The 5 most congested roads in Hong Kong. Do you pass by them every day?

When it comes to Hong Kong traffic jams, it's true: "There's traffic jam every day, so you never get used to it!" Whether you're going to work, going to school, buying groceries, or just traveling, there are always a few notorious traffic jams you've heard of, or even pass by every day. Why are these spots always so congested? What are some tips for avoiding them? Using personal experience and data analysis, we'll take a closer look at Hong Kong's five most congested roads!

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1. Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel (CHT)

Why is it congested?

• Unique geographical location : The Cross-Harbour Tunnel connects Kowloon and Hong Kong Island and is the earliest cross-harbour tunnel opened in Hong Kong. The average daily traffic volume has long exceeded the design load.
• Toll booth "bottleneck" effect : In the past, the design of toll booths caused traffic congestion. Although "EasyGo" cashless toll collection has been implemented, traffic pressure remains enormous.
• Confluence of multiple trunk roads : The Kowloon entrance of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel is joined by multiple main roads (Chatham Road South, Hong Chong Road and Gascoigne Road), which affect each other during peak hours.

peak hours

• 7:30am to 10:00am (towards Hong Kong Island)
• 5:00pm to 8:00pm (towards Kowloon)
• Rainy days, holidays, and event days are even more exaggerated

Editor's opinion

"I used to live in Kowloon and take the bus through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel every day to go to work. The worst time I've ever experienced a 300-meter jam lasting an hour, with the driver still sighing, 'We're lucky today!' Even with the MTR, traffic jams are inevitable, especially during major events or accidents, when they can be incredibly frustrating."

Tips for avoiding traffic jams

• Go out earlier/later to avoid peak hours
• Consider the subway/ferry , especially if you're in a hurry
• Pay attention to real-time traffic conditions on traffic apps or radio stations

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2. Eastern Corridor

Why is it congested?

• The Island Eastern Corridor is the main artery connecting Chai Wan, North Point to Quarry Bay , carrying a large amount of traffic from residents and factory areas in the Eastern District.
• It connects to several major entrances and exits , such as the Kwun Tong Bypass and Quarry Bay Interchange, with a crisscross of traffic.
• The traffic jam is even worse during the morning and evening rush hours, when schools are dismissing, and when it rains . Traffic jams often extend from the Island Eastern Corridor to Tai Koo and even Chai Wan.

peak hours

• 7:00am to 10:00am (towards Central)
• 5:00pm to 8:00pm (towards Chai Wan)

Editor's opinion

"I was driving from Chai Wan back to Central on a rainy day. The speed on the Island Eastern Corridor was below 10 kilometres per hour almost the entire time, slower than taking the tram. Along the way, I saw drivers dozing off, students studying, and even people eating breakfast. The train became a mobile living room!"

Tips for avoiding traffic jams

• Try to go out early
• You can consider taking the MTR or bus to transfer
• Watch out for traffic accidents and use alternative routes such as Nam Wan Road and Shau Kei Wan Road

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3. Nathan Road (especially the section between Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok)

Why is it congested?

• Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei are the busiest commercial, shopping and residential areas in Hong Kong , with heavy traffic and pedestrian flow.
• Buses, taxis, and delivery trucks are often parked on the road, and the heavy pedestrian traffic can easily cause traffic congestion.
• Some sections of the road are single-lane and two-way, and when there are illegal parking or loading and unloading of goods, the traffic jams will immediately become long.

peak hours

• Almost all day (especially 12:00-2:00 noon and 5:00-8:00 pm)
• Especially during festivals and holidays

Editor's opinion

"I once went to Mong Kok to buy a computer. It was only a few bus stops away, but I ended up getting stuck in traffic for half an hour. It was even faster than walking. I even saw a driver make a U-turn in a hurry, almost causing a collision."

Tips for avoiding traffic jams

• Try to use the MTR in Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei
• Walking is actually faster and more comfortable
• If driving, pay attention to temporary parking and bus stops on the roadside

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4. Tsing Sha Highway/Tolo Highway (Sha Tin to Tai Wai, Fo Tan section)

Why is it congested?

• The main east-west transportation artery in the New Territories serves as a transportation hub for residents from Shatin, Tai Wai, Fo Tan and the northern New Territories.
• Traffic increases sharply during rush hour, school break, and holiday travel.
• In the event of a traffic accident or bad weather, traffic jams can reach Tolo Harbour or even Ma On Shan.

peak hours

• 6:30am to 9:30am (towards the city)
• 5:00pm to 8:00pm (out of the city)

Editor's opinion

"I once drove to Tai Po on a weekend morning, thinking traffic would be smoother by avoiding rush hour. However, a typhoon and a minor traffic accident left me stuck for two hours, and I couldn't even get out of Fo Tan. I finally understood what it meant to have a traffic jam that affects the entire city!"

Tips for avoiding traffic jams

• Use a traffic app (such as "Hong Kong Easy Travel") to check the real-time road conditions in advance
• In case of an emergency, consider alternative routes such as Shatin Road and Lion Rock Tunnel as soon as possible
• Leave home early and return late on holidays to avoid mainstream travel times

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5. Lion Rock Tunnel

Why is it congested?

• One of the most important thoroughfares connecting Kowloon and the New Territories , it is relied upon by residents of Shatin, Wong Tai Sin, and Kowloon Tong.
• The tunnel was designed before the 1970s and is already overloaded with traffic.
• Multiple entrances converge (Lion Rock Tunnel Road, Shatin Road, Huan Tsui Village), which can easily lead to bottlenecks.
• Toll booths, accidents in tunnels, and bad weather can exacerbate traffic jams.

peak hours

• 7:00am to 10:00am (towards Kowloon)
• 5:00pm to 8:00pm (towards Shatin/New Territories)

Editor's opinion

"When I lived in Sha Tin, I had to fight my way through the Lion Rock Tunnel every weekday. Sometimes it would be so jammed that I had to turn around midway. The most memorable time was when it was raining heavily and there was a minor accident. The traffic jam lasted for two hours and I even had to repeat the radio news twice!"

Tips for avoiding traffic jams

• Try to use alternative routes such as Tate's Cairn Tunnel and Shing Mun Tunnel
• Taking the MTR (East Rail Line) is actually faster
• Listen to the radio for traffic conditions and pay attention to real-time traffic information in advance

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Editor's Summary & Bitterness

Hong Kong traffic jams are truly a matter of "not worrying about not getting stuck, but worrying about not knowing the way." Many workers, students, and even drivers experience "traffic jam PTSD": Seeing the names of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, Island Eastern Corridor, Lion's Crossing Tunnel, Nathan Road, and Tsing Sha Highway, they know, "Today's not going to be fast again." Having personally experienced these congestion black spots for years, my deepest impression is that leaving early and returning late, making good use of public transportation, and constantly checking apps are the key to avoiding traffic jams in Hong Kong.

In reality, every congested road section has its own history, planning, social development and other factors. With the completion of new tunnels, roads, and railways, we hope that one day, Hong Kong traffic jams will become history.