Next stop, dreamland: snoozing’s the main draw of Hong Kong bus tour that takes people on a 5-hour ride
- New tour offers ear plugs, sleep masks and silence, but many riders on inaugural trip stayed awake to take in the views
- ‘Sleep ride’ is travel agency owner’s gimmick to get locals out and about despite pandemic
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when 45 people boarded a Hong Kong tour bus for a five-hour ride planned to put them to sleep.
Aside from signs reminding them to remain silent, everyone was offered earplugs and light-blocking sleep masks at the start of the trip.
The red double-decker was divided into a “Zero-decibel Sleeping Cabin” and “VIP Panorama Cabin” on the upper deck, where talking was strictly not allowed, and a “Photo-taking cabin” below where some chatting was tolerated.
The group included parents and children, couples, friends and some solo riders who paid between HK$99 (US$12.70) and HK$399 for a seat.
Tickets sold out within three days, after local travel agency Ulu Travel announced the city’s first bus tour for those hoping to grab a little shut-eye.
