Dark Side of Hong Kong - Kowloon Caged Homes Walking Tour
Description
While Hong Kong is known as a thriving international finance center, visitors are often only shown the bright side of the city, with popular attractions like The Peak, Victoria Harbour, and Big Buddha taking center stage. But what about the 1.5 million people living in poverty, making Hong Kong one of the most unequal places on earth? Our tour delves into the heart of Hong Kong’s capitalist system, giving you a first-hand look at the grim reality many of its citizens face. You’ll visit a subdivided unit in one of the city’s poorest districts - Sham Shui Po, providing a stark contrast to the economic prosperity that seems so abundant. 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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Uncover why Hong Kong is ranked the world's #1 least affordable city and see how a typical 500 sq ft apartment is subdivided into five 100 sq ft units.
Explore how post-war population growth, a low-tax capitalistic economic model, and scarce land supply created a perfect storm for Hong Kong's housing crisis.
Step inside a 100 sq ft subdivided flat where the kitchen, bed, and living space for a minimum-wage family, and see a caged home designed for a single resident.
Over a cup of herbal tea, visit a declared monument in Hong Kong which is also a Tong Lau, designed for housing subdivision since colonial times.
Glimpse the hidden underworld in Sham Shui Po’s backstreets and learn about the illicit ties between the drug and sex trades.
Witness the stark contrast of new USD$ 1.5 million apartments standing side-by-side with a dense cluster of subdivided units and caged homes.
Ascend to a rooftop in central Sham Shui Po to explore the hidden slums and witness the Hong Kong they don't put on postcards.
Visit SoCo, a charity with 50 years of history advocating for the marginalized, and discuss solutions for the city’s future.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(520)
It was an exciting journey. Many thanks to our guide Michael, who showed us the unusual Hong Kong in detail. Our guide is a sociable and educated person.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Not bad. It's a little more detailed. The narrow living space is still a bit shocking.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
I could see another part of Hong Kong that was not visited by tourists. Right next to the glitzy building, I was shocked to see the challenges Hong Kong was facing, but it was also a fact that I was brave enough to hear the real-life experience of my guide Wind. House prices are rising with inflation, not just in Hong Kong. It was also an opportunity for him to think about how he should live under such circumstances.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Very impressive. Guide Michael grew up in Hong Kong, was then employed in the financial sector in the USA for 10 years, and then returned to his homeland, where he founded the company that offers the tours.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Just did the Dark Side tour with Michael which was a wonderful educational experience. The whole topic of housing and poverty was handled very delicately and sensitively and you could see it was a subject Michael felt very passionate about. If you want to see and talk about the societal and political issues in Hong Kong you will enjoy this tour. It’s a chance to take a look under the glossy veneer of such a thriving city done in a very intelligent and interesting way.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Good tour for those who desire a more honest look at the lives behind all the touristy places that tourists will usually see. Thanks!
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Really enjoyed this tour. Our guide, Wind, was very knowledgeable and engaging. Would highly recommend.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Deryk is a well rounded guide. Before the tour, he kept us posted since there was a heavy rain going on. During the trip, he is versatile and reminded us what will be the expectations, things to do and not to. He informed us about the housing situation in Hong Kong in a manner where even visitors and travelers could better understand. We learned a lot during the trip where landlords and even the government are blindsided of the situations despite of the policies they made. We couldn’t imagine with my friends living in 100ft area of space where all of your stuff are there.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
This tour is an absolute must-do for every tourist in Hong Kong. Our brilliant tour guide, Summer Chan, gave us a very informative insight into the housing crisis in Hong Kong; not only by taking us inside an exemplary small housing unit, but also by drawing our attention to the housing listings and prices displayed by a local estate agency and by sharing her own experience as a young professional in Hong Kong. The tour ends in a lively market area where you can grab some amazing food.
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
Very Nice tour! We loved it! Jasmin was a enthousiastic tourguide with a lot of knowledge and a personal touch she gives us! So very thank you for this excellent experience!!
Thank You very much for your review. If we are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve you next time, please book direct at our tour company website by searching the tour name on the internet. Often time we are better positioned to serve you on our own platform (think refund, rebook to different date and cancellation situations) in the unlikely case that you may need flexibility in your next travel. See you soon and Thank You for visiting Hong Kong, Michael
