With China's nine-day Spring Festival holiday beginning today, the Hong Kong Palace Museum's Ancient Egypt-themed exhibition has become a popular stop for crowds arriving at Hong Kong West Station.
Zhejiang sisters' short getaway from the New Year gatherings
In an interview with Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, the Ba sisters from Zhejiang revealed they arrived yesterday to avoid the holiday rush, kicking off their seven-day Hong Kong getaway with late-night shopping and Cantonese desserts in Mong Kok.
Their second day in the city began at the HKPM, where the ancient Egyptian treasures drew them in.
The younger sister confessed that aside from a planned Disneyland visit, their itinerary remains delightfully open-ended.
"Going home for Chinese New Year isn't that exciting—it's just endless visiting relatives," she remarked, "That's why we chose to travel instead."
The sisters plan to pick up cosmetics and healthcare products as gifts for their mother before heading home.
Also visiting the HKPM was Tella, a traveler from Jiangxi, who described the Egyptian exhibition as possessing a mysterious energy.
With free time before the Chinese New Year, Tella made the journey alone to see the exhibition, something she had been interested in since its launch.
She left with more than memories—a HK$300 blind box yielded her most-wanted item: a black cat plush charm. "It's adorable," she beamed.
Tella revealed spending around HK$5,000 on cookies, face masks, and hand cream for her parents, admitting with a laugh, "I didn't plan any of my expenses. I just bought whatever caught my eye."
AI itinerary for Shenzhen family's day trip
Shenzhen resident Wu brought his family for a one-day trip in Hong Kong, with AI assistance planning the itinerary.
He said their day began at the HKPM and will conclude with a view of Victoria Harbour before heading home to celebrate the New Year, with no shopping planned.
Wu called the experience "fascinating," noting he'd learned more about Egyptian culture than expected. "We might even go back in for another look," he added.
HK$50,000 for luxury
For others, a trip to Hong Kong isn't complete without shopping as crowds packed Canton Road this afternoon, with queues snaking outside luxury boutiques.
Wang from Guangzhou brought her family of six to Hong Kong for the first time this New Year. She commented that the city felt surprisingly comfortable despite the holiday rush.
Planning to return on Wednesday (Feb 18), Wang shared that her family has already spent around HK$50,000, primarily on designer handbags and belts.
She added that they would also stock up on cosmetics and skincare products later, noting they will buy whatever the fancy—"since we've come all this way."
For their four-day trip, Wang shared that they booked two rooms in Tsim Sha Tsui—costing roughly HK$10,000—which is more reasonable than she expected.
She further praised the convenient location of the hotel, which is close to the shopping malls and the ferry station.
Like many mainland travellers, Wang admitted her itinerary was copied from users on Xiaohongshu.
With elderly parents and children, she underlined the importance of convenience, including plans to visit Waso Cafe, the Avenue of Stars, Victoria Harbour, and the Space Museum—all of which are easily accessible in the urban area.
Meanwhile, Du from Hangzhou took a different approach, arriving four days before the peak season for a shopping trip with her aunt.
"We wanted to experience Hong Kong's festive atmosphere, and it's been wonderful," Du said. "The city feels just as festive as the mainland—maybe even more so."
Du revealed their haul ranged from New Year gifts to designer handbags, with the pair spending approximately HK$30,000 in total.
"We literally bought until we couldn't pack anymore," she chuckled, adding that they bought an extra suitcase to accommodate their haul.
