Guangdong Guest House, which is located in the famous backpacker’s mecca – Chungking Mansions, is the place to stay if you are looking for great location in Hong Kong with a budget price. Actually, Chungking Mansions are known as nearly the cheapest place to stay in with walking distance to all attractions in Hong Kong.
With its bizarre look and inside structure in can be compared to Kowloon Walled City (Call of Duty fans will love).
This place is worth a visit!
Guangdong Guest House is located on the 5th floor of one of four 17 stories building that together make Chungking Mansions. There is another hostel on that floor which also belongs to Simon, the host of Guangdong.
Simon is a great host. He helped me with my heavy bags, kept it in his room for several hours (we arrived early) and suggested place to visit and to buy tea. He also agreed to change our room when we felt a bad smell from some kitchen next to our “window”.
Be prepared to experience one of the smallest hostel rooms you have ever stayed in. This is very common for Hong Kong due to the cost of the land. Although the size of the room is very small it is also very logical and well thought through.
Room has everything you need without an extra pay which is super cool. You get all things for the shower including towels and toothbrush. You can ask for fresh towels every day. All rooms have small private bathroom.
Tip: if you want a bit bigger room with double bed and a bit more privacy as for the last room on the right. It is the room in the very end of the corridor. Avoid first room on the left of the corridor. It’s “window” is next to a window of some sort of an Indian restaurant on the same floor and you will get smoke from the kitchen into your room.
Both, door on the floor to the Guest House and door to your room have card-lock. Even though Chungking Mansions look a bit “scary” it is a safe place. You will notice security guards on the first and second floor (where most of the shops are) and video cameras everywhere, including stairs.
Tip: Due to only 4 elevators in the building you will end up in a long queue it can be that you will have to wait 15 or more minutes just the get to your hostel. Find stairs. They are not the cleanest place but they will save you a lot of time.
Getting to Chungking Mansions from Hong Kong airport
I assume if you are planning to stay in Guangdong Guest House you are looking for a budget way of getting to that place from the airport. Try to take bus A21 (double-decker) from the airport. This line goes through all the major streets of Kowloon Island (where your hostel is located). It will take you around an hour to get to the place and the bus stops right next to Chungking Mansion entrance.
Tip: Pay attention on the buildings outside the bus window. The thing is that when you book your room at the guest house you will get an email with directions of how to get to the place by bus. It tells you the name of the stop and the number of the stop (something like stop number 14). Don’t put too much trust on counting the stops as the bus does not make a stop on every single one. Better would be to keep an eye on the entrance of the Chungking Mansions building.
Check out the video about Chungking Mansions and have a great time in Hong Kong!
