls work anymore. The guy standing there must be wondering wtf this guy is doing taking pictures of the tram.
Unfortunately, the tram was full when I boarded. Note that the tram is quite popular among the locals. Was it because tourists do not dare to take it? In Singapore, trams like these are usually for tourists.
The upper deck offers better views. Since the lower deck is full, I took the stairs up.
The upper deck looks pretty full too, but I managed to get a seat at the back. It's ok to stand at the upper deck. I have taken the trams during rush hours and had to be forced to stand even when upstairs. It can be difficult to squeeze out to the exit, so take note - although the HK people are used to giving way when you ask them.
You can take gorgeous photos from the upper deck - from Central.
Moving into Wanchai...
Taken from the tram - misty Wanchai market in the morning.
Anyway, before I get too carried away from the pictures, once you are nearing your stop, proceed to the exit, which turns out to be the front of the tram.
This is what you will see - a device for you to tap your Octopus card. Oh wait, I forgot to mention about needing an Octopus card!
It's not the end of the world, you could pay the driver exact change as well. The fare is actually only HKD2.3 for adults - which is very little. You could just round off and pay HKD5 or HKD3 exact. I haven't seen anyone paying the driver cash yet, though I have heard stories that the driver does give change back. I had always used the Octopus card - any comments?
Anyway, that is the Octopus card device. When the tram stops, the driver will open the door. Tap your Octopus card and alight!
Now you know why the exit is in front - to make sure you have paid the fare!! Regardless of how much you traveled, or how long you took the tram, the fare is standardised, so it'd kindof more worth it to travel longer distances. But hey, the fare is damn cheap for the convenience!
This was where I alighted - Causeway Bay! Kwun Kee Tailor was right in front - they used to sponsor a lot of the mens' suits in TVB and ATV dramas.
Enjoy your tram ride! I enjoyd mine. :)
P.S: The tram is non-air conditioned. In summer it can get pretty stuffy, so do take that into consideration.
Would you like Tsui Wah review? Or a Tim Ho Wan review? I have this nice place in Wanchai for porridge if you are interested as well (visited only by locals). And Neptune Porridge in Wanchai? Finally, Yee Shun Dairy? So many places, I'm not too sure what would interest you people.
Anyway, I decided to share this interesting article about how to take the tram in Hong Kong. It is an interesting experience, so don't be frightened away by taking it just because you are intimidated. It's as easy as Singapore's ez-link.
Have you ever taken the tram in HK?
It is quite a useful and quick way to travel across HK island; especially from Central to Causeway Bay - saves a lot of walking. Although the MTR is accessible, often the station is buried deep underground and you have do walk tons to get to your destination. For example, Times Square in Causeway Bay is connected to the MTR, but you will have to walk at least 10 -15 minutes from the MTR stop to get to Times Square. By then, you are pretty much tired, and I doubt the older folks can take so much walking. Instead, the tram is much better because it stops very near to Times Square and saves all that walking. Plus the tram is pretty frequent and you get to enjoy the view from the top.
Without further ado, let's take a look at some pictures:
Along Central, Wanchai, Causeway Bay, you will actually see trams along the main Hennessy Road. There are quite a number of stops in between and it's not difficult to find as along you locate the tram tracks. There are various tram routes but most plough between the arterial Hennessy Road.
For a comprehensive route map, refer to http://www.hktramways.com/en/tramservice/routemapeastbound.html
The tram stops at every stop, so no worry about missing the tram.
When the tram stops, you will see the driver.
As tempting as it is and as usual as your reaction is, do NOT board from the front! Strange as it seems, the HK tram is meant to be board from the BACK. The front is for alighting passengers. So instead, move to the back of the tram.
Sorry for the blur picture, but this is the back door. When it opens, just calmly board and enter the tram. At the stage, you do not need to worry about anything. Just enjoy the ride.
This is what you see after you have boarded. Even inside the tram, there are reminders that the back is for boarding passengers only.
This is the back of the tram. Historical remnants. I don't think the controls work anymore. The guy standing there must be wondering wtf this guy is doing taking pictures of the tram.
The upper deck offers better views. Since the lower deck is full, I took the stairs up.
The upper deck looks pretty full too, but I managed to get a seat at the back. It's ok to stand at the upper deck. I have taken the trams during rush hours and had to be forced to stand even when upstairs. It can be difficult to squeeze out to the exit, so take note - although the HK people are used to giving way when you ask them.
You can take gorgeous photos from the upper deck - from Central.
Moving into Wanchai...
Taken from the tram - misty Wanchai market in the morning.
Anyway, before I get too carried away from the pictures, once you are nearing your stop, proceed to the exit, which turns out to be the front of the tram.
This is what you will see - a device for you to tap your Octopus card. Oh wait, I forgot to mention about needing an Octopus card!
It's not the end of the world, you could pay the driver exact change as well. The fare is actually only HKD2.3 for adults - which is very little. You could just round off and pay HKD5 or HKD3 exact. I haven't seen anyone paying the driver cash yet, though I have heard stories that the driver does give change back. I had always used the Octopus card - any comments?
Anyway, that is the Octopus card device. When the tram stops, the driver will open the door. Tap your Octopus card and alight!
Now you know why the exit is in front - to make sure you have paid the fare!! Regardless of how much you traveled, or how long you took the tram, the fare is standardised, so it'd kindof more worth it to travel longer distances. But hey, the fare is damn cheap for the convenience!
This was where I alighted - Causeway Bay! Kwun Kee Tailor was right in front - they used to sponsor a lot of the mens' suits in TVB and ATV dramas.
Enjoy your tram ride! I enjoyd mine. :)
P.S: The tram is non-air conditioned. In summer it can get pretty stuffy, so do take that into consideration.
Great post! I came across this while looking around on TripAdvisor.
ReplyDeleteI'm going home to HK in a few weeks here, and as odd as it sounds, I've never taken the ding ding! Well.. I didn't grow up in HK Island but rather in the New Territories. So the next time I'm home, taking the ding ding will be a must :)
Thanks for sharing again!
-Ourchived
Thanks for your comments! Take the ding ding; why not share your experience too? :)
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