Golden Week Guide

Kicking off the month with a bang on May 1, Hong Kong embraces an influx of visitors from mainland China who arrive to partake in serious shopping, and, if time permits, a little sightseeing as well. Iris Pak and Lauren Weirick explain how to make the most of Golden Week.

What is Golden Week?

The Chinese workforce receives a reprieve from their daily toil during the week of May 1, known as May Day Golden Week. Three Golden Weeks occur every year. In May, Golden Week is a week-long holiday centred on Labour Day. In October, it is based around National Day, and in January or February, the week corresponds to Chinese New Year. Even though the only public holiday in Hong Kong during May Golden Week is Labour Day on Tuesday, May 1, the entire week is an official holiday in mainland China. With a week off, many Chinese residents head to Hong Kong for its world-famous shopping. Last year, around 400,000 visitors from mainland China visited Asia's World City during Golden Week, and this year the figures are expected to be even higher.

The Chinese government initially implemented the three Golden Week holidays in 1999 to boost the Chinese economy through consumption and tourism. Until the 1990s, Chinese employees worked six days a week with only one or two long weekends off a year. Golden Weeks are aimed at improving quality of life, and the May Golden Week recognises the diligent efforts of all labourers. According to the China National Tourism Administration, since the establishment of the three Golden Weeks more than US$70 billion has been spent during 1.3 billion trips during Golden Weeks, marking an increase in spending and travel during these holidays.

However, 2007 may be the last year that the Labour Day Golden Week is officially recognized. In 2006 the Chinese State Council suggested shortening both the Labour Day and the National Day Golden Weeks to only one day each. The extra days would be used to create additional one-day holidays throughout the year, such as for the Dragon Boat Festival in June, the Mid-Autumn Festival in September, and New Year's Eve. The matter is still under debate, but it seems there is no better time to enjoy May Day Golden Week than now.

Why spend Golden Week in Hong Kong?

Location

Hong Kong is easily accessible for mainland tourists. With a week off, the city is far enough away for a vacation, but close enough to reach within a short travel time. Visitors arrive by planes, trains, and boats, with many travel agencies offering May Golden Week deals.

Tourism

In 2003, Hong Kong opened its doors to individual tours from mainland China. Since then, mainlanders have come to the city as part of organised tours, carted around by their distinctive buses and led by red flags through Mongkok, Hung Hom, and Causeway Bay, or as wealthy individuals staying at top hotels and shopping for couture and designer apparel in Central and the Golden Mile of Tsim Sha Tsui. Hotels, stores, transport, amusement parks, and sightseeing destinations all gear up for the holiday.

Spending Power

With a growing middle class, more and more mainlanders are able to travel and spend money during the holiday. If Golden Week is about consumption, Hong Kong is the place to be. The city offers shopping and an abundance of fine hotels. From open-air markets, antiques, and art galleries to malls, high-end boutiques, and flagship stores, the city exudes style. The shopping scene is continually improving, offering more diverse products and goods.

Quality

Shopping in Hong Kong during Golden Week is popular not just because of the range of goods available but because many products come with quality safeguards. The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a stringent Quality Tourism Services (QTS) Scheme. There are also strict laws and regulations on product descriptions, as well as an attentive Consumer Council, Travel Industry Council, Tourism Board, and product associations. By following simple guidelines, Golden Week visitors can shop with confidence in Hong Kong.

Shopping Smart during Golden Week

Four easy-to-follow rules on how to shop wisely

Rule No.1 - Always keep an eye out for the QTS logo.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Quality Tourism Scheme (QTS) is the best way to ensure that your hard-earned cash is well spent. Shops and restaurants participating in the scheme are regularly checked on the likes of customer service, accurate pricing and in supplying quality products. Only QTS shops have this sign on their windows.

Rule No.2 - To play it safe, only shop at large shopping malls.

Hong Kong has fleets of large shopping malls. Mostly, you will find everything you want there, ranging from jewellery to cosmetics. If anything goes wrong with the goods you have purchased, keep the receipt and you may usually exchange the product for a new one within fourteen days. For fashionistas looking for upmarket goods, shopping in Central (The Landmark), Causeway Bay (Lee Garden) and Tsim Sha Tsui (Canton Road and Harbour City) will be your thing!

Rule No.3 - Price check and bargain hard.

If you prefer to shop at independent stores, always check the prices before making a purchase, and try to bargain. If you feel pressured in any way, just walk away. And if you have any sneaking suspicions about the price, take a picture of the product or jot down the shop address, and contact the Consumer Council at 2929 2222.

Rule No.4 - Call the Consumer Council if you are ripped off.

If for some reason you feel you were cheated, for instance if the goods or services do not correspond to their descriptions or if you are dissatisfied, you may contact the Consumer Council. More information on the procedures to follow is provided at www.consumer.org.hk