The
Fragrant Harbour ( click
for postcard )
Lying at the southeastern tip of China, Hong Kong adjoins the province
of Guangdong (Canton), and is just south of the tropic of Cancer. The total
land area of Hong Kong is 1,078 square kilometers, comprising Hong
Kong Island (77.5 square kilometers); Kowloon (45.5 square kilometer);
and the New Territories, including 235 outlying islands (955 square
kilometers).
Today Hong Kong has become a great international
trading post, a powerful manufacturing base and one of the
world's largest financial centres.
Population and Language
The population as of 2002 was about 7.5 millions, almost 95 per cent of which
is Chinese. Chinese and English are the official languages. Cantonese is the
most widely spoken Chinese dialect, though Mandarin, Shanghainese and other
Chinese dialects are also spoken. Many people, especially in shops, hotels,
and service industries, speak English.
Climate
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate:
- Spring (March - mid-May):
Temperature and humidity rising. Jackets or sweaters
suggested. Average temperature: 23.C (73 ½F),
humidity around 82%, sea temperature, 22.C (72 ½F)
- Summer
(late May - mid-September): Hot and humid.
Temperature may rise to 33½C (91 ½F) with humidity
up to around 90%. . Shirtsleeves, cotton clothing, a
sweater for indoors and an umbrella for outside
suggested Average temperature: 28 ½C (82 ½F),
humidity 80%, sea temperature 28 ½C (82 ½F).
- Autumn
(late September - early December): temperature and
humidity drop. Clear sunny days. Shirtsleeves to
sweaters and light jackets suggested. Average
temperature: 23 ½C (73 ½F), humidity 72%, sea
temperature 17 ½C (63 ½F).
- Winter
(late December- February): Cool with low humidity.
Suits, light woollens and sometimes overcoats
suggested. Average temperature:
17 ½C (62 ½F),
humidity 72%, sea temperature 17 ½C (63 ½F).
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Entry Regulations
Visitors must hold a valid passport, endorsed where necessary for Hong Kong.
Citizens of some 24 countries, including the USA, Japan, and certain Western
European and South American nations are permitted one-month visa-free visits.
Three-month visa-free visits are available to another 23 countries as well
as all Commonwealth countries.
Visitors from most countries can enter Hong Kong without a visa for periods
of seven days to six months, depending on nationality. Check with any Chinese
embassy or consulate for the latest status.
Health Regulations
Vaccination certificates are not required for yellow fever,
cholera and typhoid for visitors travelling to Hong Kong.
Check with your travel agent well before your departure,
however, as requirements can change without notice.
Customs Allowance
Visitors may bring into Hong Kong free of duty:
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Airport Facilities
A baggage storage service is available in the departure hall
and the arrival hall. Other services include a bank,
moneychangers, gift shops, duty-free shops, snack bars,
restaurants, payphones, a police station, post office, a HK
Telecom International Ltd. Office, HKTA Information Centres
and private reception rooms.
Airport Departure Tax
Adults: HK$120.00; children (aged 12 years and under) free.
Safety
Hong Kong is generally considered a safe city by day or
night. Policemen are very helpful, and those who speak
English wear a red label under their shoulder badge. As in
all big cities, avoid carrying large amounts of cash;
traveller's cheques or credit cards are preferable. Make use
of your hotel's safe-deposit boxes.
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Currency
The unit of currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HK$). Notes issued by two private
banks (the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank and Standard Chartered Bank) have denominations
of $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1000. The Bank of China issues all of the
denominations except HK$10. There are silver coins for HK$1, HK$2, and HK$5,
bronze coins for HK10 cents, HK20 cents and HK50 cents, and a new nickel and
bronze coin for $10.
Most foreign currencies and traveller's
cheques are easily changed in Hong Kong, either at banks,
hotels or moneychangers (check how much you will get in
return before handing over your money).
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Tipping
Most restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge but an
additional 5 per cent may be given, where deserved. When a
service charge is not automatic, 10 per cent is acceptable.
Small tips may also be given to taxi drivers, bellboys,
doormen and washroom attendants.
Electricity
The voltage in Hong Kong is 200/220 volts, 50 cycles. Most
hotels provide adaptors.
Water
All water direct from government mains in Hong Kong satisfies
the United Nations World Health Organization standards.
Bottled water is widely available in hotels and supermarkets.
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Telephones
Telephones in Hong Kong are advanced, economical and easy to
use. Local calls are free, and many stores and restaurants
offer use of a telephone free of charge to patrons. Calls
from public coin phones cost HK$1. Most hotels have
International Direct Dialling (IDD). Please note that some
hotels charge a handling fee for local and/or international
calls. You can also make long-distance calls from (IDD)
Public Coin Phones and from HK Telecom International Ltd.
Offices. An easy method of making calls is to purchase
stored-value phonecards (HK$50, $150 and $200), which can be
used in any Cardphone box. The new Hello Phonecard (HK$100,
$200,$300) is a stored value card that enables the user to
place calls to and from over 30 countries from a touch-tone
phone. Both types of cards can be purchased at HKTA
Information and Gift Centres and most convenience stores.
Call 013 for information.
Post Offices
The main post offices are on Hong Kong Island, next to the
Star Ferry and in Kowloon at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Both are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to
2pm on Saturday. All post offices close on Sunday and public
holidays.
Television
There are two English-language channels. Programmes include a
selection of locally produced shows as well as features from
the UK, the US, and Australia. Also available is STAR TV (a
satellite channel) and, in some areas, Cable TV (subscription
television).
Radio
Fifteen radio channels are broadcast in Hong Kong. Six
English-language channels provide a wide range of programmes
and the BBC World Service is available 24 hours.
Office and Banking Hours
Most offices open from 9am to 5pm with a lunch hour from 1 pm
to 2pm. On Saturday the hours are 9am to 1 pm. Some Chinese
businesses open at 10am and close around 6pm or later. Major
banks are open from 9am to 4.30pm on weekdays, 9am to 12.30pm
on Saturday.
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Getting Around In Hong Kong
Airport Transport
After you have reclaimed your baggage and passed through
Customs, you will find yourself in the Buffer Hall of Hong
Kong International Airport where the Hong Kong Tourist
Association Information Centres are located . There you can
obtain free visitor publications and any other assistance you
may need.
Hong Kong International Airport is
approximately 40 minutes' drive by car from all major hotels
in Kowloon and about 50 minutes' drive via the
Cross-Harbour Tunnel from all major hotels on Hong Kong
Island (under normal traffic conditions). If you are making
your own way to your hotel, follow the signs directing you to
the Transport Terminus for taxis or use the airport coach
service. If you have no local currency on arrival,
change only enough at the airport to get you to your hotel.
Hotel Transport
Hotel bookings do not normally include transportation from
the airport. However, if you have a prearranged hotel booking
that includes an airport transfer, you should leave the
Buffer Hall via the exit marked Hotel Transport and look for
the hotel representative waiting to meet you.
Taxis
Taxis are numerous and readily available, and fares are low
compared with those in most cities. Red taxis serve Hong Kong
Island and Kowloon; green ones in the New Territories and
blue taxis on Lantau Island operate at even lower rates. Many
drivers speak some English but it is wise to have your
destination written in Chinese characters.
Rates for red taxis start at HK$18.5 on the flag fall plus
HK$1.60 for every 200 metres after the first two kilometres. Waiting time
is HK$1.10 per minute. Pay, in Hong Kong dollars only, the fare shown on the
meter, plus any additional charge where applicable. A HK$20 surcharge applies
to cross-harbour tunnel trips (includes the driver's HK$10 return toll). There
is also a surcharge for rides through the Lion Rock (HK$8), and Aberdeen (HK$5) tunnels, and a HK$5 charge for each piece of luggage.
Taxi drivers expect a tip, but just
round up the fare to the nearest dollar. Drivers cannot pick
up or drop off passengers on restricted streets, which are
marked with yellow lines. New Territories taxis will pick up
and drop off only in the New Territories. If you have any
queries or complaints, note the taxi's number and call the
24-hour Police Hotline on 2527 7177.
Buses
Double-decker buses, which run from 6 AM till 3 midnight,
cover most parts of the territory.
Fares range from HK$1 to HK$30.60. Exact change is required.
You'll find that, in general the drivers do not speak much
English.
Minibuses
Minibuses are small passenger vans which are yellow with a red stripe. They
can pick up passengers and let them off anywhere except regular bus stops
and the usual restricted areas. Fares range from HK$2 to HK$7.
Maxicabs
Maxicabs are yellow with a green stripe. They run along
specific routes and have fixed prices ranging from HK$1 to
HK$8. A sign on the front indicates the destination. Pay as
you get on.
Trains
The Mass Transit Railway (MTR), Carrying an average 4.0 million passengers every weekday, the MTR is regarded as one of the world's leading railways for safety, reliability, customer service and cost efficiency.
The MTR network comprises nine railway lines serving Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. In addition, a Light Rail network serves the local communities of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the New Territories while a fleet of buses provide convenient feeder services.
From Hong Kong, passengers can travel with ease to Guangdong province, Beijing and Shanghai in the mainland of China using the MTR's intercity railway services.
Unlike many other modes of public transport, the operational reliability of MTR trains is unaffected by traffic conditions, so passengers could always get to their destinations on time, barring severe weather conditions. What's more, MTR trains run about 19 hours a day, 7 days a week, from early morning (5:30 am - 6:00 am) to 1:00 am the next morning.
To ensure maximum safety and reliability, trains are operated with automatic signal control and protection
Ferries
The Star Ferry, which has connected Hong Kong and Kowloon since 1898, runs
regularly between 6.30am to 11.30pm. At HK$ 2.20 (upper deck), it must be
one of the cheapest and most scenic ferry rides in the world. The crossing
takes approximately eight minutes.
The Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company
provides other regular and inexpensive services which connect
Hong Kong Island to other parts of the Kowloon Peninsula and
to the outlying islands.
Trams
Enjoy the ultimate Peak experience is Peak Tram Sky Pass, offering you enjoyment of a trip on the famous Peak Tram and the fabulous panoramic views of Hong Kong from The Sky Terrace, the highest 360° viewing platform in Hong Kong. With the Peak Tram Sky Pass, you can enjoy more Peak experiences at a special price sold at Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus or appointed travel agents.
Return fare is Adult : HK$36.00 Child : HK$16.00
Car Hire
Self-drive rental cars are not often used in Hong Kong, but
chauffeur-driven cars are widely available. Hotels have their
own limousines for hire.
Rickshaws
The only means of travel in the old days, rickshaws today are
used mainly for fun rides and photo sessions. Rickshaw
drivers congregate at the Star Ferry on Hong Kong Island and
charge for a trip round the block or for a photo session.
Negotiate the price first.
