Travel and Holiday Tips in Hong KongHong Kong has great shopping, sumptuous dining, fascinating culture and heritage. The city also features a stunning harbour and green vistas that will surprise you. There is diversity and sophistication at every turn. BasicsTime: Local time is GMT +8. |
Health: The major health risk for travellers overseas is traveller's diarrhea, caused by eating contaminated fruit or vegetables or drinking contaminated water. Watch what you eat: stay away from ice, uncooked food, and unpasteurised milk and milk products. Note, too, that eating raw shellfish has been associated with recent hepatitis outbreaks in Hong Kong . Drink only bottled water or water that has been boiled for at least 20 minutes. Expect to pay HK$5 to HK$10 for a litre of bottled distilled water.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but waiters will expect some loose change, and if no service charge is included a 10% tip is expected. Taxis fares are rounded up to the nearest dollar.
Safety: Hong Kong is a safe travel destination although caution should always be exercised when travelling to a city. Pickpockets are likely to target unsuspecting tourists so one should minimise these incidences through vigilance.
Communications: The international access code for Hong Kong is +852. The outgoing code is 001 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the United Kingdom ). City codes are not required. Local calls from public coin phones cost HK$1 for five minutes. Using your mobile phone in Hong Kong is convenient as most of the telephone systems used around the globe like GSM 900, PCS 1800 and CDMA operate in Hong Kong . The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Before leaving home check with your network provider to make sure they have a roaming service to the various destinations you will be visiting and be sure to check pricing. Mobile phones can also be rented on arrival at the international airport. Internet cafes are widely available.
Postage : Postage is inexpensive and the service is reliable. The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island , next to the "Star" Ferry in Central, and at 10 Middle Road , Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon . Enquiries: +852 2921 2222.
Media: There are two local English-language daily newspapers - the South China Morning Post and The Standard - and many Chinese-language dailies. Local and international newspapers are available at major hotels, bookstores and news stands. There are two English-language television channels. Satellite and cable TV is also available in most hotels. There are 13 radio channels, offering everything from Cantonese pop music to English news programmes.
Climate
Spring (March to mid-May)
Temperatures and humidity rise gradually in spring. Evenings can be cool but lightweight jackets suffice. The average temperature ranges from 18 o C-27 o C (64 o F-80 o F), humidity about 82 per cent.
Summer (late May to mid-September)
Hot and humid with temperatures ranges from 26 o C-33 o C (78 o F-91 o F) and humidity near 86 per cent. Short sleeves and cotton clothes work best, with a lightweight sweater for indoors as restaurants tend to set air-conditioning on high. An umbrella or hat works well to ward off the sun.
Autumn (late September to early December)
Clear and sunny days are the norm in autumn. Short sleeves and light jackets are most suitable at this time of year. The average temperature ranges from 18 o C-28 o C (64 o F-82 o F), humidity about 72 per cent.
Winter (mid-December to February)
Winters are mild with low humidity at 72 per cent. Though the temperature ranges from 14 o C-20 o C (57 o F-68 o F), the mercury can drop to 10 o C (50 o F). Occasional chills make woollens and overcoats necessary.
Weather Signals
Hong Kong can sometimes be affected by extreme weather. The government has issued a simple but effective warning system. There are five grades of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals (signals 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10, with 10 being the highest). However, typhoons rarely pass directly over Hong Kong . In addition, there are three Rainstorm Warning Signals (amber, red and black, with black being the highest). When the typhoon signal is 8 or above and/or the rain signal is black, visitors are advised to stay in their hotels.
Hong Kong International Airport
Visitors to Hong Kong are served by one of the world's largest and most modern airports. Situated at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau Island , Hong Kong International Airport truly makes Hong Kong the gateway to Asia . A variety of transportation options are available for people travelling between Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong Island , Kowloon , New Territories and Lantau Island : rail, bus, ferry and taxi services.
Operated by the MTR Corporation, the Airport Express provides a swift link between Hong Kong International Airport and the heart of Hong Kong . It is one of the few dedicated airport railways in the world, covering the 35.3km between the airport at Chek Lap Kok and Central about 23 minutes. Each of the Airport Express stations has been designed to the highest standards, offering passengers world-class airport style facilities, such as In-town Check-in, Airport Express Shuttle Bus service and many other value-added facilities. The one-way adult fare from the airport to Hong Kong Island is HK$100. Trains run every 10 minutes from 5:50am-1:00am daily.
There are more than 30 franchised bus routes from the airport, including nine Airbus services that have fewer stops than conventional buses. Airbus fares range between HK$14 and HK$45. Ferry links between Chek Lap Kok Pier and Tuen Mun Pier in the New Territories run from 6:00am-11:00pm daily. Taxis to almost anywhere in Hong Kong are readily available from the taxi pick-up area. A typical journey between the airport and Central costs about HK$330; and Tsim Sha Tsui the fare is HK$270.
All passengers 12 and above must pay an Air Passenger Departure Tax (APDT) of HK$80 (which is normally included in the price of the ticket). Passengers who arrive and depart Hong Kong within the same day are exempted from paying such a tax.
Beginning 1 May 2002, an additional HK$13 Airport Security Surcharge (ASS) will be collected from passengers departing Hong Kong International Airport in order to maintain the current standards of safety, security and passenger services. This is in addition to the existing HK$20 security charge already collected by airlines on behalf of the Hong Kong Airport Authority. This will bring the total security charge paid by passengers to HK$33.
Getting Around
Hong Kong is blessed with one of the world's safest and most efficient public transportation systems. With so many affordable options, from taxis to ferries, rail, bus and tram, making your way around Hong Kong is one of the many memorable highlights of a visit. As in all major cities, however, it is best to avoid rush hours (8:00am-10:00am and 5:00pm-7:00pm).
MTR
Fast, clean and reliable, the MTR is Hong Kong's main means of public transport. Fares range from HK$4 to HK$26 and can be paid with single-journey tickets or travel passes like the Octopus card. Look for signs pointing to nearby MTR station entrances. The MTR is great for getting to Hong Kong's attractions as well as a host of shopping and dining outlets.
The MTR has six lines:
• Airport Express: running between the Hong Kong International Airport and Central
• Island Line: running between Sheung Wan and Chai Wan
• Tsuen Wan Line: running between Central and Tsuen Wan
• Kwun Tong Line: running between Yau Ma Tei and Tiu Keng Ling
• Tseung Kwan O Line: running between North Point and Po Lam
• the Tung Chung Line: running between Central and Tung Chung
Buses
All double-decker and coach buses have their final destinations marked in English and Chinese on the front top panel. Fares are low, usually ranging from HK$1.20 to HK$45. Exact change is required.
Minibuses and Maxicabs
Bus routes cover most of Hong Kong Island , Kowloon and the New Territories . Fares are low, but exact change is required. Minibuses are best suited for those who speak some Cantonese. Minibuses and maxicabs are small passenger vans that differ by colour. A minibus has a red stripe. Routes are not always fixed and passengers may get on and off anywhere. Pay as you alight. Exact fare is not required and small change can be given. Green-striped maxicabs travel specific routes at fixed prices. Exact payment is required when getting on. Fares for minibuses and maxicabs are a little higher than buses, but usually in the HK$2 to HK$22.50 range.
Taxis
Hong Kong taxis are well regulated, surprisingly inexpensive and seemingly everywhere. Flag fall is HK$15 in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island , lower in the New Territories and Lantau Island . Many drivers speak some English, but it is wise to have your destination written in Chinese characters. Only Hong Kong dollars are accepted.
Taxis come in different colours to indicate their area of service :
• Red taxis operate in most of Hong Kong, except for Tung Chung Road and the south side of Lantau Island ;
• Green taxis serve the rural areas of the New Territories ; and
• Blue taxis operate on Lantau Island .
All taxis can go to and from the Hong Kong International Airport . Taxis are easily hailed in the street, although they cannot pick up or drop off passengers in areas marked with yellow lines. At peak periods, you might opt for a hotel taxi-queue. All taxis are regulated and drivers are required to display their Taxi Driver Identity sign on the dashboard. Taxi fare information is listed on the inside of the taxi. Always ask for a receipt.
Entry Regulations
A visa is needed to enter Hong Kong from other countries. Nationals of most countries are not required to obtain visas for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on nationality. Citizens of the U.K. need only a valid passport to enter Hong Kong for stays of up to 6 months. Australian, Canadian, New Zealand , and U.S. citizens need only a valid passport to enter Hong Kong for stays up to 3 months. It is best to have at least six months' validity on your passport before traveling.
Check with any Chinese embassy or consulate for the latest status. Now, frequent business travel to Hong Kong is easier than ever with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Travel Pass.
Tourists who enter with a visitor's permit are not permitted to work. Those who are taking up employment in Hong Kong must obtain an advanced work permit from the Immigration Department. Usually, the company of hire will assist with the necessary paperwork.
Banks & Currencies
Banks in Hong Kong are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday, and 9:00am to 12:30pm on Saturday. They close on Sundays and public holidays. Some banks and branches are open slightly longer hours. Some banking services are not available an hour before closing.
The Hong Kong dollar (HK$) is the unit of currency; comes in denominations of HK$1000, $500, $100, $50, $20, and coins of HK$10, $5, $2, and $1. Coins also come in 10, 20, and 50 cents. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at about US$1 = HK$7.8.
Banks and money changers charge commission as do hotels that provide exchange services. All major credit cards are accepted and ATMs are widely distributed. Some HSBC "Electronic Money" machines provide 24-hour cash withdrawal facilities for Visa and MasterCard holders. American Express cardholders have access to Jetco ATMs and can withdraw local currency and travellers' cheques at the Express Cash ATMs in town.
As elsewhere, the rates of exchange for cash and travellers' cheques are marginally different and coins are not exchangeable. The display of net rates of exchange by moneychangers is a legal obligation. Visitors are advised to check them - and also the amount of any additional commission payable for the exchange of travellers' cheques - before handing over the money for exchange. Receipt notes must be issued by law. There are no restrictions on currencies being brought in or taken out of Hong Kong .
Business Hours
Nearly all businesses, even tourist-related ones, will shut down for major holidays such as Chinese Lunar New Year, Christmas and New Years.
Generally, business hours are weekdays 9:00am-5:00pm, and Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm. Major banks are open weekdays 9:00am-4:30pm, and Saturdays 9:00am-12:30pm. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Stores usually open around 10 am and stay open until 9 or 9:30 pm, especially in tourist and residential areas. Here's an estimate of store hours by neighbourhood: Central, 10 am - 6 pm; Causeway Bay and Wanchai, 11 am - 10 pm; Tsim Sha Tsui East, 11 am - 9 pm; Tsim Sha Tsui, Yau Ma Tei, and Mong Kok, 11 am - 10 pm.
