After exploring the main attractions of Ngong Ping Village and Tai O Waterside Village on Lantau Island, I boarded the free bus provided at Ngong Ping Village to return to Tung Chung Station. (Since the cable car was undergoing renovations and not operational, they were temporarily providing free bus service.)
Although taking the bus back to Tung Chung Station took much more time compared to the cable car ride, I still had plenty of time before my flight. Since there wasn’t much to do at the airport even if I arrived early, I decided to spend some more time at Tung Chung Station.
“Starbucks at Tung Chung Station, Hong Kong”
I spent some time exploring places like Citygate Outlets near Tung Chung Station, but I still had plenty of time on my hands. While I considered having dinner since it was dinner time, I wasn’t particularly hungry, so I didn’t feel like having a full meal.
Wondering where to spend my time, I decided to visit the Starbucks nearby that caught my eye. I had visited a Starbucks in Central Hong Kong during my trip, but that one had a “Bing Sutt” concept, which was different from a regular Starbucks. This time, I could experience the atmosphere of a typical Starbucks cafe in Hong Kong.
- Starbucks Hong Kong Bing Sutt Concept Store: Starbucks Bing Sutt: Reviving the 1950s-60s Cafe Concept in Hong Kong
“Cafe on the 1st Floor of Citygate, Starbucks”
I found Starbucks on the 1st floor of Citygate Outlets. However, it’s worth noting that the cafe entrance is not inside the outlets but can be found outside.
When you exit towards the entrance from Tung Chung MTR Station in Hong Kong’s subway, it’s clearly visible.
“Hong Kong Starbucks, Not Much Different from Korea’s”
The Starbucks I spent time at in Tung Chung Station, Hong Kong, wasn’t much different from Starbucks locations in Korea. It had the typical style you’d find in a neighborhood Starbucks, and even the menu didn’t differ significantly from what we have.
“The Store’s Ambiance, Influenced by China, Might Feel a Bit Messy”
However, perhaps because it’s a local area frequented mostly by Chinese visitors, the Starbucks store was a bit messy.
Unlike Koreans, Chinese people tend not to clear their tables or clean up after eating. They believe that the cost they paid includes the service of employees clearing and tidying up the tables.
When I visited the Starbucks store, I could see empty seats, but there was trash left behind by previous customers scattered around. I could also observe employees coming to clear tables when they had the chance. If they didn’t, the tables remained untidy.
Considering that Hong Kong has a large population of Chinese residents, it’s something that can’t be helped. On my last day in Hong Kong, it allowed me to truly experience the local vibe of Hong Kong.
“Starbucks at Tung Chung Station, Citygate”
- Address: Shop G19, CityGate, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, Tung Chung, Hong Kong
- Phone Number: +852 2109 1227
- Website: http://www.starbucks.com.hk
- Operating Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM